Compass Points

Leading experts analyze prominent international affairs topics and their impact on America today.

May 15

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How Moscow's turbulent past shapes Putin's vision for Russia

Moscow started as a fort on a hill and has survived invasion, revolution, civil war and Soviet collapse to transform into a formidable world power. But with the limits of Russia's power tested in Ukraine, is history doomed to repeat…

May 08

Newspaper front pages and U.S. flags left by visitors are seen at the United Airlines Flight 93 crash site from the 9/11 a...
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Inside the U.S. raid that killed Osama bin Laden 15 years ago

It’s been 15 years since the U.S. found and killed the world’s most notorious terrorist, Osama bin Laden. Compass Points moderator Nick Schifrin continues last week’s conversation with Mark Kelton, the CIA’s station chief in Pakistan at the time, for…

May 01

U.S. President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, along with members of the national security team, receive an upd...
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Retired CIA officer reflects on the intelligence that led to Osama bin Laden's killing

It has been 15 years since the historic Navy SEAL raid that killed Osama bin Laden in retribution for the deadliest attack on U.S. soil. Compass Points moderator Nick Schifrin gets an inside look at the dangerous operation — and…

Apr 24

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Will Congress push back as Trump tests presidential power?

President Trump is not the first to push the boundaries of his power as commander in chief. The law on war powers gives presidents 60 days to conduct military operations without congressional approval. That timeframe for Iran is about to…

Apr 17

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Vance faces first global test as U.S. negotiator with Iran

Vice President JD Vance makes his first major foray onto the world stage as America’s top negotiator with Iran. He’s the most prominent isolationist in the Trump administration and his assignment puts him front and center on an issue with…

Apr 10

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Can the U.S. and Iran turn the temporary ceasefire into long-term peace?

President Trump finds an off-ramp to the five-week war in Iran, but at what cost? He began the week threatening Iran's “whole civilization." But when Pakistan presented a plan to temporarily halt hostilities, Trump embraced it. Can the U.S. and…

Apr 03

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Pope Leo's political voice and how much influence he holds

Pope Leo XIV is the first American to lead the Catholic Church, and after nearly a year of advocating for the poor and cautiously opposing controversial U.S. policies, Leo is offering a more public contrast with Trump. Compass Points moderator…

Mar 27

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Inside the U.S.-Israel alliance and how it led to war with Iran

The war against Iran is a fight that Israel has wanted for decades. How did Netanyahu convince President Trump to act? Can a war launched together be ended together? And is there a limit to the U.S.-Israeli partnership? Compass Points…