Joyce Hackel
Bob Diamond Steps Down Over Barclays Scandal
The chief executive of Barclays Bank, Bob Diamond stepped down Tuesday over an interest rate-rigging scandal that threatens financial institutions around the globe.
Extremists Shatter Historic Shrines in Timbuktu
Militants in Timbuktu are attacking tombs and at least one mosque that they say contravene Islamaic law. Dr Shamil Jeppie, the team leader of Timbuktu Manuscripts Project at the University of Cape Town in South Africa tells host Marco Werman why centuries of religious tolerance in Mali appear to be breaking down.
As Economic Sanctions Bite, Iranians Knock Back Another Drink
Iranians are increasingly turning to alcohol to cope with the myriad social problems brought on, in part, by economic sanctions.
War Arrives in Damascus: One Activist’s Account
Day-to-day life for Amer al-Sadeq, an activist with the Syrian Revolution Coordinators’ Union is far from secure. He describes for host Marco Werman the escalating tensions in his northeast Damascus neighborhood.
Egypt: A Democratic Example Would Pound ‘A Stake Through the Heart of Al-Qaeda’
The New Yorker’s Lawrence Wright talks with host Marco Werman about the the long and twisted relationship between the Muslim Brotherhood and al-Qaeda.
Islamist Victory Worries Secular Egyptians
Many secular Egyptians are worried about the election victory of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohammed Mursi. But some, like former Egyptian TV anchor Shahira Amin say Mursi should be given a chance, because “the more we marginalize the Islamists the more we radicalize them.”
Russia’s Military is Now “Nimbler, More Networked”
The Cold War is over but the “Cool War” is on, according to John Arquilla, the chair of the special operations program at the US Naval Post-Graduate school in Monterey, California.
The Growing Danger of Reporting from Syria
BBC correspondent Paul Wood has been awarded the David Bloom award for his reporting from inside Syria. He talks with host Lisa Mullins about the growing complexity of the Syrian conflict, and the difficulties correspondents face as they try to verify the accounts of those caught up in the fighting.
Why US Intervention in Syria Could Spell Deep Trouble
Joshua Landis, director of the Middle Eastern Studies program at the University of Oklahoma tells host Marco Werman that more assertive US intervention in Syria is unlikely to quell the violence there.
ExxonMobil and Chad’s Authoritarian Regime: An ‘Unholy Bargain’
Author Steve Coll talks about his new book “Private Empire: ExxonMobil and American Power.” Coll blames ExxonMobil’s “outsized-influence” for poverty in oil-rich countries including Chad.
A California Accountant’s Bid to Overturn Cambodia’s Government
Cambodian-American Yasith Chhun was living the American dream in California until the Long Beach accountant hatched a plot to try to overthrow Cambodia’s government.
Moscow Wages War on Washington – via Twitter
The Kremlin has launched an online assault, blasting the U.S. Ambassador in Moscow Michael McFaul. The spat flared up after Amb. McFaul gave a talk to students at one of Russia’s most prestigious universities, as Guardian correspondent Miriam Elder explains.
Peru’s Master Percussionist: Alex Acuña
This year at Peru’s annual cajon festival, Peru paid homage to Peruvian master percussionist Alex Acuña. He’s been drumming for more than 50 years, with musicians from Elvis Presley to Weather Report. Mitra Taj sent us this audio snapshot.
Greeks Seek Exit from Economic and Political Morass
When he served as Minister of Foreign Affairs Dimitris Droutsas, was part of the Greek government that negotiated bailout terms and austerity measures. He tells host Marco Werman that attitudes toward austerity are now shifting in Europe.
The British Espionage Behind Pearl Harbor
Former British servicemen and officials may have passed on to Japan intelligence and training that might have aided the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, according to a new BBC documentary. Producer Paul Elston tells host Aaron Schachter about the apparent espionage.
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