[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/11/09/art.amanpour.writer.jpg caption="Sr. Writer Tom Evans"]
It’s a new week on AMANPOUR. and Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai joins Christiane for a worldwide exclusive television interview following the long-awaited announcement of President Obama’s new military strategy in Afghanistan. Karzai addresses concerns about whether he’ll be tough on corruption, whether Afghan security forces can be strengthened quickly enough to meet the U.S. withdrawal timetable, and whether the time has come to negotiate with the Taliban. You don’t want to miss Christiane’s in-depth interview with Karzai which is already making headlines around the globe. That’s not the only story making news today. Here are some perspectives on some other headlines.
Tom Evans; Sr. Writer, AMANPOUR.
CLIMATE CHANGE – Will the Copenhagen summit simply generate a lot of hot air from world leaders or will it lead to an enduring breakthrough on climate change?
– Denmark hosting biggest climate meeting in history attended by 192 countries
– Danish prime minister Lars Loekke Rasmussen says a deal is within reach in Copenhagen
– Meeting could lay groundwork for reductions of greenhouse gas emissions well into this century
– Optimism growing that an accord will be reached to tackle threat of potentially catastrophic global warming
QUESTION: Will world leaders end finger-pointing and put their narrow national interests to one side in the cause of tackling what some say is the biggest issue of our time?
IRAN – How long can opposition protesters continue to defy the Iranian government?
– Demonstrators take to the streets to protest against the Tehran government, leading to clashes with police and militiamen
– Authorities ring universities with riot police, fearful that today’s commemoration of the deaths of three students in 1953 could spark major protests over disputed June election this year
– Government forbids foreign media from even going out and watching protests
– Word of protests trickles out of country through phone messages and social media
QUESTION: How firm is the Iranian government’s grip on the country?
NORTH KOREA – What will visit of U.S. envoy to Pyongyang this week achieve?
– U.S. envoy Stephen Bosworth to visit North Korea for three day visit beginning tomorrow
– Bosworth attempting to revive stalled six country talks on North Korea’s nuclear weapons program
– North Korea seeking recognition that will come from a high level visit by a U.S. official
– Pyongyang’s tattered economy is worsening amid loss of economic aid from South Korea and fresh U.N. sanctions that followed its second nuclear test in May
QUESTION: Do the U.S. and other world powers have any chance of convincing Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons in return for renewed economic assistance?