Nick Cohen's blog

Where Is Counterinsurgency In Afghanistan Now?

In the midst of the fallout from the Afghanistan civilian killings, guest host Jacki Lyden speaks with Sarah Sewall and John Nagl, about repercussions for the U.S. counterinsurgency effort in Afghanistan. Nagl is a counterinsurgency expert, author and former lieutenant colonel in the Army. Sewall directed the Carr Center for Human Rights at Harvard and is an expert on civilian-military relations.

Source: http://www.npr.org/2012/03/17/148811133/where-is-counterinsurgency-in-afghanistan-now?ft=1&f=1004

Teague, Harry Terry, Lee Thompson, Bennie G. Thompson, Glenn Thompson, Mike

New Republic: The Pop Culture Tastes Of Dictators

From Idi Amin to Bashar Assad and Moammar Gadhafi, dictators often have eccentric tastes. Interns at The New Republic describe more than just images of Assad dancing to "I'm Sexy and I Know It."

Source: http://www.npr.org/2012/03/16/148742310/new-republic-the-pop-culture-tastes-of-dictators?ft=1&f=1057

Critz, Mark S. Crowley, Joseph Cuellar, Henry Culberson, John Abney Cummings, Elijah E.

Report: Blasts Hit Security Targets In Damascus

The two "terrorist explosions" struck in the Syrian capital Saturday morning, killing a number of civilians and security forces, the country's state news agency said. One year into the Syrian revolt, the fight to oust President Bashar Assad is transforming into a nascent civil war.

Source: http://www.npr.org/2012/03/17/148802342/report-blasts-hit-security-targets-in-damascus?ft=1&f=1004

Thompson, Glenn Thompson, Mike Thornberry, Mac Tiahrt, Todd Tiberi, Patrick J.

Ex-Rutgers Student Charged For Spying On Roommate

A Rutgers University student accused of using a webcam to spy on his roommate has been found guilty of intimidation based on sexual orientation and other crimes. Tyler Clementi jumped to his death after learning that Dharun Ravi had been spying on him.

Source: http://www.npr.org/2012/03/16/148774079/rutgers-student-charged-after-spying-on-roommate?ft=1&f=1003

Ackerman, Gary L. Aderholt, Robert B. Adler, John H. Akin, W. Todd Alexander, Rodney

Weekly Standard: No 'Desperate End'

GOP Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum won the Mississippi and Alabama Primaries. William Kristol of The Weekly Standard argues that last night was a good night for Republican prospects to defeat Barack Obama

Source: http://www.npr.org/2012/03/14/148581563/weekly-standard-no-desperate-end?ft=1&f=1057

Farr, Sam Fattah, Chaka Filner, Bob Flake, Jeff Fleming, John

U.N. to Investigate U.S. Voter ID Laws

John Hinderaker, Power Line
This is really the last straw. It is time to get out of the United Nations: "UN rights council delves into US voter I.D. laws."

Source: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/2012/03/15/un_to_investigate_us_voter_id_laws_275492.html

Brown, Corrine Brown, Henry E. Jr. Brown-Waite, Ginny Buchanan, Vern Burgess, Michael C.

Get Ready for 'Brokered' GOP Convention?

Will Rahn, The Daily Caller
With a breakaway front-runner still yet to emerge in the GOP race, political observers and senior Republican strategists are beginning to seriously contemplate what a brokered convention in Tampa Bay might look like.A candidate must win the support of 1,144 delegates to become the Republican nominee for president. While most commentators agree that Mitt Romney is the only candidate with a realistic shot of reaching that number before the convention in August, that outcome is by no means assured, especially after his losses in Alabama and Mississippi.

Source: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/2012/03/15/get_ready_for_039brokered039_gop_convention_275524.html

Walz, Timothy J. Wamp, Zach Wasserman Schultz, Debbie Waters, Maxine Watson, Diane E.

Goldman and The Right Way to Make Money

Russ Roberts, Cafe Hayek
People are making fun of this piece by Greg Smith where he talks about his disillusionment with the culture at Goldman Sachs. Smith claims the only focus at GS is making money and people openly disdain the customer. He’s being mocked for thinking it could possibly be otherwise.But I was reminded of this 1950 quote from George Merck who was president of the pharmaceutical company:.

Source: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/2012/03/15/goldman_and_the_right_way_to_make_money_275496.html

Hirono, Mazie K. Hodes, Paul W. Hoekstra, Peter Holden, Tim Holt, Rush D.

Is There A Moral Duty To Intervene In Syria?

It's been a year since the uprising began, and as the death toll rises, some American lawmakers are calling for U.S. military intervention. Host Michel Martin explores the issue with Shaun Casey, who teaches "Just War" theory, and Abderrahim Foukara of Al Jazeera International.

Source: http://www.npr.org/2012/03/15/148678004/is-there-a-moral-duty-to-intervene-in-syria?ft=1&f=1003

Royce, Edward R. Ruppersberger, C. A. Dutch Rush, Bobby L. Ryan, Paul Ryan, Tim

Romney Wins Hawaii, American Samoa Caucuses

Mitt Romney has won the Republican presidential caucuses in Hawaii, salvaging a much needed victory after resurgent rival Rick Santorum won primaries in Alabama and Mississippi on Tuesday. Romney also won the Republican caucus in American Samoa.

Source: http://www.npr.org/2012/03/14/148568742/romney-wins-in-american-samoa?ft=1&f=1014

Heller, Dean Hensarling, Jeb Herger, Wally Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie Higgins, Brian