Talk to America program schedule: 11/17/03 - 11/21/03

Monday, November 17: U.S. Foreign Policy

Guests:

James Lindsay: Co-author, "America Unbound: The Bush Revolution in Foreign Policy"

Ivo Daalder: Co-author, "America Unbound: The Bush Revolution in Foreign Policy"

Before he took office, George W. Bush promised to put U.S. domestic issues first. Since then, however, President Bush has made foreign affairs a keystone of his policies. In their latest book, authors Ivo Daalder and James Lindsay describe Mr. Bush's transformation on foreign policy, and the impact his policies are making on the world. We'll explore the Bush Administration's reshaping of U.S. foreign policy. We want to hear your thoughts and questions about U.S. foreign policy.

End Segment: LIVE from Baghdad, update on the situation in Iraq

Guest:

Alysha Ryu: Correspondent, VOA News

Tuesday, November 18: "Higher"

Guests:

Neal Bascomb: Author, "Higher: A Historic Race to the Sky and the Making of a City"

Tom McGeveran: Senior Editor, The New York Observer

The United States is the unquestioned home of the modern skyscraper. The race to build the tallest and grandest buildings was perhaps never as expensive as in New York City in the 1920's. Now nearly 100 years later, political and economic forces are waging a high stakes battle for the reconstruction of the former World Trade Center site. But have Americans lost their desire to build the world's tallest buildings? We'll look at America's continuing fascination with skyscrapers.

Wednesday, November 19: Trachoma

Guests:

Dr Jacob Kumaresan: President, International Trachoma Initiative

TBD

Trachoma is the world's leading cause of preventable blindness. Trachoma can be spread easily by hands, clothing, or flies that have come in contact with discharge from the eyes or nose of an infected person. The disease generally occurs in poor countries where people have limited access to water and health care. More than 10 percent of the world's population is at risk of blindness due to trachoma, which has incapacitated families and communities for decades in the poorest regions of Africa, Asia, and the Middle East and in some parts of Latin America and Australia. Trachoma currently blinds some six million people.

Thursday, November 20: Ignoring Russia

Guests:

Susan Jacoby: Author of books on the Soviet Union

TBD

Shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union, ties between the two former cold war enemies grew quickly. Americans were fascinated with Russia; it's culture, politics, history and it's potential as a business partner. Leaders from the US and Russian even developed personal friendships with each other. But in recent times, especially after 9/11, it has appeared to many that Americans may have lost that intense interest in Russia, and have turned their attention toward other concerns, such as the war on terrorism and military involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq. American's attitude toward Russia weren't helped when Russian leadership stood with France and Germany in opposition to the United States position on Iraq. With the recent crackdown on Russia's oligarchs, there are also business people and diplomats who have become concerned that Russia's foray into capitalism and democracy may be at risk. We'll examine current US-Russian relations and what could happen if America chooses to ignore Russia.

End Segment: Science

Guest:

David McAlary: VOA Science Corespondent

Friday, November 21: JFK, 40 years later

Guests:

TBD

Saturday, November 22 is the 40th anniversary of the assassination John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States. We'll remember that tragic day in Dallas, Texas when not only Americans but also people throughout the world were stunned and saddened at the loss of the young US President. We'll also examine the life and legacy of John F. Kennedy and discuss why, even 40 years after his death, he is so fondly remembered my many.

End Segment: Campaign 2004

Guest:

Jim Malone, VOA National Affairs Corespondent