Podcasts about senate foreign relations

Senator Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Energy and Natural Resources Committees, joined The Guy Benson Show today to discuss his first six months in office and how he's working to deliver for the people of the Keystone State. He spoke about his unexpected but productive bipartisan relationship with Senator John Fetterman, noting their shared commitment to Pennsylvania despite political differences. McCormick also weighed in on the Big Beautiful Bill's movement through the Senate, expressing confidence that the legislation will ultimately pass. Listen to the full interview below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Trump stands by National Security Adviser Waltz in fallout over journalist added to group chat on military plans against Houthis, while DNI Gabbard & CIA Dir Ratcliffe tell Senate Intelligence Committee no classified material was revealed; White House announces Russia & Ukraine have agreed to a ceasefire in the Black Sea; Mike Huckabee, nominee for U.S. Ambassador to Israel, testifies before Senate Foreign Relations on his past statements supporting Israeli settlements in the West Bank; Speaker Johnson & Senate Majority Leader Thune on Budget Reconciliation negotiations; Social Security Commissioner nominee Frank Bisignano goes before the Senate Finance Committee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is at a standstill, with no end in sight to a partisan dispute that's putting Democrats in a bind. Plus: Rep. Bill Pascrell is back in the hospital and it's sparking questions as to whether he'll run for reelection in November. Want more in-depth daily coverage from Congress? Subscribe to our free Punchbowl News AM newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Congress set a new March funding deadline for itself. Senate Foreign Relations marks up a bill to transfer frozen Russian assets to Ukraine. And a multibillion-dollar tax package is on the move. David Higgins has your CQ Morning Briefing for Monday, Jan. 22, 2024.

Two weeks into Israel's bloody war with Hamas, the death toll continues to mount, and amidst the rubble of bombed-out buildings, one thing seems clear: things are far from over. On the GZERO World podcast, Ian Bremmer asks what role the US government should play in the conflict, and whether that role is as clear-cut today as it was after the attack on October 7. President Biden made a politically and personally dangerous trip to Israel this week, showing solidarity for America's closest ally in the Middle East. But the administration must walk a fine line between supporting Israel's right to defend itself and preventing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza from spiraling out of control.   To get the view from both sides of the aisle on Capitol Hill, Ian speaks first with Senator Chris Murphy, the Connecticut Democrat who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations committee, and then with Republican Representative Mike Waltz of Florida, a member of the House Foreign Affairs committee. It's a particularly timely moment to be on Capitol Hill, as House Republicans remain paralyzed over their inability to pick a Speaker. Senator Murphy and Congressman Waltz both comment on what toll that dysfunction is taking on US national security.

Two weeks into Israel's bloody war with Hamas, the death toll continues to mount, and amidst the rubble of bombed-out buildings, one thing seems clear: things are far from over. On the GZERO World podcast, Ian Bremmer asks what role the US government should play in the conflict, and whether that role is as clear-cut today as it was after the attack on October 7. President Biden made a politically and personally dangerous trip to Israel this week, showing solidarity for America's closest ally in the Middle East. But the administration must walk a fine line between supporting Israel's right to defend itself and preventing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza from spiraling out of control.   To get the view from both sides of the aisle on Capitol Hill, Ian speaks first with Senator Chris Murphy, the Connecticut Democrat who sits on the Senate Foreign Relations committee, and then with Republican Representative Mike Waltz of Florida, a member of the House Foreign Affairs committee. It's a particularly timely moment to be on Capitol Hill, as House Republicans remain paralyzed over their inability to pick a Speaker. Senator Murphy and Congressman Waltz both comment on what toll that dysfunction is taking on US national security. Subscribe to the GZERO World with Ian Bremmer Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform, to receive new episodes as soon as they're published.

