September 23 – Aiding Failed States that Become Havens for Terrorists; Possible Diplomatic Openings with Iran; Getting Heads of State Not on Speaking Terms Together at the U.N.

Full Program

Part 1

We begin with the terrorist attacks in Kenya and Pakistan that targeted Christians and non-Muslims and look into the increasingly dangerous environment for humanitarian and aid organizations as they try to address the underlying problems that cause states to fail and then become havens for terrorist groups like Al Qaeda. James Jennings, the President of Conscience International joins us to discuss the growing challenges of operating in Somalia and Pakistan.

Part 2

Then we speak with Flynt Leverett who served as a Senior Director of Middle East Affairs on the National Security Council and is the co-author of “Going to Tehran: Why the United States Must Come to Terms with the Islamic Republic of Iran”. We will discuss possible diplomatic openings between the U.S. and Iran as world leaders meet at the United Nations to address the General Assembly and find a way to proceed on the Russian/American framework for controlling and destroying Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal. 

Part 3

Then finally we speak with Michael Cohen, a columnist for the UK Guardian and a former chief speechwriter for the U.S. Representative at the United Nations. We will discuss the role that Samantha Power now has representing the United States and how behind-the-scenes and backroom deals can be arranged and orchestrated between heads of state not on speaking terms who need to address common challenges.