What is the future of jihad now that Osama bin Laden is gone? Bridging gaps and building inroads – the quest for interfaith understanding. Is There Still a Place for Objective Journalism – Or Is It An Anachronism?
Shifting ideologies in the Middle East and the impact on terror groups
The so-called Arab Spring has dominated headlines this year, only to be eclipsed by even bigger headlines yesterday announcing that U.S. forces had killed Osama bin Laden. Both are big stories, but which will have the largest impact and influence on the future of the Middle East? The heroes of revolutions in Egypt's Tahrir Square were their own union leaders and student activists -- none holding placards of Osama bin Laden or even his Egyptian heir apparent Ayman al-Zawahiri. Experts say Bin Laden's popularity was overstated by entrenched Arab regimes such as Hosni Mubarak in Egypt. Yet, Bin Laden's appeal did extend far in to South Asian countries, particularly Pakistan -- and may not be abated by revolutions. What’s the future of Al-Qaeda? Has the success of the pro-democracy movements sidelined jihadist aspirations? Or are there more dangerous groups springing up?
Guests:
Borzou Daragahi, Middle East correspondent and Beirut bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times
Haider Mullick, Fellow at the Joint Special Operations University (JSOU); Fellow at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding; Author of Pakistan's Security Paradox: Countering and Fomenting Insurgencies
Frederic Wehrey, Senior Policy Analyst at the Rand Corporation
Bridging gaps and building inroads – the quest for interfaith understanding
After the news of Osama Bin Laden's death, Muslim-American leaders were asked to react. Ever the optimist, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf said he believed it could ease tensions that exist for Muslims here. Imam Feisal is the New Yorker who sparked a lot of controversy and furious debate by trying to locate a mosque and Muslim cultural center near Ground Zero in lower Manhattan. This year, Time Magazine named him in their list of the Top 100 influential people -- citing his moderate colloquial eloquence. In his role as Chairman of the Cordoba Initiative, Imam Feisal directs projects aimed at healing conflict between Islamic and Western Communities. Rauf has since curtailed his involvement with the Manhattan project, known as Park51, but is contemplating the creation of another interfaith community center in the same area. In his recent article Five Myths About Muslims in America, Imam Rauf outlines some of the misunderstandings that divide Americans of differing faiths and his dedication to promoting unity between people of all creeds.
Guest:
Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf, Chairman of the Cordoba Initiative
Is there still a place for objective journalism – or is it an anachronism?
From Glenn Beck to Keith Olbermann, from Rachel Maddow to Fox News there has been intense focus and debate on the spin of broadcast journalism. Some argue that journalists should admit their biases and not pretend to be impartial. Others insist that they should aspire to the traditional standard, as outlined by The New York Times' Editor Bill Keller: "Impartiality is not just a matter of pretending to be neutral; it is a healthful, intellectual discipline." Even if the goal of objectivity is not entirely attainable, should media outlets strive to achieve the standard of objective journalism or do away with the pretense all together and advocate for a point of view?
Guests:
Eric Alterman, Distinguished Professor of English, Brooklyn College, City University of New York, a Professor of Journalism at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism and a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress.
Geneva Overholser, Director of the Annenberg School of Journalism at the University of Southern California