Politics - Think

A Full Inventory Of Our 44th Presidency

May 27, 2015 History, Politics

We’ll spend this hour with David Bromwich, whose essay in the June issue of Harper’s is “What Went Wrong: Assessing Obama’s Legacy.”

Execution Horror

May 26, 2015 Politics

The death penalty has always been controversial, but with recent shortages of lethal injection drugs and a number of questionable occurrences in U.S. death chambers, there’s a new furor.

The CIA From al Qa’ida to ISIS

May 20, 2015 Current Events, Global Issues, Politics

Michael Morell was with President Bush on Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists struck the U.S. And he was at President Obama’s side when the U.S. raided Osama bin Laden’s compound. This hour, we’ll talk to the retired deputy director of the CIA about securing peace through back-channel negotiations, which he writes about in The Great War of Our Time: The CIA’s Fight Against Terrorism–From al Qa’ida to ISIS (Twelve).

An American Spymaster’s Story

May 19, 2015 Politics

This hour, we’ll talk to Jack Devine, former head of the CIA’s Directorate of Operations, about the world of espionage.

Caring For Our Vets

April 29, 2015 Politics

This hour, from NPR headquarters in Washington, we’ll talk about keeping our veterans healthy and helping them to return to civilian life with Dr. Harold Kudler, chief consultant for Mental Health Services; and Michael Fisher, program analyst for the VA’s Readjustment Counseling Service.

D.C. On TV And Film

April 29, 2015 Culture, Politics

Political television shows such as House of Cards and Veep just wouldn’t feel authentic if they didn’t film at least some of their scenes in the nation’s capital. This hour, we’ll talk about shooting TV and movies in America’s most security conscious city with Angie Gates, director of the D.C. Office of Motion Picture and Television Development; and House of Cards location manager Patrick Burn.

Serving Texas In The House

April 28, 2015 Politics

With terms lasting just two years, it’s tough to get to know members of the House of Representatives. This hour, we’ll talk with two North Texas members – Rep. Marc Veasey of Texas 33rd congressional district and Rep. Michael Burgess of the 26th – about national issues important to their constituents and about the everyday life of a congressman in Washingto

Texas’ Role In The 2016 Election

April 27, 2015 Politics

This hour, we’ll talk about the race with a panel of reporters who cover Washington for Texas news outlets.

The Life Of The First Lady

April 16, 2015 Culture, Politics

This hour, we’ll talk about Michelle Obama’s ascent from working-class Chicago to the White House with her biographer, Peter Slevin.

The Battle Over The Trinity Toll Road

April 15, 2015 Politics

The Trinity Toll Road has divided Dallas into two camps: those who say it is a necessary way to control traffic and those who say it’s an outmoded solution. This hour, we’ll weigh the pros and cons of the project with experts from both sides of the argument.

So Long, Saigon

April 13, 2015 History, Politics

The documentary “Last Days in Vietnam” illustrates the tough choices facing American troops during the chaotic final days of the war. This hour, we’ll talk about the film with its director, Rory Kennedy, and producer Keven McAlester.

The Voice Of Democracy

April 8, 2015 Culture, Politics

We’ll talk about how the Nobel Prize winner emerged from 15 years of house arrest to lead her country’s fight for liberty with Rena Pederson, author of “The Burma Spring: Aung San Suu Kyi and the New Struggle for the Soul of a Nation.”