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Tom's Take
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/11/16/christianetom.jpg caption caption="Sr. Writer for Amanpour, Tom Evans, works on scripts with Christiane"]
On AMANPOUR. today, we looked at this week’s ethnic violence in Nigeria, which has only served to highlight the issues facing the country at a time when it is suffering on many other fronts as well - from problems such as corruption and unemployment. Today, protests took place in the capital, Abuja. The demonstrations are set against the ongoing power vacuum after the return to Nigeria of the ailing President Umaru Yar ‘Adua, after medical treatment in Saudi Arabia.
Tom Evans
Sr. Writer, AMANPOUR.
(CNN) – Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo today declared that this week’s explosion of violence near the central city of Jos that claimed at least 200 lives is not driven by religious tensions between Christians and Muslims - but by ethnic, social, and economic problems.
In an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, Obasanjo said, “If you have one group or a community that has land that’s been encroached upon by another community or even by itinerant cattle farmers, then the people who lay claim to the land will fight back.”
“If there are job opportunities in an area, and persons believe they are indigenous to that area, and not getting enough out of the jobs that are available, they will fight those who are getting the jobs.”
Tom's Take
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/11/16/christianetom.jpg caption caption="Sr. Writer for Amanpour, Tom Evans, works on scripts with Christiane"]
On AMANPOUR. today, we take a look at the recent religious violence in Nigeria, which has only served to highlight the issues facing the country at a time when it appears to be suffering on many different fronts. Today, protests will take place in the seat of government power, Abuja. The protests are set against the ongoing power vacuum. Christiane gets to the root of the latest clashes and asks if the political void will allow for a further descent into violence. Nigeria is only one of the stories in the news today. Here are some perspectives.
Tom Evans
Sr. Writer, AMANPOUR.
NIGERIA – How serious is the risk of a further escalation in ethnic violence in Nigeria?
– Witnesses say soldiers open fire on a crowd breaking a curfew just days after fighting between Christians and Muslims left more than 200 people dead, most of them Christians
– Residents in the Jos area in central Nigeria accuse the security forces of failing to provide security to the villages that were attacked Sunday
– Violence is latest in series of clashes over the past decade in the country’s “middle belt” where ethnic groups are battling to control fertile farmland
QUESTION: Will the Nigerian government take decisive action before the violence escalates into a much broader conflict between Nigeria’s Christians and Muslims?
Iraqi activist: Women's rights must be focus for new parliament
Watch the complete interview with three women from the Middle East on our podcast.
Watch the complete interview with three women from the Middle East on our podcast.
By Tom Evans; Sr. Writer, AMANPOUR.
(CNN) - Even as votes are counted in Iraq's general election, a leading human rights activist in Baghdad said Monday that she is counting on the new parliament to defend and develop women's rights.
Basma al-Khateeb, of the Iraqi Women's Network, said it was vital for Iraqi legislators of both genders to defend the Iraqi "Law of Personal Status," which protects women and families, and limits the influence of religious courts.
"It's considered one of the most advanced family laws in the region. It's based on Sharia law, but takes the best (of it) for the benefit of women and family," she told CNN's Christiane Amanpour on International Women's Day.
"The Personal Status Law paved the way to mixed marriages, to more rights for women - and we need to develop it."
// Her remarks came after Sunday's vote - the first parliamentary elections in Iraq since 2005. There were nearly 2,000 female candidates, and by law women must make up 25 percent of the new legislature.
Preliminary election results are expected later this week. Final results are due by the end of March.
Al-Khateeb said the 25 percent quota was a "double-edged sword" for women because political parties choose candidates who are not trained or outspoken, and who will do as they are told.
Our fabulous intern Sugam and Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Our exclusive interview with Archbishop Desmond Tutu and his daugher airs Wednesday:
Tom's Take
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/11/16/christianetom.jpg caption caption="Sr. Writer for Amanpour, Tom Evans, works on scripts with Christiane"]
On AMANPOUR. we focus on women in the Muslim world on this International Women’s Day. Are women’s rights compatible with Islam? Christiane looks at Sunday’s national elections in Iraq with a political activist working to get more women elected to the Iraqi Parliament. And then, Christiane sits down with three leading women activists from elsewhere in the Middle East to discuss the pressing issues in their respective countries and the region as a whole. From honor killings, to repressive family laws and added economic burdens exacerbated by the financial crisis, these three leaders are educating and organizing women to lobby their governments on gender equality in all realms. With the threat of encroaching Islamic fundamentalism, will women’s hard-won gains be reversed? The Iraqi election is among the top stories today. Here are some perspectives.
