https://www.voanews.com/z/1447 Join host Carol Castiel each week as she and two advocates from the world of politics, culture, public policy, or academia debate and discuss a critical issue in the news.  This program brings depth, perspective, and insight to the world around us. Join host Carol Castiel each week as she and two advocates from the world of politics, culture, public policy, or academia debate and discuss a critical issue in the news.  This program brings depth, perspective, and insight to the world around us. no en 2021 - VOA 60 Wed, 29 Dec 2021 08:29:55 -0500 Pangea CMS – VOA VOA VOA webdesk@voanews.com On this year-end edition of Encounter, host Carol Castiel presents excerpts from our most memorable programs in 2021. From the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States of America to the ongoing struggle with the coronavirus pandemic and much more, we present key domestic and international highlights from 2021. https://www.voanews.com/a/6347638.html Fri, 24 Dec 2021 18:05:00 -0500 VOA On this year-end edition of Encounter, host Carol Castiel presents excerpts from our most memorable programs in 2021. From the inauguration of Joe Biden as the 46th President of the United States of America to the ongoing struggle with the coronavirus pandemic and much more, we present key domestic and international highlights from 2021. 00:25:00 John Fortier, resident scholar at The American Enterprise Institute, and Jim Kessler, executive vice president for policy at Third Way, take stock of US President Joe Biden’s first year in office. Despite his major accomplishments, including the Covid-19 relief bill and bipartisan infrastructure legislation, a couple of conservative Democrats in the evenly split Senate have thus far stymied Biden’s hopes for passing voting rights and “Build Back Better” legislation before the end of 2021. https://www.voanews.com/a/6347225.html Fri, 17 Dec 2021 18:05:00 -0500 VOA John Fortier, resident scholar at The American Enterprise Institute, and Jim Kessler, executive vice president for policy at Third Way, take stock of US President Joe Biden’s first year in office. Despite his major accomplishments, including the Covid-19 relief bill and bipartisan infrastructure legislation, a couple of conservative Democrats in the evenly split Senate have thus far stymied Biden’s hopes for passing voting rights and “Build Back Better” legislation before the end of 2021. 00:25:00 A bill to create a commission to study the effects of slavery and discrimination in the United States has been stalled in the House of Representatives for more than seven months. In this encore edition of Encounter, host Carol Castiel talks with Jennifer Oast, professor and chair of the Department of History at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania, and Noah Millman, political columnist for “The Week,” about the merits and drawbacks of reparations for descendants of slaves and why the debate has been revived in recent days. Listen to Encounter on the Voice of America! https://www.voanews.com/a/6346812.html Fri, 10 Dec 2021 18:05:00 -0500 VOA A bill to create a commission to study the effects of slavery and discrimination in the United States has been stalled in the House of Representatives for more than seven months. In this encore edition of Encounter, host Carol Castiel talks with Jennifer Oast, professor and chair of the Department of History at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania, and Noah Millman, political columnist for “The Week,” about the merits and drawbacks of reparations for descendants of slaves and why the debate has been revived in recent days. Listen to Encounter on the Voice of America! 00:25:00 US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping attempted to fend off further escalation over contentious issues like Taiwan, human rights, and the global balance of power and reach some agreement on health security and climate change at a recent virtual summit. East Asia experts Richard Fontaine, CEO of The Center for a New American Security, and Dean Cheng, Senior Research Fellow at the Asian Studies Center at The Heritage Foundation talk with host Carol Castiel about the challenges ahead for the US-China relationship. https://www.voanews.com/a/6319311.html Fri, 03 Dec 2021 18:05:00 -0500 VOA US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping attempted to fend off further escalation over contentious issues like Taiwan, human rights, and the global balance of power and reach some agreement on health security and climate change at a recent virtual summit. East Asia experts Richard Fontaine, CEO of The Center for a New American Security, and Dean Cheng, Senior Research Fellow at the Asian Studies Center at The Heritage Foundation talk with host Carol Castiel about the challenges ahead for the US-China relationship. 00:24:59 Olayemi Olurin, a public defender with the Legal Aid Society in New York City and Mollie Saltskog, an expert in disinformation and domestic extremism at the Soufan Center, discuss the ramifications of the acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse, a young man charged with homicide in the deadly Kenosha, Wisconsin shootings of August 2020. Olurin tells VOA the self-defense argument was unsupported and Saltskog expresses dismay over the celebration of Rittenhouse as a “hero” among right-wing media/politicians and domestic and foreign terrorist groups. The guilty verdict for three white men who fatally shot a young Black jogger, Ahmaud Arbery, on the other hand, was hailed by civil rights leaders across the country. https://www.voanews.com/a/6310124.html Fri, 26 Nov 2021 18:05:00 -0500 VOA Olayemi Olurin, a public defender with the Legal Aid Society in New York City and Mollie Saltskog, an expert in disinformation and domestic extremism at the Soufan Center, discuss the ramifications of the acquittal of Kyle Rittenhouse, a young man charged with homicide in the deadly Kenosha, Wisconsin shootings of August 2020. Olurin tells VOA the self-defense argument was unsupported and Saltskog expresses dismay over the celebration of Rittenhouse as a “hero” among right-wing media/politicians and domestic and foreign terrorist groups. The guilty verdict for three white men who fatally shot a young Black jogger, Ahmaud Arbery, on the other hand, was hailed by civil rights leaders across the country. 00:25:00 Will Pomeranz, deputy director of the Kennan Institute at the Wilson Center, and Andrea Kendall-Taylor, senior fellow and director of the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, discuss the motives behind Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko’s creation of an artificial migrant crisis on the border with Europe and the malign role played by Russian President Vladimir Putin in this ruse with host Carol Castiel. They also analyze the Russian troop buildup on the border with US ally Ukraine. https://www.voanews.com/a/6300836.html Fri, 19 Nov 2021 18:05:00 -0500 VOA Will Pomeranz, deputy director of the Kennan Institute at the Wilson Center, and Andrea Kendall-Taylor, senior fellow and director of the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, discuss the motives behind Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko’s creation of an artificial migrant crisis on the border with Europe and the malign role played by Russian President Vladimir Putin in this ruse with host Carol Castiel. They also analyze the Russian troop buildup on the border with US ally Ukraine. 