To the Point
Military Strikes in Afghanistan and Arab Alliance
As a second day of air strikes is under way against Afghanistan, UN Ambassador John Negroponte has told the Security Council that self-defense may require the US to attack other countries. Meantime, Osama Bin Laden's call for all Muslims to unite against America has created problems for potential allies in the region. We sample reaction to the first day of strikes from the front lines in Afghanistan as well as crucial nations in the Muslim world, and see how the Arab press is treating conflicting messages from bin Laden and President Bush. [GUEST LIST & LINKS] Newsmaker: What Can Homeland Security Guru Tom Ridge Do? Former Pennsylvania governor Tom Ridge has been sworn in as the head of the new Office of Homeland Security. Michael Greenberger, counter-terrorism assistant to then Attorney General Janet Reno, says Ridge's relationship with President Bush will facilitate his coordination of counter-terrorism efforts of more than 40 other agencies. Reporter's Notebook: Will Food Drops Help Afghans? Two giant cargo planes flew from Germany to Afghanistan yesterday, dropping some 35,000 packets of food along with leaflets explaining America's intention to strike at terrorists, not ordinary citizens. David Reiff, a World Policy Institute senior fellow and consultant to humanitarian agencies, talks about the danger of mixing war and relief efforts. To the Point Special Edition Bin Laden, US Vie for Hearts & Minds of Arab World President Bush speaks from the White House in Washington, Osama Bin Laden from somewhere in Afghanistan. Their goals are diametrically opposed, but both are attempting to sway public opinion in the Arab world. We get an analysis of bin Laden's televised statement of yesterday, including his appeal on behalf of Palestinians. We'll get some Palestinian reaction as well. Then we join foreign policy experts for a look at the United Nations, where Syria has just joined the Security Council, to assess the likelihood that the UN will play an active role in Afghanistan. [GUEST LIST & LINKS] Newsmaker: Second case of Anthrax in Florida In Boca Raton, health officials have sealed off the building that houses American Media, publisher of The National Enquirer and The Sun. One employee died last week from anthrax, a second has been exposed. Florida State Epidemiologist Steven Wiersma reports that the Department of Health is responding vigorously to the outbreak. Reporter's Notebook: Flying a Long Range Bombing Mission The B2's that are dropping bombs on Afghanistan remain in the air for hours on end. Fighter-bombers don't stay up as long but have no standing room in the cockpit. General Merrill McPeak, who served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Gulf War, talks about endurance, engine oil, and what it's like to fly some of the world's most futuristic aircraft.
By Warren Olney • • 1 min readAs a second day of air strikes is under way against Afghanistan, UN Ambassador John Negroponte has told the Security Council that self-defense may require the US to attack other countries. Meantime, Osama Bin Laden's call for all Muslims to unite against America has created problems for potential allies in the region. We sample reaction to the first day of strikes from the front lines in Afghanistan as well as crucial nations in the Muslim world, and see how the Arab press is treating conflicting messages from bin Laden and President Bush. [GUEST LIST & LINKS]
What Can Homeland Security Guru Tom Ridge Do? Former Pennsylvania governor Tom Ridge has been sworn in as the head of the new Office of Homeland Security. Michael Greenberger, counter-terrorism assistant to then Attorney General Janet Reno, says Ridge's relationship with President Bush will facilitate his coordination of counter-terrorism efforts of more than 40 other agencies.
Will Food Drops Help Afghans? Two giant cargo planes flew from Germany to Afghanistan yesterday, dropping some 35,000 packets of food along with leaflets explaining America's intention to strike at terrorists, not ordinary citizens. David Reiff, a World Policy Institute senior fellow and consultant to humanitarian agencies, talks about the danger of mixing war and relief efforts.
To the Point Special Edition
Second case of Anthrax in Florida In Boca Raton, health officials have sealed off the building that houses American Media, publisher of
The National Enquirer and
The Sun. One employee died last week from anthrax, a second has been exposed. Florida State Epidemiologist Steven Wiersma reports that the Department of Health is responding vigorously to the outbreak.
Flying a Long Range Bombing Mission The B2's that are dropping bombs on Afghanistan remain in the air for hours on end. Fighter-bombers don't stay up as long but have no standing room in the cockpit. General Merrill McPeak, who served on the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the Gulf War, talks about endurance, engine oil, and what it's like to fly some of the world's most futuristic aircraft.