The Incredible Husk gave an interview last night to 60 Minutes - and Stigall has the audio. Not exactly confidence inspiring as China and Iran are getting louder by the day. Joel Pollack, Editor In Chief at Brietbart helps sift through the growing tension among conservatives regarding Israel's lack of readiness in being attacked, and some going further in their implications. Stigall explores the debate and is Ukraine a prime reason for it? Plus, former women's college swimming champ and now advocate for protection of women and women's sports gets heckled on another campus. She shares her story with Stigall.-For more info visit the official website: https://chrisstigall.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisstigallshow/Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChrisStigallFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.stigall/Listen on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/StigallPodListen on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/StigallShowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mr. Janusz Bugajski will discuss the state of Russia today and the consequences a failed Russian state may have on the world. About the Lecture: The Russian Federation is a failed state. It has proved unable to transform itself into a nation-state, a civic state, or a stable imperial state. Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has accelerated the process of state rupture through economic decline, falling revenues, elite conflicts, military incompetence, and regional and ethnic disquiet. Russia confronts an existential paradox. Without economic reform and regional autonomy, the federal structure will become increasingly unmanageable. But even if democratic reforms are undertaken by a weakening central state several regions can exploit the opportunity to secede. The prospects for violent internal conflicts substantially increase if reforms are indefinitely blocked. Growing fractures in the Russian Federation will also have a major impact on all neighboring countries for which Western policymakers are not prepared. About the Speaker: Mr. Janusz Bugajski is a Senior Fellow at the Jamestown Foundation in Washington DC and host of television shows broadcast in the Balkans. Bugajski has authored 21 books on Europe, Russia, and trans-Atlantic relations. His recent books include Failed State: A Guide to Russia's Rupture (2022), Eurasian Disunion: Russia's Vulnerable Flanks (with Margarita Assenova) (2016); and Conflict Zones: North Caucasus and Western Balkans Compared(2014). His forthcoming book is titled Pivotal Poland: Europe's Rising Strategic Player. He is a contributor to several media outlets in the US and Europe and has testified before a number of US congressional committees including: the Helsinki Commission, Senate Foreign Relations, Senate Armed Services, House Foreign Affairs, and House Defense Appropriations. ***Learn more about IWP graduate programs: https://www.iwp.edu/academic-programs/ ***Make a gift to IWP: https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E231090&id=18

Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey has been indicted on multiple charges involving bribery by Egyptian officials while chairing the Senate Foreign Relations committee. Should he resign?Canada is accusing India of murdering a Canadian citizen AND celebrated a nazi. What a week, eh? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It was a very bad day for New Jersey's senior US Senator on Friday. Stigall unpacks all the charges and the Democrats' hilarious responses. CBS uncovers where your tax money is going in Ukraine. Two of the biggest stars in music and sports are apparently an item and Stigall has no choice but to address it. Terrible new polls for Biden coupled with some very surprising political moves from California's governor have us wondering what's going on. - For more info visit the official website: https://chrisstigall.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrisstigallshow/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChrisStigall Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.stigall/ Listen on Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/StigallPod Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/StigallShowSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

North Korea has refused nearly all diplomatic outreach since mid-2019, choosing instead to go full bore into weapons development while pledging never again to participate in denuclearization talks. But for Keith Luse of the National Committee on North Korea, this lack of engagement stems at least partly from Washington's own policy oscillations. Luse joins the NK News podcast to discuss how to engage the DPRK across diverse issues, from humanitarianism to nuclear weapons. He talks about how lack of information on the outside world hinders North Korea's ability to maximize the best outcomes for itself, why he thinks Kim Jong Un's economic ambitions are real and should give us hope for future prospects of international cooperation, his multiple visits to Pyongyang and more. Keith Luse is the executive director of the National Committee on North Korea (@NCNKorea). He has also served as senior Asia policy adviser at the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations committee.  About the podcast: The North Korea News Podcast is a weekly podcast hosted by Jacco Zwetsloot (@JaccoZed) exclusively for NK News, covering all things DPRK — from news to extended interviews with leading experts and analysts in the field, along with insight from our very own journalists.

