Perspective Podcast - May 6th, 2011

***Special Edition of Perspective "Kill Shot: The Story Behind Bin Laden's Death"***

How They Got Bin Laden.

One of the most captivating and most fascinating threads of this story, is how American spies tracked their man, how they confirmed as best they could it was really him and how the commander in chief along with the military decided to attack. Initially, an air attack had been proposed, but ultimately it was decided a commando mission, where Navy SEALs would descend from the sky, would boldly remove the target dead or alive. ABC's Terry Moran explains how they got Osama Bin Laden.

The Hunt for Bin Laden.

For almost ten years, Osama Bin Laden was the most wanted man in the world. But the hunt for him started way before the horrible events of September 11th, 2001. The U.S. had tried many times before to assassinate him only now becoming successful. ABC's Martha Raddatz outlines the many different pursuits.

Secret Weapon in Raid.

President Obama chose to send U.S. Navy SEALs to the compound instead of bombing it, so there would be no doubt over the Al Qaeda leader's fate. But, after viewing the pictures of a dead Bin Laden, the president said they were too gruesome to be made public and not in the best interest of the country. ABC News Chief Investigative Correspondent Brian Ross reports.

Who are the Navy SEALs?

Right now somewhere in the world a Navy SEAL is thinking "I killed Osama Bin Laden". But who exactly are the members of the elite Navy SEALs Team Six? And what do we know about the history and culture of the secretive military unit? ABC's Chris Cuomo took a look.

Inside the Compound.

Abbottabad is the quiet city in Pakistan, where Osama Bin Laden lived and died. But most intriguing is how Bin Laden lived, in a compound in plain sight.   ABC's Nick Schifrin takes us to the home of the world's most wanted man.

Relations with Pakistan.

Now that Bin Laden is buried at sea, it is valid to wonder how soon American troops in Afghanistan will get their lives' back. The drawdown is supposed to begin in July, but how large and how fast may depend less on Afghanistan and more on the country right next door, Pakistan. With Bin Laden living in plain sight in that country, critics say Pakistan may be the most dangerous and dysfunctional ally we have ever had. ABC's Bill Weir explains.

The Muslim World.

Leaders around the Arab and Muslim world have praised the death of Osama Bin Laden. But it still remains to be seen how these latest events will shape America's involvement and relations going forward in the region of Bin Laden's demise. ABC's Christianne Amanpour explored this very issue.

The Toughest Call.

Booby traps, a helicopter crash, or the arrival on the scene of the Pakistani military. It is easy to think what might have gone wrong. What if one or more Navy SEALs were killed and Bin Laden wasn't even there? Any way you cut this, the president had to make a tough call. Once again here's ABC's Terry Moran.

Host: Alex Stone

Producer: Jason Wesalo

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Perspective Podcast - April 29th, 2011

In this special edition of Perspective: "The Royal Wedding"....

The Vows.

So much anticipation was in the air, crowds swarming the abbey and the palace, waiting for all the big moments, from seeing Kate's top-secret dress finally revealed, to finally exchanging vows.   Let's take a listen to the vows William and Kate exchanged..  Here is the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, officiating the royal wedding.

The Wedding Day.

With millions around the world tuning in to view the royal wedding, it was truly a massive event that required all types of planning.  ABC's Linda Albin takes us through the day and said it all went off without a hitch.

Westminster Abbey.

When William and Kate exchanged vows, it took place in Westminster Abbey a place with incredible history and beauty.  ABC's Barbara Walters takes us inside the church where the ceremony took place.

William's New Family.

When Kate Middleton took her vows she got the new official name and title.  But for Prince William, the man who will one day be king, what did he get?  According to ABC's Elizabeth Vargas, it is something money cannot buy.

The Romance.

It is a safe bet to say that that there have been quite a few girls that have dreamed of one day marrying a prince.  But only Kate made that dream come true.  So how does a girl catch a prince?  Well it doesn't hurt to go to the same university your future husband attends.  Our London Correspondent Nick Watt also graduated from St. Andrews, the school where the royal romance began.  

