Podcasts about senate foreign relations committee

Since reports emerged that Chinese President Xi Jinping allegedly directed the People's Liberation Army to prepare for an invasion of Taiwan by 2027, the United States has ramped up efforts to ensure Taiwan has the resources and support it needs to defend itself. On Capitol Hill, Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Chris Coons (D-DE), both members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, are leading that charge with The PORCUPINE Act, a bill designed to streamline arms sales to Taiwan and bolster its defensive capabilities. Sen. Coons and Sen. Ricketts join Bret to discuss why arming Taiwan is one of the most effective steps the U.S. can take to deter aggression in the region. They also weigh in on former President Biden's recent diagnosis, and the U.S. decision to formally accept a jet from Qatar. Follow Bret on X: @BretBaier Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

President Donald Trump meets with House Republicans on the Budget Reconciliation bill, urging those opposed to accept what is being offered and not to push for additional spending cuts or more state & local tax deduction, but it is uncertain whether he convinced enough for the bill to pass this week; Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) says felony charges she is facing for allegedly  assaulting a federal  law enforcement officer outside an immigration detention facility are "purely political"; Secretary of State Marco Rubio defends the President's foreign policy before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, as Sen Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) says he regrets voting to confirm him; President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announce plans for a U.S. missile defense shield the president calls the Golden Dome; IRS Commissioner nominee Billy Long is asked at Senate Finance Committee confirmation hearing about allegations he was paid to refer friends to a company that sold tax credits that the IRS says do not exist; White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, in celebration for "Take Our Sons & Daughters to Work Day", fields questions from the children of reporters and White House staff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“This has been my favorite session of the three days. Thank you,” said one attendee following a powerful live conversation at AJC Global Forum 2025. This exclusive episode of AJC's People of the Pod, presented by AJC's Women's Global Leadership Network, features a candid discussion on the critical impact of Jewish women leaders in global diplomacy and conflict resolution. Casey Kustin, AJC's Chief Impact and Operations Officer, joins former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Mira Resnick and Dana Stroul, Research Director and Kassen Family Senior Fellow at The Washington Institute for Near East Policy, to share how they've navigated the corridors of power, shaped international policy from the Middle East to Europe and beyond, and opened doors for the next generation of women in foreign affairs. ___ Resources– AJC Global Forum 2025 News and Video AJC Global Forum 2026 returns to Washington, D.C. Will you be in the room? Listen – AJC Podcasts: Most Recent Episodes: A United Front: U.S. Colleges and AJC Commit to Fighting Campus Antisemitism What is Pope Francis' Legacy with the Jewish People? Why TikTok is the Place to Talk about Antisemitism: With Holocaust Survivor Tova Friedman The Forgotten Exodus: Untold stories of Jews who left or were driven from Arab nations and Iran People of the PodFollow People of the Pod on your favorite podcast app, and learn more at AJC.org/PeopleofthePod You can reach us at: peopleofthepod@ajc.org If you've appreciated this episode, please be sure to tell your friends, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Interview Transcript: Manya Brachear Pashman:  Live from AJC Global Forum 2025, welcome to People of the Pod. For audience members who are not in this room, you are listening to a show that was recorded in front of a live studio audience on April 29 at AJC Global Forum 2025 in New York. I'm your host, Manya Brachear Pashman. Thank you all for being here. In countries around the world, women are working more than ever before. But compared to men, they are not earning as much or being afforded an equal voice – at work, at home, or in the community. In no country in the world do women have an equal role. Let me repeat that. In no country in the world, do women have an equal role–when it comes to setting policy agendas, allocating resources, or leading companies.  With us today are three modern-day Miriams who have raised their voices and earned unprecedented roles that recognize the intellect and compassion they bring to international diplomacy. To my left is AJC Chief Impact and Operations Officer, Casey Kustin. Casey served as the staff director of the Middle East, North Africa, and Global Counterterrorism Subcommittee on the House Foreign Affairs Committee for 10 years. She has worked on political campaigns at the state and national level, including on Jewish outreach for Barack Obama's presidential campaign. Welcome, Casey.  To Casey's left is Dana Strohl. She is the Director of Research for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. She was the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East. In this role, she led the development of U.S. Department of Defense policy and strategy for Bahrain, Egypt, Israel, Iran, Iraq–I'm not done–Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Palestinian Authority, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Prior to that, she also served on Capitol Hill as the senior professional staff member for the Middle East on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Welcome, Dana. And last but not least, Mira Resnick. Mira was the former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Israeli and Palestinian Affairs and Arabian Peninsula Affairs, in which she handled two crucial Middle East portfolios, usually helmed by two separate people. Previously, she oversaw the Department's Office of regional security and arms transfers, where she managed foreign arms sales and shepherded the Biden administration's military assistance to Ukraine and Israel after Russia's invasion and after the October 7 Hamas attacks. Like Casey, Mira has also served as a senior professional staff member with the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, focusing on the Middle East and North Africa. Thank you for being here, Mira.  Welcome to all of you, to People of the Pod.  I think it's safe to say, this panel right here, and all the knowledge and experience it represents could solve the Middle East conflict in one day, if given the chance. Casey, you served for a decade as staff director for the Middle East, North Africa and Global Counterterrorism Subcommittee. A decade, wow. You witnessed a lot of transition, but what were the constants when it came to regional cooperation and security needs?  Casey Kustin: What's the saying? The enemy of my enemy is my friend. And that's the world that we're all trying to build. So, you know, from an American perspective, which we all came from in our government work, it was trying to find those shared interests, and trying to cultivate, where we could, points of common interest. And even with the challenges of October 7 now, perhaps stalling some of those areas of progress, you still see that the Abraham Accords haven't fallen apart. You saw when Iran launched missiles at Israel. You saw other countries in the region come to, maybe they wouldn't say Israel's defense. It was their airspace defense. But you saw that still working. You see that still working now. And it's every day when we come to work at AJC, we're thinking about how to increase and strengthen Israel's place in the world. Manya Brachear Pashman:  So Mira, your role encompassed both Israel and the Gulf for the first time, right? Mira Resnick:   That was the first time at my level. Yes.  Manya Brachear Pashman:   Okay, so whose idea was that, and did that put you or the US in a position to work for the good of the neighborhood, rather than just Israel, or just the Gulf States? Mira Resnick:   Yeah, this was an opportunity for the State Department to be able to see all of the different threads that were coming throughout the region. This is something that Dana did on a daily basis. This is something that our colleagues at the NSC did on a daily basis. The Secretary, of course, needs to be able to manage multiple threads at the same time. When I was overseeing arms sales, of course, I would have to consider Israel and the Gulf at the same time.  So this wasn't a new idea, that our interests can be aligned within one portfolio, but it was particularly important timing for the United States to be able to see and to talk to and to hear our Gulf partners and our Israeli partners at the same time within the same prism, to be able to truly understand what the trends were in the region at that particularly critical moment, post-October 7. Manya Brachear Pashman:   Dana, in your role as Assistant Deputy Secretary of Defense, you met with military leaders in the Middle East, around the world, and you were often the only woman at the table. What do women contribute to international conflict resolution that's missing when they're not given a seat at the table? Dana Strohl:   Well, let me start out by stating the obvious, which is that women make up 50% of the global population of the world. So if 50% of the world is missing from the negotiating table, from the peacemaking table, from conflict prevention mechanisms, then you're missing 50% of the critical voices. There's evidence, clear evidence, that when women are part of peace processes, when they are part of negotiations, the outcomes on the other side are 35% more sustainable. So we have evidence and data to back up the contention that women must be at the table if we are going to have sustainable outcomes.  When I think about the necessity, the imperative, of women being included, I think about the full range of conflict. So there's preventing it, managing it, and then transitioning to peace and political processes in a post-war or post-conflict situation. In every part of that, there's a critical role for women. As examples, I always think about, when you make policy, when you have a memo, when there's a statement that's really nice, in the big capital of some country, or in a fancy, beautiful palace somewhere in the Middle East or in Europe.  But peace only happens if it's implemented at a local level. Everyone in the world wants the same things. They want a better life for their kids. They want safety. They want access to basic services, school, health, clean water and some sort of future which requires jobs. Confidence you can turn the light on. You can drive your car on a road without potholes. Those are details that often are not included in the big sweeping statements of peace, usually between men, that require really significant compromises.  But peace gets implemented at a very local level. And at the local level, at the family level, at the community level, at the school level, it's women. So how those big things get implemented requires women to champion them, to advance them. And I will also just say, you know, generally we should aspire to prevent conflict from happening. There's data to suggest that in countries with higher levels of gender equality, they are less likely to descend into conflict in the first place.  Manya Brachear Pashman:   Can you recall a particularly consequential moment during your tenure, when you were at the table and it mattered? Dana Strohl:   So my view on this is that it was important for me to be at the table as a woman, just to make the point. That women can serve, just like men. Do the same job. And frankly, a lot of the times I felt like I was doing a better job. So what was really important to me, and I can also just say sitting up here with Mira and Casey, is that all of us have worked together now for more than a decade, at different stages of, getting married, thinking through having kids, getting pregnant, taking parental leave, and then transitioning back to work. And all of us have been able to manage our careers at the same time. That only happens in supportive communities, in ecosystems, and I don't just mean having a really supportive partner.  My friends up here know, I ask my mom for a lot of help. I do have a partner who really supported me, but it also means normalizing parenthood and being a woman, and having other obligations in the office space. I would make a point of talking about being a parent or talking about being a woman. To normalize that women can be there. And often there were women, really across the whole Middle East, there were always women in the room. They were just on the back wall, not at the table. And I could see them looking at me.  And so I thought it was really important to make the point that, one, a woman can be up here, but I don't have to be like the men at the table. I can actually talk about, well, I can't stay for an extra day because I have a kindergarten, you know, theater thing, and I have to run back and do that.  Or there were many times actually, I think Mira was Zooming for parent teacher conferences after we were having the official meeting. But I think it's important to actually say that, at the table, I'm going to leave now and go back to my hotel room because I'm making a parent teacher conference. Or, I have to be back by Friday because I'm taking a kid to a doctor's appointment.  So all the women that come after us can see that you can do both, and the men at the table can understand that women have a right to be here. Can do the jobs just as effectively and professionally as the men, and do this other absolutely critical thing. Manya Brachear Pashman:   But your point about, it requires a supportive network, a supportive work community. You told me a story before we got up here about just how supportive your colleagues were in the Department of Defense.  Dana Strohl:   I will give a shout out to Lloyd Austin, the Secretary of Defense. So one of the things you do in our positions is travel with the Secretary of State or the Secretary of Defense. And these are not the kind of things where they get on a plane and you land in whatever country. There's a tremendous amount of planning that goes into these. So on a particular trip, it was a four country trip, early in 2023. Secretary Austin was going to multiple countries. He had switched the day, not he, but his travel team, of his departure, which then caused us to switch the day of my son's birthday party. And then they switched the time of his departure from Andrews Air Force Base, and we could not change the birthday party.  So I called Secretary Austin's office and said, Listen, I want to be at my son's birthday party. So I've looked and it looks like I can take this commercial flight. So I won't be on the Secretary of Defense's plane, but I can largely land around the same time as you all and still do my job in the region. And to their credit, they said, okay, and then one of the things that you do in my position is you get on the airplane and you talk to the Secretary of Defense about the objectives and the goals and the meetings. So they said, Okay, we'll just change that to earlier. You can do it the day before we depart, so that he can hear from you. You're on the same page. You can make the birthday party. He can do the thing. So we were actually going to Jordan for the first stop. And it turns out, in his itinerary, the first thing we were doing when we landed in Jordan, was going to dinner with the King. And it was very unclear whether I was going to make it or not. And quite a high stakes negotiation.  But the bottom line is this, I finished the birthday party, had my mother come to the birthday party to help me clean up from the birthday party, changed my clothes, went to Dulles, got on the airplane, sort of took a nap, get off the airplane. And there is an entire delegation of people waiting for me as you exit the runway of the airplane, and they said, Well, you need to go to this bathroom right here and change your clothes.  I changed my clothes, put on my suit, ran a brush through my hair, get in a car, and they drove me to the King's palace, and I made the dinner with the king. It's an example of a team, and in particular Secretary Austin, who understood that for women to have the opportunities but also have other obligations, that there has to be an understanding and some flexibility, but we can do both, and it took understanding and accommodation from his team, but also a lot of people who are willing to work with me, to get me to the dinner. And I sat next to him, and it was a very, very good meal. Manya Brachear Pashman:   I find that so encouraging and empowering. Thank you so much. Casey, I want to turn to you. Mira and Dana worked under particular administrations. You worked with members of Congress from different parties. So how did the increasing polarization in politics affect your work, or did it? Casey Kustin:   It's funny, I was traveling last week for an AJC event, and I ended up at the same place with a member of Congress who was on my subcommittee, and I knew pretty well. And he looked at me and he said, the foreign affairs committee, as you know it, is no longer. And that was a really sad moment for me, because people always described our committee as the last bastion of bipartisanship. And the polarization that is seeping through every part of society is really impacting even the foreign policy space now. As you see our colleague, our Managing Director of [AJC] Europe, Simone Rodan[-Benzaquen], who many of you know, just wrote a piece this week talking about how, as Israel has become to the progressive, when Ukraine has become to the far right.  