Frost Over the World

Reviewing 2010

We discuss the headlines and the headline makers of 2010.

WikiLeaks and the global threat of terror

In this special edition of Frost over the World, we look at the headlines and the headline makers of 2010.

Has a website ever had the impact of WikiLeaks which has blown the cover of secrecy on some of the world’s most delicate issues? Some claim the effects have been catastrophic and have put lives at risk, while others claim that openness and honesty will improve world diplomacy.

We are also looking at the ongoing war in Afghanistan and the global threat from terror attacks.

Joining Sir David are Chris Patten, the former governor of Hong Kong, Kate Adie, the former BBC foreign correspondent, Mehdi Hasan, the senior editor of politics of the New Statesman magazine, General Sir Mike Jackson, the former head of the British Army, and Akbar Ahmed, one of the world’s leading authorities on Islamic affairs at the American University in Washington.

 Middle East peace and the credit crunch

We take a look at how the situation in the Middle East was handled in 2010, US involvement in the peace negotiations, and the Gaza Flotilla.

We also discuss the credit crunch, economic recovery, and China’s role in the world economy. The year has seen a number of countries rescued from the brink of bankruptcy, and the stuttering recovery in the US cause President Obama problems in the mid-term elections. How are Americans feeling about the economic problems? What are the major challenges facing global economy in 2011?

Joining Sir David for the second part of this programme are Chris Patten, the former governor of Hong Kong, Kate Adie, the former BBC foreign correspondent, Mehdi Hasan, the senior editor of politics of the New Statesman magazine, Mary Jordan, from the Washington Post, and Linda Yueh, an economist, commentator, and author. 

This episode of Frost over the World aired from Friday, December 24, 2010.