00:25:00 Ambassador Tibor Nagy, former assistant secretary of state for African Affairs and former US Ambassador to Ethiopia and Ambassador Donald Booth, former US Ambassador to Ethiopia and former special envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, diagnose the roots of the looming crisis in Ethiopia as well as recommend keys to a peaceful outcome with host Carol Castiel. https://www.voanews.com/a/6294007.html Fri, 12 Nov 2021 18:05:00 -0500 VOA Ambassador Tibor Nagy, former assistant secretary of state for African Affairs and former US Ambassador to Ethiopia and Ambassador Donald Booth, former US Ambassador to Ethiopia and former special envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, diagnose the roots of the looming crisis in Ethiopia as well as recommend keys to a peaceful outcome with host Carol Castiel. 00:25:00 John Fortier, resident scholar at The American Enterprise Institute, and Jim Kessler, executive vice president for policy at Third Way, discuss the main issues dominating the US political landscape with host Carol Castiel, including the implications of the Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial races for the 2022 midterm elections. A decisive Republican victory in Virginia is seen as a “wake-up” call for Democrats nationwide and a good omen for Republicans who seek to win back one or both houses of Congress in 2022. Program Note: Late Friday night (11/05/21), Democrats set aside differences and passed a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, sending it to President Joe Biden to sign into law. This program was recorded before the legislation was passed. https://www.voanews.com/a/6280928.html Fri, 05 Nov 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA John Fortier, resident scholar at The American Enterprise Institute, and Jim Kessler, executive vice president for policy at Third Way, discuss the main issues dominating the US political landscape with host Carol Castiel, including the implications of the Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial races for the 2022 midterm elections. A decisive Republican victory in Virginia is seen as a “wake-up” call for Democrats nationwide and a good omen for Republicans who seek to win back one or both houses of Congress in 2022. Program Note: Late Friday night (11/05/21), Democrats set aside differences and passed a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, sending it to President Joe Biden to sign into law. This program was recorded before the legislation was passed. 00:25:00 Cameron Hudson, former chief of staff to the US Special Envoy to Sudan and Ismail Kushkush an independent Sudanese journalist, discuss the factors leading to the recent coup in Sudan with host Carol Castiel. They tell VOA the military fear losing control over key economic sectors in which they have business interests and the prospect of facing accountability for past atrocities. Hudson and Kushkush say the Sudanese who rose up to throw off the yoke of military rule under Omar al Bashir, are likely to mount a strong resistance to this attempt at subverting the democratic transition. https://www.voanews.com/a/6271536.html Fri, 29 Oct 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA Cameron Hudson, former chief of staff to the US Special Envoy to Sudan and Ismail Kushkush an independent Sudanese journalist, discuss the factors leading to the recent coup in Sudan with host Carol Castiel. They tell VOA the military fear losing control over key economic sectors in which they have business interests and the prospect of facing accountability for past atrocities. Hudson and Kushkush say the Sudanese who rose up to throw off the yoke of military rule under Omar al Bashir, are likely to mount a strong resistance to this attempt at subverting the democratic transition. 00:25:00 On this edition of Encounter, host Carol Castiel talks with Eric Farnsworth, Vice President of the Council of the Americas and the Americas Society, and Steve Hege, deputy regional director for the US Institute of Peace in Colombia, about the significance of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s trip to Colombia and Ecuador and challenges in bolstering democracy, equitable economic growth, combatting corruption and mitigating irregular migration from Haiti and Venezuela. https://www.voanews.com/a/6262168.html Fri, 22 Oct 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA On this edition of Encounter, host Carol Castiel talks with Eric Farnsworth, Vice President of the Council of the Americas and the Americas Society, and Steve Hege, deputy regional director for the US Institute of Peace in Colombia, about the significance of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s trip to Colombia and Ecuador and challenges in bolstering democracy, equitable economic growth, combatting corruption and mitigating irregular migration from Haiti and Venezuela. 00:25:00 Ellen Laipson, professor, and director of the Center for Security Policy Studies at George Mason University, and Sarhang Hamasaeed, director of Middle East programs at the US Institute of Peace, discuss the outcome and significance of the most recent parliamentary elections in Iraq, which were precipitated by the 2019 protest movement (Tishreen) against corruption, inordinate Iranian influence in Iraq and calls for major reforms of the political system. What do results augur for the future of democracy and stability in Iraq? https://www.voanews.com/a/6252808.html Fri, 15 Oct 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA Ellen Laipson, professor, and director of the Center for Security Policy Studies at George Mason University, and Sarhang Hamasaeed, director of Middle East programs at the US Institute of Peace, discuss the outcome and significance of the most recent parliamentary elections in Iraq, which were precipitated by the 2019 protest movement (Tishreen) against corruption, inordinate Iranian influence in Iraq and calls for major reforms of the political system. What do results augur for the future of democracy and stability in Iraq? 00:24:59 John Fortier, resident scholar at The American Enterprise Institute, and Jim Kessler, executive vice president for policy at Third Way, discuss the major issues dominating the US political landscape with host Carol Castiel including a debt ceiling extension deal, intense negotiations among Democratic lawmakers over the scope and cost of a human infrastructure bill critical to President Joe Biden’s agenda, and an interim Senate report exposing former President Donald Trump’s attempt to install a loyalist attorney general to pursue unfounded claims of election fraud. https://www.voanews.com/a/6243542.html Fri, 08 Oct 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA John Fortier, resident scholar at The American Enterprise Institute, and Jim Kessler, executive vice president for policy at Third Way, discuss the major issues dominating the US political landscape with host Carol Castiel including a debt ceiling extension deal, intense negotiations among Democratic lawmakers over the scope and cost of a human infrastructure bill critical to President Joe Biden’s agenda, and an interim Senate report exposing former President Donald Trump’s attempt to install a loyalist attorney general to pursue unfounded claims of election fraud. 