Show Producer’s Blog: Newsroom Hubbub

Susan Cain’s New York Times op-ed “The Rise of the New Groupthink” makes me think a lot about the way we work here at The World. We have an open plan newsroom [...]

Show Producer’s Blog: Remembering Haiti

A year ago this week I was in Haiti doing stories about how things stood on the anniversary of the big earthquake there. As we approach the second anniversary of that terrible day (January 12, 2010) I find myself thinking a lot about the people I met on that trip, including Rochefort Saint-Louis, a public health official tasked with collecting the bodies of cholera victims. [...]

A Day At The World [Video]

Ever wonder what it’s like to produce The World’s weekday broadcast? Video journalist and freelance producer Marcus Wraight produced this video depicting a day at The World.

Show Producer’s Blog: Hidden Heroes

One of the things I’d like to do on this show producer’s blog is highlight the hidden heroes in the newsroom. The conventions of public radio mean that hosts in the studio and reporters in the field are well-recognized [...]

Show Producer’s Blog

For a while now I’ve been meaning to start a “show producer’s blog” — a place to jot down thoughts about the news, the program, the production day, the issues that come up in the course of doing what we do, and best of all, I hope, a place to engage with all of you about the stories we do. So here goes [...]

The Specter of Syrian Civil War

As the violence escalates in Syria, there’s fear of sectarian civil war.

President Obama Calls for Middle East Reform

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President Barack Obama says a “new chapter in American diplomacy” has been turned after the Arab Spring uprisings. In a speech at the State Department, Mr Obama said the future of the US was bound to the Middle East by forces of economics, security, history and fate. “It will be the policy of the US to promote reform, and to support transitions to democracy,” he said. Jeb Sharp reports. Download MP3

Video of the entire speech and analysis
The President’s Speech on Twitter
Text of the Speech

Bin Laden’s death affects US in Afghanistan

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Jeb Sharp reports on a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on the US endgame in Afghanistan. Download MP3

Bridging Haiti’s class divide

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Class differences are stark in Haiti and some Haitians think nothing will change until the distrust and fear between classes is broken down. The World’s Jeb Sharp reports on efforts to bring business people and gang leaders in Port au Prince together. Download MP3

US considers sanctions against Assad

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The United States says it is considering targeted sanctions against the Syrian government in response to what officials have described as brutal violence against its people. The World’s Jeb Sharp looks at options available to the Obama Administration to pressure Syrian President Bashar al Assad (pictured) to stop his violent crackdown against protestors and implement political reforms. Download MP3
BBC video: ‘Tanks roll into Deraa’

Why Libya is different from Darfur

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The military intervention in Libya unfolded relatively quickly. Just over a month passed between the first protest in Libya and the first airstrikes. Compare that with the Darfur crisis where mass atrocities unfolded for years while the UN Security Council wrangled over what to do. The World’s Jeb Sharp considers the reasons for the difference. Download MP3
Jeb Sharp’s history podcast: How We Got Here

Chernobyl, Abd-El Krim, Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire

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This week’s history podcast showcases three unrelated but timely radio features. In light of the nuclear crisis in Japan, Brigid McCarthy reminds us what happened at Chernobyl in 1986. Gerry Hadden introduces us to a Berber hero in Morocco and explains where he fits in the contemporary political landscape. And Jason Margolis retells the story of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire a century ago and explains why it’s still relevant today.Download MP3

Humanitarian intervention or regime change?

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Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has been telling his followers he won’t be defeated while the international coalition continues to engage targets in Libya. There are strong arguments for and against the intervention in Libya. But there’s another urgent debate unfolding now that the operation is under way: Is this strictly a humanitarian intervention or is the ultimate goal regime change? The World’s Jeb Sharp reports. Download MP3
Live updates from the BBC

A peek into Jean-Bertrand Aristide’s career

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The World’s Jeb Sharp reports on the tumultuous career of Jean-Bertrand Aristide. The former Haitian leader returned to his country Friday. Download MP3

Haiti marks earthquake anniversary

Libya and US foreign policy options

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Jeb Sharp looks at how the uprisings in the Middle East are changing US foreign policy priorities. Download MP3
MENA protests: Country by country
Video: P.J. Crowley discuss the MENA uprisings