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Are Current Conflicts a Prelude to World War III? Aug 05, 2014

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From Eastern Europe to the Middle East, from Africa to the East China Sea, the world is battered by violence and threatened by instability. Can the US, the lone “superpower,” impose order on chaos? What are the prospects for World War III?

Organized Labor is On the Run… Aug 04, 2014

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Wisconsin was the first state to legalize collective bargaining for public employees. Republican Governor Scott Walker has put an end to that. He survived 3 years of massive political backlash, and last week the State Supreme Court approved laws that make public unions all but irrelevant.

Truth, Lies and the Fighting in Gaza Aug 01, 2014

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Today’s 72-hour ceasefire in Gaza lasted for about 90 minutes. Once again, professional journalists are caught in the middle, trying to report the claims of Israelis and Palestinians and assess their credibility. But distrust and angry emotion extends to the news media. Is there any chance of achieving “fairness” and “balance?”

The Islamic State is Transforming Syria’s Civil War Jul 31, 2014

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The ultra-extremist Islamic State now controls 30% of Syria, refining and selling oil to finance its expanding “caliphate.” Does Syria's President Assad look like the lesser of two evils? What’s the US doing to arm so-called “moderate” forces against both a murderous government and the Islamic State?

Ebola Is Spreading: Can It Be Contained? Jul 30, 2014

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Almost 700 people have died, and more than a thousand have been infected, in the worst epidemic since the Ebola virus was discovered in 1976. We’ll hear about a horrific disease with no cure, and West Africa's widespread fear, not just of Ebola, but also of Western doctors and their unfamiliar procedures.

Central American Children and the Politics of Immigration Jul 29, 2014

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61,000 unaccompanied kids who have arrived at the Mexican border are upsetting the plans of members of Congress about to go home for the August recess. Before they leave, can House Republicans pass a bill that looks like it deals with the problem? What’s at stake for the mid-term elections and the presidential race in 2016?

Prison Reform: The War on Drugs and Public Safety Jul 28, 2014

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The US has more people in prison than China, a country that’s 4 times larger. Now, there’s bipartisan support for cutting the sentences of almost half of all current federal prisoners. But some hardliners still maintain that tough sentencing is the reason that crime is on the decline. We’ll hear conflicting opinions.

A Thirsty World Faces a Shortage of Water Jul 25, 2014

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Twenty years ago, before the alarm about Climate Change, the World Bank warned about upcoming wars — not over oil, but water. Is water a commercial product, or a basic human right?

Wildfires Scorch the Western US… Who’s to Blame? Jul 24, 2014

Show notes

Record-setting wildfires are raging across the West. After 10 days, the largest blaze in Washington State history is still only half contained. Is it time to manage so-called “wilderness” rather than leaving it free?

Does Diplomacy Have a Chance in the Middle East? Jul 23, 2014

Show notes

Secretary of State Kerry is shuttling around the Middle East in the hope of negotiating a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. We’ll hear about the challenges for international leaders as the war goes on.

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