00:24:55 Michael Green, Senior Vice President for Asia, and Japan Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and Kori Schake, Director of Foreign and Defense Policy Studies, at the American Enterprise Institute discuss the significance and implications of the so-called AUKUS accord, a new strategic alliance between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia to counter China’s assertive actions in the Indo-Pacific region. https://www.voanews.com/a/6239370.html Fri, 01 Oct 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA Michael Green, Senior Vice President for Asia, and Japan Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), and Kori Schake, Director of Foreign and Defense Policy Studies, at the American Enterprise Institute discuss the significance and implications of the so-called AUKUS accord, a new strategic alliance between the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia to counter China’s assertive actions in the Indo-Pacific region. 00:25:00 On this Africa edition of Encounter, Joshua Meservey, senior policy analyst for Africa and the Middle East at the Heritage Foundation and Oge Onubogu, director of the West Africa program at the U.S. Institute of Peace, discuss setbacks in democracy and good governance as exemplified by coups in Guinea and Mali, the need to strengthen regional institutions like ECOWAS and the African Union and the importance of fostering positive trends epitomized by the peaceful transfer of power in Zambia. https://www.voanews.com/a/6238957.html Fri, 24 Sep 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA On this Africa edition of Encounter, Joshua Meservey, senior policy analyst for Africa and the Middle East at the Heritage Foundation and Oge Onubogu, director of the West Africa program at the U.S. Institute of Peace, discuss setbacks in democracy and good governance as exemplified by coups in Guinea and Mali, the need to strengthen regional institutions like ECOWAS and the African Union and the importance of fostering positive trends epitomized by the peaceful transfer of power in Zambia. 00:25:00 On this edition of Encounter, John Malcolm, vice president for the Institute for Constitutional Government and the director of the Meese Center for Legal & Judicial Studies at the conservative Heritage Foundation, and Elliot Mincberg, senior fellow at the liberal People for the American Way, spar over the merits and drawbacks of expanding the 9-member Supreme Court and making other changes such as imposing term limits to the lifetime appointments and reforming the so-called “Shadow docket” with host Carol Castiel. https://www.voanews.com/a/6228447.html Fri, 17 Sep 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA On this edition of Encounter, John Malcolm, vice president for the Institute for Constitutional Government and the director of the Meese Center for Legal & Judicial Studies at the conservative Heritage Foundation, and Elliot Mincberg, senior fellow at the liberal People for the American Way, spar over the merits and drawbacks of expanding the 9-member Supreme Court and making other changes such as imposing term limits to the lifetime appointments and reforming the so-called “Shadow docket” with host Carol Castiel. 00:25:00 On the 20th anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attack on US soil, renowned terrorism analysts Ali Soufan, former supervisory FBI agent, now CEO of The Soufan Group, and Bruce Hoffman, senior fellow for counterterrorism and homeland security at the Council on Foreign Relations, reflect on the successes and failures over the past two decades of the “war on terror” and the daunting challenges that remain with host Carol Castiel. https://www.voanews.com/a/6017906.html Fri, 10 Sep 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA On the 20th anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attack on US soil, renowned terrorism analysts Ali Soufan, former supervisory FBI agent, now CEO of The Soufan Group, and Bruce Hoffman, senior fellow for counterterrorism and homeland security at the Council on Foreign Relations, reflect on the successes and failures over the past two decades of the “war on terror” and the daunting challenges that remain with host Carol Castiel. 00:25:00 On this politics edition of Encounter, John Fortier, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and Jim Kessler, senior vice president for policy at Third Way, discuss prospects for the passage of two pending infrastructure bills, the resurgence of the Delta variant of Covid-19, and whether or not President Joe Biden may pay a political price for the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan as he sought to end America’s military involvement in the 20-year war. https://www.voanews.com/a/6009404.html Fri, 03 Sep 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA On this politics edition of Encounter, John Fortier, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and Jim Kessler, senior vice president for policy at Third Way, discuss prospects for the passage of two pending infrastructure bills, the resurgence of the Delta variant of Covid-19, and whether or not President Joe Biden may pay a political price for the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan as he sought to end America’s military involvement in the 20-year war. 00:25:00 Ambassador Ronald Neumann, former Ambassador to Afghanistan, now President of the American Academy of Diplomacy and Michael Kugelman, Senior Associate for South Asia for The Wilson Center discuss with host Carol Castiel the ongoing US withdrawal from Afghanistan, including whether the country may once again become a breeding ground for terrorism under the Taliban. Program Note: This program was recorded before the Kabul airport terrorist attack. https://www.voanews.com/a/6001009.html Fri, 27 Aug 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA Ambassador Ronald Neumann, former Ambassador to Afghanistan, now President of the American Academy of Diplomacy and Michael Kugelman, Senior Associate for South Asia for The Wilson Center discuss with host Carol Castiel the ongoing US withdrawal from Afghanistan, including whether the country may once again become a breeding ground for terrorism under the Taliban. Program Note: This program was recorded before the Kabul airport terrorist attack. 