[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, from Port-au-Prince, Christiane Amanpour talks about the long road ahead for Haiti with the Prime Minister and two prominent journalists who have had their eye on the country for decades.  Then, Christiane turns to a wide-ranging discussion with Britain’s Conservative Party leader, David Cameron, who, polls suggest, could defeat Gordon Brown in this year's election and become Great Britain's next prime minister.  The conversation will touch on Britain’s role in rebuilding Haiti, his views on Afghanistan, Iraq and al Qaeda and his plan for dealing with Britain’s economic woes. Now here are some perspectives on some stories in the news today, beginning with Haiti.

Tom Evans
Sr. Writer, AMANPOUR.

HAITI – Has the world fully grasped the enormity of the medical crisis facing Haiti after the earthquake?

–         Basic medical supplies running dangerously low at hospitals and makeshift clinics more than two weeks after the quake

–         Some patients receiving treatment for serious injuries for first time since the disaster struck

–         Aid workers say medical supplies are number three priority for distribution, after water and tents

QUESTION: Will there be a public health calamity in Haiti following the earthquake?

U.K. IRAQ INQUIRY – Will British people accept former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s justification for going to war in Iraq?

–         Blair presents forceful defense of his decision to join U.S.-led war against Iraq in 2003

–         Blair: 9/11 attacks dramatically changed risk assessments, raising concerns terrorists could get weapons of mass destruction from rogue or failed states such as Iraq

–         Former PM said he had not determined from the outset that it was necessary to remove Saddam Hussein from power

QUESTION: Will the fallout from the Iraq inquiry make it much more difficult for British political leaders to support the U.S. in future military actions around the world?

TOYOTA RECALL – Will the massive recall of Toyota cars and trucks destroy the Japanese auto company’s reputation for reliability and safety?

–         U.S. Congress says it will hold hearings on Toyota safety recalls over safety problems that potentially affect about eight million vehicles in North America, Europe, and China

–         U.S. lawmakers want to hold hearing on “how quickly and effectively” Toyota dealt with complaints about sticking accelerator pedals and slipping floormats

–         Washington Post: Toyota began facing complaints about runaway cars years ago, but did not install a “brake override” system even though several other carmakers were introducing that technology

QUESTION: Will this massive recall give other automakers, particularly Toyota’s battered American and European competitors, a chance to knock Toyota from the global Number One carmaker spot?

[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/11/16/christianetom.jpg caption caption="Sr. Writer for Amanpour, Tom Evans, working on scripts with Christiane"]

On AMANPOUR. today, we’ll have the latest from Haiti. Christiane will also turn her attention to another country in need of nation building: Afghanistan. She interviews two key foreign ministers – from France and Pakistan – who are at the London conference on Afghanistan. Among other things, she’ll ask them about Afghan President Karzai’s proposal for reintegrating the Taliban, combating al Qaeda in Yemen, and renewed efforts to coordinate international military and civilian objectives on the ground. Here are some perspectives now on some of the stories in the news today.

Tom Evans
Sr. Writer, AMANPOUR.

HAITI – Are key players in recovery effort finally making an effort to coordinate their activities?

–         Key players decide to divide Port-au-Prince into zones to hand out aid

–         Many people in the capital still haven’t received any food, water, or medical supplies

–         “Miracle” rescue of 16-year-old girl by French rescue team after she was in the rubble for more than two weeks

QUESTION: Why did it take so long for aid agencies and others to come up with a plan to distribute aid in the earthquake-ravaged capital?

FULL POST

[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, Christiane speaks with Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive about how he plans to lead his country forward post-quake. Christiane will also look at how Haiti’s next generation, its future, is being educated.  Less than half of school-age children were being educated before the earthquake and there was no real standardized curriculum.  Can Haiti now fix its broken school system?  And Christiane speaks with two leading development economists who have differing views on how Haiti should handle the huge influx of money headed its way. There are also some other headlines resonating around the world today. Here are some perspectives on those.

Tom Evans; Sr. Writer, AMANPOUR.

YEMEN – How deep is U.S. involvement in war against al Qaeda in Yemen?

