What are America’s larger objectives in Afghanistan? Anchor Marco Werman speaks with Amin Tarz, Middle East Studies Director at the Marine Corps University in Quantico, Virginia — and Anatol Lieven, a professor at the War Studies Department at King’s College in London. Listen
Some 10,000 of the new U.S. troops ordered to Afghanistan are fanning out across the dangerous Afghan south. But for some Afghans, the American soldiers won’t make much difference… they say the threat they face is from government corruption. The World’s Aaron Schachter reports. Listen
In Lebanon, a US-backed coalition has won the country’s parliamentary elections. Yesterday’s vote was expected to be very close. The losing side was a coalition that included the Syrian and Iranian-backed Islamist militant group Hezbollah. Ben Gilbert reports that coalition’s loss surprised many in Lebanon. Listen
President Obama’s choice for US ambassador to Mexico has sparked some controversy south of the border. Carlos Pascual is a career diplomat with an expertise in the problems of failed states. That’s a sensitive topic in Mexico, given the violence and lawlessness associated with drug cartels there. The World’s Lorne Matalon reports. Listen
Lebanese voters will be electing a new parliament this weekend. It’s a close race between the US-backed coalition and a coalition that includes the Iranian backed militant Shiite group Hezbollah. We get a preview of what’s at stake from reporter Ben Gilbert in Beirut. Listen
Despite Russia’s constitutional guarantee of equal employment for men and women, there is a list of 460 jobs that are legally off limits to women. Correspondent Jessica Golloher tells us about some of them. Listen
This week: a four-part series on how the economic downturn is affecting immigrants in California. So, take a quick economic tour of life in the Golden State these days. We talk to Mexican farm workers in the San Joaquin Valley, Asian health care workers in Los Angeles, and nannies in Hollywood. Listen to the Global Economy Podcast
Jason Margolis assumes command of the podcast this week. We take you north to Canada to hear about an effort to “green” a million wartime-era homes. Then, we offer a global assessment of the new fuel efficiency standards announced by the Obama Administration. Listen