00:24:59 Lisa Curtis, former senior National Security Council official under the Trump administration, now director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), and Marvin Weinbaum, director for Afghanistan and Pakistan Studies at The Middle East Institute discuss with host Carol Castiel the domestic and international ramifications of the Biden administration’s controversial troop withdrawal from Afghanistan and the subsequent Taliban takeover after the rapid collapse of Afghan security forces. https://www.voanews.com/a/5992758.html Fri, 20 Aug 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA Lisa Curtis, former senior National Security Council official under the Trump administration, now director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), and Marvin Weinbaum, director for Afghanistan and Pakistan Studies at The Middle East Institute discuss with host Carol Castiel the domestic and international ramifications of the Biden administration’s controversial troop withdrawal from Afghanistan and the subsequent Taliban takeover after the rapid collapse of Afghan security forces. 00:25:00 In this encore edition of Encounter, Zack Smith, a legal fellow in the Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies at the conservative Heritage Foundation, and William Roberts, managing director for Democracy and Government Reform at the liberal Center for American Progress, join host, Carol Castiel to spar over the constitutional, historical, and political arguments for and against statehood for the District of Columbia, the seat of the nation’s capital. https://www.voanews.com/a/5984391.html Fri, 13 Aug 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA In this encore edition of Encounter, Zack Smith, a legal fellow in the Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies at the conservative Heritage Foundation, and William Roberts, managing director for Democracy and Government Reform at the liberal Center for American Progress, join host, Carol Castiel to spar over the constitutional, historical, and political arguments for and against statehood for the District of Columbia, the seat of the nation’s capital. 00:25:00 On this edition of Encounter, host Carol Castiel returns to her native Pennsylvania to reprise a conversation with the Republican and Democratic leaders in Lawrence County: Paul Stefano, chairman of the Democratic Party of Lawrence County, and Richard Flannery, a local and state Republican leader, whom she interviewed prior to the 2020 elections. They discuss President Joe Biden’s job performance – from his management of the Covid-19 pandemic and vaccine distribution to infrastructure proposals and prospects for the Democrats and Republicans in the 2022 midterm elections. https://www.voanews.com/a/5976116.html Fri, 06 Aug 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA On this edition of Encounter, host Carol Castiel returns to her native Pennsylvania to reprise a conversation with the Republican and Democratic leaders in Lawrence County: Paul Stefano, chairman of the Democratic Party of Lawrence County, and Richard Flannery, a local and state Republican leader, whom she interviewed prior to the 2020 elections. They discuss President Joe Biden’s job performance – from his management of the Covid-19 pandemic and vaccine distribution to infrastructure proposals and prospects for the Democrats and Republicans in the 2022 midterm elections. 00:25:00 Katherine Zimmerman, a fellow for Foreign and Defense Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), and Elana DeLozier, the Rubin Family Fellow in the Bernstein Program on Gulf and Energy Policy at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, assess with host Carol Castiel state of the civil war and humanitarian crisis in Yemen. DeLozier and Zimmerman say this proxy war between regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran is exacerbated by the dearth of political will from within: the internationally-recognized Hadi government and the Houthi movement, which currently has the upper hand. Can Washington make a difference? https://www.voanews.com/a/5967764.html Fri, 30 Jul 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA Katherine Zimmerman, a fellow for Foreign and Defense Policy Studies at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), and Elana DeLozier, the Rubin Family Fellow in the Bernstein Program on Gulf and Energy Policy at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, assess with host Carol Castiel state of the civil war and humanitarian crisis in Yemen. DeLozier and Zimmerman say this proxy war between regional rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran is exacerbated by the dearth of political will from within: the internationally-recognized Hadi government and the Houthi movement, which currently has the upper hand. Can Washington make a difference? 00:25:00 On this edition of Encounter, Ambassador Michelle Gavin, senior fellow for Africa Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and former Ambassador to Botswana, and Frans Cronje, CEO of the Johannesburg-based Institute of Race Relations, analyze with host Carol Castiel the political, economic and social situation in South Africa following the arrest and detention of former South African president Jacob Zuma given the protests, looting and violence which this incident triggered. How did the celebrated multiracial democracy led by Nelson Mandela reach this critical juncture point, and what does the future hold for South Africa? https://www.voanews.com/a/5959132.html Fri, 23 Jul 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA On this edition of Encounter, Ambassador Michelle Gavin, senior fellow for Africa Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and former Ambassador to Botswana, and Frans Cronje, CEO of the Johannesburg-based Institute of Race Relations, analyze with host Carol Castiel the political, economic and social situation in South Africa following the arrest and detention of former South African president Jacob Zuma given the protests, looting and violence which this incident triggered. How did the celebrated multiracial democracy led by Nelson Mandela reach this critical juncture point, and what does the future hold for South Africa? 00:25:00 Professor William LeoGrande, Associate Vice Provost for Academic Affairs in the Department of Government at the American University, and Professor of Politics and International Relations at Florida International University, Eduardo Gamarra, analyze with host Carol Castiel the roots and ramifications of twin crises in the Caribbean: the assassination of Haiti’s President, Jovenal Moïse, and ensuing power struggle and the largest and most widespread protests in Cuba in decades. How does the turmoil affect US policy toward the region? Given the large Cuban and Haitian Diaspora communities in the United States, how does the Biden Administration deal with both domestic and international dimension of policy? https://www.voanews.com/a/5950504.html Fri, 16 Jul 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA Professor William LeoGrande, Associate Vice Provost for Academic Affairs in the Department of Government at the American University, and Professor of Politics and International Relations at Florida International University, Eduardo Gamarra, analyze with host Carol Castiel the roots and ramifications of twin crises in the Caribbean: the assassination of Haiti’s President, Jovenal Moïse, and ensuing power struggle and the largest and most widespread protests in Cuba in decades. How does the turmoil affect US policy toward the region? Given the large Cuban and Haitian Diaspora communities in the United States, how does the Biden Administration deal with both domestic and international dimension of policy? 