–         Washington Post: U.S. heavily involved in aiding Yemen on strikes that in past six weeks have killed six of 15 top leaders of the regional al Qaeda affiliate

–         Post: American advisers do not take part in raids in Yemen, but help plan missions, provide intelligence, and weapons and munitions

–         U.S. has stepped up its role in Yemen, particularly since Christmas Day alleged plot to bomb an airliner over Detroit which President Obama linked to Al Qaeda in Yemen

QUESTION:  Will the growing U.S. role in the war in Yemen undermine the position of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh who has tried to play down American participation?

FULL POST

[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, while international donors meet in Montreal to ponder the future of the relief and development effort, Christiane travels to the southern port town of Jacmel.  A popular tourist site and center of the arts in Haiti, the city was hoping for a renaissance with the announcement of the first major hotel chain deal in a decade.  That was the day before the earthquake.  Does tourism still hold the key to its rebirth from the rubble? Haiti is just one of the stories in our round-up of some of the top headlines this morning.

Tom Evans
Sr. Writer, AMANPOUR.

HAITI – Will international donors make a long-term commitment to Haiti’s recovery?

–         International donors meet in Montreal, Canada to decide priorities for Haiti’s long-term development

–         Canada says meeting will lay groundwork for future aid, not seek immediate pledges of money

–         Haitian prime minister Jean-Max Bellerive is among the officials attending the meeting, which also includes representatives of the U.N. and other international organizations

QUESTION:  Will Haiti’s partners seize the moment and give the country an opportunity to build a new and better country out of the ruins without dictating the way Haiti does it?
FULL POST

[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 again focus on Haiti. Christiane talks to Ambassador James Dobbins, U.S. envoy to Haiti in the Clinton administration. He is urging the international community not to rebuild Haiti’s institutions, “on the old inefficient and corrupt foundations,” but to reform them so they are accountable to the needs of the Haitian people. And we continue our look at President Obama, one year on.

Is the intelligence community better equipped now to track and prevent future terrorist attacks than it was before 9/11? And how do we assess the true threat of al Qaeda when its members seem to regroup wherever a hospitable environment presents itself? Haiti and the war against al Qaeda and the Taliban are among the stories in the news today. Here are some perspectives on the latest headlines.

Tom Evans
Sr. Writer, AMANPOUR.

HAITI – Are there enough medical supplies in Haiti to help the tens of thousands who have been injured, especially those with crush injuries?

– Hopes fading of finding any more survivors. Some rescue teams pulling out of Haiti as international effort focuses more on looking after the homeless, hungry, and injured

– Medecins Sans Frontieres saying there are 10 to 12 day backlogs of injured Haitians at some of its locations, and some of the patients’ wounds are getting infected

– European Commission says 2 million Haitians are homeless, with 250,000 people in need of urgent assistance

QUESTION: Is the world mobilizing the right people and equipment quickly enough to help the many Haitians who are injured and have lost their homes?

FULL POST

[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 continue to examine the aftermath of last week’s devastating earthquake and the prospects of recovery. Is this the chance of a lifetime, as former President Bill Clinton characterized it, to build a true modern state in Haiti?  Will all the relief pouring in now translate into a sustainable blueprint for a stable country?  And in our look at the Obama Administration one year on, we examine torture in a post-9/11 world where national security concerns compete with international law.  Should those responsible for reinterpreting the law and sanctioning harsh interrogation techniques be held accountable?  So please watch our show today. Now here are some perspectives on some headlines in the news today.

Tom Evans
Sr. Writer, AMANPOUR.

HAITI – How soon before there will be enough doctors, nurses and medical supplies available to treat injured survivors?

–         Strong aftershock hits Haiti as a U.S. hospital ship approaches the country with nearly 550 doctors, nurses, corpsmen, technicians and support staff on board

–         Thousands of wounded people still awaiting treatment at Haiti’s remaining medical facilities, which are desperately short of supplies

–         U.N. estimates three million Haitians still in need of medical assistance, food, water, and shelter

QUESTION: Why is it still taking so long to get badly needed supplies out of Port-au-Prince airport?
FULL POST

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

AMANPOUR. today will again focus on the frustrated efforts to distribute aid in Haiti. We turn to the U.N. relief officials on the ground in Port- au-Prince responsible for coordinating distribution and logistics. Why is the flow of aid still at a trickle – one full week later?  And we continue to look at the global challenges facing U.S. President Barack Obama as he enters his second year in office. How has the world changed since his outreach to the Muslim World? Now here are some perspectives on some of the day’s top news stories.