And I think about all the years I spent when Ted Deutch, our CEO, was the top Democrat on the Middle East subcommittee, and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), a great friend of AJC, was the chair of the subcommittee. And Ted and Ileana would travel around together. And when she was the chair, she always made a point of kind of joking like Ted's, my co chair, and we did so many pieces–with Mira's great support of legislation for the US, Israel relationship, for Syria, for Iran, that we worked on together, really together. Like at the table with my staff counterparts, trying to figure out, you know, what can your side swallow? What can your side swallow? And I hear from so many of our former colleagues that those conversations aren't really taking place anymore. And you know, the great thing about AJC is we are nonpartisan, and we try so hard to have both viewpoints at the table. But even that gets harder and harder. And Dana's story about the King of Jordan made me laugh, because I remember a very similar experience where I was on a congressional delegation and Chairwoman Ros-Lehtinen, and I was six months pregnant at the time, and I wanted to go on the trip, and the doctor said I could go on the trip. And we were seated around the table having the meeting.  And I, as you won't be able to hear on the podcast, but you in this room know, look very young, despite my age. And you're self conscious about that. And I remember Ileana just being so caring and supportive of me the entire trip. And I wasn't even her staffer, and I remember she announced to the King of Jordan that I was six months pregnant, and you could kind of see him go, okay. That's very like, thank you. That's very nice. But even just having that moment of having the chairwoman on the other side of the aisle. That whole trip. I think I've told some AJC people another funny story of on that same trip, we met with the Greek Orthodox Patriarch in Jerusalem, and she pulled me up to him, and she said to the patriarch, will you bless her unborn child? Knowing I'm Jewish, she leaned over and said to me: Can't hurt. So I hope that we return to a place like that on Capitol Hill. I think there are really good staffers like us who want that to happen, but it is just as hard a space now in foreign policy as you see in other parts of politics. Manya Brachear Pashman:   Mira, I want to ask you another policy related question. How did the Abraham Accords change the dynamics of your combined portfolio, and how could it shape the future? Mira Resnik:   My first, one of my first trips, certainly my first trip to the Middle East, when I was the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Regional Security, overseeing security assistance and security cooperation, was to Dubai, as the State Department representative for the Dubai Airshow. And it is a huge event that showcases the world's technology. And I remember walking into the huge hangar, that every country that has a defense industry was showcasing their most important, their most important munitions, their most important aircraft. And I remember seeing the enormous Israeli pavilion when I was there. And I was staying at a hotel, and I get to the breakfast and they said, Would you like the kosher breakfast or the non-kosher breakfast. And I'm like, Am I in Israel?  And I was blown away by the very warm relationship–in the security space, in the humanitarian space. I agree with Casey that things have gotten a little tougher since October 7, and since the aftermath in Gaza. But what I would also point out is that April and October, during the time when when we witnessed Israel under cover, when we witnessed Iran's missiles and projectiles going toward Israel and going toward other regional airspace, our diplomats, our militaries, our intelligence officials, all had earlier warning because of the work of other Gulf governments, even those who have not joined the Abraham Accords. And that is a prime example of where this security cooperation really matters. It saves lives. Manya Brachear Pashman:   So Casey, so much of what AJC does has to do with international diplomacy and maintaining that regional cooperation and security, and that sounds a lot like your previous role. So I'm really curious how much your job truly has changed since you came to AJC? Casey Kustin:   You're absolutely right. There are so many similarities in what we do at AJC and what we did in the government. And the core of that is really those relationships that you build with partners and interlocutors in other countries and other governments, and the foundation, over decades that AJC has laid. Particularly in the Middle East, thanks to 30 years of quiet travel to the region.  It struck me when I first came here, the access that AJC has is nearly the same that we had traveling as members of Congress. And the meetings and the quality and the level of meetings that AJC is afforded in these other countries.  Our missions, which many of you have been on, often feel like congressional delegation trips to me, and the conversations and the candor with which partners speak to AJC is almost the same that was afforded to members of Congress. And that has been comforting, in a way, as you said Manya, Because there feels like there's continuity in the work that we're doing, and it has made me realize that organizations, non-governmental organizations, advocacy organizations, play such a crucial role in supporting the work of a government, of your country's government. And in reinforcing the values and the interests that we as AJC want to communicate that very much dovetail, with hopefully any US administration.  I think that the role that an organization like ours, like AJC, can play in a particular moment, like we're in, where, as we've discussed, there's hyperpartisanship, and we hear a lot, Dana mentioned this. We hear a lot from foreign partners that the way our democracy works with a change in administration every four years is unsettling to some of them, because they don't know if a particular policy or agreement is going to continue the role that we can play, providing some of that continuity and providing a nonpartisan and thoughtful place to have conversations. Because they know that we have that kind of nuanced and thoughtful and nonpartisan insight. Manya Brachear Pashman:   I really appreciate your insights on the roles that you've played, and I think the audience has as well. But I want to pivot back to your role as women. Dana, I mentioned that you were often the only woman at the table. Would you discover that when you arrived at meetings and events? Dana Strohl:   In Washington, DC, and in particular, I'm very proud to have served in the Biden administration, where there were always women at the table. And I will also say that there was a network of women, and it was the same on the Hill. On the hill, there was actually a box of maternity clothes that was kept in then-Senate Leader Harry Reid's office.  And his National Security Advisor called me when she heard I was pregnant the first time, which was during the 2015 JCPOA negotiations on the Hill, which meant that I was super tired and doing all of those congressional hearings and briefings, but there was a network of women who were supporting each other and giving me clothes as I got bigger and bigger. And it continued into the Pentagon and the State Department, where there were always women and when we saw each other at the White House Situation Room or in the different meetings, there was always the quiet pull aside. How are you doing? How are your kids? Are you managing? What's the trade off on your day to day basis? Can I do anything to help you?  And in particular, after October 7, that network of people really kicked into high gear, and we were all checking in with each other. Because it was the most intense, most devastating time to work in the government and try to both support Israel and prevent World War III from breaking out across the Middle East. So that was DC. In the Middle East, I largely assumed that I was going to be the only woman at the table, and so I decided to just own it. There are some great pictures of me always in a pink jacket, but the point you know, was that I expected it, and there were always women, again, against the back walls. I made an effort whenever possible to make sure everyone at the table, regardless of your gender, had an opportunity to speak and participate, but I was also not just the only woman.  A lot of times, I was the co-chair with whatever partner it was in the Middle East, so I had a speaking role, and I felt was incumbent upon me to present a model of leadership and inclusivity in how we engage with our partners, spoke to our partners, listened to our partners concerns, and that that was part of the job. And only once, I remember it very clearly. We were at a dinner after a big meeting, and somebody looks at me, it's a meeting with all, y7all men, all men for a dinner. And they said, Is this what it's like for you all the time? And I said, Yes, it is. And you know, it took two and a half years for somebody to notice, so. Manya Brachear Pashman:   Mira, what have you experienced? And have you ever worried as a woman that you weren't being taken seriously? Mira Resnick:   I think that every woman in one of these jobs has imposter syndrome every so often, and walking into the room and owning it, fake it till you make it right. That's the solution. I will. I agree with Dana wholeheartedly that in Washington, I was really proud to walk into the room and never fear that I was the only woman. And I even remember traveling where another delegation was all women, and our delegation was all women, and how surprising that was, and then how disappointing, how surprising that was, but to take notice of the moment, because they don't happen very often.  I think that in Washington and throughout diplomacy, the goal is to pay it forward to other women. And I wasn't the last person to pump in the Ramallah Coca Cola factory, and I wasn't the first person to pump in the Ramallah Coca Cola factory. But that is, that was, like, my moment where I was like, Oh, this is a strange place to be a woman, right?  But I do find that women really bring holistic views into our policy making, and whether it's meeting with civil society, even if your job is strictly security cooperation to understand the human impacts of your security decisions, or making sure that you are nurturing your people, that you are a good leader of people.  I remember post-October 7, I was looking for some way that I could nurture in the personal life. And I see Nadine Binstock here, who goes to my shul, and Stephanie also. Stephanie Guiloff is also in the audience. She's my neighbor, and also goes to my shul. And after October 7, I took on the Kiddush Committee Coordinator at my shul. So that every week, no matter what I was experiencing at the office and no matter where I was in the world, our community would be a little bit more nurtured. And it was a way for me to like to give back to the community, and at the same time be able to continue to do the hard power work of security cooperation. Manya Brachear Pashman:   So Mira, Casey, Dana, thank you so much for joining us, sharing your modern-day Miriam experiences. I want to open it up for questions from the audience. Just raise your hand and someone will bring you a microphone. Audience Member: Hi, I'm Maddie Ingle. I'm a Leaders for Tomorrow alum. What is some advice that any of you have for young women like me in the advocacy space and in general. Casey Kustin:   First of all, thank you for taking the time to come to Global Forum and for joining LFT. You've already taken the first step to better arming yourself as an advocate. I think there is, I wish someone had said to me, probably before I met the two of them who did say it to me, that it was okay to take up space around the table. I remember sitting in secure facilities, getting classified briefings from ambassadors, male ambassadors who were 30 years my senior, and watching the two of you in particular i. Not be scared to challenge the back and forth when I as a probably still, you know, mid 20s, early 30s, did have fear of speaking up.  And I wish someone, when I was your age as a teenager, had, and obviously, I had supportive parents who told me I could do anything, but it's different. It's different than seeing it modeled by people who are in the same space as you, and who are maybe even just a couple years older than you. So I would just say to you not to ever be afraid to use your voice. This is a memory that has stuck with me for 15 years. I was in a meeting, sitting next to my congressman boss, with two men who were probably in their 60s, and a vote was called. And you never know on the Hill when a vote is going to be called. So it interrupts a meeting. And he had to go vote, and he said, Casey will finish the meeting with you. And they looked at him and said, Does she know what we're talking about?  Dana Strohl: We have all been there, Casey. Casey Kustin: We have all been there. So even if you're met with a response like that when you try to use your voice, don't let it deter you. Audience Member: Hi, guys. I'm Jenny. This has been my favorite session of the three days. Thank you guys. My mom is the first female, woman brakeman conductor on Amtrak. So you guys are just so empowering. As a long time Democrat, you guys talked about bipartisan issues. With how the Democratic Party is. I know you guys probably can't go fully into this. Do you have any inspiring words to give us hope when it feels very scary right now, as a Democrat, how divided our party is. Casey Kustin: I work for a nonpartisan organization now, so I'll let them handle that one. Dana Strohl:   I, so were we all on the Hill during the first Trump administration? And there was still bipartisanship. And what I'm looking for right now is the green shoots of our democracy. And I see them. There is thinking through what does it mean to be in this country, to be an American, to live in a democracy? What does democracy do? I think, first of all, it is healthy and okay for Americans to go through times of challenge and questioning. Is this working for us? And you know, the relationship between the government, whether it's legislative, judicial, executive and the people, and it's okay to challenge and question, and I think it's okay for there to be healthy debates inside both the Republican and the Democratic Party about what what this stands for, and what is in the best interest of our country.  And you can see both in polling data and in certain areas where there actually are members of Congress coming together on certain issues, like economic policy, what's in the best interest of our constituents and voters. That there is thinking through what is the right balance between the different branches of our government.  I was talking to somebody the other day who was reminding me this actual, you know, we are, we are in a time of significant transition and debate in our society about the future of our country and the future role of the government and the relationship. But it's not the first time, and it won't be the last. And I found to be that part of my job was to make sure I understood the diversity of voices and views about what the role of the government should be, general views about American foreign policy, which was our job, was just such a humble reminder of democracy and the importance of this back and forth. Audience Member:  [My name is Allie.] My question for you is, what are your hopes and dreams for generation alpha, who will be able to vote in the next election?  Casey Kustin:   I think we all have, all our kids are still in elementary, or Mira, your one is going into middle school now– Mira Resnik: To middle school. Casey Kustin:   So the vast majority of our children are still elementary school age. And for me, I have a very interesting experience of moving my family out of a very diverse community in Washington, DC to Jacksonville, Florida. And it's a very different environment than I thought that my children were going to grow up in, because at the time, we didn't anticipate leaving DC anytime soon, and it's made me realize that I want them to live in a world where no matter what community They are growing up in, they are experiencing a world that gives them different perspectives on life, and I think it's very easy now that I have gone from a city environment to suburbia to live in a bubble, and I just, I hope that every child in this next generation doesn't have to wait until they're adults to learn these kinds of really important lessons. Dana Strohl:   I have two additional things to add. I'm very concerned at what the polling suggests, the apathy of young people toward voting, the power of voting, why it matters. And participation, that you need to be an active citizen in your governments. And you can't just vote every four years in the presidential election, there's actually a ton of voting, including, like the county boards of education, you got to vote all the way up and down you continuously. And that it's okay to have respectful debate, discourse, disagreements in a democracy. So I would like this generation to learn how to have respectful discourse and debate, to believe that their votes matter and just vote. And three, on the YouTube thing, which is terrifying to me, so I'm hoping the educators help me with this is, how to teach our kids to separate the disinformation, the misinformation, and the fiction that they are getting because of YouTube and online. So mine are all elementary schoolers, and I have lost positive control of the information they absorb.  And now I'm trying to teach them well, you know, that's not real. And do I cut off certain things? How do I engage them? How do I use books and when? So they need to not just be active participants in their society, all up and down the ballot, multiple times every year, but they need to know how to inform themselves. Manya Brachear Pashman:   And Mira? Mira Resnick:   I do hope that our children, as they approach voting age, that they see the value in cooperation with each other, that they see the value of face to face conversation. I think that honestly, this is the value of Shabbat in my household. That you take a break from the screens and you have a face to face conversation. My children understand how to have conversations with adults now. Which is, I think, a critical life skill, and that they will use those life skills toward the betterment of their communities, and more broadly, our Jewish community, and more broadly than that, our global community. Manya Brachear Pashman:   Thank you so much. Thank you to everyone.

