Imperial America

By Liane Hansen

Published January 4, 2003 at 11:00 PM CST

Host Liane Hansen talks to journalist Michael Ignatieff, about his article in today's New York Times Magazine. Ignatieff writes that because of the role it's taken in the war against terrorism, the United States is becoming an imperial power, but unlike the empires of the past, America is using its power for self protection and building alliances.

Liane Hansen

Liane Hansen has been the host of NPR's award-winning Weekend Edition Sunday for 20 years. She brings to her position an extensive background in broadcast journalism, including work as a radio producer, reporter, and on-air host at both the local and national level. The program has covered such breaking news stories as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the capture of Saddam Hussein, the deaths of Princess Diana and John F. Kennedy, Jr., and the Columbia shuttle tragedy. In 2004, Liane was granted an exclusive interview with former weapons inspector David Kay prior to his report on the search for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. The show also won the James Beard award for best radio program on food for a report on SPAM.