00:25:00 On this Africa edition of Encounter, Judd Devermont, director of the Africa Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Joshua Meservey, senior policy analyst for Africa and the Middle East at the Heritage Foundation, discuss with host Carol Castiel the state of play in Ethiopia after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed declared a unilateral ceasefire civil in Tigray, the detention of former South African president Jacob Zuma, political turmoil in Eswatini and the multiple impacts of Covid-19 on the continent. https://www.voanews.com/a/5942049.html Fri, 09 Jul 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA On this Africa edition of Encounter, Judd Devermont, director of the Africa Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Joshua Meservey, senior policy analyst for Africa and the Middle East at the Heritage Foundation, discuss with host Carol Castiel the state of play in Ethiopia after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed declared a unilateral ceasefire civil in Tigray, the detention of former South African president Jacob Zuma, political turmoil in Eswatini and the multiple impacts of Covid-19 on the continent. 00:25:00 On this U.S. politics edition of Encounter, John Fortier, resident scholar at The American Enterprise Institute, and Jim Kessler, executive vice president for policy at Third Way, discuss with host Carol Castiel the politics of President Joe Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure deal. Will Biden be able to garner at least 10 Republican Senators to pass the smaller, traditional bill and at the same time satisfy the more progressive wing of the Democratic Party, which intends to pass a more expansive human infrastructure package through budget reconciliation? https://www.voanews.com/a/5933394.html Fri, 02 Jul 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA On this U.S. politics edition of Encounter, John Fortier, resident scholar at The American Enterprise Institute, and Jim Kessler, executive vice president for policy at Third Way, discuss with host Carol Castiel the politics of President Joe Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure deal. Will Biden be able to garner at least 10 Republican Senators to pass the smaller, traditional bill and at the same time satisfy the more progressive wing of the Democratic Party, which intends to pass a more expansive human infrastructure package through budget reconciliation? 00:25:00 As the United States grapples with the legacy of slavery and centuries of racial discrimination, host Carol Castiel talks with Jennifer Oast, professor and chair of the Department of History at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania, and Noah Millman, political columnist for the Week, about the merits and drawbacks of reparations for descendants of slaves and why the debate has been revived in recent days. https://www.voanews.com/a/5924668.html Fri, 25 Jun 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA As the United States grapples with the legacy of slavery and centuries of racial discrimination, host Carol Castiel talks with Jennifer Oast, professor and chair of the Department of History at Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania, and Noah Millman, political columnist for the Week, about the merits and drawbacks of reparations for descendants of slaves and why the debate has been revived in recent days. 00:25:00 Ian Lesser, Vice President at the German Marshall Fund of the United States and director of GMF Brussels office, and Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Senior Fellow and Director of the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, discuss with host Carol Castiel the ramifications of US President Joe Biden’s first overseas trip as president and the outcome of summits with the G7, NATO, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. https://www.voanews.com/a/5916024.html Fri, 18 Jun 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA Ian Lesser, Vice President at the German Marshall Fund of the United States and director of GMF Brussels office, and Andrea Kendall-Taylor, Senior Fellow and Director of the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, discuss with host Carol Castiel the ramifications of US President Joe Biden’s first overseas trip as president and the outcome of summits with the G7, NATO, and Russian President Vladimir Putin. 00:25:00 Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen, Director of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Program at the U.S. Institute of Peace, and Natan Sachs, Director of the Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, discuss with host Carol Castiel the new “Change Government” comprised of eight Israeli political parties from the far left to the far right and one Islamic party who united to oust long-serving Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Can these strange political bedfellows agree on other vital internal and external policies and manage to govern? https://www.voanews.com/a/5907462.html Fri, 11 Jun 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA Lucy Kurtzer-Ellenbogen, Director of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict Program at the U.S. Institute of Peace, and Natan Sachs, Director of the Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, discuss with host Carol Castiel the new “Change Government” comprised of eight Israeli political parties from the far left to the far right and one Islamic party who united to oust long-serving Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. Can these strange political bedfellows agree on other vital internal and external policies and manage to govern? 00:25:00 On this US politics edition of Encounter, John Fortier, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and Jim Kessler, senior vice president for policy at Third Way, discuss with host Carol Castiel the status of US President Joe Biden’s ambitious agenda and the challenge of passing at least part of it, like infrastructure legislation or police reform, with bipartisan support. https://www.voanews.com/a/5898803.html Fri, 04 Jun 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA On this US politics edition of Encounter, John Fortier, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and Jim Kessler, senior vice president for policy at Third Way, discuss with host Carol Castiel the status of US President Joe Biden’s ambitious agenda and the challenge of passing at least part of it, like infrastructure legislation or police reform, with bipartisan support. 