Part 1 John Kiriakou :Reluctant Spy: My Secret Life in the CIA's War on TerrorJohn Kiriakou is a former CIA officer, former senior investigator for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and former counterterrorism consultant for ABC News.In 2002, Kiriakou became the chief of counterterrorism operations in Pakistan, where he led a CIA team in the March 2002 raid and capture of Abu Zubaydah, then thought to be al-Qaeda's third-ranking official.Following Abu Zubaydah's capture, Kiriakou became Executive Assistant to the CIA's Deputy Director for Operations, where he served as the Director of Central Intelligence's principal Iraq briefer.Kiriakou left the CIA in March 2004. He later served as a senior investigator on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and as senior intelligence advisor to Committee Chairman Senator John Kerry. Kiriakou also authored a bestselling book, "The Reluctant Spy: My Secret Life in the CIA's War on Terror," and worked as an intelligence consultant for ABC News.Throughout his career, Kiriakou received 12 CIA Exceptional Performance Awards, the CIA's Sustained Superior Performance Award, the Counterterrorism Service Medal, and the State Department's Meritorious Honor Award.In 2007, Kiriakou appeared on ABC News, during which he became the first CIA officer to confirm that the CIA waterboarded detainees, and he labeled waterboarding as “torture.” Kiriakou's interview revealed that this practice was official U.S. policy approved at the highest levels of the government.The government began investigating Kiriakou immediately after his media appearance. Five years later, he was charged with multiple felonies resulting from his whistleblowing. He became the sixth whistleblower indicted by the Obama administration under the Espionage Act - a law designed to punish spies.Eventually, in order to avoid a trial that could have resulted in separation from his wife and five children for up to 45 years, he opted to plead guilty to one count of a reduced charge in exchange for a 30-month sentence.In 2012 Kiriakou was honored with the Joe A. Callaway Award for Civic Courage, an award given to individuals who “advance truth and justice despite the personal risk it creates.” Two days prior to sentencing, he was honored by inclusion of his portrait in artist Robert Shetterly's series "Americans Who Tell the Truth," which features notable truth-tellers throughout American history.Kiriakou reported to federal prison in Loretto, Pennsylvania on February 28, 2013 to begin serving his sentence, where he continued to speak out in a series of "Letters from Loretto," including his first, which provided a stunning portrait of prison life. In November 2013, the Peace and Justice Center of Sonoma County, California honored Kiriakou as its "Peacemaker of the Year." He was awarded the prestigious PEN First Amendment Award from the PEN Center USA in August 2015.He was released from prison in February 2015.Part 2 Attorney Michael J. Bowe - American Marines Turn Blind Eye to Child Sex AbusePro BonoMichael engages in substantial pro bono work for institutions and individuals, including representing victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, the family of United States Marine Lance Corporal Gregory Buckley, Jr., and Marine Corp Major Jason Brezler. These high-profile matters of national import have received substantial Congressional, press, and public attention.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-opperman-report--1198501/support.

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 78-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 19,389 on turnover of 5-billion N-T. The market lost ground again on Wednesday - tumbling nearly 400-points - as the trade war between the United States and China escalated after Washington imposed a fresh round of export controls on Nvidia and A-M-D selling to Chinese buyers. NDC to focus on silicon photonics, build new economic shield National Development Council Minister Paul Liu says the government plans to prioritize the development of silicon photonics. According to Liu, that will be carried out by taking advantage of the island's strength in the semiconductor and artificial intelligence industries to build another shield to protect the local economy. The N-D-C head says over the longer term, government is determined to focus on potential segments as silicon photonics to boost its competitive edge (競爭優勢) and take a larger share of the global market. In addition to silicon photonics, Liu says the government has also listed quantum and autonomous robot development as additional potential economic shields. US congressional group visits Taiwan to meet with President Lai Ching-te A U-S Congressional delegation is visiting Taiwan this week. The delegation is being led by U-S Senator Pete Ricketts, the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee's Subcommittee on East Asia, and is slated to meet with President Lai Ching-te and other top government officials. The bipartisan delegation includes Senators Chris Coons and Ted Budd. The American Institute in Taiwan says the talks will focus on bilateral relations, regional security, trade and investment, and other issues of mutual (共同的) interest. NKorea Threatens Retaliation After US Bombers Fly Over South North Korea has threatened retaliation after the U.S. flew long-range bombers over South Korea during training with its forces. The U.S. flew the B-1B bombers Tuesday during an aerial drill that Seoul said was meant to show the two countries' deterrence (威懾) capability. North Korea views such drills as an invasion rehearsal and is particularly sensitive to the U.S. mobilization of strategic assets such as long-range bombers, aircraft carriers and nuclear-powered submarines. North Korea's Defense Ministry was quoted as saying the U.S. action would inevitably hurt U.S. security and North Korea “will deter by dint of powerful force" the U.S. aggression. North Korea often test-launches missiles in response to U.S. flyovers of B-1B bombers. US judge threatens contempt inquiry for Trump administration over deportations A US judge has threatened to start criminal contempt proceedings against the Trump administration for defying (違抗) his order to stop the deportation of more than 200 migrants to El Salvador. Nick Harper reports from Washington. Bolide Seen Over Mexico A bright object, initially appearing to be a meteorite, lit up the skies over Mexico's capital at 3am local time. Videos of a ball of fire shooting over the country and dissolving in a burst of light over Mexico City quickly became the fuel for memes circulating on social media. But scientists were quick to note that the object was a bolide (火流星). Bolides, defined by NASA as fireballs, are exceptionally bright meteors that are spectacular enough to be seen over a very wide area. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ ✨宏匯廣場 歡慶璀璨女王節✨

President Trump says his new tariff plan is “going very well” and “markets are going to boom, the stock is going to boom, the country is going to boom," as stock markets fall and foreign leaders pledge retaliatory action; U.S. Ambassador to China nominee David Perdue testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee about trade with China in light of the new tariffs; U.S. Senate starts work on the Budget Resolution, the legislative vehicle for enacting the republican agenda of tax cuts, spending cuts, border security, energy promotion and increased defense spending; Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends a NATO foreign Ministers meeting in Brussels, saying the U.S. is still fully engaged with the national security alliance; two resolutions to block some U.S. arms sales to Israel fail in the U.S. Senate; New York City Mayor Eric Adams says he will run for reelection not as a Democrat, but as an independent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

U.S. and global markets plunged after Trump's announcement the US will impose 10 percent universal tariffs, higher rates for countries with more trade barriers. Meanwhile, Canada will impose a 25% tariff on all vehicles imported from the United States that are not compliant with the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade deal, Prime Minister Mark Carney told a press conference on Thursday.The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing to examine the nomination of David Perdue to be the U.S. ambassador to China.New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he would run for reelection as an independent, not as a Democrat as he did in his first, successful mayoral bid.

The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday approved by a majority vote a plan for nominee George Glass to become U.S. ambassador to Japan.

駐日米大使に着任するジョージ・グラス氏、１３日、ワシントン【ワシントン時事】米上院外交委員会は２７日、駐日大使にジョージ・グラス元駐ポルトガル大使を充てる人事案を賛成多数で可決した。 The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday approved by a majority vote a plan for nominee George Glass to become U.S. ambassador to Japan.

No pleasant introductions, or quaint toast at the end of this one folks. We may have moved past the brink, and into the abyss, but that's to discuss in later episodes....Today, three long-term USAID staffers  now retired and free to talk describe their anger over how  the foreign aid  program has been gutted and colleagues maligned, their fear about global suffering and losses that will result ,and their hope for a  come back  in the future.Francisco Bencosme was formerly the China Policy Lead for USAID, the principal advisor on issues relating to China and Taiwan. Prior to joining USAID, he was deputy to the Special Presidential Envoy for Compact of Free Association talks, helping conclude agreements with the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau in the Pacific Islands. He was at the same time senior advisor to the assistant secretary for East Asian and the Pacific Affairs.Before joining the Biden/Harris administration, he was a senior policy advisor at the Open Society Foundations covering Asia and Latin America. During his time at Amnesty International USA, Bencosme led the US human rights policy and advocacy program towards the Asia Pacific.  In 2018, he was named one of The Hill's Top Lobbyist for a campaign on Myanmar Rohingya issues. He also has served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee staff.Ann Posner spent more than 32 years working in USAID missions in the Czech Republic, Russia, Albania, Bosnia and the West Bank-Gaza.  As a Foreign Service Executive Officer she led local administrative staffs and helped manage programs involving issues ranged from crop marketing in the Eastern Caribbean, anti-corruption and free election laws in Russia, and agricultural aid in Albania to investigation journalism and judicial reform in BosniaSusan Reichle is a retired Senior Foreign Service officer of USAID and former president and CEO of the International Youth Foundation — global non-profit working to equip and inspire young people everywhere to transform their lives. Before joining IYF, Susan spent 26 years in leadership positions at USAID missions overseas and in Washington, D.C. During her last three years at USAID, she served as the Counselor to the Agency, USAID's most Senior Foreign Service Officer, and advised the administrator and senior leadership on global development policies and management issues. She served in Haiti, Nicaragua, Russia, Colombia and her last assignment in USAID/Washington she led the Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance bureau.

James Richardson, former Director of the Office of Foreign Assistance, joins Mike Shanley to discuss the Role of the State Department under Trump II, foreign assistance priorities, budget implications, and intra-government coordination. BIOGRAPHY: James “Jim” Richardson is the Executive Director to the 70th Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, working various ventures and programs. He is also the Executive Chairman of The Pompeo Foundation, a 501c(3) dedicated to thoughtful discussion and education on some of the world's toughest challenges. He was previously Director of the Office of Foreign Assistance at the U.S. Department of State. On behalf of the Secretary of State, he coordinated $35 billion in foreign assistance across the State Department and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), ensuring policy, performance, and budget alignment. He was also responsible for foreign assistance strategic planning, policy, and monitoring and evaluation standards. Prior to that, Mr. Richardson served as Coordinator of USAID's Transformation Task Team. He led the historic reorganization to reshape the Agency around the principle of ‘Ending the Need for Foreign Assistance,' establishing new Bureaus, policies, processes, and workforce solutions. Concurrent with his role on Transformation, Jim was Assistant to the Administrator in USAID's Bureau for Policy, Planning and Learning (PPL). He was responsible for agency-wide strategic planning, policy development, monitoring and evaluation standards, and international donor coordination. With over 25 years of private and government service, Mr. Richardson spearheaded numerous complex operations and developed an extensive public policy and legislative process background. He served as Chief of Staff for then-Congressman Mike Pompeo (KS-04) —overseeing Congressman Pompeo's offices in Washington, DC, and Wichita, Kansas. He also worked with the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee for Congressman Todd Tiahrt (KS-04), the House Armed Services Committee for Congressman Jim Ryun (KS-02), and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for Senator John Ashcroft (R-MO). He began his government career with Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond (R-MO). Mr. Richardson holds a Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies from Missouri State University and a Bachelor of Science in Government from Evangel University. He also graduated from the United States Air Force Air Command and Staff College (ACSC). LEARN MORE Thank you for tuning into this episode of the Aid Market Podcast. You can learn more about working with USAID by visiting our homepage: Konektid International and AidKonekt. To connect with our team directly, message the host Mike Shanley on LinkedIn.

