The President Pivots

George Packer, author of The Assassins’ Gate: America in Iraq, hears echoes of Iraq in the most recent debate over whether the US should intervene in Syria. He assesses President Obama’s handling of the situation.

We also dig into the audio archives to hear how some past US presidents made their case to the American public for military intervention abroad. Immigrants speak about their difficult - and sometimes funny - first days in the US. What happens when you put spy gear on a pet? And a Syrian musician in New York City plays an ode to his homeland.

Picture: A woman holds a sign outside the White House 'Killing to prevent killing?', Credit: Nicholas Kamm AFP Getty Images