00:24:59 Ambassador David H. Shinn and CSIS Africa Program Director Judd Devermont take a look at new developments in volatile East Africa, where insurgencies continue despite an ongoing concerted multinational effort to stop them, along with strong words between Washington and Addis Ababa. Encounter host Jeffrey Young also looks at China’s growing presence in East Africa – generosity, but what is the ultimate price? https://www.voanews.com/a/5890140.html Fri, 28 May 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA Ambassador David H. Shinn and CSIS Africa Program Director Judd Devermont take a look at new developments in volatile East Africa, where insurgencies continue despite an ongoing concerted multinational effort to stop them, along with strong words between Washington and Addis Ababa. Encounter host Jeffrey Young also looks at China’s growing presence in East Africa – generosity, but what is the ultimate price? 00:25:00 More than 700,000 citizens living in the capital of the United States do not have full representation in Congress. Once a fringe issue, a bill for DC statehood recently passed the Democratically-controlled House of Representatives, but faces high hurdles in the Senate. Zack Smith, from the conservative Heritage Foundation and William Roberts, from the liberal Center for American Progress, spar over the constitutional, historical, ideological and political impediments to statehood for the District of Columbia. https://www.voanews.com/a/5881481.html Fri, 21 May 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA More than 700,000 citizens living in the capital of the United States do not have full representation in Congress. Once a fringe issue, a bill for DC statehood recently passed the Democratically-controlled House of Representatives, but faces high hurdles in the Senate. Zack Smith, from the conservative Heritage Foundation and William Roberts, from the liberal Center for American Progress, spar over the constitutional, historical, ideological and political impediments to statehood for the District of Columbia. 00:24:58 Lisa Curtis, former senior National Security Council official under the Trump administration, now director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), and Andrew Watkins, senior analyst for Afghanistan at the International Crisis Group, discuss with host Carol Castiel the implications of the US decision to withdraw its 2,500 troops from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021. https://www.voanews.com/a/5872183.html Fri, 14 May 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA Lisa Curtis, former senior National Security Council official under the Trump administration, now director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), and Andrew Watkins, senior analyst for Afghanistan at the International Crisis Group, discuss with host Carol Castiel the implications of the US decision to withdraw its 2,500 troops from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021. 00:25:00 Will Pomeranz, deputy director of the Kennan Institute at the Wilson Center, and Andrea Kendall-Taylor, senior fellow and director of the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) discuss with host Carol Castiel the significance of Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Ukraine as Washington shores up support for the beleaguered former Soviet state as it faces Russian aggression in the East and as the US counters Russian malign activities with wide-ranging sanctions for Moscow’s interference in the 2020 US elections and hacking of government and private sector entities. https://www.voanews.com/a/5863876.html Fri, 07 May 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA Will Pomeranz, deputy director of the Kennan Institute at the Wilson Center, and Andrea Kendall-Taylor, senior fellow and director of the Transatlantic Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) discuss with host Carol Castiel the significance of Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to Ukraine as Washington shores up support for the beleaguered former Soviet state as it faces Russian aggression in the East and as the US counters Russian malign activities with wide-ranging sanctions for Moscow’s interference in the 2020 US elections and hacking of government and private sector entities. 00:25:00 John Fortier, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and Jim Kessler, senior vice president for policy at Third Way, spar over US President Joe Biden’s 100 days in office and to what extent the closely divided Senate will pass a version of his expansive infrastructure package and other pending legislation dealing with gun violence, immigration and police reform with host Carol Castiel https://www.voanews.com/a/5855196.html Fri, 30 Apr 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA John Fortier, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and Jim Kessler, senior vice president for policy at Third Way, spar over US President Joe Biden’s 100 days in office and to what extent the closely divided Senate will pass a version of his expansive infrastructure package and other pending legislation dealing with gun violence, immigration and police reform with host Carol Castiel 00:25:00 Join host Carol Castiel each week as she and two advocates from the world of politics, public policy, or academia discuss and debate a critical issue in the news, bringing depth, perspective, and insight to the world around us. Issues that affect our lives and global stability are debated in a free-wheeling, unscripted discussion of fact and opinion. https://www.voanews.com/a/5846476.html Fri, 23 Apr 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA Join host Carol Castiel each week as she and two advocates from the world of politics, public policy, or academia discuss and debate a critical issue in the news, bringing depth, perspective, and insight to the world around us. Issues that affect our lives and global stability are debated in a free-wheeling, unscripted discussion of fact and opinion. 00:25:00 On this edition of Encounter, Ari Davis, Senior Policy Analyst at The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence and Nurrah Abdulhaqq, youth leader in the Georgia Chapter of “March for Our Lives” tell host Carol Castiel that despite the surge in gun violence in America, whether mass shootings, homicides or suicides, they are cautiously optimistic that a growing movement for a multi-pronged approach to combating violence, including US President Joe Biden’s recent executive orders, bode well for progress. https://www.voanews.com/a/5837737.html Fri, 16 Apr 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA On this edition of Encounter, Ari Davis, Senior Policy Analyst at The Coalition to Stop Gun Violence and Nurrah Abdulhaqq, youth leader in the Georgia Chapter of “March for Our Lives” tell host Carol Castiel that despite the surge in gun violence in America, whether mass shootings, homicides or suicides, they are cautiously optimistic that a growing movement for a multi-pronged approach to combating violence, including US President Joe Biden’s recent executive orders, bode well for progress. 