Ralph welcomes Deepa Padmanabha, senior legal advisor to Greenpeace USA, to discuss that organization's looming trial against Energy Transfer Partners (builder of the Dakota Access Pipeline at Standing Rock) that threatens the constitutionally protected First Amendment right of citizens and citizen groups to protest. Plus, Josh Paul, former State Department employee, who resigned in protest over the Biden Administration's policy of sending weapons to support Israel's genocide in Gaza, returns to tell us about an organization he co-founded called “A New Policy,” which as the name suggests envisions an American policy toward the Middle East more in line with the “foundational principles of liberty, equality, democracy, and human rights; advancing American interests abroad; and protecting American freedoms at home.”Deepa Padmanabha is Senior Legal Advisor at Greenpeace USA, where she works closely with environmental activists seeking to exercise their First Amendment rights to promote systemic change. In September 2022, she testified before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform on Greenpeace USA's experience with legal attacks from extractive industries and the importance of federal anti-SLAPP legislation. And her work has focused on defending Greenpeace entities in the US against two SLAPP lawsuits attempting to silence the organization's advocacy work.This was not a Greenpeace campaign—and that was very intentional. And so our very limited involvement was solidarity with the Indigenous tribes, the Indigenous water protectors that were carrying this fight…Personally, I don't think that Energy Transfer likes the optics of going after Indigenous people. I think that it's much easier to go after the “Big Greens”, the “agitators”, things like that—and they probably would be dealing with a much more difficult PR campaign if they went after members of tribes.Deepa PadmanabhaBack in 2016 and 2017, when the original civil RICO cases were filed against the Greenpeace entities (all of these fights started out as RICO), many groups across issue areas were deeply concerned that this would be the new tactic used to go to attack labor, to attack human rights, to attack every kind of organization imaginable. And so what we did at that time (Greenpeace USA was a part of it as well as other groups) is we've created a coalition called Protect the Protest. Protect the Protest is a coalition of organizations to provide support for individuals who are threatened with SLAPPs, who receive cease-and-desist letters, who might want help either finding a lawyer or communication support. Because we know that the individuals bringing these lawsuits want the fights to happen in silence. So a big part of the work that needs to be done—and that we do—is to bring attention to them.Deepa PadmanabhaPast SLAPP lawsuits by corporations intended to wear down the citizen groups, cost them all kinds of legal fees. There have been SLAPP lawsuits for citizen groups just having a news conference or citizen groups being part of a town meeting. Or in the case of Oprah Winfrey, who was sued by at Texas meat company because she had a critic of the meat industry on her show that reached millions of people. That case was settled. So, this is the furthest extension of suppression of free speech by these artificial entities called corporations.Ralph NaderJosh Paul is co-founder (with Tariq Habash) of A New Policy, which seeks to transform U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. He resigned from the State Department in October 2023 due to his disagreement with the Biden Administration's decision to rush lethal military assistance to Israel in the context of its war on Gaza. He had previously spent over 11 years working as a Director in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, which is responsible for U.S. defense diplomacy, security assistance, and arms transfers. He previously worked on security sector reform in both Iraq and the West Bank, with additional roles in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Army Staff, and as a Military Legislative Assistant for a Member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee.I think that the time for quitting in protest over Gaza, unfortunately, in many ways, is greatly behind us. I think there will be a significant number of State Department officials who will be leaving in the coming days, weeks, and months. And this is a result of a push from the Trump administration to gut America's diplomatic corps, much as they did at the start of the previous Trump administration, but even more so this time around. What I'm hearing from former colleagues in the State Department is a sense of immense despair as they see freezes being placed on U.S. foreign assistance programs—including programs that do an immense amount of good around the world—and just a concern about the overall and impending collapse of American diplomacy.Josh PaulWe have to acknowledge the precedent set by President Biden. Not only in his unconditional support for Israel and its attacks on Gaza, its violations of international humanitarian law, but also in President Biden and Secretary Blinken's willingness to set aside U.S. laws when it came to, in particular, security assistance and arms transfers in order to continue that support. That is a precedent that I think all Americans should be concerned about regardless of their thoughts on the conflict itself.Josh PaulI would say that what we face in America is a problem set that runs much deeper than any change in administration, than any political party. There is an entrenched dynamic within American politics—an entrenched set of both political and economic incentives across our electoral system—that are maintaining U.S. unconditional support for Israel, regardless of what the American people might want.Josh PaulNews 1/31/251. Our top stories this week have to do with the betrayal of the so-called “Make America Healthy Again” or “MAHA” movement. First up, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – President Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Health of Human Services – found himself in the hot seat Wednesday as his confirmation hearings began. Kennedy, who is facing opposition both from Democrats who regard his anti-vaccine rhetoric as dangerous and Republicans who view him as too liberal, struggled to answer basic questions during these hearings. Perhaps most distressingly, he shilled for the disastrous Medicare privatization scheme known as “Medicare Advantage,” at one point saying that he himself is on a Medicare Advantage plan and that “more people would rather be on Medicare Advantage.” Kennedy went on to say most Americans would prefer to be on private insurance. As Matt Stoller of the American Economic Liberties Project writes, this is “basically Cato [Institute] style libertarianism.”2. Meanwhile, the Trump Administration is signaling they intend to scrap a proposed EPA rule to ban “forever chemicals” from Americans' drinking water, per the Spokesman-Review out of Spokane, Washington. Per this piece, “perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, abbreviated PFAS, are a set of man-made chemicals used in thousands of products over the decades. High levels of them have…been linked to cancers, heart disease, high cholesterol, thyroid disease, low birth weight and other diseases.” Shelving PFAS regulation was high on the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 wish list, though the Trump team had previously sent mixed messages on the topic. Trump's pick to oversee regulation of dangerous chemicals is Nancy Beck, a longtime executive at the American Chemistry Council.3. As if those betrayals weren't enough, Trump has also selected Ms. Kailee Buller as the Chief of Staff for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For the past year, Buller has served as president & CEO of the National Oilseed Processors Association. More simply put, she is the top seed oil lobbyist in the nation. This is perhaps the most illustrative example of the MAHA bait and switch. Not only is the Trump administration spitting in the face of their own supporters and doing the opposite of what they promised in terms of cracking down on ultra-processed, unhealthy food – they are doing so in an openly and brazenly corrupt manner. Under Trump, regulatory agencies are on the auction block and will be sold to the highest bidder.4. In more health news, legendary investigative journalist Seymour Hersh has come out with a new story – and it's a doozy. According to Hersh's sources, the Trump administration mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic long before the public knew anything about the virus. He writes “I learned this week that a US intelligence asset at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China, where the Covid virus was first observed…provided early warning of a laboratory accident at Wuhan that led to a series of infections that was quickly spreading and initially seemed immune to treatment.” Hersh continues “early studies dealing with how to mitigate the oncoming plague, based on information from the Chinese health ministry about the lethal new virus, were completed late in 2019 by experts from America's National Institutes of Health and other research agencies.” Yet, “Despite their warnings, a series of preventative actions were not taken until the United States was flooded with cases of the virus.” Most damningly, Hersh's sources claim that “All of these studies…have been expunged from the official internal records in Washington, including any mention of the CIA's source inside the Chinese laboratory.” If true, this would be among the most catastrophic cases of indecision – and most sweeping coverup – in modern American history. Watch this space.5. Meanwhile, in more foreign affairs news, Progressive International reports that “For the first time in history,” Members of the United States Congress have joined with Members of Mexico's Cámara de Diputados to “oppose the escalating threats of U.S. military action against Mexico” and call to “strengthen the bonds of solidarity between our peoples.” This move of course comes amid ever-rising tensions between the United States and our southern neighbor, particularly as the GOP has in recent years taken up the idea of a full-blown invasion of Mexico. This letter was signed by many prominent U.S. progressives, including Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, Summer Lee, AOC, Greg Casar and Raul Grijalva, as well as 23 Mexican deputies. One can only hope that this show of internationalism helps forestall further escalation with Mexico.6. Turning to the issue of corruption, former New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez was sentenced to 11 years in prison for his role in a bribery scheme that included him acting as an unregistered agent of the Egyptian government, per the DOJ. Until 2024, Menendez had served as the Chairman or Ranking Member of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee – an ideal perch for a crooked politician. During sentencing, Menendez broke down and weepily begged the judge for leniency. Yet, almost immediately after the sentence was handed down, Menendez changed his tune and started sucking up to Trump in a transparent attempt to secure a pardon. Axios reports Menendez said “President Trump was right…This process is political, and it's corrupted to the core. I hope President Trump cleans up the cesspool and restores the integrity to the system.” Unfortunately, Trump's fragile ego makes him particularly susceptible to just this sort of appeal, so it would be no surprise if he does grant some form of clemency to the disgraced Senator.7. Likewise, New York City Mayor Eric Adams appears to feel the walls closing in with regard to his corrupt dealings with his Turkish benefactors. And just like Menendez, Adams' strategy appears to be to ingratiate himself with Trump world. On January 23rd, the New York Daily News reported that Adams had pledged to avoid publicly criticizing Trump. Adams has previously called Trump a “white supremacist.” Adams' simpering seems to having the intended effect. On January 29th, the New York Times reported “Senior Justice Department officials under President Trump have held discussions with federal prosecutors in Manhattan about the possibility of dropping their corruption case,” against Adams. This story notes that “The defense team is led by Alex Spiro, who is also the personal lawyer for Elon Musk.”8. Our final three stories this week have to do with organized labor. First, Bloomberg labor reporter Josh Eidelson reports Trump has ousted National Labor Relations Board General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo. This alone is a tragedy; Abruzzo has been nothing short of a crusader on behalf of organized labor during her tenure. Yet, more troubling news quickly followed: Trump has unlawfully sacked Gwynne Wilcox a Democratic member of the labor board with no just cause. As Eidelson notes, the law forbids “firing board members absent neglect or malfeasance.” Wilcox was the first ever Black member of the NLRB and her unlawful removal gives Trump a working majority at the board. Expect to see a rapid slew of anti-worker decisions in the coming days.9. In some good news, independent journalist Ken Klippenstein reports that union collective bargaining agreements have successfully “thwart[ed]…Trump's return to work order.” Instead, the administration has been forced to issue a new order, stating “Supervisors should not begin discussions around the return to in-person work with bargaining unit employees until HHS fulfills its collective bargaining obligations.” In other words, even while every supposed legal guardrail, institutional norm, and political force of gravity wilts before Trump's onslaught, what is the one bulwark that still stands strong, protecting everyday working people? Their union.10. Our final story is a simple one. Jacobin labor journalist Alex Press reports that in Philadelphia, the first Whole Foods grocery store has voted to unionize. The nearly-300 workers at the store voted to affiliate with United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1176. Whole Foods was sold to Amazon in 2017 and since then the e-tail giant has vigorously staved off unionization. Could this be the first crack in the dam? Only time will tell.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe

The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 2: 4:00pm- In a press conference to address the deadly collision at Reagan National Airport, President Donald Trump suggested diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and hiring practices may have played a role in the disaster. When asked by reporters why he believed DEI may have had an impact, Trump responded: “because I have common sense.” 4:30pm- The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has advanced Elise Stefanik's confirmation vote to become U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations—she is expected to be confirmed by the full Senate next week. Similarly, Doug Burgum is expected to be confirmed as Secretary of the Interior. Rich says he can't even remember Burgum's confirmation hearing—Matt suggests it's because it was completely uneventful because no one asked about his rattlesnake recipes or his well-kept hair. 4:40pm- On Thursday, Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump's nominee to serve as Director of National Intelligence, testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee. In her opening statement, Gabbard—a former Congressmember and currently serving as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves—said the weaponization of the intelligence community “must end.” She also vociferously denied being a “puppet” for Trump, Vladimir Putin, Bashar al-Assad, Narendra Modi, or anyone else as Democrats have baselessly claimed.

The Rich Zeoli Show- Full Episode (01/30/2025): 3:05pm- On Wednesday night, an American Airlines flight from Wichita, Kansas carrying 64 people collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter at Reagan National Airport outside of Washington, D.C. The collision caused both aircrafts to fall into the Potomac River. 3:15pm- In a press conference to address the deadly collision at Reagan National Airport, President Donald Trump suggested diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and hiring practices may have played a role in the disaster. When asked by reporters why he believed DEI may have had an impact, Trump responded: “because I have common sense.” 3:20pm- On Thursday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump's nominee to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services, testified before the Senate Health Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. During one exchange, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) claimed that America's healthcare system is broken—Kennedy adroitly noted that members of Congress, including Sanders, have accepted “millions of dollars from the pharmaceutical industry.” 3:40pm- On Thursday, Donald Trump's nominee to serve as FBI Director, Kash Patel, participated in a confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. 4:00pm- In a press conference to address the deadly collision at Reagan National Airport, President Donald Trump suggested diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies and hiring practices may have played a role in the disaster. When asked by reporters why he believed DEI may have had an impact, Trump responded: “because I have common sense.” 4:30pm- The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has advanced Elise Stefanik's confirmation vote to become U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations—she is expected to be confirmed by the full Senate next week. Similarly, Doug Burgum is expected to be confirmed as Secretary of the Interior. Rich says he can't even remember Burgum's confirmation hearing—Matt suggests it's because it was completely uneventful because no one asked about his rattlesnake recipes or his well-kept hair. 4:40pm- On Thursday, Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump's nominee to serve as Director of National Intelligence, testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee. In her opening statement, Gabbard—a former Congressmember and currently serving as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves—said the weaponization of the intelligence community “must end.” She also vociferously denied being a “puppet” for Trump, Vladimir Putin, Bashar al-Assad, Narendra Modi, or anyone else as Democrats have baselessly claimed. 5:05pm During her confirmation hearing, Tulsi Gabbard was asked if she believes Edward Snowden is a traitor. In her response, Gabbard laid out four steps she would take to guarantee there is never a similar intelligence leak. Following the hearing, Senator James Lankford (R-OK) said he was “surprised” by Gabbard's answer—noting that it “doesn't seem like a hard question.” According to reports, Lankford is believed to be undecided about voting to confirm Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence. 5:30pm- During Robert Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation hearing, Senator Rand Paul grilled Democrats and explained that people are becoming vaccine hesitant because they don't trust government—noting COVID-19 vaccine mandates for young children despite scientific evidence suggesting it was unnecessary. 5:45pm- On Thursday, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump's nominee to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services, testified before the Senate Health Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. During one exchange, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) claimed that America's healthcare system is broken—Kennedy adroitly noted that members of Congress, including Sanders, have accepted “millions of dollars from the pharmaceutical industry.” 6:00pm- Penn State Basketball