Tom Evans
Sr. Writer, AMANPOUR.
IRAQ – Will Sunday’s parliamentary elections help decrease sectarian and ethnic tensions in the country?
– Head of Iraq’s election commission tells Associated Press turnout for poll was 55 to 60 percent, which is down from roughly 76 percent in parliamentary elections in December 2005
– Faraj al-Haidari told AP the preliminary results are likely to be released in the next two to three days, most likely on Thursday
– U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Christopher Hill says overall, it was a “very successful election”. U.S. Commander, General Ray Odierno, say U.S. will draw down forces to 50,000 troops by the first of September, as scheduled, for a train and advise mission.
QUESTION: Will U.S. be forced to leave some combat troops in northern Iraq past September 1st because of tensions in that part of Iraq?
Tom's Take
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/11/16/christianetom.jpg caption caption="Sr. Writer for Amanpour, Tom Evans, works on scripts with Christiane"]
On AMANPOUR. today, we focus on the U.N. nuclear agency’s meeting in Vienna and Iran’s nuclear program. A recent IAEA report stated that Iran may now be trying to build a nuclear warhead and on Wednesday, the U.S. envoy to the IAEA Glyn Davies said Iran has been playing a "cat and mouse" game with the U.N. body. Iran is pushing back – accusing the IAEA of issuing a misleading and unbalanced report singling out Yukiya Amano, the new head of the IAEA, for undermining the Iran’s cooperation. Will this meeting bolster the case among U.N. Security Council members who support further, deeper sanctions against Iran and bring China and Russia onboard? We’ll find out. Iran is not the only story in the news today. Here are some perspectives.
– Tom Evans; Sr. Writer, AMANPOUR.
NUCLEAR SHOWDOWN – Are new international sanctions against Iran inevitable?
– New York Times reporting U.S. circulating new draft proposal for sanctions against Tehran over its nuclear program
– U.S. plan for new sanctions running into opposition not just from China, a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, but also other key countries such as Brazil and Turkey
– Iran’s envoy to the IAEA in Vienna is warning that Tehran may withdraw its counteroffer on the supply of nuclear fuel if there are any developments which “might disturb the climate of cooperation” as he puts it
QUESTION: Are hopes of a nuclear deal between world powers and Iran receding?
And now your feedback
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Unprecedented reactions took over social media and email feedback regarding the exclusive interview with Shin Bet, the son of a founder of Hamas who claimed he became a spy for Israel's domestic security service. Confusion, extreme emotions and strong words best describe the feelings portrayed by the Amanpour viewers about Mr. Bet’s beliefs. While some highly commended the interview and applauded “the conviction” Mr. Bet had displayed throughout his life, others stated that he was a ‘lost spirit” and was the “manifestation of evil.” Religion was the main cause of disagreement among most viewers who felt their religion was the “right one” and offered no consideration to those who felt otherwise.
What are your thoughts? Please share your thoughts with us! In addition, if you missed the show go to http://www.cnn.com/CNNI/Programs/amanpour/ for more information.
Below, you will see some opinions from viewers like yourself. We would love to hear what you think.
Hamas founder's son: I spied for Israel
Watch the complete interview with Mosab Yousef on our podcast.
Watch the complete interview with Mosab Yousef on our podcast.
New York (CNN) - The son of a founder of the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, Tuesday told CNN that he was a spy for Israel.
For 10 years, Mosab Yousef said he gathered information about Hamas terrorist plots and fed them to Israel's domestic security service Shin Bet.
Yousef, in an exclusive interview with CNN's Christiane Amanpour, said he did it because he came to believe that Hamas was practicing "exceptional cruelty" against its members and "killed people for no reason."
He has now written a book, "Son of Hamas" detailing his exploits from his new base in the United States where he has lived since 2007. CNN could not independently confirm his story and Israel has refused to comment.
In the Israeli newspaper Haaretz, a former Israeli handler said of Yousef: "One insight of his was worth 1,000 hours of thought by top experts."
Yousef told CNN: "They offered me to work for them. My goal was to be a double agent and attack them from the inside."
But then his views changed.
Son of Hamas founder: 'I was confused'
Watch our complete interview at 2100 CET and our podcast.
Watch our complete interview at 2100 CET and our podcast.
Son of Hamas, Spy for Israel?
Christiane just finished interviewing a son of a found of Hamas who claims he spied for Israel:
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