The Decline of the American Empire?

To the Point

KCRW

News

4.4 • 583 Ratings

🗓️ 3 July 2006

⏱️ 50 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The Bush years have been marked by a vigorous debate on whether America has moved from superpower to empire. When she was National Security Advisor, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice clearly said the United States had no imperial ambitions. But with no other superpowers in sight, what is the role of the US in the world today? How have President Bush's strategies on national security and the "war on terror" affected America's actions on the global stage, and how is it regarded by others? What about the challenge from growing economic giants such as China? At home, does a decline in civic involvement signal a weakening from within? Guest host Sara Terry guest explores the forces shaping America's identity.Making News: No Clear Winner in Mexico's Presidential ElectionIn Mexico today, both the PAN's Felipe Calder--n and the PRD's Andr--s Manuel L--pez Orbrador declared themselves the victor in Saturday's presidential election. The voting was so close that the Federal Electoral Institute said it will not announce a winner until after an official count of more than thirty-six million votes, which is set to begin on Wednesday. Hugh Dellios, Mexico correspondent for the Chicago Tribune, says a winner probably won't be announced until Sunday.Reporter's Notebook: Taliban Resurgence in AfghanistanFive years after being driven from power, the Taliban are waging an aggressive comeback in southern Afghanistan, engaging western forces in deadly combat. Though western commanders predicts ultimate success, the conflict threatens the stability of President Hamid Karzai's fragile regime and raises questions about whether military action fans the flames of longstanding local animosity against foreign intervention. Carlotta Gall is covering the story for the New York Times.

Transcript

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0:00.0	From PRI, Public Radio International and KCRW Santa Monica, this is To the Point.
0:07.7	On the eve of the nation's birthday, is America on a role in the world or edging toward decline?
0:17.3	I'm Sarah Terry sitting in for Warren Alley, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International, a daily look at the issues Americans care about most.
0:25.6	To be an empire or not to be? The Bush years have been marked by a vigorous debate on whether America has moved from superpower to empire.
0:33.9	What is the role of the United States in the world today? How have President Bush's strategies on national security and the war on terrorism affected America's actions on the global stage?
0:44.3	At home, does a decline in civic involvement signal a weakening from within?
0:48.5	On reporter's notebook, On the rise in Kandahar, the Taliban is surprising international forces with its renewed strength
0:55.0	and combat casualties are rising. First, the news.
1:00.6	Support for To the Point comes from subscribers of KCRW Santa Monica and from the Public Radio
1:06.4	International Program Fund, whose contributors include the Ford Foundation and the John D. and
1:11.6	Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation.
1:13.8	I'm Sarah Terry, sitting in for Warren Alney. We're back with To the Point from PRI.
1:18.7	We'll be talking about America and its role in the world today, nation, superpower, empire,
1:24.4	what are the forces shaping America's identity, And what are the implications for the future?
1:29.3	On reporter's notebook, they're back. Nearly five years after they were driven from power,
1:34.3	the Taliban are proving to be surprisingly resilient and deadly in southern Afghanistan.
1:39.3	First, this news update. In Mexico today, both candidates for president declared themselves the victor in
1:45.6	Saturday's elections. The voting was so close that the Federal Electoral Institute said it will not
1:50.4	announce a winner until after an official account of more than 36 million votes, which is set to
1:55.6	begin on Wednesday. My guest is Hugh Delios, Mexico correspondent for the Chicago Tribune. Thanks for joining us.
2:01.6	Thank you.
2:02.2	So how close really is the vote?
	...

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