This Day in Legal History: Poll Tax AbolishedOn January 23, 1964, the 24th Amendment to the United States Constitution was ratified, marking a pivotal moment in the fight for civil rights and voting equality. This amendment abolished the use of poll taxes in federal elections, a practice that had long been used to disenfranchise low-income and minority voters, particularly African Americans. Poll taxes required individuals to pay a fee to vote, which many could not afford, effectively barring them from participating in the democratic process.The amendment's ratification was part of a broader civil rights movement aiming to dismantle systemic barriers to equality. Although the 15th Amendment prohibited racial discrimination in voting, mechanisms like poll taxes, literacy tests, and other discriminatory practices were used to suppress African American voters, especially in the South. The 24th Amendment directly confronted one of these tools of disenfranchisement, removing a significant obstacle to equal voting rights.Its passage was not universally supported and faced resistance from states that benefitted from voter suppression. However, the amendment signaled a growing federal commitment to civil rights reforms. Following its ratification, court cases like Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections in 1966 extended the prohibition of poll taxes to state elections, solidifying the impact of the amendment across all levels of government.The elimination of the poll tax was a vital step in creating a more inclusive democracy. It underscored the principle that access to voting should not depend on one's economic status, reinforcing the idea that the right to vote is fundamental and universal.President Trump's declaration of a national energy emergency, aimed at accelerating oil and gas projects, is expected to withstand legal challenges, according to experts. The order invokes the National Emergencies Act, granting broad presidential powers to expedite energy project approvals. Courts are unlikely to overturn the emergency designation due to the law's lack of a clear definition of “emergency” and historical judicial deference to such declarations. However, the order's implementation could face significant legal scrutinyThe directive requires federal agencies to identify laws and regulations that could streamline permitting for projects, including drilling, pipeline construction, and refining. Environmental statutes like the Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act could be impacted, sparking concerns over weakened protections. Legal battles are anticipated over specific agency actions, such as regulatory rollbacks or lease approvals, rather than the emergency declaration itself. The involvement of the National Security Council in justifying regulatory changes may bolster the administration's defense in court, as judges often defer to national security claims. Environmental groups have criticized the move but are waiting to challenge concrete actions taken under the order. Market forces and industry strategies, such as energy companies' focus on shareholder returns, will also influence the pace of oil and gas production growth.Trump US energy emergency order should withstand court challenges | ReutersCornell University has filed lawsuits against AT&T and Verizon in federal court in Texas, alleging infringement of two patents related to Wi-Fi technology. The patents, granted to Cornell in 2010 and 2011, were developed by two engineering professors and involve innovations to improve Wi-Fi signal strength and efficiency in devices compatible with Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 standards. The university claims the telecom companies infringe these patents through the manufacture and sale of Wi-Fi-enabled products, including smartphones and routers.Cornell seeks monetary damages and injunctions to stop the alleged infringement. The cases are filed under separate docket numbers for AT&T and Verizon in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. Both companies and the university have not provided immediate comments on the litigation.Cornell University sues AT&T, Verizon over Wi-Fi patents | ReutersFormer New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez has lost his bid for a new trial following his corruption conviction. Menendez argued that jurors improperly reviewed unredacted evidence during deliberations, which his defense team claimed unfairly linked him to accusations of accepting bribes in exchange for facilitating military aid to Egypt. U.S. District Judge Sidney Stein rejected the request, stating that the defense shared responsibility for not identifying the unredacted material and that it likely did not influence the jury's decision.The ruling clears the way for Menendez's sentencing next week, where prosecutors are seeking a 15-year prison term. Menendez, convicted on all 16 counts last July, including acting as an agent for a foreign government, allegedly accepted bribes such as gold, cash, and a luxury car in exchange for political favors, including aid to Qatar. Menendez's lawyers argue for a sentence of no more than 2¼ years. He served 18½ years in the Senate and previously chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.Former NJ senator Menendez loses bid for new trial after saying error tainted conviction | ReutersIn a piece I wrote for Forbes yesterday, I argue New Jersey's proposal to eliminate the 200-transaction threshold for economic nexus is a welcome step toward simplifying sales and use tax compliance. This outdated mechanism, derived from the Supreme Court's decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, was intended to ensure out-of-state sellers contributed their fair share. However, it has created unnecessary burdens, especially for small businesses, which must navigate a labyrinth of state-specific rules for both revenue and transaction counts. The inconsistency across states adds to the complexity for remote sellers.New Jersey's approach to tie tax collection responsibility solely to gross revenue—requiring collection only for sellers exceeding $100,000—represents a smarter, more equitable model. It aligns taxation with actual economic impact and removes arbitrary transaction thresholds. This eliminates a glaring loophole where high-value but fewer transactions escape tax liability while lower-value, high-volume transactions bear the burden. Simplifying compliance frameworks in this way eases administrative challenges for businesses, particularly those lacking dedicated tax resources.On a broader scale, New Jersey's move highlights the need for uniformity in sales tax laws. The patchwork of state-specific thresholds creates barriers to interstate commerce and drives up compliance costs for sellers. A consistent revenue-only threshold nationwide would modernize tax systems to reflect the realities of e-commerce, replacing rules designed for brick-and-mortar operations.If adopted, New Jersey's policy could set a precedent for other states, as economic pressures push legislatures to secure steady revenue streams. A shift to revenue-based thresholds could reduce friction, lower compliance costs, and pave the way for a fairer, more streamlined sales tax landscape in 2025 and beyond.Say Goodbye To Sales Tax Headaches? Sales And Use Tax Simplification This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 3: 5:00pm- On Tuesday, President Donald Trump's United Nations Ambassador nominee Elise Stefanik testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. During one exchange, Sen. Chris Murphy accused Elon Musk of giving a “Nazi salute” during Trump's inauguration celebration at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. Stefanik denied that Musk had made the gesture—similarly, the Anti-Defamation League said the allegations made against Musk were not true. 5:30pm- Speaking from the Roosevelt Room of the White House, President Donald Trump held a press conference announcing OpenAI, Oracle, SoftBank, and several other companies will invest $500 billion to build the nation's artificial intelligence infrastructure. Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son echoed sentiments Trump made during his inaugural address—this is the “golden age” of America.

The Rich Zeoli Show- Full Episode (01/21/2025): 3:05pm- In a series of Executive Orders signed on Monday night from the Oval Office, President Donald Trump mandated employees of the federal government work in-person, withdrew the nation from the Paris Climate Agreement, withdrew the nation from the World Health Organization (WHO) citing their willingness to cover-up China's COVID-19 transgressions, delayed enforcement of a national ban of TikTok, recognized two genders—male and female, pardoned 1,500 Americans arrested for their actions on January 6th, 2021, expanded domestic energy production, shut down the U.S. Southern border, and guaranteed free speech on social media. 3:15pm- Prior to leaving office, President Joe Biden issued a series of preemptive pardons for five of his family members, Gen. Mark Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and members of the House committee investigating January 6—including Rep. Jamie Raskin and former Congressmembers Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney. Even allies within the Democrat Party, like Sen. Cory Booker, had a hard time defending the outgoing president's decision. 3:30pm- Paul Thacker—Investigative Journalist & former Fellow at the Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss his latest article, “Fauci's Lies Forced a Biden Pardon, Creating New Legal Jeopardy for ‘Mr. Science.'" You can read the article here: https://disinformationchronicle.substack.com/p/faucis-lies-forced-a-biden-pardon?r=1eu6ww&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true. 4:05pm- Congressman Jeff Van Drew—United States Representative for New Jersey's 2nd Congressional District—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to recap Inauguration Day in Washington D.C., the Laken Riley Act, and President Donald Trump's Day 1 executive orders which included a pause on the development of offshore wind farms in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans! Rep. Van Drew explains “it's a great day for the Jersey Shore.” 4:30pm- Prior to leaving office, President Joe Biden issued a series of preemptive pardons for five of his family members, Gen. Mark Milley, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and members of the House committee investigating January 6—including Rep. Jamie Raskin and former Congressmembers Adam Kinzinger and Liz Cheney. Even allies within the Democrat Party, like Sen. Cory Booker, had a hard time defending the outgoing president's decision. 4:40pm- On Monday night, President Donald Trump pardoned 1,500+ Americans arrested for a series of crimes related to events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2021 and commuted the sentences of 14 others. Rich notes that several things can be true at once: some of those arrested acted abhorrently, but the Department of Justice was overly aggressive with prosecutions. 4:50pm- Did Rich mention he was on Fox News earlier today? 5:00pm- On Tuesday, President Donald Trump's United Nations Ambassador nominee Elise Stefanik testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. During one exchange, Sen. Chris Murphy accused Elon Musk of giving a “Nazi salute” during Trump's inauguration celebration at Capital One Arena in Washington D.C. Stefanik denied that Musk had made the gesture—similarly, the Anti-Defamation League said the allegations made against Musk were not true. 5:30pm- Speaking from the Roosevelt Room of the White House, President Donald Trump held a press conference announcing OpenAI, Oracle, SoftBank, and several other companies will invest $500 billion to build the nation's artificial intelligence infrastructure. Softbank CEO Masayoshi Son echoed sentiments Trump made during his inaugural address—this is the “golden age” of America. 6:05pm- Speaking from the Roosevelt Room of the White House, President Donald Trump held a press conference announcing OpenAI, Oracle, SoftBank, and several other companies will invest $500 billion to build the nation's artificial intelligence infrastructure. While taking questions from the press, Trump defended his d ...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.public.newsThe mainstream story about Joe Biden has long been that he would bring “adult supervision or gravitas” to political life, notes investigative journalist Peter Schweizer. As someone who had served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Biden ostensibly offered a “greater understanding of politics…. Joe Biden has made a career off that. When he ran against Donald Trump in 2020, he tried to make the case that the adults are back in town.”In truth, says Schweizer in a new interview with Public, Biden was a pioneer in “offshoring his corruption.” As soon as he became Vice President, Biden's son Hunter and his brother James “started doing deals, not in Tokyo, not in London, but in Ukraine, Russia and China.Haven't other political leaders made money by having family members sell access to them? Sure, say Schweizer. The difference with Biden was both the scale of the influence peddling, and that it happened with so many enemies of the United States.“The Biden family has taken in tens of millions of dollars. The people who send him millions of dollars with nothing discernible being given in return are directly tied to the spy apparatus of China. All the people involved had ties to Chinese intelligence. And there's no discernible evidence that Hunter Biden brought anything of value to the table other than his name and his connections to his father and his father's political power.”And the millions from China appear to have changed Biden's behavior.

Incoming U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the State Department, Marco Rubio, appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee this week as part of the confirmation process. Rubio testified for more than three hours and made it very clear that confronting China is going to be his top priority when he moves into his 7th-floor office at the State Department. Africa, too, emerged as a key theme throughout Rubio's confirmation hearing, notably as a theater of competition with the Chinese. Fonteh Akum, executive director of the Institute for Security Studies in Pretoria, joins Eric & Cobus to reflect on Rubio's confirmation hearing and what his remarks say about the new Trump foreign policy outlook for China, Africa, and the world. JOIN THE DISCUSSION: X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander | @stadenesque  Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social FOLLOW CGSP IN FRENCH AND ARABIC: Français: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine Arabic: عربي: www.alsin-alsharqalawsat.com | @SinSharqAwsat JOIN US ON PATREON! Become a CGSP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CGSP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth

The Rich Zeoli Show- Full Episode (01/15/2025): 3:05pm- During a press briefing on Wednesday, President Joe Biden announced that Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire agreement which will take effect on Sunday. Under the agreement's terms, which still needs to be confirmed by the Israeli cabinet, Hamas will release 33 hostages—though, 100 are being held in Gaza currently. Biden told members of the press that his administration worked alongside the incoming Trump administration in order to get the deal done. 3:15pm- On Wednesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing to consider Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) for Secretary of State in the incoming Trump Administration. Rubio, who has served in the Senate since 2011, joked “it's a bit surreal to be on this side of the room.” 3:20pm- On Tuesday, Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee. At one point, Hegseth outlined his plan to eradicate “woke” ideology from the U.S. military—vowing to prioritize combat preparation and competency. Rich notes that President-elect Donald Trump has a unique opportunity to combat the out-of-control growth of the federal government—but his job will be made easier if he has his preferred cabinet. 3:30pm- Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey presented Donald Trump with a special “Commemorative Inaugural Diet Coke” bottle. Matt tells Rich that he HAS to get one of these bottles of Coke! 3:40pm- Politico is already predicting Marco Rubio, who is expected to be confirmed by the Senate, won't last long as Secretary of State because he doesn't mesh well with the “MAGA-agenda.” 4:05pm- On Wednesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing to consider Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) for Secretary of State in the incoming Trump Administration. During one notable moment, Rubio insisted that the United States needs to stop appeasing authoritarian China or there will be dire consequences. 4:15pm- Dr. Victoria Coates—Former Deputy National Security Advisor & the Vice President of the Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy at The Heritage Foundation—joins The Rich Zeoli Show and reacts to the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Dr. Coates is author of the book: “The Battle for the Jewish State: How Israel—and America—Can Win” which features a forward from Senator Ted Cruz. You can find the book here: https://a.co/d/iTMA4Vb. 4:30pm- Bob Livingston—Former United States Congressman & Founding Partner of The Livingston Group—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss his latest editorial for The Wall Street Journal, “A Letter to Merrick Garland.” Livingston writes: “Dear Mr. Attorney General, Your time in office won't run out a moment too soon. You will be remembered as a tool in the Democratic Party's strategy of misusing the Justice Department to visit injustice on innocent people with differing political views. I am a victim of your dysfunctional leadership, but unlike many of your targets, I have survived unscathed.” You can read the full editorial here: https://www.wsj.com/opinion/a-letter-to-merrick-garland-justice-department-investigation-unjust-lawfare-5ba52b42?mod=opinion_lead_pos5. 5:00pm- On Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a confirmation hearing for former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi who has been nominated to serve as U.S. Attorney General in the incoming Trump Administration. In her opening statement, Bondi pledged to “make America safe again.” 5:15pm- Senator Dave McCormick—United States Senator from Pennsylvania—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss the Senate confirmation hearings for President-elect Donald Trump's cabinet nominees and the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. 5:35pm- Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia—Serving as a Member of the New Jersey General Assembly for the 24th Legislative District—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to react to Governor Phil Murphy's State of the State Address where he notably proposed to ban ...