00:25:00 On this edition of Encounter, host Carol Castiel talks with Johannesburg-based journalist, Gabriele Steinhauser, deputy bureau chief for Africa at The Wall Street Journal and Jon Temin, Director of the Africa Program at Freedom House, about the status of the coronavirus pandemic in Africa and its impact on economic and political life, as well as the roots of the troubling Islamist insurgency in the province of Cabo Delgado, Mozambique. https://www.voanews.com/a/5829083.html Fri, 09 Apr 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA On this edition of Encounter, host Carol Castiel talks with Johannesburg-based journalist, Gabriele Steinhauser, deputy bureau chief for Africa at The Wall Street Journal and Jon Temin, Director of the Africa Program at Freedom House, about the status of the coronavirus pandemic in Africa and its impact on economic and political life, as well as the roots of the troubling Islamist insurgency in the province of Cabo Delgado, Mozambique. 00:24:59 On this edition of Encounter, host Carol Castiel talks with Doris Meissner, senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute and Cynthia (Cindy) Arnson, Director of the Latin American Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars about the causes and consequences of the large influx of Central American migrants at the US southern border including urgent humanitarian needs of unaccompanied minors, reasons why so many make the treacherous journey from Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala, and major shortcomings of outmoded US immigration laws. https://www.voanews.com/a/5820461.html Fri, 02 Apr 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA On this edition of Encounter, host Carol Castiel talks with Doris Meissner, senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute and Cynthia (Cindy) Arnson, Director of the Latin American Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars about the causes and consequences of the large influx of Central American migrants at the US southern border including urgent humanitarian needs of unaccompanied minors, reasons why so many make the treacherous journey from Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala, and major shortcomings of outmoded US immigration laws. 00:25:00 John Fortier, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and Jim Kessler, senior vice president for policy at Third Way, discuss the issues dominating US President Joe Biden’s first formal news conference including the migrant surge at the US southern border, voting rights legislation, the controversy over the filibuster and prospects for an ambitious infrastructure bill with host Carol Castiel. https://www.voanews.com/a/5811423.html Fri, 26 Mar 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA John Fortier, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and Jim Kessler, senior vice president for policy at Third Way, discuss the issues dominating US President Joe Biden’s first formal news conference including the migrant surge at the US southern border, voting rights legislation, the controversy over the filibuster and prospects for an ambitious infrastructure bill with host Carol Castiel. 00:25:00 On the heels of a successful meeting of the Quad, the informal strategic dialogue between the United States, Japan, Australia and India, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with their counterparts in Tokyo and Seoul to reinvigorate these crucial alliances in the face of an increasingly aggressive China. Host Carol Castiel talks with East Asia experts Ambassador Kelley Currie, former US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues and Dean Cheng, senior research fellow in the Asian Studies Center at the Heritage Foundation, about the significance of the trip and what the allies can do to reverse the military takeover in Myanmar. https://www.voanews.com/a/5802468.html Fri, 19 Mar 2021 19:05:00 -0400 VOA On the heels of a successful meeting of the Quad, the informal strategic dialogue between the United States, Japan, Australia and India, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin met with their counterparts in Tokyo and Seoul to reinvigorate these crucial alliances in the face of an increasingly aggressive China. Host Carol Castiel talks with East Asia experts Ambassador Kelley Currie, former US Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues and Dean Cheng, senior research fellow in the Asian Studies Center at the Heritage Foundation, about the significance of the trip and what the allies can do to reverse the military takeover in Myanmar. 00:25:00 On this Latin American edition of Encounter, host Carol Castiel talks with Eric Farnsworth, Vice President of the Council of the Americas and the Americas Society, and Miriam Kornblith, Director of Latin America and the Caribbean at the National Endowment for Democracy, about the devastating economic, social and health impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the region and the opportunities for a “reset” in US-Latin America relations under the Biden administration as China and Russia compete for geopolitical influence in the Western hemisphere. https://www.voanews.com/a/5793404.html Fri, 12 Mar 2021 19:05:00 -0500 VOA On this Latin American edition of Encounter, host Carol Castiel talks with Eric Farnsworth, Vice President of the Council of the Americas and the Americas Society, and Miriam Kornblith, Director of Latin America and the Caribbean at the National Endowment for Democracy, about the devastating economic, social and health impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on the region and the opportunities for a “reset” in US-Latin America relations under the Biden administration as China and Russia compete for geopolitical influence in the Western hemisphere. 00:25:00 The Biden Administration ordered its first military strike on Iran-backed militias in eastern Syria. Ellen Laipson, professor and director of the Center for Security Policy Studies at George Mason University, and Randa Slim, Director of the Conflict Resolution and Track II Dialogues Program at the Middle East Institute, join Carol Castiel to discuss how these strikes could affect US-Iran nuclear talks, US-Iraq relations and US policy toward Syria. https://www.voanews.com/a/5784359.html Fri, 05 Mar 2021 19:05:00 -0500 VOA The Biden Administration ordered its first military strike on Iran-backed militias in eastern Syria. Ellen Laipson, professor and director of the Center for Security Policy Studies at George Mason University, and Randa Slim, Director of the Conflict Resolution and Track II Dialogues Program at the Middle East Institute, join Carol Castiel to discuss how these strikes could affect US-Iran nuclear talks, US-Iraq relations and US policy toward Syria. 