The Senate Foreign Relations committee grilled the Department of Defense in Thursday's hearing over the recent discovery of a Chinese spy balloon floating above the US for several days. Reports show this balloon was just one aspect of a larger aerial surveillance program from China's People's Liberation Army, which has been spying on multiple countries all around the globe. Dan Hoffman, retired CIA Senior Clandestine Services Officer and FOX News Contributor joins the Rundown to break down how China's pattern of brazen espionage over the past several decades and why their communist economy incentivizes China to steal intellectual property and intelligence. Hoffman also explains what China is currently doing to spy on the US and the reality of a modern-day Cold War.   This year, Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes will be making history at the Super Bowl as the first two Black starting quarterbacks. Super Bowl XXII MVP Doug Williams knows the significance of this game. In 1988, Williams was the first Black quarterback to start and win in an NFL championship game. Now the Senior Advisor to the Washington Commanders, Doug Williams, joins the Rundown to preview Sunday night's game, and he explains why it is so significant in terms of racial representation. Later, he takes us back to discuss what it was like to lead Washington to victory in the unforgettable Super Bowl 35 years ago.   Don't miss the good news with Tonya J. Powers.   Plus, commentary by FOX News Legal Analyst Gregg Jarrett. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Senate Foreign Relations committee grilled the Department of Defense in Thursday's hearing over the recent discovery of a Chinese spy balloon floating above the US for several days. Reports show this balloon was just one aspect of a larger aerial surveillance program from China's People's Liberation Army, which has been spying on multiple countries all around the globe. Dan Hoffman, retired CIA Senior Clandestine Services Officer and FOX News Contributor joins the Rundown to break down how China's pattern of brazen espionage over the past several decades and why their communist economy incentivizes China to steal intellectual property and intelligence. Hoffman also explains what China is currently doing to spy on the US and the reality of a modern-day Cold War.   This year, Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes will be making history at the Super Bowl as the first two Black starting quarterbacks. Super Bowl XXII MVP Doug Williams knows the significance of this game. In 1988, Williams was the first Black quarterback to start and win in an NFL championship game. Now the Senior Advisor to the Washington Commanders, Doug Williams, joins the Rundown to preview Sunday night's game, and he explains why it is so significant in terms of racial representation. Later, he takes us back to discuss what it was like to lead Washington to victory in the unforgettable Super Bowl 35 years ago.   Don't miss the good news with Tonya J. Powers.   Plus, commentary by FOX News Legal Analyst Gregg Jarrett. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Senate Foreign Relations committee grilled the Department of Defense in Thursday's hearing over the recent discovery of a Chinese spy balloon floating above the US for several days. Reports show this balloon was just one aspect of a larger aerial surveillance program from China's People's Liberation Army, which has been spying on multiple countries all around the globe. Dan Hoffman, retired CIA Senior Clandestine Services Officer and FOX News Contributor joins the Rundown to break down how China's pattern of brazen espionage over the past several decades and why their communist economy incentivizes China to steal intellectual property and intelligence. Hoffman also explains what China is currently doing to spy on the US and the reality of a modern-day Cold War.   This year, Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes will be making history at the Super Bowl as the first two Black starting quarterbacks. Super Bowl XXII MVP Doug Williams knows the significance of this game. In 1988, Williams was the first Black quarterback to start and win in an NFL championship game. Now the Senior Advisor to the Washington Commanders, Doug Williams, joins the Rundown to preview Sunday night's game, and he explains why it is so significant in terms of racial representation. Later, he takes us back to discuss what it was like to lead Washington to victory in the unforgettable Super Bowl 35 years ago.   Don't miss the good news with Tonya J. Powers.   Plus, commentary by FOX News Legal Analyst Gregg Jarrett. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, all members of Congress have been attending classified briefings on the Chinese spy balloon... and the Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman testified on US-China relations before the Senate Foreign Relations committee. Utah's Senator Mitt Romney is on that committee where he brought up an important, next step question... what's our China strategy? Boyd looks at what's being said and explains why we need a comprehensive strategy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Decision making in global affairs: When a Putin, a Xi or an Erdogan finishes his deliberations and decides on a policy move, it is executed with success dependent on the amount of friction with other world actors. But when a Biden wants something done, or not (as was the case with the Pelosi trip to Taiwan), he finds that Congress is indeed a co-equal branch of government. He knew it, of course, when he headed Senate Foreign Relations, but it is frustrating, nevertheless. So how can one cut a deal which will stick? This episode explores this issue and touches upon the NPT Review Conference, JCPOA, Ukraine and the Israel-Lebanon maritime demarcation dispute in which Hezbollah claims veto power - substantial or symbolic. - Host: Amir Oren, TV7 Editor at Large, Host of TV7 Watchmen Talk. - Col. (Res.) Miri Eisin, Co-Panelist of TV7 Powers in Play, Israeli Public Diplomacy, Security, Intelligence Expert at the ICT, the Reichman University. - Brig. Gen. (Res.) Doron Gavish, former Air Defense Chief, Israel Air Force. - Eran Etzion, former Deputy Head of Israel's National Security Council. You are welcome to join our audience and watch all of our programs - free of charge! TV7 Israel News: https://www.tv7israelnews.com/vod/series/563/ Jerusalem Studio: https://www.tv7israelnews.com/vod/series/18738/ TV7 Israel News Editor's Note: https://www.tv7israelnews.com/vod/series/76269/ TV7 Israel: Watchmen Talk: https://www.tv7israelnews.com/vod/series/76256/ Jerusalem Prays: https://www.tv7israelnews.com/vod/series/135790/ TV7's Times Observer: https://www.tv7israelnews.com/vod/series/97531/ TV7's Middle East Review: https://www.tv7israelnews.com/vod/series/997755/ My Brother's Keeper: https://www.tv7israelnews.com/vod/series/53719/ This week in 60 seconds: https://www.tv7israelnews.com/vod/series/123456/ Those who wish can send prayer requests to TV7 Israel News in the following ways: Facebook Messenger: https://www.facebook.com/tv7israelnews Email: israelnews@tv7.fi Please be sure to mention your first name and country of residence. Any attached videos should not exceed 20 seconds in duration. #IsraelNews #tv7israelnews #newsupdates Rally behind our vision - https://www.tv7israelnews.com/donate/ To purchase TV7 Israel News merchandise: https://teespring.com/stores/tv7-israel-news-store Live view of Jerusalem - https://www.tv7israelnews.com/jerusalem-live-feed/ Visit our website - http://www.tv7israelnews.com/ Subscribe to our YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/tv7israelnews Like TV7 Israel News on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/tv7israelnews Follow TV7 Israel News on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tv7israelnews/ Follow TV7 Israel News on Twitter - https://twitter.com/tv7israelnews