It's Thursday, January 16th, A.D. 2025. This is The Worldview in 5 Minutes heard on 125 radio stations and at www.TheWorldview.com.  I'm Adam McManus. (Adam@TheWorldview.com) By Jonathan Clark and Adam McManus Top 10 worst countries for persecution of Christians Open Doors US released their 2025 World Watch List yesterday. The report covers the 50 worst countries for the persecution of Christians. The ten worst countries are North Korea, Somalia, Yemen, Libya, Sudan, Eritrea, Nigeria, Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. Once again, North Korea tops the list for a 23rd year in a row. The report found 380 million Christians face high levels of persecution. That's one in seven believers worldwide. From October 2023 to September 2024, 4,476 Christians were killed for their faith, 4,744 Christians were detained, arrested, or sentenced for their faith, and 209,771 Christians were forced to leave their homes.   Hebrews 13:3 says, “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.” Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage exchange Israel and Hamas reportedly agreed to a ceasefire yesterday brokered by America, Egypt, and Qatar.  If successfully completed, the agreement would end 15 months of fighting.  The deal would begin with Hamas releasing 33 hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. The agreement also involves more humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip. Both President Joe Biden's administration and President-elect Donald Trump's team cooperated in making the agreement.  Biden removes Cuba from list of state sponsors of terrorism In other international news, President Biden announced that the United States would remove Cuba from its list of state sponsors of terrorism. It's one of Biden's last official acts before Trump takes office next Monday. However, the Trump administration may reverse the decision.  At this moment, Cuba has promised to release 553 prisoners, likely including people imprisoned during anti-government protests in 2021.  The agreement was brokered by the Catholic Church to secure the release of political prisoners.  Vatican's approval of sexual perversion Speaking of the Catholic Church, the Vatican approved a document in favor of sexually perverted lifestyles. The Italian Bishops' Conference published the document last Friday.  The provisions allow candidates for priesthood to have “homosexual tendencies.” However, priests are still required to live in celibacy.  Proverbs 25:26 says, “Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.” Biden awarded Pope Francis Presidential Medal of Freedom President Biden awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction to Pope Francis on Saturday.  It's the highest civilian award of the United States, and it's the first time Biden awarded the medal “with distinction.” The White House praised Pope Francis as being “unlike any who came before.” However, Fox News notes, “Francis, 88, has pushed to open the Church to the modern world since he took the helm in 2013. He has drawn criticism from some U.S. Catholics for his support of … positions that are contrary to Church teachings.” Marco Rubio: Emphasizing “national interest above all else is not isolationism.” Yesterday, Republican Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, whom Trump has nominated to be his Secretary of State, outlined his vision before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, reports CBS News. RUBIO: “We are once again called to create a free world out of the chaos. And this will not be easy. And it will be impossible without a strong and a confident America that engages in the world, putting our core national interests once again above all else. In Moscow, in Tehran, in Pyongyang, dictators, rogue states now sow chaos and instability and align with and they fund radical terror groups. And then they hide behind their veto power at the United Nations Security Council or the threats of nuclear war. “The post war global order is not just obsolete. It is now a weapon being used against us. Placing our core national interest above all else is not isolationism. It is the common sense realization that a foreign policy centered in our national interest is not some outdated relic.” Ted Cruz asked Trump's Attorney General, Pam Bondi, pick whether she would be fair In addition, Pam Bondi, the former Florida Attorney General, also appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee   She  vowed to end the weaponization of the Justice Department, saying her focus will be on reducing crime and upholding the law, reports CBS News. Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas opened his time this way. CRUZ: “I don't know that there is a more important position in this new administration than the position to which you have been nominated, Attorney General of the United States. Perhaps the most tragic legacy of the Biden-Harris administration has been the politicization and the weaponization of the United States Department of Justice. Joe Biden publicly mused and allowed the New York Times to report it, calling on Merrick Garland: ‘Why will he not prosecute Trump more quickly?'  Merrick Garland, sadly, he sat in that chair and promised to be apolitical, and he broke that promise almost the instant he walked into the Department of Justice. “If you look on the west pediment of the Supreme Court of the United States, just above the entrance, there's a simple, yet profound, four word phrase: ‘Equal justice under law.'  We have seen over the last four years a Department of Justice that systematically targeted the political opponents of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris and that systematically protected his friends and allies. I don't think there's an institution in America who has lost more respect from the American people than the FBI has in the last four years. “So, I want to start with just a very simple question, if you, [Pam Bondi], are confirmed as Attorney General, will you pledge to fairly and faithfully uphold the law regardless of party?” BONDI: “So help me, God!” CRUZ: “Amen. I want to be clear for folks at home, I don't want a Republican Department of Justice. I don't want a Democrat Department of Justice. I want a Department of Justice that follows the law, and I think the American people do too. That shouldn't be too much to expect.” Trump plans to create the External Revenue Service President-elect Donald Trump announced Tuesday that he plans to create a new agency to collect tariffs from foreign sources. He began by criticizing the Internal Revenue Service on Truth Social. He wrote, “For far too long, we have relied on taxing our Great People using the Internal Revenue Service.  … Through soft and pathetically weak Trade agreements, the American Economy has delivered growth and prosperity to the World, while taxing ourselves.”  Trump went on to say, “It is time for that to change. I am today announcing that I will create the EXTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE to collect our Tariffs, Duties, and all Revenue that come from Foreign sources.” 935 languages still need a Bible translation And finally, Wycliffe Global Alliance has published their 2024 Global Scripture Access Report. The report notes that there are 7,396 languages in the world spoken by at least 7.45 billion people. Currently, 756 languages have full Bibles, an increase of 20 languages from 2023. About 10% of all languages now have full Bibles, accounting for 6 billion people.   Additionally, the number of languages needing Bible translation to start is 985, down 283 from 2023. The total number of languages with at least some portion of Scripture has reached 3,756. That's about half of all languages and accounts for 7.3 billion people.  Isaiah 52:7 says, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, ‘Your God reigns.'” Close And that's The Worldview on this Thursday, January 16th, in the year of our Lord 2025. Subscribe by Amazon Music or by iTunes or email to our unique Christian newscast at www.TheWorldview.com. Or get the Generations app through Google Play or The App Store. I'm Adam McManus (Adam@TheWorldview.com). Seize the day for Jesus Christ.

To kick off 2025, Kelly talks with Richard Fontaine, CEO of the Center for New American Security, about his new report with the Council on Foreign Relations: No Limits? The China-Russia Relationship and U.S. Foreign Policy.  Richard is the chief executive officer of the Center for a New American Security. Prior to CNAS, Richard was a foreign policy advisor to Senator John McCain and served in the State Department and on the staff of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He also served as associate director for Near Eastern affairs at the National Security Council and worked on Southeast Asian issues in the NSC's Asian Affairs directorate. In 2024, Richard co-authored the Lost Decade: The U.S. Pivot to Asia and the Rise of Chinese Power, with Ambassador Robert Blackwill. Please find the book in our show notes, as well as a link to Robert and Richard's recent report. CFR | No Limits? The China-Russia Relationship and U.S. Foreign Policy: https://www.cfr.org/report/no-limits-china-russia-relationship-and-us-foreign-policy  The Lost Decade: https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Decade-Pivot-Chinese-Power/dp/0197677940 The opinions expressed in this conversation are strictly those of the participants and do not represent the views of Georgetown University or any government entity. Produced by Freddie Mallinson and Theo Malhotra. Recorded on January 10, 2025. Diplomatic Immunity, a podcast from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University, brings you frank and candid conversations with experts on the issues facing diplomats and national security decision-makers around the world. Funding support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. For more, visit our website, and follow us on Linkedin, Twitter @GUDiplomacy, and Instagram @isd.georgetown  

Today on Lawfare No Bull: On Jan. 15, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held the confirmation hearing of presumptive secretary of state nominee Marco Rubio. The Committee questioned Sen. Rubio about his views on U.S. relations with China, his support for Taiwan and Ukraine, humanitarian crises in Haiti and Sudan, the Israel-Gaza War, and more.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 1: 3:05pm- During a press briefing on Wednesday, President Joe Biden announced that Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire agreement which will take effect on Sunday. Under the agreement's terms, which still needs to be confirmed by the Israeli cabinet, Hamas will release 33 hostages—though, 100 are being held in Gaza currently. Biden told members of the press that his administration worked alongside the incoming Trump administration in order to get the deal done. 3:15pm- On Wednesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing to consider Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) for Secretary of State in the incoming Trump Administration. Rubio, who has served in the Senate since 2011, joked “it's a bit surreal to be on this side of the room.” 3:20pm- On Tuesday, Secretary of Defense nominee Pete Hegseth testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee. At one point, Hegseth outlined his plan to eradicate “woke” ideology from the U.S. military—vowing to prioritize combat preparation and competency. Rich notes that President-elect Donald Trump has a unique opportunity to combat the out-of-control growth of the federal government—but his job will be made easier if he has his preferred cabinet. 3:30pm- Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey presented Donald Trump with a special “Commemorative Inaugural Diet Coke” bottle. Matt tells Rich that he HAS to get one of these bottles of Coke! 3:40pm- Politico is already predicting Marco Rubio, who is expected to be confirmed by the Senate, won't last long as Secretary of State because he doesn't mesh well with the “MAGA-agenda.”

The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 2: 4:05pm- On Wednesday, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a hearing to consider Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) for Secretary of State in the incoming Trump Administration. During one notable moment, Rubio insisted that the United States needs to stop appeasing authoritarian China or there will be dire consequences. 4:15pm- Dr. Victoria Coates—Former Deputy National Security Advisor & the Vice President of the Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy at The Heritage Foundation—joins The Rich Zeoli Show and reacts to the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Dr. Coates is author of the book: “The Battle for the Jewish State: How Israel—and America—Can Win” which features a forward from Senator Ted Cruz. You can find the book here: https://a.co/d/iTMA4Vb. 4:30pm- Bob Livingston—Former United States Congressman & Founding Partner of The Livingston Group—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss his latest editorial for The Wall Street Journal, “A Letter to Merrick Garland.” Livingston writes: “Dear Mr. Attorney General, Your time in office won't run out a moment too soon. You will be remembered as a tool in the Democratic Party's strategy of misusing the Justice Department to visit injustice on innocent people with differing political views. I am a victim of your dysfunctional leadership, but unlike many of your targets, I have survived unscathed.” You can read the full editorial here: https://www.wsj.com/opinion/a-letter-to-merrick-garland-justice-department-investigation-unjust-lawfare-5ba52b42?mod=opinion_lead_pos5.

Guest John Eastman, attorney for Donald Trump and filmmaker of documentary "The Eastman Dilemma: Lawfare or Justice", joins to discuss the weaponization of the DOJ, attacks on Trump and those around him, reforming the DOJ, and latest confirmation hearings.  Senate Committee holds confirmation hearings for Pam Bondi. Discussion of Democrats scared of Trump...weaponizing the DOJ?  Senate Foreign Relations Committee holds confirmation for Marco Rubio. Discussion of the America First Vision, working with foreign nations, and more. 

Syria's Future Chris Murphy is a U.S. Senator from Connecticut. He has been in the Senate since 2013 and is part of the Democratic Party. He works on issues like gun control, health care, and foreign policy. Before joining the Senate, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2007 to 2013 and worked in Connecticut's state government. He became well-known after the Sandy Hook school shooting in Connecticut, where he pushed for stronger gun laws. He also speaks out for human rights and works on safety and international issues. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee is an important group in the U.S. Senate. It helps guide the country's foreign policy and relationships with other countries. The committee approves treaties, confirms U.S. ambassadors, and plans foreign aid. It also discusses laws about global issues like security, human rights, and trade. Started in 1816, it is one of the oldest Senate committees. The committee has 21 members and focuses on how the U.S. works with the rest of the world. ISIS • : A group called the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. They are known for using violence and terrorism. • : ISIS is a dangerous group that has hurt many people. ISIL • : Another name for ISIS, meaning the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant. • : Some people call ISIS “ISIL” because the Levant is another name for the region they talk about. Play out • : To happen or develop in a certain way. • : Many nations are waiting to see how the situation will play out in Syria. Chemical weapons • : Dangerous weapons that use chemicals to harm or kill people. • : Using chemical weapons is against international law. Weapons of Mass Destruction • : Very powerful weapons that can kill many people at once, like nuclear or chemical weapons. • : The government is trying to stop the spread of weapons of mass destruction. The jury is still out • : People do not know the final answer or decision yet. • : The jury is still out on whether the plan will work. Extremist groups • : Groups that believe in very extreme ideas and may use violence to support their beliefs. • : Extremist groups can be dangerous to the safety of others. Take them at their word • : To believe what someone says without questioning it. • : The teacher took him at his word when he said he finished his homework. Inclusive • : Making sure everyone is included and treated equally. • : The school is very inclusive and welcomes students from all cultures. Arab • : A person from Arab countries, like Egypt, Iraq, or Saudi Arabia. 200 million people. 20 Different countries • : Many Arab countries are located in the Middle East. Self-governance • : When a group or country makes its own rules and decisions. • : The people fought for self-governance and independence. To have a voice • : To be able to share opinions and be heard. • : It is important for everyone to have a voice in the meeting. Leverage • : Power or an advantage that helps someone get what they want. • : He used his experience as leverage to get the job.

In this week's episode of One Decision, host Christina Ruffini speaks with Democratic United States Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee. They spoke from his office in Washington D.C. about various foreign policy challenges, including the war in Ukraine, the future of Syria and other countries affected by the Arab Spring, and the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. Van Hollen says President Biden hasn't leveraged American influence effectively regarding Israel's handling of the war and shares his perspective on how the incoming Trump administration might approach Israel and Netanyahu's government. Plus, co-host and former United States Secretary of Defense and former CIA Director Leon Panetta shares memories of former US President Jimmy Carter and what his real legacy will be.

