Recent Videos Of Interest (Fora.tv)

I wrote about Fora.tv earlier and have been pleasantly surprised by the number of high quality interviews, lectures and other videos made available through the service. For those of you who haven't had time to check it out, here are some that may be of interest:

Imad Moustapha on the Israeli Airstrikes in Syria
Imad Moustapha, Syrian Ambassador to the United States, answers questions concerning the Israeli airstrikes in September 2007 on alleged Syrian nuclear facilities.
Program and discussion: http://fora.tv/fora/showthread.php?t=2399

Military Promotion of Democracy
Michael Mandelbaum, author of Democracy's Good Name, states that while military action can remove despotic rulers, it is not sufficient to establish democracy in a nation. There are other requirements, one of which is time.
Program and discussion: http://fora.tv/fora/showthread.php?t=2401

Michael Mandelbaum on Democracy in Middle East
Michael Mandelbaum, author of Democracy's Good Name, gives explanation for his pessimistic stance on democracy’s ability to take hold in the Arab world.
Program and discussion: http://fora.tv/fora/showthread.php?t=2400

The Roots of Islamic Extremism
Author and journalist Yaroslav Trofimov discusses the Saudi Government's use of violence within the Grand shrine of Mecca during the two-week siege of the Grand Mosque. He claims the event sparked modern day Islamic extremism.
Program and discussion: http://fora.tv/fora/showthread.php?t=2394

The Grand Mosque Siege of 1979
Author and journalist Yaroslav Trofimov discusses Juhayman al-Otaibi and Mohammed Abdullah al Qahtani, the rebel leaders that led the 1979 assault and seizure of the Grand Mosque in Mecca.
Program and discussion: http://fora.tv/fora/showthread.php?t=2393

Paul Saffo: The Secret to Effective Forecasting
Forecaster, Paul Saffo presents Embracing Uncertainty: The Secret to Effective Forecasting as part of The Long Now Foundation's Seminars About Long-term Thinking.
Program and discussion: http://fora.tv/fora/showthread.php?t=2388

Hidden Economic Powers of Money and Influence
Ben Stein notes that certain individuals possess enough money and trade influence to leverage governmental change.
Program and discussion: http://fora.tv/fora/showthread.php?t=2363

Profile of A Gang Leader
Author and sociologist Sudhir Venkatesh discusses the Robert Taylor housing projects of Chicago and gang leader J.T., the educated and charismatic protagonist from his new book Gang Leader For a Day.
Program and discussion: http://fora.tv/fora/showthread.php?t=2362

Child Gang Members
Author and sociologist Sudhir Venkatesh addresses the socioeconomic factors and educational deficiencies that drive children into gangs in the Robert Taylor housing projects in Chicago.
Program and discussion: http://fora.tv/fora/showthread.php?t=2361

Inside the World’s Largest Illegal Arms Network
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Stephen Braun discusses Merchant of Death: Money, Guns, Planes, and the Man Who Makes War Possible.
Program and discussion: http://fora.tv/fora/showthread.php?t=2359

Afghanistan: Present Situation Challenges Ahead
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Afhanistan: Present Situation Challenges Ahead. Dr. Abdullah Abdullah provides an up-to-date analysis of the current situation in Afghanistan and the challenges that lie ahead. One of the principal decision-makers at the Bonn Conference, Dr. Abdullah enjoyed a rare vantage point as the first post-Taliban Minister of Foreign Affairs. Although not a member of the government nor any opposition parties at present, he continues to be regarded as one of Afghanistan's leading political figures. Dr. Abdullah is the Secretary General of the Massoud Foundation, a non-profit institution dedicated to serving the people of Afghanistan by promoting social welfare, education, health, and agriculture. Ambassador Ronald E. Neumann moderates - Asia Society
Program and discussion: http://fora.tv/fora/showthread.php?t=2356

Radical Islam in Bangladesh
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Hudson Senior Fellow Maneeza Hossain discusses consolidating Islam in Bangladesh. Hossain's new book Broken Pendulum: Bangladesh's Swing to Radicalism, (Hudson Institute Press) explores whether Bangladesh is doomed to Pakistan's fate of military leadership or if it will discover democracy.
Program and discussion: http://fora.tv/fora/showthread.php?t=2293