Tom Evans
Sr. Writer, AMANPOUR.

HAITI – Who’s in charge of the relief effort one week after the devastating earthquake?

–         Charity Medecins San Frontieres says hundreds of lives are being put at risk as planes carrying vital medical supplies are turned away from Haiti because of congestion at airport

–         French government minister involved in scuffle with U.S. military officer in airport control tower and afterwards says, “This is about helping Haiti, not occupying it”

–         U.S. military says congestion and distribution problems are easing, even as it sends a cargo plane to Haiti to airdrop bottled water and food to victims for the first time

QUESTION: How soon before the harbor in Port-au-Prince will be reopened so supplies can be brought in by ship?
FULL POST

[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 will look at the role of modern Islam as the Hajj pilgrimage begins in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Hajj started with two twists: thinner crowds amid fears of swine flu and heavy rain. But beneath the powerful symbol of Muslim unity lie deep schisms that divide the Islamic world. That’s the subject of our program today. There are also other stories making news today. Here are some perspectives on some of the headlines.

– Tom Evans; Sr. Writer, AMANPOUR.

AFGHANISTAN ROW – New indications of tension in British-American relationship?

–          British defence secretary publicly criticizes Pres. Barack Obama for delays in sending more troops to Afghanistan, saying it’s made it harder for U.K. to defend the mission

–          Criticism comes after reports of serious strains between British and American commanders during the invasion and occupation of Iraq

–          Pres. Obama expected to send some 34,000 additional troops to Afghanistan; announcement likely next week

–          Reports many of reinforcements will go to southern Afghanistan, an area which is under the command of a British general

QUESTION:  Can the British and American militaries work together successfully, and without tension, in Afghanistan?
FULL POST

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

In today’s AMANPOUR., we will be examining the U.S. use of armed drones in Afghanistan and Pakistan to attack Taliban and Al Qaeda targets. Are the drone attacks effective at killing terrorist leaders or are they counterproductive because of the number of civilians who have also been killed? And are the strikes a legitimate form of warfare even when conducted by the CIA or are they targeted assassinations as critics assert? There is also some other news on Afghanistan to tell you about this morning. Here are my perspectives on that and other stories making headlines this morning.

Tom Evans; Sr. Writer, AMANPOUR.

AFGHANISTAN – Has U.S. President Barack Obama finally made a decision on a troop increase?

–          White House says an Obama announcement will come “within days”

–          W.H.: president has all the information he wants and needs to make his decision

–          U.S. commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McChrystal, has asked for as many as 40,000 additional troops

–          But call for big troop increase has met with strong opposition in some quarters of the Obama Admin., reportedly including Vice President Joe Biden and the U.S. ambassador in Kabul

QUESTION: Will the U.S. Congress and public support any increase in U.S. troop strength in Afghanistan, if that’s what President Obama proposes? FULL POST

[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 will focus on J Street, a new Jewish American lobbying group, that is for the first time openly challenging the legendarily all-powerful AIPAC – and seeking to change the way Washington deals with Israel. Will this group fundamentally shift the dialogue about U.S. policy in the Middle East? Or will it drift to the margins and become irrelevant? That’s not the only topic we are looking at today. Here are some perspectives on some other news in the headlines.

Tom Evans
Sr. Writer, AMANPOUR.

AFGHANISTAN – Has U.S. President Obama settled on a new strategy for Afghanistan?

–         Sources tell CNN President Obama will announce new strategy and troop levels after Thanksgiving Holiday in the U.S., which is next Thursday

–         Announcement will follow yesterday’s inauguration of President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan in Kabul for a second five year term

–         Karzai saying he wants Afghan security forces to take the lead in security within five years

–         Violence continues, with a suicide bombing in far west of Afghanistan killing at least 13 and wounding many others, including children

QUESTION: Will President Obama announce an exit strategy from Afghanistan at the same time as he makes announcement on troop levels? FULL POST