On today's program: Pete Ricketts, U.S. Senator and Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, discusses President Trump's recent comments on Greenland, Panama, and Canada, as well as President Biden's decision to release 11 terrorists from

Dr Stephen Zunes Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair Offers Window Into Corruption Underlying U.S. Foreign Policy3 days agoDr. Stephen Zunes is a Professor of Politics and International Studies at the University of San Francisco, where he served as founding director of the program in Middle Eastern Studies. Recognized as one the country's leading scholars of U.S. Middle East policy and of strategic nonviolent action, Professor Zunes has served as a senior policy analyst for Foreign Policy in Focus project of the Institute for Policy Studies, an associate editor of Peace Review, and a contributing editor of Tikkun until June 2024. Dr. Zunes served May-June as 2024 Torgny Segerstedt Visiting Research Professor at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-opperman-report--1198501/support.

Omar Alshogre, refugee, public speaker, and project manager with the Syrian Emergency Task Force, shares the wrenching story of his three years as a political prisoner in the worst of Syria's prisons. He discusses the role that extortion plays there, simultaneously delegitimizing the regime further and propping it up financially.   Episode resources:  Mentioned at (00:33): The Syrian Emergency Task Force Mentioned at (00:45): Omar's testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, 11 March 2020   This episode was originally published on 9 June 2021.

Today on America in the Morning   Trump Grows His Cabinet The leadership staff of the incoming Donald Trump administration is starting to take shape. Reports indicate that Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is expected to serve as Secretary of State, and Florida Congressman Michael Waltz will become national security advisor. After naming the first woman to ever serve as White House Chief of Staff, correspondent Clayton Neville reports there were more names added to the cabinet.    House Close To GOP Control Although not yet official, Republicans are now seen likely to retain the majority in the House of Representatives, giving the GOP a clean sweep of Congress and the White House.     Bullets Hit Spirit Airlines Flight There was danger in the skies when a Spirit Airlines passenger jet was diverted away from Haiti's capital city after it was struck by gunfire from the ground, suspending all American carriers into the island nation. Katie Clark has details.     Biden Leads Veterans Remembrance President Joe Biden went to Arlington National Cemetery for the last time as Commander-in-Chief to honor Veterans Day. Correspondent Shelley Adler reports.    Tuskegee Shooting Arrest Tuskegee University has closed its campus to outsiders and fired its security director after the Homecoming shooting over the weekend. Correspondent Julie Walker reports an arrest has been made- audio courtesy WAKA-TV Selma, Alabama.   Wildfires Burning A major wildfire continues to burn in California, but a number of fires are impacting parts of New Jersey and New York. Correspondent Jackie Quinn reports.    Wisconsin Abortion Case The Wisconsin Supreme Court heard arguments in an attempt to reactivate the state's total abortion ban. Sheboygan County's Republican district attorney asked the court to reinstitute a law passed in 1849.     Rubio To Join Trump Cabinet The next cabinet for President-elect Donald Trump is starting to take shape, with several appoints made, including a Border Czar, and former New York Congressman Lee Zeldin to lead the EPA. Senator Marco Rubio is expected to named Secretary of State, and Congressman Michael Waltz will become national security advisor. As correspondent Jackie Quinn reports.     Senate Leadership Vote Coming Senate Republicans look to elect a new leader this week while President-Elect Trump is yet to endorse any of the candidates. Correspondent Clayton Neville reports.     COP-29 Begins The new president of U.N climate talks has opened the COP-29 summit in Azerbaijan with a stern warning, and an urgent need for money. Correspondent Charles de Ledesma reports this may also be the last time, for the time being, that an American delegation will take part.    Delphi Murder Verdict There was a guilty verdict in the double murder trial of an Indiana man accused of killing two teenagers nearly 8 years ago. Pamela Furr has the story.    Football Coach Fired A former NFL player-turned-college coach is out of a job after his arrest over the weekend for drinking and driving. Correspondent Gethin Coolbaugh reports.     Sarandon Claims Blacklisting If you haven't seen Susan Sarandon in a starring role lately, there may be a reason. The Oscar-winning actress is claiming she has been blacklisted by Hollywood over her remarks about Jewish people at anti-Israel rallies last year.      Auto Issues A large number of Honda and Acura vehicles are being investigated for engine issues. Correspondent Rita Foley reports.     Tech News The price of bitcoin does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon, but some investors are not all that happy about it. Here's Chuck Palm with today's tech report.    Finally   New York City held its 105th Veterans Day Parade, considered the largest in the nation with over 20,000 participants marching up the city's iconic Fifth Avenue. Correspondent Julie Walker has the highlights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump is back. Kamala Harris is promising a smooth transition. To say the US is in a different political universe to 4 years ago – is an understatement. How has this extraordinary comeback happened? Why has America returned to Trump? And what happens next?In Washington DC, David Speers talks to Lester Munson, a 25-year Capitol Hill veteran, most recently as Staff Director of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, about how Trump stormed back into the White House. 