Today on Midday, reactions to Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to launch a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine. Ahead of by President Joe Biden's remarks from the White House Thursday afternoon on US and NATO responses to the invasion, Tom is joined by Senator Ben Cardin, Maryland's Democratic senior senator, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Finance Committees and chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission (for Security and Cooperation in Europe). Senator Cardin joins us on Zoom. Tom speaks next with Dr. Charles Gati, Senior Research Professor of European and Eurasian Studies at Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). Dr. Gati was a former senior advisor with the Policy Planning Staff of the US Department of State and a former professor at Union College and Columbia University. He has written and spoken extensively on the former Soviet Union, Russia and Eastern European political affairs. Dr.Charles Gati joins us on Zoom from Washington, D.C..  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Secretary of State Colin Powell died this morning at the age of 84. In a statement posted on Facebook, his family said that Gen. Powell was fully vaccinated, but he died due to complications from COVID 19.Gen. Powell was the first African American to serve as national security adviser, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and US secretary of state. Joining Tom to reflect on the legacy of Gen. Powell is Sen. Ben Cardin, Maryland's senior Senator who has served for years on the Senate Foreign Relations committee. Sen. Cardin joined Tom on the phone, in transit. Their conversation was recorded earlier today, so we couldn't take any phone calls. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lawmakers and Americans alike are still reeling from the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, a process that cost 13 U.S. service members their lives and left many Americans and allies behind under Taliban rule. While the administration accomplished its mission of pulling U.S. troops out of Afghanistan by August 31st, the evacuation missions that followed drew heavy criticism. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to testify before the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations committees next week to answer questions about the process and results of the Afghanistan withdrawal. Republican Senator Rick Scott of Florida joins to explain why he is pushing for a formal investigation into how the pullout of Afghanistan went so wrong and his lack of confidence in President Biden's decision-making. Sen. Scott also explains how he and his fellow Republicans plan to oppose what they call “wasteful spending “ that congressional Democrats are planning.   The Delta variant of COVID-19 has proven to be an especially contagious strain of coronavirus, infecting Americans throughout the country as we approach 1,500 COVID-19 deaths per day. Later this week, President Biden is set to give a press conference addressing the drastic shift the U.S. is seeing on COVID-19 and is expected to lay out the next phase of the nation's pandemic response. With fall approaching, Professor of Surgery and Health Policy at Johns Hopkins and Fox News Medical Contributor, Dr. Marty Makary joins to break down how the Delta became the dominant COVID-19 variant, why studies are showing that vaccines provide more immunity if administered over a longer period of time, which Americans will need a COVID booster and the facts surrounding the controversial antiparasitic drug Ivermectin.   Plus, commentary by Jimmy Failla, host of "Fox Across America."  

