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Today, AMANPOUR focuses on Al Qaeda, more than eight years after it launched the 9/11 attacks. We have an inside look at how Al-Qaeda is evolving into an organization spreading throughout Europe and the United States, as well as other parts of the world, through its adept use of the tools of modern communication to perpetuate jihad.  You don’t want to miss this program!

– Tom Evans
Sr. Writer, AMANPOUR.

OBAMA TO ASIA – Will the U.S. president’s visit achieve anything of substance?

–         President leaves today for four country trip to Japan, Singapore, China, and South Korea

–         Nuclear disputes with North Korea and Iran, Afghanistan, climate change, and the economy are all likely to be major issues in his talks

–         U.S. sending an envoy perhaps later this year to Pyongyang to discuss nuke issues

–         China has greatest leverage on North Korea, but may be unwilling to use its influence too strongly for fear of undermining regime there and precipitating possible collapse

QUESTION: Can U.S. persuade China to support its regional and global goals on areas of common concern such as North Korea, Iran, and the economy? Or is U.S. influence in Beijing waning?
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The interview former British PM, Middle East envoy Tony Blair shared with Amanpour addressed the situation between the Israelis and Palestinians and said must be "credible" in order to achieve peace.  Most viewers agreed and cheered for such response, while the minority felt Blair did not respond to “key questions.”  Additional discussion was present regarding author and theologian, Karen Armstrong and the International Charter for Compassion.  Most viewers expressed delight with the programming and choice of guests Amanpour had.  Do you agree or disagree with the stance the majority of viewers took regarding these discussions?  We would like to know.

Below, you will see some opinions from viewers like yourself.  If you missed the show, or for more information on the full-length podcast @ http://cnn.com/amanpour

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[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/11/09/art.amanpour.writer.jpg caption="Sr. Writer Tom Evans"]

On AMANPOUR. today, we’ll be examining nuclear proliferation, in particular the challenge of how to deal with North Korea’s nuclear ambitions. The U.S. announced Tuesday that it will soon meet unilaterally with North Korea. Could this be an opportunity for a new era in relations, leading to an end to sanctions and to North Korea’s nuclear program? Or is it another attempt by North Korea to convince the U.S. to treat it as a respected equal? We’ll explore the diplomacy of non-proliferation - what is working and what isn’t – in North Korea as well as the Middle East, with former chief U.N. Weapons Inspector Hans Blix and Victor Cha, the former top adviser on North Korean affairs to President George W. Bush.  There are also some other stories making headlines as well today, stories that resonate across the globe, as I discuss below.

Tom Evans
Sr. Writer, AMANPOUR.

KOREA – Will U.S. decision to send an envoy to Pyongyang lead to reciprocal concessions by North Korea?

–          U.S. says American officials will meet soon with N. Korean representatives to facilitate the resumption of talks on Pyongyang’s nuclear weapons program

–          Secy. Of State Hillary Clinton says naval skirmish between North and South Korea this week won’t affect decision to send diplomats to Pyongyang

–          South Korean forces on high alert along border between North and South

–          S. Korean officials saying N. Korean vessel was heavily damaged and on fire when it retreated from disputed waters; no word on damage or any casualties from North

QUESTION: Was naval skirmish staged by North Korea to gain a negotiating advantage with U.S. by suggesting hardliners in Pyongyang have the upper hand?

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The Fall of Berlin Wall’s discussion with former U.S. Secretary of State at time of Berlin Wall fell, James Baker and President, Nixon Center Dimiti Simes generated heart-felt and philosophical comments from most viewers.  Some viewers commented “It’s funny that we are talking about a wall that was brought down 20 years ago yet we are still erecting new ones across the globe:   America and Mexico, Israel and Palestine, North Korea and South Korea.”  Other viewers questioned the human intentions “behind these acts.”  Do you agree or disagree with the stance the majority of viewers took regarding this historic issue?  We would like to know.

Below, you will see some opinions from viewers like yourself.  If you missed the show, or for more information on the full-length podcast @ http://cnn.com/amanpour

CNN MAILBOX:

• Yesterday's show proved very clearly how nations develop different views on history. Listening to you and your panel, one could get the impression that the fall of the iron curtain was the mere consequence of a line dropped by Reagan and the genius leadership of the United States: A very simplistic view that does not comply with the state of knowlegde of today's historiography. You totally forgot to mention that communism in fact collapsed from within and that it was the people in Poland, then Hungary, then in Eastern Germany who exerted so much pressure on the regimes that they finally stepped back. This goes especially for the so called emigration movment, which was among the key driving forces in the process. Plus, it is worty to note that is was again the people of Eastern Germany and then the German chancellor, Helmut Kohl, who initiated the unification, and not the US government, as Secretary Baker suggested. The fall of the Berlin wall and the end of the cold war was a very complicated process factored by multiple developments and players. If you reduce it to he interaction of diplomats you will not get the whole picture.

–  Dr. Felix Römer, Germany

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