[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 look at U.S. President Obama’s first trip to China. What are we to make of U.S. policy toward China and what kind of leverage does the U.S. have on issues as crucial as climate change, trade, nuclear proliferation, and the global financial crisis? Is China the 800lb gorilla in the room that everyone is trying to ignore? Geo-strategic implications of China’s rise continue to astonish, particularly as it’s on brink of overtaking Japan as the world’s second biggest economy. We also look at China’s rising economic influence in Africa and South America and more. That’s not the only story making news today. Here are some perspectives on that and some other headlines.

– Tom Evans; Sr. Writer, AMANPOUR.

U.S. AND CHINA – interdependent partners or strategic rivals?

–         President Obama in China on his first official visit to the country amid tensions between Beijing and Washington on a host of issues

–         Both U.S. and China’s economies deeply intertwined. U.S. relies on China to buy U.S. Treasury bonds. China relies on U.S. to buy its manufactured goods

–         Some are calling for new global leadership by China and the U.S., a so-called “G2” to direct the world economy and address strategic issues such as North Korea and Iran

–         President Obama says U.S. is not trying to contain China and there are very few global challenges that can’t be solved if two countries work together

QUESTION: Is U.S. downplaying human rights concerns in Tibet and Xinjiang in order to strengthen the bilateral relationship between Beijing and Washington? FULL POST

Tell us what life is like in your part of the world. Each week we'll play a short film on our program that challenges how we understand the world. Use your video camera, webcam or cellphone:  submit your film here.

Christiane accepting a lifetime achievement award for her journalism from the Newswomen's Club of New York.

Last night, Christiane and Helen Thomas were honored with lifetime achievement awards for their journalism at the Newswomen's Club of New York. The Amanpour news team accompanied Christiane and took some snaps, click here to see the rest.

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

Tonight on AMANPOUR., we focus on one of the most intractable wars of our time, the struggle between Palestinians and Israelis over land, the Holy Land. The past 60 years have seen violence and uprising in the Middle East, interrupted only briefly by moments of hope. U.S. President Obama began his administration by appointing a high profile envoy and promising to break the log jam, but ten months later it's still deadlocked and the peace process is stuck in the sand and there’s a danger extremists on both sides will fill the diplomatic vacuum. We will be looking at this dilemma with two unusual voices, Aaron David Miller, a former U.S. diplomat who served six U.S. Secretaries of State. And Amira Hass, of the Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz, whose title is “correspondent in the occupied lands.” There are other stories in the news today. So as always, I am offering some perspectives on some stories that resonate way beyond the headlines.

Tom Evans
Sr. Writer, AMANPOUR.

AFGHANISTAN REINFORCEMENTS – How deep are the divisions in the Obama Administration?

–         Pres. Obama, on visit to Tokyo, promises transparent decision soon on Afghan troop reinforcements

–         Promise comes amid reports of deep divisions among officials about whether to send extra troops to Afghanistan and if so, how many

–         UK Prime Minister Brown, who’s offered an extra 500 troops, said NATO nations other than U.S. might send 5,000 reinforcements

–         Germany today said it will send 100 extra troops to northern Afghanistan, an area where fighting is far less intense than areas where U.S. and U.K. troops are fighting

QUESTION: How come European members of NATO, with so many men under arms, cannot deploy tens of thousands of extra troops to Afghanistan: is it a question of political will, outdated military structures, or both?
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"]

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?
FULL POST

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

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’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?

FULL POST