Lawmakers and Americans alike are still reeling from the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, a process that cost 13 U.S. service members their lives and left many Americans and allies behind under Taliban rule. While the administration accomplished its mission of pulling U.S. troops out of Afghanistan by August 31st, the evacuation missions that followed drew heavy criticism. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to testify before the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations committees next week to answer questions about the process and results of the Afghanistan withdrawal. Republican Senator Rick Scott of Florida joins to explain why he is pushing for a formal investigation into how the pullout of Afghanistan went so wrong and his lack of confidence in President Biden's decision-making. Sen. Scott also explains how he and his fellow Republicans plan to oppose what they call “wasteful spending “ that congressional Democrats are planning.   The Delta variant of COVID-19 has proven to be an especially contagious strain of coronavirus, infecting Americans throughout the country as we approach 1,500 COVID-19 deaths per day. Later this week, President Biden is set to give a press conference addressing the drastic shift the U.S. is seeing on COVID-19 and is expected to lay out the next phase of the nation's pandemic response. With fall approaching, Professor of Surgery and Health Policy at Johns Hopkins and Fox News Medical Contributor, Dr. Marty Makary joins to break down how the Delta became the dominant COVID-19 variant, why studies are showing that vaccines provide more immunity if administered over a longer period of time, which Americans will need a COVID booster and the facts surrounding the controversial antiparasitic drug Ivermectin.   Plus, commentary by Jimmy Failla, host of "Fox Across America."  

Yesterday the Senate Foreign Relations approved a massive $300 million per year in military aid to Ukraine, even as the conflict in eastern Ukraine looks set to blow apart. The Biden Administration is packed with anti-Russia fanatical hawks. This week an apparent US-backed coup attempt on Russia's ally Belarus was broken up. Does Washington believe Russia will bend to its will? What's the next step? Former CIA officer Phil Giraldi joins today's Liberty Report with his analysis.

