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Wednesday, February 06, 2013

The Two-Way

Air Base In Saudi Arabia Is Latest Drone Secret To Be Revealed

John Brennan, President Obama's nominee to be the next CIA director, worked closely with Saudi Arabia to set up a secret U.S. drone base there, The New York Times reported. Brennan's confirmation hearing is Thursday.

February 6, 2013 The Obama administration wanted to keep the existence of the base secret. It has been used to target al-Qaida members in Yemen.

Summary

Tuesday, February 05, 2013

The Two-Way

Broader Justification Emerges Of When U.S. Can Kill Americans Who Join Al-Qaida

October 2011: Men stand on the rubble of a building destroyed by a U.S. drone  strike in southeastern Yemen. Among those killed was U.S. citizen  Abdulrahman al-Awlaki, the son of U.S.-born cleric Anwar al-Awlaki — who  himself was killed by a drone strike the month before.

February 5, 2013 A justice department memo obtained by NBC News says the president can order drone strikes on Americans overseas if they take on leadership posts in al-Qaida or affiliated organizations and are "imminent" threats to Americans. But there's no need for proof of "specific" plans aimed at the U.S.

Summary

ListenPlaylist

Monday, February 04, 2013

The CIA And The Hazards Of Middle East Forecasting

Egyptian President Anwar Sadat is flanked by senior military officers as he reviews maps of battlefield developments in the 1973 Arab-Israeli War. He's shown at army headquarters in Cairo on Oct. 15, 1973. Egypt and Syria attacked Israel, catching Israel and the CIA off-guard.

February 4, 2013 As Arab-Israeli tensions grew in the fall of 1973, the CIA offered its analysis to President Nixon's administration: War was highly unlikely. The agency kept making that case right up to the time the war began.

Transcript

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Sunday, February 03, 2013

The Two-Way

Foreign Minister Says Iran Is Open To Talks With U.S.

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi speaks to reporters on the third day of the 49th Munich Security Conference on Sunday.

February 3, 2013 The comments by Iran's foreign minister at a security conference in Germany come a day after Vice President Joe Biden said the U.S. was willing to hold direct talks with the Islamic republic over its nuclear program. But Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi said Washington must show "fair and real" intentions to resolve the issue.

Summary

Panetta: 'My Mission Has Always Been To Keep The Country Safe'

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta arrives in London on Jan. 17. Panetta is stepping down as defense secretary as soon as the Senate confirms his successor.

February 3, 2013 As he prepares to leave his job, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta reflects on his years of service. It's a career that has included 16 years in Congress, stints as White House chief of staff, and as the head of the CIA, where he oversaw the controversial drone program.

Transcript

On Weekend Edition SundayPlaylist

Saturday, February 02, 2013

The Two-Way

Turkish Left-Wing Group Claims Responsibility For U.S. Embassy Blast

Mourners gather in Ankara on Saturday by the coffin of Mustafa Akarsu, who was killed in the attack on the U.S. Embassy in Turkey's capital on Friday.

February 2, 2013 The radical group posted a photo of the alleged suicide bomber on its website Saturday, calling the blast "an act of of self-sacrifice."

Summary

Friday, February 01, 2013
Thursday, January 31, 2013

Around the Nation

Milwaukee County Sheriff: 'You Have A Duty To Protect Yourself'

Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke has advised residents in a new PSA that they should consider taking a firearm safety course to defend themselves in a crisis as they wait for police to arrive.

January 31, 2013 Sheriff David Clarke tells residents that, with officers laid off and furloughed, simply calling 911 and waiting is no longer their best option. Many law enforcement officials are outraged, saying this call to arms will make the Milwaukee area more dangerous.

Transcript

On Morning EditionPlaylist

It's All Politics

Cabinet Picks Show A Shift In How U.S. Wages War

President Obama shakes hands with his nominee to head the Defense Department, former Sen. Chuck Hagel, at the White House on Jan. 7. John Brennan, Obama's choice for director of the CIA, looks on.

January 31, 2013 The White House has emphasized that incoming Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary nominee Chuck Hagel — both Vietnam veterans — understand the full cost of war. President Obama says that makes them the right choice for their jobs, as the U.S. moves away from big wars to a targeted approach.

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