KCRW's To the Point

Is Syria's Civil War Going Global?

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 16:27:32 EDT

President Obama has reversed course on helping Syrian rebels, but intervention advocates insist it's too little too late. We look at the consequences of possible options.

Chemical Weapons and US Escalation in the Volatile Middle East

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 15:47:55 EDT

A reluctant President Obama says Syria?s use of chemical weapons has forced his hand and has promised direct aid to some of the rebels. Also, developments in Turkey.

Iran's Presidential Election: How Much Change Can It Bring?

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 15:48:54 EDT

After 8 years of Ahminejad, Iran's clerical leaders have tried minimize controversy in tomorrow's presidential election. But political opposition may rise to the surface.

Senate Debates Immigration Reform

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 15:48:20 EDT

The Senate made history yesterday by agreeing to a full debate on immigration reform. The amendment process is already under way. We hear about the obstacle course ahead.

In the Age of Big Data, Is Privacy No Big Deal?

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 15:37:16 EDT

Recent revelations about government agencies' access to personal data have confirmed what many Internet users say they already knew. Is it time for concern about privacy?

Obama, Congress and the Surveillance State

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 15:39:42 EDT

The latest leaks on US intelligence came from a former government contractor hiding in Hong Kong. Everyone?s astonished at the personal data now in government hands.

Will Revelations of Surveillance Cloud the Sunnylands Summit?

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 16:14:00 EDT

We look at revelations about secret intelligence gathering. Also, a preview of today?s summit meeting between President Barack Obama and China?s Xi Jinping.

NSA Collects Verizon Phone Records by FISA Court Order

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 15:40:59 EDT

An FISA court order requires Verizon to produce records of all land line and cell phone communications. Is it new or an extension of what started during the Bush years?

The Selective Recovery and a Shrinking Middle Class

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Wed, 05 Jun 2013 16:03:04 EDT

Despite headlines suggesting that the Great Recession is over, average American households have regained only half what they lost and some may never fully recover.

China, Cyber Espionage and Controlling the Internet

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 15:49:18 EDT

In the California desert on Friday, the Presidents of the US and China will talk about cyberwarfare. We hear about the culture of hacking and what it means for economics and national security.

China's Expanding Role in the American Food Supply

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 15:44:29 EDT

Much of the food consumed in the US originated in China. Should we be concerned about food safety, even when China reportedly takes special care when it comes to exports?

Are We Ready for Climate Change Refugees?

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Fri, 31 May 2013 15:33:40 EDT

Melting ice and rising sea levels are forcing entire Alaskan villages to move. We hear about the earliest ravages of climate change. What could they mean for other places?

Can John Kerry Broker Middle East Peace?

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Thu, 30 May 2013 15:35:15 EDT

One Israeli newspaper says John Kerry's efforts to renew Israeli-Palestinian talks will end in either a "breakthrough" or "political humiliation." We look at the prospects..

Bridges, Roads and Power Grids: Our Aging Infrastructure

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Wed, 29 May 2013 15:35:24 EDT

Last week's bridge collapse in Washington has focused attention on our aging infrastructure. Is it time for federal spending for repair and to stimulate the economy?

Gay Scouts and Straight Leaders

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Tue, 28 May 2013 15:44:28 EDT

The Boy Scouts will now allow openly gay members, but only until the age of 18, exposing conflicts between religious groups, corporate America and Scouting?s itself.

The Soldiers Who Are Making It Home

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Sun, 26 May 2013 15:51:02 EDT

The ultimate medical cost for Iraq and Afghan war veterans may run to $900 billion. Why so high and unpredictable? We hear about the financial and human consequences.

Update to Psychiatry Bible: Is Sick the New Normal?

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Fri, 24 May 2013 16:00:05 EDT

A new edition of Psychiatry?s DSM-5 has doctors and scholars exchanging scathing attacks, with potential consequences for patients, insurance companies and courts of law.

Obama Lays Out His Counterterrorism Goals

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:36:14 EDT

With the war in Afghanistan ending and al Qaeda weakened, we hear President Obama thoughts on national security, his ideas on drones and closing Guantanamo prison.

Moore, Oklahoma: Disaster, Relief and Recovery

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:11:12 EDT

The Director of FEMA and the Secretary of Homeland Security are in Moore, Oklahoma after Monday's deadly tornado. We hear about rescue, recovery, rebuilding and resilience.

DC in the Grip of IRS, Benghazi and AP Phone Records Scandals

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:43:48 EDT

Is the President's scandal-plagued second-term agenda in trouble? Is the GOP going too far? In the midst of partisan gridlock are the news media looking for drama?

Stock Market Soars: Should You Care?

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:44:40 EDT

Soaring stock markets and a boom in housing construction are good news but, with high unemployment and declining home ownership, is the wealth failing to trickle down?

National Security, Government 'Spin' and the First Amendment

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:50:39 EDT

The Obama Administration is accused of abusing press freedom by seizing AP phone records. Can new technology protect the press and their sources from government intrusion?

Angelina Jolie and the 'Breast Cancer Gene'

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:39:43 EDT

Angelina Jolie's revelation of her preventative mastectomy is raising fears as well as some reassurance. Even those who applaud her courage worry about over-reaction.

IRS Targeting, AP Dragnet: Obama and the Shadow of Scandal

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Wed, 15 May 2013 16:29:08 EDT

Washington's focused this week on potential scandals involving the FBI's investigation of the AP and the IRS targeting of conservative groups applying for tax exemptions.

Bangladesh Factory Collapse and the Global Clothing Industry

webmaster@kcrw.org (Warren Olney, KCRW) — Tue, 14 May 2013 15:35:23 EDT

One of the worst tragedies in garment-industry history is having consequences around the world. What are clothing companies doing? What can you do?