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It's been called the most successful alliance in world history. President Obama and fellow leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO, are meeting at an important summit in Chicago this month to discuss the future of the alliance.NATO troops have now spent a decade in Afghanistan, and more recently, NATO airpower helped to overthrow Moammar Ghaddafi in Libya. But in the face of economic stress, and war-weary publics in the United States and Europe, how will the alliance move forward?

“Because we have employed so many of the options that are available to us to persuade Iran to take a different course, the window for solving this issue diplomatically is shrinking.” –President Obama during a press conference with British Prime Minister David Cameron on March 14, 2012Iran’s nuclear ambitions have the world on edge. Because of its reluctance to admit international inspectors, and its progress in enriching uranium, the situation is increasingly tense. A nuclear Iran could lead to a Middle Eastern arms race and destabilize the world’s oil market. But are sanctions and other diplomatic efforts enough to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons?

Across the Arab world, Islamists are the new political power brokers. In elections in Egypt, Tunisia, and Morocco, Islamists won big. Similar results are expected in Libya, and if the Assad regime falls, they might well emerge on top in Syria too. After decades of repression by secular rulers, Islamists are now poised to transform the region's politics and culture. But it's still not clear what they plan to do with their power, and what that will mean for those who don’t share their views.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:“In the Asia Pacific in the 21st century, the United States of America is all in.”That was President Obama, speaking to the Australian Parliament this past November. As the United States refocuses its foreign policy and sets its sights on Asia, a drama is unfolding in North Korea.The sudden death of Kim Jong-Il and the succession to power of his young and inexperienced son has raised questions about Korea’s future and put the world on edge. What will the leadership change in North Korea mean for the future of America’s relationship with the two Koreas, for denuclearization or the reunification of the Korean peninsula?

PROGRAM OVERVIEW “Make no mistake, our strong presence in the Middle East endures, and the United States will never waver in defense of our allies, our partners, or our interests.”That was President Obama this past December, announcing the end of the Iraq war.But with the US economy lagging, and Americans focused on domestic issues, some of America's closest allies in the Middle East are worried about America's commitment to their defense.From Iraq and Iran to Afghanistan and Pakistan, we’ll examine what America's influence and intervention in the Middle East in the past can tell us about America's involvement in the region in the future.Throughout the hour, Ray Suarez speaks with Ken Pollack and Michael Doran about the future of American policy in the Middle East. Ken Pollack is the Director of the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, and Michael Doran is a senior fellow also at the Saban Center at the Brookings Institution.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW “This isn’t just about our pocketbooks...this is about history, it is about war and peace, it’s about Europe’s place on the global stage.”–Charles Kupchan, Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and professor at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign ServiceThe creation of the EU brought along with it peace and affluence. And for a time, Europe appeared destined to become ever more integrated and prosperous. But today, the European debt crisis has made possible what was once inconceivable – the collapse of the euro, and even the unraveling of the European Union itself. We head to front lines of the crisis – Italy and Greece – to ask, ‘How did we get here?’ and what needs to change to bring Europe back from the precipice?

PROGRAM OVERVIEWIn a world that seems increasingly secular, the role of religion remains surprisingly strong. Across the globe, nearly nine out of 10 people say they have some affiliation with religion. Yet, at the same time, conflicts because of religion are on the rise.“People value the ability to practice their own religion more highly than they do the ability of others in their country to practice their religion. So you could call that somewhat of a religious intolerance gap.” –Brian Grim, Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion and Public LifeNearly a third of the world's population faces restrictions on how they worship, risking arrest, imprisonment or even death. This hour, we head to Egypt, Malaysia, China and Russia to examine the religious undercurrents that are sharpening societal divides.

PROGRAM OVERVIEWIt’s become something close to accepted wisdom that the issues on which voters will decide the next election in 2012 will be almost exclusively domestic. But even the most cursory examination of the forces at work in this country today will tell you that what happens beyond American shores will change the way we live our lives over the next four years. Up for discussion this hour: How exactly do voters want the next president to handle affairs in Afghanistan and Iraq? What do Arab-American communities make of the US involvement in the Arab Spring? And – the billion-dollar question – which candidate holds the key to shielding American voters from economic turmoil in Europe?Throughout the hour, Ray Suarez and a panel of experts discuss American perspectives on foreign policy, as the race for 2012 gets underway. The panel includes: Carroll Doherty, Associate Director at the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press; Susan Glasser, Editor in Chief of Foreign Policy Magazine; and Jennifer Rubin, columnist and blogger for The Washington Post.