Last Friday the Lawfare Podcast brought you Secretary of State Mike Pompeo's full statement before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and his question and answer session with the senators, all with "no bull." A few days before that hearing, the Democratic staff of the Committee released its most recent oversight report titled "Diplomacy in Crisis: The Trump Administration's Decimation of the State Department." Following remarks by Ranking Member Bob Menendez, Margaret Taylor moderated a panel discussion about the report featuring three distinguished former ambassadors with close to 75 years of diplomatic experience between them—Tom Shannon, Barbara Stephenson and Bonnie Jenkins—as well as Elizabeth Shackelford, who in 2017 resigned her career post in protest of the Trump administration. They talked about the contents of the minority staff report, the recommendations it contains and the long-term consequences of what the report documents for America's foreign policy and national security interests.

What factors will shape Israel's decisionmaking, and how would unilateral annexation affect its relations with the Palestinians, Arab neighbors, Europe, and U.S. legislators? In this week's Middle East PolicyCast, we share a conversation between former U.S. peace process advisors David Makovsky and Ambassador Dennis Ross, former Palestinian peace process advisor Ghaith al-Omari, and former Senate Foreign Relations staff member Dana Stroul on the scenarios and implications of potential Israeli annexation of West Bank territory. Middle East PolicyCast: Conversations on Middle East issues from the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

In this podcast, Dan has the chance to speak with Bradley Bowman, Senior Director of the Center of Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD). Bradley spent nearly nine years in the U.S. Senate including serving as National Security Advisor to Senator Kelly Ayotte (NH) and Senator Todd Young (IN). Bradley shares advice for recent graduates looking to get started on Capitol Hill and his experience working for members of the Senate Foreign Relations and Senate Armed Services Committees. Prior to his life on Capitol Hill, Bradley was an active duty officer in the U.S. Army for more than 15 years including serving as a Blackhawk pilot. Listen to the full podcast to hear about the important role that development and soft power has in U.S. national security strategies. This podcast was recorded on March 5, 2019.

West Coast Cookbook & Speakeasy is Now Open! 8am-9am PT/ 11am-Noon ET for our especially special Daily Specials, Metro Shrimp & Grits Thursdays!Starting off in the Bistro Cafe, the Fox Outnumbered panel's tears over Nancy Pelosi's ‘cover up' accusation are the best tears.Then, on the rest of the menu, Trump officials refuse to address refugee children dying in US custody; Mueller spent $35 million dollars on his investigation, Trump has spent $102 million dollars golfing, so far; and, the Senate Foreign Relations committee rejected a proposal to require congressional approval before US military strikes on Iran.After the break, we move to the Chef's Table where the last ship known to smuggle slaves from Africa has been discovered in Alabama's Mobile River; and, US election cybersecurity agency staff are 'strained to the breaking point.'All that and more, on West Coast Cookbook & Speakeasy with Chef de Cuisine Justice Putnam.Bon Appétit!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~“Everyone in this good city enjoys the full right to pursue his own inclinations in all reasonable and, unreasonable ways.” -- The Daily Picayune, New Orleans, March 5, 1851~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Show Notes & Links: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/5/23/1859779/-West-Coast-Cookbook-amp-Speakeasy-Daily-Special-Metro-Shrimp-amp-Grits-Thursdays

This week on AJC Passport, we’re bringing you rapid reaction to the hearings the Senate Foreign Relations held this week to determine whether to advance the nomination of CIA Director and former Congressman Mike Pompeo. Jason Isaacson, AJC’s Associate Executive Director for Policy, joined us from Washington, D.C., to analyze the potentially contentious confirmation process and what Pompeo’s transition into this new role would mean for American foreign policy. Then, listen in on our conversation with Ambassador Dennis Ross about Iran’s adventurism in the Middle East and the future of the Iran nuclear deal.

