Advertisement

Week In The News: Democrats Debate, Afghan Troops, Violence In Israel

47:49
Download Audio
Resume

The Democrats debate. Thousands of US troops to remain in Afghanistan. Violence surges in Israel. Our weekly news roundtable goes behind the headlines.

President Barack Obama, with Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford, left, and Defense Secretary Ash Carter, after speaking about Afghanistan, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. Obama announced that he will keep U.S. troops in Afghanistan when he leaves office in 2017. (AP)
President Barack Obama, with Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Joseph Dunford, left, and Defense Secretary Ash Carter, after speaking about Afghanistan, Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. Obama announced that he will keep U.S. troops in Afghanistan when he leaves office in 2017. (AP)

He came into office vowing to get the US out of Iraq and Afghanistan.  This week, Barack Obama folded on withdrawal from Afghanistan. Thousands of US troops will be there beyond his presidency. It’s done.  Hot politics for the Democrats this week. Their first debate. Hillary Clinton, large and in charge. But Sanders strong, too. In Jerusalem, a frightening surge of knifings in the streets. Young Palestinians attacking.  Israeli security, gunning them down. We’ve got the long-losing Cubs winning. And a big El Nino moving in for the winter. This hour On Point, our weekly news roundtable goes behind the headlines.
-- Tom Ashbrook

Guests

Howard Fineman, global editorial director for the Huffington Post. (@howardfineman)

Nicole Gaouette, foreign policy reporter for Bloomberg News. (@nicolegaouette)

Jack Beatty, On Point news analyst. (@JackBeattyNPR)

From Tom’s Reading List

Foreign Policy: Barack Obama and the Powell Doctrine, Reconsidered -- "The president’s decision to leave 5,500 troops in Afghanistan at least into the first year of the next president’s term of office was inevitable. The lessons of Iraq and the volatile situation on the ground in Afghanistan dictate it. It was also the right decision. To leave entirely would be to invite chaos, render America’s enormous investment a write-off, and likely leave the country a home to a new generation of violent extremists even more dangerous than the al Qaeda thugs that America entered Afghanistan to eradicate."

Bloomberg Business: China's Island Moves Draw Neighbors Closer to U.S., Carter Says — "China’s island-building in the South China Sea is driving Asian nations to seek closer cooperation with the U.S., Defense Secretary Ashton Carter said. The American defense chief made the comment Tuesday in response to a question — which he didn’t answer — about plans being weighed by the Obama administration to sail U.S. Navy ships inside the 12 nautical miles that China claims around man-made islands it created in the sea north of Australia."

NPR News: Israel Steps Up Security Amid Increasing Violence In Jerusalem — "Israeli officials say families and Palestinian society do encourage attacks by calling those who do them martyrs and heroes. Dore Gold, director of Israel's foreign ministry, says that the new government actions to fight the recent rise in violence are fair, defensive measures."

This program aired on October 16, 2015.

Advertisement

More from On Point

Listen Live
Close