The White House is preparing a military campaign against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria that could take years to complete. Also, Apple will try to change its bad press following last week's nude photo leak by unveiling the latest technology tomorrow. Then, TMZ released a video today showing Ravens running back punch and knock out his then-fiancée in a hotel elevator.
Obama devising strategy against extremists in Iraq and Syria
The White House is preparing a strategy - military, political and diplomatic - against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
President Barack Obama will meet with congressional leaders tomorrow and is expected to make a national address on Wednesday. Proposals for an offensive are said to include airstrikes and collaboration with other nations, and could take years to complete. Airstrikes to protect ethnic and religious minorities have begun already and will continue, and the campaign will add training for the Iraqi military, Kurdish fighters, and potentially some Sunni fighters.
In an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press, President Obama stressed the importance of defeating ISIS, saying, “We are going to systematically degrade their capabilities; we’re going to shrink the territory that they control; and, ultimately, we’re going to defeat them.” The White House has increased outreach to regional allies looking for ground support in military movement against ISIS.
What’s the best military approach for the U.S. and other nations against ISIS? What are the potential benefits and drawbacks to amplifying attacks?
Guests:
Danielle Pletka, Senior Vice President, Foreign and Defense Policy Studies, American Enterprise Institute
Mokhtar Awad, research associate for the Center for American Progress National Security and International Policy team
Apple product predictions: bigger, more intimate and connected
Fresh off a security scandal last week that saw Apple iCloud accounts hacked for nude photos of celebrities such as actress Jennifer Lawrence, the folks in Cupertino will have a chance to change the story when unveiling their latest technology tomorrow.
The most anticipated, and long rumored, products are larger iPhones, a wearable iWatch, and digital wallets. Smartphone analysts say the demand is growing for larger smart phones, so Apple is expected offer a 4.7-inch diagonal screen and 5.5-inch version (the current screen measures 4 inches). Digital news site Re/code said the iWatch -- geared toward health and fitness needs -- might not be ready to ship until 2015, and speculates about a $400 price tag.
The news that could have the biggest impact is a mobile payment system. Wired magazine explains “How the Next iPhone could Finally Kill the Credit Card” – but not quite yet. If all the conspiracies of planned obsolescence turn you off Apple, last week Samsung and Sony unveiled their new products. A virtual reality headset, the Gear VR Innovator Edition, was Samsung’s big announcement - along with its Galaxy Note Edge that includes an innovative spillover screen making it easier to see tickers and manage calls. Sony is continuing to focus on its gaming market. Its new Xperia Z3 phones and tablets will host WiFi-streamed Playstation games. Finally, Sony also showed off a prototype of wearable glasses.
What are you anticipating most eagerly? What is on your wish list for these tech companies to start or stop doing?
Guest:
Lauren Goode, Senior Reviewer at Re/code - an independent tech news, reviews and analysis site.
New Frontline doc “Ebola Outbreak” delves into the reality of a killer virus
Over 3,700 people have been killed by the Ebola outbreak that is centralized in West Africa. Even two Americans contracted the virus abroad, but have since been classified as healthy and allowed to return to their homes. Wael Dabbous, a producer and director of observational documentaries, has produced a new film, “Ebola Outbreak,” that highlights the devastating effects of the disease and the struggle to contain its spread.
Dabbous documents the work at an emergency field hospital run by Doctors Without Borders, and follows prevention specialists around Sierra Leone who go in search of infected individuals in order to isolate and destroy the virus. The filmmaker joins us to talk about the dangers and obstacles of fighting Ebola.
Some of Dabbous’ past works include “Syria Undercover,” where he broke the country’s ban on foreign media and won an Emmy for Outstanding Coverage of a Breaking News Story. His work has been featured in many outlets, including National Geographic, Discovery and the BBC.
“Ebola Outbreak” premieres Tuesday, Sept. 9, on PBS at 10 pm on our local PBS station, KOCE.
Guest:
Wael Dabbous, his most recent documentary is FRONTLINE's "Ebola Outbreak," premiering Tuesday, September 9 on PBS. He joins us from London.
President Obama’s halt on immigration reform spurs backlash
President Obama announced Saturday his decision to delay his commitment to act on immigration reform until after congressional elections in November. Having promised last June to make a decision with or without Congressional backing, this decision comes as a blow for many immigration reform advocates. His executive action is expected to prevent up to 11 million people from being deported.
Obama cited an opinion shift among Americans’ views on immigration reform following the surge of roughly 63,000 Central American minors crossing the border earlier this year. The president said in an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday that he needs more time to make his case to the American people, but opponents of the position say it’s purely a political ploy to help democrats win in close midterm elections. Some republican like House speaker John Boehner are also saying this move could be potentially unconstitutional. According to White House officials, taking action before the election could possibly harm long-term goals for immigration reform.
Do you agree? Is this new approach a more practical one? Or is it ultimately just politics as usual?
Guest:
Fawn Johnson, Congressional correspondent, National Journal
Baltimore Ravens cut Ray Rice after domestic violence video
After a video surfaced showing Ray Rice punch and knock out his then-fiancée, the Baltimore Ravens have terminated the running back's contract.
Rice was arrested earlier this year for what was described by his lawyers as a "very minor physical altercation" at an Atlantic City casino. A surveillance video of the incident obtained by TMZ showed Rice dragging his seemingly unconscious fiancée out of the elevator.
In response, the NFL slapped a 2-game suspension against Rice, a penalty critics decried as too lenient. The outrage eventually drove the league to revise its domestic violence policy in August. Under the new guidelines, players will face a six-game suspension for a first offense, and indefinite suspension of at least one year for a second offense.
This morning, TMZ released a new video showing what took place inside the elevator. In a press statement, the NFL said that it hadn't seen the footage before today.
Ray Rice -- ELEVATOR KNOCKOUT ... Fiancee Takes Crushing Punch [Video] - Watch More Celebrity Videos or Subscribe
Guest:
Ken Belson, sports reporter for The New York Times who’s been covering the story
City of Lies: Love, Sex, Death, and the Search for Truth in Tehran
In her new book, City of Lies: Love, Sex, Death, and the Search for Truth in Tehran, author and journalist Ramita Navai takes readers on a journey into Iran. The book dives deep into the streets of Tehran to tell the extraordinary stories of the people who live there: a porn star, a socialite, an assassin, a religious, transgender former soldier, and a woman divorcing her husband.
The lives of the people Navai met while working as an undercover journalist in Tehran are stunning and full of passion. City of Lies is an exploration of the falsehoods necessary to survive in Tehran.
Guest:
Ramita Navai, author of City of Lies (Public Affairs, 2014), reporter for Channel 4’s foreign affairs series, Unreported World