00:25:00 Lisa Curtis, former senior National Security Council official under the Trump administration, now director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), and Michael Kugelman, senior associate for South Asia at The Wilson Center, discuss with host Carol Castiel the current state of play in Afghanistan where the Biden administration may consider extending a May 2021 deadline for US troop withdrawal given continued violence from the Taliban, among other stabilizing measures in consultation with NATO allies. https://www.voanews.com/a/5775336.html Fri, 26 Feb 2021 19:05:00 -0500 VOA Lisa Curtis, former senior National Security Council official under the Trump administration, now director of the Indo-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), and Michael Kugelman, senior associate for South Asia at The Wilson Center, discuss with host Carol Castiel the current state of play in Afghanistan where the Biden administration may consider extending a May 2021 deadline for US troop withdrawal given continued violence from the Taliban, among other stabilizing measures in consultation with NATO allies. 00:24:59 John Fortier, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and Jim Kessler, senior vice president for policy at Third Way, spar over the political fallout from former President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial in which he was acquitted of the charge of “incitement of insurrection.” They also discuss the growing rift within the Republican Party and prospects for passing Covid relief legislation with host Carol Castiel. https://www.voanews.com/a/5766121.html Fri, 19 Feb 2021 19:05:00 -0500 VOA John Fortier, resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute and Jim Kessler, senior vice president for policy at Third Way, spar over the political fallout from former President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial in which he was acquitted of the charge of “incitement of insurrection.” They also discuss the growing rift within the Republican Party and prospects for passing Covid relief legislation with host Carol Castiel. 00:24:59 On this edition of “VOA Encounter” - East Africa – from Kenya north to Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan has been wracked for years by insurgent and inter-political violence. Added to that volatility is Muslim extremism such as al-Shabaab and separatist forces such as in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. Soufan Center and former RAND terrorism expert Colin Clarke and Kenyatta University/Nairobi analyst Xavier Francis Ichani discuss the state of East Africa and the best role for the U.S. Africa Command in bringing peace to the region. https://www.voanews.com/a/5756163.html Fri, 12 Feb 2021 19:05:00 -0500 VOA On this edition of “VOA Encounter” - East Africa – from Kenya north to Somalia, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Sudan has been wracked for years by insurgent and inter-political violence. Added to that volatility is Muslim extremism such as al-Shabaab and separatist forces such as in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. Soufan Center and former RAND terrorism expert Colin Clarke and Kenyatta University/Nairobi analyst Xavier Francis Ichani discuss the state of East Africa and the best role for the U.S. Africa Command in bringing peace to the region. 00:25:00 President Joe Biden has introduced immigration reform legislation that would reverse many of former President Donald Trump’s restrictive measures. Ali Noorani, President & CEO, National Immigration Forum and Lora Ries, senior research fellow in homeland security, The Heritage Foundation spar over the merits of President Biden’s immigration reform proposal with host Carol Castiel. https://www.voanews.com/a/5747312.html Fri, 05 Feb 2021 19:05:00 -0500 VOA President Joe Biden has introduced immigration reform legislation that would reverse many of former President Donald Trump’s restrictive measures. Ali Noorani, President & CEO, National Immigration Forum and Lora Ries, senior research fellow in homeland security, The Heritage Foundation spar over the merits of President Biden’s immigration reform proposal with host Carol Castiel. 00:25:00 Daryl Johnson, former senior analyst at the Department of Homeland Security and author of “Hateland: A Long Hard Look at America’s Extremist Heart” and Jason Blazakis, Director of the Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism at the Middlebury Institute of International studies and senior fellow at the Soufan Center, discuss with host Carol Castiel the roots of domestic terrorism, why it poses a major threat to US democracy and national security and how to combat it. https://www.voanews.com/a/5738251.html Fri, 29 Jan 2021 19:05:00 -0500 VOA Daryl Johnson, former senior analyst at the Department of Homeland Security and author of “Hateland: A Long Hard Look at America’s Extremist Heart” and Jason Blazakis, Director of the Center on Terrorism, Extremism, and Counterterrorism at the Middlebury Institute of International studies and senior fellow at the Soufan Center, discuss with host Carol Castiel the roots of domestic terrorism, why it poses a major threat to US democracy and national security and how to combat it. 00:24:59 Against the backdrop of unprecedented security and coronavirus social distancing restrictions, Joseph R. Biden is inaugurated as the 46th president of the United States. Kamala D. Harris is the first woman and person of South Asian and African-American descent to be sworn in as Vice President. Frances E. Lee, Professor of Politics and Public affairs at Princeton University and Elaine Kamarck, Senior Fellow at the Governance Studies Program at the Brookings Institution, discuss the domestic and international ramifications of this transfer of power with host Carol Castiel. https://www.voanews.com/a/5729461.html Fri, 22 Jan 2021 19:05:00 -0500 VOA Against the backdrop of unprecedented security and coronavirus social distancing restrictions, Joseph R. Biden is inaugurated as the 46th president of the United States. Kamala D. Harris is the first woman and person of South Asian and African-American descent to be sworn in as Vice President. Frances E. Lee, Professor of Politics and Public affairs at Princeton University and Elaine Kamarck, Senior Fellow at the Governance Studies Program at the Brookings Institution, discuss the domestic and international ramifications of this transfer of power with host Carol Castiel. 00:24:59 On this annual edition of Encounter, Georgetown University professors Anthony Arend and Mark Lagon react to President Donald Trump’s second impeachment and outline the national security and foreign policy priorities and challenges for the incoming Biden administration with host Carol Castiel. https://www.voanews.com/a/5720736.html Fri, 15 Jan 2021 19:05:00 -0500 VOA On this annual edition of Encounter, Georgetown University professors Anthony Arend and Mark Lagon react to President Donald Trump’s second impeachment and outline the national security and foreign policy priorities and challenges for the incoming Biden administration with host Carol Castiel. 00:24:56