PROGRAM OVERVIEWA decade after the attacks of September 11th, the war in Afghanistan continues to take its toll on Afghans and Americans alike. In the fight against the Taliban and al-Qaeda, thousands of lives have been lost and millions have been affected.To mark the tenth anniversary of 9/11 and honor the sacrifices made by both Afghans and Americans, America Abroad Media, WAMU 88.5 FM, and Radio Killid Afghanistan brought together audiences in Washington and Kabul - including members of US military families - for a candid conversation between Afghans and Americans. Discussion focused on the personal costs of war and life in Afghanistan today, as the US troop drawdown begins and the Taliban insurgency continues.The program will broadcast across Afghanistan on Radio Killid and will air on public radio stations across the US.Guests include:Bob Kinder is Senior Vice President of International Operations at Drop Test International, a private consulting firm specializing in advising the US military and international community on counter-insurgency and counter-terror activities. A retired military officer, Bob spent a total of six years in Iraq and Afghanistan. Anna Berlinrut is the mother of a Marine Officer who deployed to Afghanistan in May 2011. She lives in New Jersey and is a member of Military Families Speak Out, an organization of people who have relatives serving in the military and are against the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.Hassina Sherjan is founder and country director of Aid Afghanistan for Education, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women and rehabilitating Afghanistan’s education system.Salam Rahimy is director general of Saba Media Organization, an independent, non-profit media organization based in Kabul, Afghanistan.Original airdate: September 2011This is a joint production by America Abroad Media, WAMU 88.5 FM, and Radio Killid Afghanistan.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW "This is an unfinishable battle. [You] try to do everything, but it is a long war." – Gyula Almási, head of Hungary’s Intellectual Property Rights Defense DepartmentThis particular long war isn’t against terrorists. It’s against counterfeiters. Companies have been fighting the proliferation of knockoff Rolexes and Gucci bags for years. Now both business and – quite literally – people’s lives are at risk as counterfeiters move in on markets for everything from drugs to car parts. Globalization and the Internet make it tougher and tougher to catch the copycats. And, as the developing world is learning, where new consumers create a demand, the black market shall supply – and that can kill local industries and people alike. The policing the world’s market for fakes, phonies, and frauds… Counterfeit Crackdown!

PROGRAM OVERVIEW "Is it possible that a union, that is not past the point of no return, could start unraveling?" – Charles Kupchan, Professor of International Affairs in the School of Foreign Service and Government Department at Georgetown University
 The financial crisis in Europe has raised a question that seemed unthinkable a few years ago. The modern EU evolved from a union born in 1951 to ensure that Europe would never again experience the horrors of war. And in that regard, the European Union has been an unmitigated success. "There's something like a narrative of Europe that's been lost. So the whole narrative was about peace, reconciliation. That is done and achieved. But achievements don't sell." – Ulrike Güerot, head of the Berlin office of the European Council on Foreign Relations And with financial turmoil plunging European states into panic, and dividing the continent on who is to blame, the EU, America’s main partner in the world, is in search of a new narrative.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW While the Arab Spring may have toppled a couple of regimes, democracy alone can’t solve the bread and butter issues of the region. The Arab world faces a stark demographic dilemma: nearly a quarter of Arabs under 30 remain jobless. The bleak economic conditions that fueled the Arab uprisings have become the inheritance of any new governments that stand up in the region. And youth in the region aren’t likely to sit quietly and wait for economic change.

