Consider This: Syria, Lavabit & email security, Miley Cyrus & VMAs

HOW WILL THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY REACT TO SYRIA?

Secretary of State John Kerry said today that the world must take action against what he calls the "indiscriminate use of chemical weapons" in Syria, saying last week’s alleged chemical attack near Damascus goes against international law that "cannot be violated without consequences." Meanwhile, UN weapons inspectors came under gunfire as they neared the site of last week’s alleged attack and military leaders from Western and Middle Eastern countries are meeting in Jordan to discuss the situation in Syria. Ambassador Christopher Hill, the former U.S. ambassador to Iraq, Ambassador Theodore Kattouf, the former U.S. ambassador to Syria, and investigative journalist Richard Miniter will discuss the latest developments in the crisis.

IS EMAIL SAFE?

Since 2004, Ladar Levison had run an encrypted email service called Lavabit. In July, Levison says he became aware that National Security Agency whistle-blower Edward Snowden used Lavabit to announce a press conference in a Moscow airport. In August, Levison suddenly shut down Lavabit, releasing a letter that reads his alternative was to “become complicit in crimes against the American people,” and he started a legal fund to “fight for the Constitution in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.” Levison, who has reportedly said he is taking a “break” from using email, will speak with Antonio Mora about online security in the wake of Edward Snowden’s leaks.

DID MILEY CYRUS’ VMA PERFORMANCE GO TOO FAR?

The annual MTV Video Music Awards ceremony has presented many provocative moments over the years, from Madonna’s onstage kiss with Britney Spears to Kanye West interrupting Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech. Sunday night’s show featured pop star Miley Cyrus’ sexually charged performances to her hit “We Can’t Stop This” and a duet with Robin Thicke on “Blurred Lines.” Amanda Marcotte, a contributor to Slate, and Dana Edell, the executive director of the SPARK Movement, consider the varied reaction to Cyrus’ controversial performance.