Erstellt am: 22. 11. 2011 - 14:56 Uhr

"Paralysis" hits the US budget debate

Reality Check: US debt, riots in Egypt, Austria's "Feinstaub" problem, CIA spies allegedly captured by Hezbollah, new Australian tobacco laws.

The US "super committee", that was supposed to come up with a way to reduce the budget deficit by 1.2 trillion dollars, has failed to make a deal. The committee of 6 Republicans and 6 Democrats have been trying to come up with a plan since August but, according to analyst Steven Hill, both sides are eyeing the elections next year, and this has meant a virtual paralysis of the government.

A failure to come to an agreement could lead to automatic cuts at the beginning of 2013. This would be split, with half coming from domestic and half from military budgets. If this happens, it will be the biggest cut the US miliary has seen for a long time, and some people say that would be no bad thing.

The main sticking point for the committee is that, while the Democrats have shown willing to sacrifice a few of their pet projects, the Republicans absolutely refuse to countenance and tax increases for America's richest. As far as the elections go, this cuts both ways. Barack Obama will say that he was unable to make the necessary cuts because he was blocked by greedy republicans, which will go down well with his electorate. Similarly, the Republicans will say they defended their taxation principles which will go down well with their voters - particularly the rich Americans who will be funding their campaigns.

While there is still plenty of time for congress to come up with a solution, it seems unlikely that the Republicans will back down, as this would be effectively biting the hand that feeds them. Steven Hill reckons this paralysis could well drag on for the next year - which, given that the Congress's approval rating is already at an all time low, makes you wonder just how low it can go.

Egypt protests

In Egypt, protesters are call for more people to join them to pressure the military into relinquishing power, and the protests are turning increasingly violent. Regional expert Shashank Joshi analyses the situation ahead of next week's elections, and the risk that the election process could be endangered.

City Smog

Smog levels in some of Vienna's cities have risen to alarming levels. Climate expert Reinhard Böhm from the Central Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics told Joanna Bostock that problems like this highlight areas where protecting the climate and protecting the environment are at odds with each other.

US spies captured in Iran and Lebanon

Hizbollah are claiming that up to 100 CIA and Mossad informants have been "rolled up" - that is to say, captured and their information compromised. Espionage expert Nigel West looks at the claims and reliability of the information circulating around the story.

New cigarette packaging laws in Australia

Australia is introducing radical new laws on cigarette packaging, but will it affect habits? Amanda Sandford, a research manager at the British campaign group Action on Smoking and Health, talks to Joanna Bostock about the various anti-smoking measures governement are taking, and their success.

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