PROGRAM OVERVIEWFor nearly a decade, Americans and Afghans have been joined by conflict. In the first years of the war, images of Afghan girls returning to the classroom were a heartening change from the years of Taliban brutality. Engaging the women of Afghanistan is critical shaping a modern, democratic Afghanistan. Yet local laws have again become more conservative. And strong development benchmarks for women have waned. Now, with talk of possible reconciliation with the Taliban, some wonder: do women’s rights in Afghanistan still matter?Audiences in Washington DC and Kabul discuss how women’s lives have changed post-Taliban rule and ask if their rights and interests are now being sacrificed in the name of security.Guests include:Michelle Barsa is the lead advocate on Afghanistan at The Institute for Inclusive Security, where she focuses on expanding the role for women in Afghanistan's peace and reconstruction processes.Anita McBride is a member of the US-Afghan Women's Council, and the Executive in Residence at the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at American University's School of Public Affairs. She also served as chief of staff to former first lady Mrs. Laura Bush.Dr. Sima Samar is a 2008 Asia Democracy and Human Rights Award Laureate, Chairperson of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission and United Nations Special Reporter on the situation of human rights in Sudan.Dr. Safia Sidiqi is a former member of Afghanistan's Parliament. Previously, she ran a legal advice bureau in Canada for Afghan women.Original airdate: May 2011This is a joint production by America Abroad Media, WAMU 88.5 FM, and Radio Killid Afghanistan.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW As citizens rise up across the Middle East, they fear more than reprisals of their own rulers. Many worry that leaders from Iran are looking to capitalize on a de-stabilized Middle East. They fear Iran wants to acquire more power and influence in the region. The balance appears to be tipping in Tehran’s favor: Iran has solid footholds in Iraq, Lebanon, and Gaza. And it’s eyeing potential openings across the Arab world… From Riyadh to Washington, alarms are sounding.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW "Seeing them here was actually a sign of the fact that they have moved beyond the religious component and they are serious about doing humanitarian work." – Giovanni Cassani, head of the camp coordination camp management cluster (CCCM) for the International Organization for Migration Many were surprised to see Muslim charities lending a hand in Haiti after the earthquake. Generally, they’ve focused on Islamic countries like Indonesia or Pakistan. But, Islamic charities are playing a larger role in the world, and that can be a blessing and a curse. Most do great work to minister to the poor, but some serve as fronts for terrorist organizations. And that poses a policy challenge for the U.S. The government wants to choke off terrorist funds, but still allow faithful Muslims to contribute to charities that do good. It’s a tough needle to thread.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW AIDS has been a viral wrecking ball across Africa, and much of the globe for that matter. More than 25 million have died from the disease, but the international community’s bedside manner is getting better. NGOs, nations and international organizations are building up a global resistance to the deadly virus. They’ve succeeding in treating millions already infected with HIV, but stemming the spread is a much tougher case. And with the doctor’s orders often running up against religious convictions and traditional customs, prescribing a potent prevention protocol is a complicated operation.

PROGRAM OVERVIEWFor most people, the bombs and bloodshed seem a world away, but for Afghans and American soldiers and civilians, the conflict is a daily reality.And it’s been a reality for a long time. The typical American third-grader has live his or her entire life in world where US troops have been fighting in Afghanistan. Now, for the first time, live audiences in both countries get to talk to each other about living with war.In this special town hall program, an audience in Washington DC will speak with local Afghans about life in the battlefield, about how their lives have changed over the last ten years, and what they want today from the US and their own government. And an Afghan audience will speak with American soldiers and civilians about what it's like fighting in a foreign land, and how they feel about their efforts to take down the Taliban and stand up a stable nation.Guests include:Major Vincent Heintz practices law in New York City. He is a Major in the New York Army National Guard, and has served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was awarded Bronze Star Medals for his leadership in Iraq and Afghanistan.Captain Andrew Wilson works for International Relief and Development, an NGO that is doing development and reconstruction work in Afghanistan. He has served two tours in the US Army in Afghanistan.Zakia Soleiman is a grants manager for a project called "Bringing Gender Equality in Afghanistan."Abdul Quayum Wafa is an entrepenuer and is involved in different social development projects in Afghanistan. He was involved with Pakistan-based religious parties that fought the Soviets in Afghanistan.Original airdate: January 2011.This is a joint production by America Abroad Media, WAMU 88.5 FM, and Radio Killid Afghanistan.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW Sudan has been at war with itself for decades. Arab Muslims in the north have long dominated Christian and animist Africans in the south. But, in a referendum scheduled for January 2011, southerners are expected to vote for separation. And the divorce may not be pretty. The south will take water, land, and about three quarters of Sudan’s oil with it. That’s one of many reasons the north opposes the divorce, and why there’s fear of a return to conflict.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW A generation ago, young Arabs went to the streets to protest repressive governments. Now, they hop on the information highway – blogging and tweeting their discontent. They upload music, download protests. But this generation is up against rulers who know a thing or two about staying in power – and they are keeping the kids in check. It's an old battle on new ground – young activists fight to express themselves as Arab governments find better ways to outflank them.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW "There was a thunderous explosion. You could feel all 505 feet and 8400 tons of guided missile destroyer violently thrust up and to the right." – Kirk Lippold, retired US Navy Commander That guided missile destroyer was the USS Cole. And the explosion on October 12, 2000 was a terrorist attack. The blast tore a 40-foot hole in the side of the ship, and killed seventeen sailors. "We will find out who is responsible," vowed President Clinton, "and hold them accountable." The U.S. found out al-Qaeda was responsible, but did not hold them accountable: no missile strikes, no court trials. Ten years gone, the Cole bombing is still an open wound. "The nation reacted to 9/11," says Commander Lippold, "but before 9/11 there was 10/12."