Diana & Kate.

Imagine this, you are following in the footsteps of one of the most well-known, beloved princesses in all the world and you happen to have married her son.  That sure is a lot that Kate Middleton has had to think about.  There have been plenty of comparisons made between the two.  So what type of legacy will Princess Diana have on the bride of her son William?  ABC's Cynthia McFadden took a look.

The Eligible Princes.

The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton was a happy day, but a dream-dashing one for those hoping to become a modern day princess, though it does not have to be.  Of course there is still Prince Harry, but he is not the only eligible royal out there, as ABC's Andrea Canning discovered.

What's at Stake?

About a year and a half ago the British government enacted a series of drastic budget cuts in an effort to close its spending deficit.  Due to this, some have called into the question the splendor of the British Monarchy.  So what is at stake for William & Kate? And can they change the image of the crown?  ABC's Barbara Walters tried to find out.

Final Thoughts.

Our co-hosts Aaron Katersky and Cheri Preston share their thoughts and memories of the royal wedding.

Host: Aaron Katersky & Cheri Preston

Producer: Jason Wesalo

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Perspective Podcast - April 22nd, 2011

In this edition of Perspective...

McCain in Libya.

The war in Libya has reached a desperate point as Moammar Gadhafi's troops continue to bombard civilians and President Obama and other NATO leaders struggle to respond effectively. One of the strongest American backers of military intervention in Libya arrived in Benghazi on Friday.  Senator John McCain said he was there to meet with the rebels and assess the situation on the ground with his own eyes. ABC's Miguel Marquez has the latest.

Tim Hetherington.

It is the journalists job to help us see, to help us understand and to help us feel the reality of war and the common humanity we share with its victims.  This week news came that two American journalists covering this war were killed.  Chris Hondros, a photographer for Getty Images and British-born Tim Hetherington.  ABC's Brian Ross brings us the story.

Airline Safety.

A plane carrying First Lady Michelle Obama had to abort a landing this week because of an apparent mistake by air traffic controllers, which allowed the aircraft to get too close to a plane in front of it.  This incident came after weeks of reports of sleeping controllers and overworked pilots.  All of this raises serious questions about the state of American air travel.  Here is ABC's Lisa Stark.

Fracking & Arkansas Earthquakes.

This week a natural gas company halted its use of a controversial mining technique called fracking, after a blowout in a Pennsylvania well spilled thousands of gallons of toxic fluid into a local waterway.  This is not the first time the environmental impact of fracking has been questioned.  In Arkansas, some geologists think the disposal of waste water from fracking may be leading to an incredible increase in earthquakes, more than 1100 since September.  ABC's Chris Bury investigates.  

The Dukan Diet.

French doctor Pierre Dukan had thought he had figured out a way to help people drop weight and keep it off.  Years of success with his patients, he said, told him so.  But, at first he had a hard time getting his ideas published in France.  Now a few years later and millions of copies sold, American publishers jumped at the chance to sell Dukan's secrets.  The doctor had a chance to speak with ABC's Juju Chang in an exclusive interview.

Inside Panda Express.

It is a choice faced every night by thousands of Americans, sesame chicken or beef with broccoli? America's love affair with Chinese food goes back to the 1800's and the days of the railroads.  Today, no food-court would seem complete without a Chinese joint and chances are fair that place will be part of the enormous chain we had chance to get to know better.  ABC's John Berman explains.  

Playlist:  Smokey Robinson.

It is shorthand for soulful, sexy and swinging.  Motown changed the music world in the 1960's and millions of lovers are forever grateful.  We are going to go inside the mind of the artist who was at the center of that Motor City revolution to find out what he listens to.  Here's Smokey Robinson in his own words.

Host: Cheri Preston

Producer:  Jason Wesalo

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