On today's episode of Loud & Clear, Walter Smolarek (filling in for Brian Becker) and John Kiriakou are joined by Jeremy Varon, a professor at the New School in New York and an anti-Guantanamo prison activist.President Trump’s nominees for Secretary of State and CIA Director will soon face the Senate Foreign Relations and Senate Intelligence Committees, respectively. Michael Pompeo, a conservative former congressman and the current CIA Director, is likely to be confirmed, despite a filibuster by Kentucky’s Republican Senator Rand Paul. But there’s a fight over Gina Haspel, the current deputy director of the CIA. She oversaw the Agency’s torture program during the Bush Administration. And those chickens may be coming home to roost. Wednesday is the regular segment looking at nuclear issues, including weapons, energy, waste, and the future of nuclear technology in the United States. Today also is the 39th anniversary of the Three Mile Island Unit 2 meltdown. Kevin Kamps, the Radioactive Waste Watchdog at the organization Beyond Nuclear, joins the show. Kim Jong Un was in Beijing over the past two days, his first foreign trip since becoming North Korea’s leader in 2011. He was in China to consult with President Xi Jinping and other senior officials there in advance of his meeting with President Trump. Brian and John speak with Simone Chun, a fellow at the Korea Policy Institute and a member of the Korean Peace Network. The Ecuadorian government today cut off Julian Assange’s internet access and announced in a press release from the Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Julian will be denied the right to have visitors. Former Greek Finance Minister Yannis Varoufakis, a friend and supporter of Julian’s, says that Ecuador has taken steps to silence Julian under pressure from the US and Spanish governments. Diani Baretto, an activist and the director of the Berlin Bureau of ExposeFacts.org, joins the show.In 2016, police in Baton Rouge, Louisiana responded to a call of a man with a gun at a convenience store. When they arrived, they found Alton Sterling. He had a gun, but he was compliant. He was wrestled to the ground, pinned, and then shot and killed. The police said he was reaching for the gun, but a video of the incident showed no such thing. Yesterday, federal authorities said they would not charge the police officers who killed him. State law enforcement authorities said the same thing months ago. Checo Yancy, the director for the advocacy arm of Voters Organized to Educate who served nearly 20 years in the notorious Angola State Penitentiary before having his sentence commuted by the governor, joins Walter and John. The United States and South Korea have agreed in principle to revise a trade deal that has been in place since 2012. Trump Administration officials are calling it “visionary” and “innovative.” But Democrats are saying that it’s no different than the original deal. Dr. Jack Rasmus, a professor of economics at Saint Mary's College of California, author of “Central Bankers at the End of Their Ropes: Monetary Policy and the Coming Depression,” and at jackrasmus.com, joins the show.An appeals court in Brazil has rejected the final procedural objections by former Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva against his corruption conviction. The decision raises the likelihood that Lula will be incarcerated. Meanwhile, unknown gunmen shot at two buses carrying Lula supporters and journalists in southern Brazil. Walter and John speak with Arnold August, a lecturer, journalist, and author of the book “Cuba-US Relations: Obama and Beyond.”

Senator Boxer will join the Council to discuss the need for a new course in Afghanistan in a speech entitled, “Ending America’s Longest War.” Senator Boxer is a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and author of a Senate bill that would require the Obama administration to give Congress a plan for the safe redeployment of U.S. troops from Afghanistan. She is the co-chair of the Senate Military Family Caucus and chairs the first Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee to focus on global women's issues.

Charles and Linda Wilson Dialogue on Domestic Issues Chuck Hagel served two terms in the United States Senate, from 1997-2009, representing the state of Nebraska. He was a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations, Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, and Intelligence committees. He also served as the chairman of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China and the Senate Climate Change Observer Group. Hagel is a distinguished professor at Georgetown University and the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He is co-chairman of the President's Intelligence Advisory Board; Chairman of the Atlantic Council; a member of the Secretary of Defense's Policy Board and Secretary of Energy's Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future; and is a member of Public Broadcasting Service board of directors. He is also the author of "America: Our Next Chapter," an examination of the current state of the nation that provides substantial proposals for the challenges of the 21st century. Mr. Zhang Yesui was born in Hubei Province in October 1953. He graduated from Beijing Foreign Studies University. He has been Vice Minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China to the United Nations, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the United States of America.

The Senate Foreign Relations testimony of Rick Reyes with the soundtrack of Edwin Starr's "War"