As election day nears, Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, are zeroing in on Pennsylvania, which has the largest Jewish community among the battleground states. Aaron Troodler, editor of the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent, breaks down what's influencing Jewish voter sentiment in Pennsylvania, from economic and social issues to the U.S.-Israel relationship amid rising antisemitism and Israel's defensive war against Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah.  AJC is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization. AJC neither supports nor opposes candidates for elective office. The views and opinions expressed by guests do not necessarily reflect the views or position of AJC. Listen – AJC Podcasts: The Forgotten Exodus: with Hen Mazzig, Einat Admony, and more. People of the Pod:  Sinwar Eliminated: What Does This Mean for the 101 Hostages Still Held by Hamas? From Doña Gracia to Deborah Lipstadt: What Iconic Jewish Women Can Teach Us Today The Nova Music Festival Survivor Saved by an 88-Year-Old Holocaust Survivor Follow People of the Pod on your favorite podcast app, and learn more at AJC.org/PeopleofthePod You can reach us at: peopleofthepod@ajc.org If you've appreciated this episode, please be sure to tell your friends, and rate and review us on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. __ Transcript of Conversation with Aaron Troodler: Manya Brachear Pashman:   It's the home stretch leading up to election day for the presidential campaigns of Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump and Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris. And both campaigns see Jewish voters in seven swing states as key to a potential victory. These seven swing states are swarming with canvassers, knocking on doors, handing out literature and engaging undecided voters in critical conversations.  Joining us for a critical conversation about the Jewish vote in one of those swing states is Aaron Troodler, editor of The Philadelphia Exponent and The Washington Jewish Week.  Aaron, welcome to People of the Pod. Aaron Troodler:   Thank you, Manya, it's a pleasure to be here. Manya Brachear Pashman:   Aaron, you live in the Philadelphia area and have your finger on the political pulse there. Everyone's talking about the impact of Pennsylvania's voters. What makes Pennsylvania so key?  Aaron Troodler:   So I think they're going to have a very significant influence. There are a lot of people saying these days that the path to the presidency runs through Pennsylvania, and I do think that there's a degree of truth to that.  But in fact, I believe that the path to the presidency may very well run through the Jewish community, not just in Pennsylvania, but more specifically, in the greater Philadelphia area. Manya Brachear Pashman:   How much of an influence are they going to have in this election? Aaron Troodler:   Ballpark, the Jewish population in Pennsylvania is estimated somewhere between 400,000, a little bit north of that figure. Of that 400,000 and change, it's estimated that approximately 300,000 or so are of voting age. And when you take into account that in 2020, Joe Biden beat then-President Donald Trump only by about 80,000 votes cast in Pennsylvania.  And then, if you look back to 2016, Donald Trump won by only about 44,000 votes. We're talking about very slim margins here, and the outsized influence of the greater Jewish community is really going to shine through in this election. Manya Brachear Pashman:   Now, are you talking about Philadelphia city proper, or suburban Philadelphia? Is there a difference in how the two vote?  Aaron Troodler:   Great question, Manya, focusing primarily on suburban Pennsylvania. You have, for example, in 2019, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia–and I know this goes back five years, but it's the most recent data we have–did a population study, a community profile. And they looked at basically five counties, give or take, including Philadelphia County, which includes the city, but also 4 suburban counties: Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery.  And approximately at that point– again, dating back five years–but there are approximately 195,000 Jewish households at the time. And that number has grown over the past several years. I won't be able to really quantify it, because we don't have the actual data, but it's a significant number.  And you know, when you take into account that Pennsylvania's Fourth Congressional District, which is represented by Madeleine Dean, it's mostly Montgomery County, which is suburban Philadelphia County. It's got the largest Jewish population in the state, in terms of congressional districts. It's very significant.  And then the second largest is Pennsylvania's first congressional district, which is represented by Brian Fitzpatrick. And again, there are about 40,000 Jewish adults in that district. 54,000 or so, give or take, in the Montgomery County area. We're talking about big numbers.  And I think what's happening now is just by virtue of where we are as a Jewish community, whether it be antisemitism, and being very cognizant of the frightening rise of antisemitism, whether it be on college campuses, city streets, social media platforms. People are very mindful of that, and rightfully so.  And then when you throw into the equation the current situation involving Israel and the reverberations felt around the world just resulting from the Israel-Hamas war post-October 7, the Jewish community, I think, is mobilized now, perhaps even more than ever, to make their voices heard. And to do that, they would be going and voting and making their voices heard through their choices in the election. Manya Brachear Pashman:   You just mentioned the rise of antisemitism. What issues are guiding the Jewish vote? Because I know in years past, concerns about the economy have really steered the Jewish vote. Is that still true in the 2024 election? Aaron Troodler:   It's an interesting point you raise Manya, because I think historically, the Jewish community, and I'm over-generalizing by saying the Jewish community. Obviously, it's comprised of several denominations who historically have had potentially different political leanings. But I think a lot of the domestic issues, whether it be the economy, reproductive rights, taxes, immigration, I mean, I think all these things are on people's radar screens.  However, I think there is a particular emphasis now on Israel. I think that is front and center. I know historically in the Orthodox community, that has been the case. I think that has carried over to the conservative community, the reform community, other communities. And I think the survival of the Jewish state and the health and strength of the US-Israel relationship is paramount to Jewish voters. Not to the exclusion of the other issues that we're talking about on the domestic front.  But I think people are viewing this election through a different lens, just by virtue of the circumstances that we're discussing, that our brethren in Israel are facing. And I think that is really informing people's votes, whether it be for Kamala Harris or Donald Trump. And that's a whole other conversation we could have, but I think that that really is front and center, maybe not the sole factor, but most certainly a primary factor.  Manya Brachear Pashman:   So how does that translate? I mean, many believe that the Biden administration has been quite supportive of Israel. Others believe it has not been supportive enough. Aaron Troodler:   Right. Well, I think the answer depends on who you ask. I think there is a very strong case to be made that the Biden administration and Kamala Harris was obviously a pivotal part of that administration, has been supportive of Israel, and I think there's a lot of conversation that centers around President Biden's response and reaction to October 7, particularly in the immediate aftermath of the Hamas attacks, and how he handled it at that time. I think on the other side of the equation you have people pointing to Donald Trump's presidency and saying, Hey, he perhaps might be the best president that the Jewish community, slash Israel, has ever had, just by virtue of some of the things he did while he was in office.  I think this is all leading to a very spirited debate, a very robust conversation about people who feel very passionate, you know, A or B. And I don't know that there's all that much consensus. I think people that are supportive of Kamala Harris are adamant and positive that she will be best for Israel. And conversely, people who are on the other side of the coin and feel that Donald Trump is their chosen candidate are making the same choice for Donald Trump.  So I don't know that there's a particular answer to that question, but I do firmly believe that that has become a defining issue for the Jewish community. And it's just remarkable to me that people, perhaps I'm over generalizing, you know, 50% of the population is saying, you know, she is absolutely, unquestionably, the best friend that we've had and will have, and then you have the same people saying similar things about Donald Trump.  So it's hard to quantify, but I do think that it has really, really become pervasive, meaning the notion of Israel and the central role that is playing this election, it's absolutely pivotal. And people are, I think, are really making their choices on who to support based on their assessment of those issues.  Manya Brachear Pashman:   Just to clarify, you said the same people are saying that about Trump. You meant the same percentage of people, right? Aaron Troddler:   Correct, give or take. The Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) has done a poll, and they found, you know, over 70% of the Jewish community is supporting Kamala Harris, as opposed to 20-25% for Donald Trump. You have polls, you have data from the Republican Jewish Coalition that shows that half the voters are supporting Donald Trump. These figures are bouncing around. I mean, obviously we've seen in the past polls definitely have value to them, but I think the real test, the real result, won't be really known until election day. Manya Brachear Pashman:   You mentioned denominational differences, but what about generational differences? Are younger Jewish voters leaning toward a particular candidate, or toward particular issues that are different than the ones that concern older voters? Aaron Troodler:   Great question. I'm personally not seeing it. I have young adult children, let's call them, who are invested in terms of who they're voting for. You have people that I encounter that are on the opposite end of the spectrum, perhaps in their golden years, who are very opinionated in terms of who they want to vote for.  I think what's, you know, an interesting thing here, and again, it's not really, I don't know if it's quantifiable by denomination. But I think another thing that is important to mention, Manya, is, you still have, I know we're only several days prior to election day. There's still a healthy amount of people that are, I think, truly undecided. I think a lot of people, particularly in the Jewish community, that I've spoken with and encountered, are really torn.  In Pennsylvania we are getting an absolute barrage of campaign mail, TV ads, canvassers knocking on doors. There's a lot of that, particularly in the Philadelphia suburbs, and a good amount of those, again, I know they're targeting the Jewish community, focus on Israel and antisemitism. And you look at a piece of mail for one particular candidate, and it makes it sound like the other one is the devil. And then flip the coin and it's the opposite for the other candidate. I think people are really trying to cut through the noise and get to the heart of the matter and make their own assessment. You can't really focus on the demographics in terms of age and whatnot.  I think it's an across the board issue that people are focusing on. The people who are pro-Trump are pro-Trump, the people who are pro-Harris are pro-Harris, and then you have this whole sliver in the middle that I think are truly undecided. Even with the election looming large. Manya Brachear Pashman:   Is that just because they're getting conflicting messages, and they're just easily swayed one way or the other, and therefore they're torn, or are they waiting for something? Are they waiting for some deciding factor to reveal itself? Aaron Troodler:   I'm actually not sure if it's either. I don't know that they're waiting for something per se, because if they are, that quote, unquote thing may never come and they have to make a determination. I do feel that there are some in the Jewish community, and I think the Harris campaign has acknowledged this in events that they've had featuring the Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, who obviously is Jewish, who would become the first Jewish first spouse.  But there's been an acknowledgement by renowned and well known surrogates of the Harris campaign that there are some reservations in the Jewish community. They're not giving credence to those hesitations that people might have, in terms of Kamala Harris and her position on Israel, or what that might look like. They're just acknowledging that it's there, and they recognize that they have to speak to that issue.  I think on the flip side of the coin, you have people who are looking at Donald Trump, and say, oh he moved the embassy to Jerusalem, and he recognized Israel's sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and he said that the settlements in the West Bank are not illegal, you know, per se under international law. And people are looking at those and they say, Wow, he did some great stuff.  And then those same people may look at Donald Trump as a candidate and say, Is he the best person for our country? And that's a determination that they're trying to make, and I think are having a lot of trouble doing so just because of the different packed factors that are kind of pulling and tugging at them in different directions.  Manya Brachear Pashman:   I want to go back to the Israel-Hamas war. What about that war are people thinking about when it comes to supporting a candidate? In other words, are they looking at the 101 hostages that are still in captivity, and what the candidates are saying, or how they're treating that situation? Or are they looking at humanitarian aid issues when it comes to Gaza? What are they looking at? Aaron Troodler:   Manya, I think they're looking at all of that, and I think that's all factoring into the equation and the decision making process. And this is where I believe the vice president might be at a little bit of a disadvantage, because she's a prominent member of the current administration, whereas Donald Trump is no longer the president at the moment. And so they're looking at actions of the administration and parsing each move and each statement. And whether or not that moves the needle, I don't know. But I do think that she has a harder hurdle to overcome vis a vis those issues, because people are really looking at statements that she's made, whether it be about the humanitarian aid that you referred to reaching Gaza and the need for that to happen. People are looking to statements that the President, perhaps, has made relative to Israel and their response. And on and off over the past year, there have been a number of times when, reportedly, the US has cautioned Israel or advised Israel not to proceed down a certain path. There's been talk about weapon shipments and delays and stuff of that nature. And I think all of those are issues that Kamala Harris has to contend with, just by virtue of association.  And I think there's a lot of folks in the community saying, you know, what would a Harris presidency look like? You know, we know what a Trump presidency looks like vis a vis Israel. What would the Harris presidency look like?  I will say, you know, the President, the Vice President, has seemingly been very supportive of Israel on the issue of antisemitism. Obviously, the National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism that was unveiled by this current administration was heralded by people as a very necessary move. And I know, obviously the Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, was intimately involved in that as well.  All those things, I think, are factoring into people's decision making process. It's a very complicated decision for many people. And I think that's really something that the Vice President is, I think trying to work through. How does she carve out her own path, and what does that path look like? Manya Brachear Pashman:   How influential is Pennsylvania's Jewish Governor Josh Shapiro in this race? Aaron Troodler:   So the saga of Josh Shapiro is obviously well known at this point. He's a governor who wears his Judaism on his sleeve, very proud of it. Will often quote passages relating to Jewish thought. He talks openly about his Shabbat observances and celebrations with his family. And obviously he was seemingly, reportedly, on the cusp of the vice presidency.  I think what's interesting about Josh Shapiro, aside from his religion, is that he's universally well liked, let's call it. I think his appeal throughout Pennsylvania, it does transcend party lines in many places, just by virtue of his approach to government, his commitment to bipartisanship, and how he's been as a governor. I think there's a lot of appeal. I think the fact that he's become a primary surrogate for the Harris campaign across the country, quite frankly, but more particularly in Pennsylvania. I think people look at that, I think there's certainly a segment of the population that was definitely holding out hope that he might end up as the Vice President of the United States. But I think that you know his willingness to go out on the trail and to and to stump for Kamala Harris and to try and speak about her bona fides as a candidate, and her strengths and what she could do for the country and her vision. I think people are taking note of that, particularly the Jewish community. Whether that will sway everybody to a particular candidate, I don't know. But I definitely do know that people are taking notice of it because people are speaking about it in a favorable way. Manya Brachear Pashman:   What is he saying when he stumps for her? What is he saying to get out all those voters?  Aaron Troodler:   Well, he's trying to paint her as basically, not just the best choice, but the only choice. Obviously, he, I guess it's no secret. I don't think he's really a fan of Donald Trump, and I don't think he pulls any punches when it comes to that regard. But I think in Josh Shapiro's mind, the governor really firmly believes that the Vice President is the best person to lead this country forward.  And I think when you when you factor in all the issues, for example, we talked about domestic issues at the outset of the conversation, when you look at all those issues, and you don't only make it about Israel, there's a thought that perhaps Kamala Harris is that person, and that's the message that Josh Shapiro's trying to convey.  You know, obviously Trump supporters look at that and shake their heads, because they don't buy into that. But I think in terms of the case that he's trying to make to the voters, particularly to Jewish voters, it is a compelling case, because he's a compelling messenger. Manya Brachear Pashman:   You talked about canvassers being all over Pennsylvania, especially the greater Philadelphia area. Can you paint a scene for our listeners? I mean, do you see teams of people walking the streets? Have people knocked on your doors, rung your doorbell? Tell me what kind of things you're seeing. What you see day to day in Greater Philadelphia. Aaron Troodler:   I think I can probably measure the amount of canvassers by the number of door hangers that have been left on my front door over the past several months. There's a huge effort. You have people coming from different states. All descending on Pennsylvania. And there is a particular emphasis on the Jewish community, particularly in suburban Philadelphia.  I was covering an event for the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent a number of weeks ago, where Doug Emhoff came and was the featured speaker at a Get Out The Jewish [Vote] event in a Philadelphia suburb. Ben Stiller was there, the well known actor. Senator Ben Cardin, who is the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, came up from Maryland. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the congresswoman from Florida, was there.  It's a full blown effort on the part of both campaigns to try and cultivate the Jewish vote, try to generate more Jewish support. Both sides of the coin. I think you know, the Republican Jewish Coalition has put a very significant emphasis on this election, whether it be through ads, whether it be through surrogates, whether it be through the canvassers, they're everywhere.  And I think I think it's good. I think it's not only does it underscore the importance of Philadelphia's Jewish community in in an election that literally has national implications, but it enables people. When somebody knocks on your door, if you answer the door, you can engage in a dialogue. Obviously they are slanted to a particular candidate, whether it be Kamala Harris or Donald Trump, and that's fine, but it gives voters who perhaps are still undecided at this point the opportunity to have a conversation with the folks who are knocking on their doors about the issues that are important to them.  But I think just by virtue of the sheer number of canvassers who have been kind of traversing our neighborhoods over the past several weeks, I think it's indicative of the outsized role that Philadelphia's Jewish community's playing in the presidential election. Manya Brachear Pashman:   You mentioned Governor Shapiro is kind of a surrogate for the Harris-Walz campaign. Does the Trump campaign have a surrogate in Pennsylvania or in the Philadelphia area? Aaron Troodler:   So they have people who are coming around. There's Peter Deutsch, who's a former congressman from Florida, who's a democratic congressman from Florida, came up to not just Pennsylvania, but the greater Philadelphia area, in particular, to spend several weeks. I know he was here over the Sukkot holiday. You know, they are bringing folks in because they're trying to make the case to people that look, you know, when it comes to the issues that you, the Jewish community, cares about, Donald Trump's your man.  And they are doing that, and they're trying to do it in a way that will resonate with people. And we mentioned some high profile people on the Democratic side. You know there are people on the Republican side, whether it's Congressman Deutsch, other people are coming in. The RJC has been very active in the community recently.  And in addition to official campaign surrogates, you know you have conversations happening in synagogues, you know, community institutions, where regular folks are conversing with one another. So each campaign, in addition to the, let's call them the official surrogates, you have these armies of unofficial surrogates who are talking with one another and trying to convince their peers to vote for a particular candidate. And with all the holidays that we just had on the Jewish calendar, spent a lot of time in shul, in the synagogue, and there's a lot of folks talking about the presidential election. And I'll tell you, quite frankly, there's no consensus. There are people that are absolutely pro-Trump, and they're people that are absolutely pro-Harris. And I think those folks are trying to impart to what's called the undecided people, their feelings about the campaign and their particular candidates.  Manya Brachear Pashman:   I do want to clarify for listeners, Peter Deutsch should not be confused with Ted Deutch, AJC CEO, who has not been in Pennsylvania canvassing as a surrogate for either candidate. It's a different Deutsch. But what about rabbis? How involved are rabbis getting into this campaign? How involved have they been in these conversations? Aaron Troodler:   So it's interesting. Whenever you broach the topic of politics from the pulpit, it becomes very tricky. Obviously, there's 501(c)(3) status considerations and stuff of that nature that I think rabbis are always mindful of. So what they talk about from the pulpit and how they talk about it is usually done very carefully and deliberately. That all being said, there's no question that maybe, behind the scenes, let's call it, rabbis, have very distinct opinions about this.  How that will sway congregants in their respective congregations, it's hard to know. But I do think, I think because rabbis have spent so much time over the past year, post-October 7, talking about these issues of Israel's security and survival and the things that we need to do to help Israel, this is just another step in that process. Obviously, the next President of the United States is going to play a pivotal role in Israel's future and Israel's security.  The relationship between the US and Israel is paramount, and Israel depends heavily on the United States, whether it be for the military aid, strategic aid and cooperation. And on the other side of the coin, the United States relies on Israel for many national and security considerations.  But I think because rabbis have spent so much time talking about that stuff, it's top of mind for everybody. It's at the forefront of all of our minds. And whether or not they get up from the pulpit and endorse a particular candidate, I'm not sure that's going to happen in most situations, but there's no question that rabbis are trying to convey to their congregants the importance of ensuring that Israel has a strong friend and ally in the White House. Manya Brachear Pashman:   Aaron, thank you so much for joining us and shedding a little light on what's going on in your neck of the woods.  Aaron Troodler:   Of course Manya, thank you so much for having me. It was a pleasure chatting with you.  Manya Brachear Pashman:   If you missed last week's episode, be sure to tune in for a conversation with AJC Jerusalem Director Lt. Col. Avital Leibovich, and AJC Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer, Jason Isaacson, about the Israeli Defense Force's elimination of Yahya Sinwar, the architect of the October 7 terror attacks. 

Joining us is Nicholas Ma to discuss his documentary 'Leap of Faith' (2024), which follows twelve diverse Christian leaders from Grand Rapids, Michigan, as they gather for a series of retreats led by Michael Gulker, organizer of a project called the Colossian Forum. Over a year, these pastors—five women and seven men from various denominations and with differing beliefs and approaches—engage in deep conversations on divisive issues, exploring perspectives shaped by their faith and experiences. We witness moments of deep pain and frustration as their views clash, but we're also there for the discovery of surprising points of connection.Nicholas collaborated on the film with longtime partner Morgan Neville; the duo also made the great Fred Rogers documentary, 'Won't You Be My Neighbor?'. An award-winning director, writer, and producer, Nicholas's work includes the WNBA documentary 'Unfinished Business' and his feature debut 'Mabel,' which was awarded the Sloan Prize. A former DOC NYC fellow and Film Independent Fellow, he also previously worked on global economic policy on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.Actual Facts is hosted by Eric SteuerSend us a note: actualfactspod@gmail.comTheme music by Yalls: https://www.dancasey.me/'Leap of Faith': https://leapoffaithmovie.com/MovieMaker Magazine: https://www.moviemaker.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joining us is Nicholas Ma to discuss his documentary 'Leap of Faith' (2024), which follows twelve diverse Christian leaders from Grand Rapids, Michigan, as they gather for a series of retreats led by Michael Gulker, organizer of a project called the Colossian Forum. Over a year, these pastors—five women and seven men from various denominations and with differing beliefs and approaches—engage in deep conversations on divisive issues, exploring perspectives shaped by their faith and experiences. We witness moments of deep pain and frustration as their views clash, but we're also there for the discovery of surprising points of connection.Nicholas collaborated on the film with longtime partner Morgan Neville; the duo also made the great Fred Rogers documentary, 'Won't You Be My Neighbor?'. An award-winning director, writer, and producer, Nicholas's work includes the WNBA documentary 'Unfinished Business' and his feature debut 'Mabel,' which was awarded the Sloan Prize. A former DOC NYC fellow and Film Independent Fellow, he also previously worked on global economic policy on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.Actual Facts is hosted by Eric SteuerSend us a note: actualfactspod@gmail.comTheme music by Yalls: https://www.dancasey.me/'Leap of Faith': https://leapoffaithmovie.com/MovieMaker Magazine: https://www.moviemaker.com/

Rushan Abbas is a Uyghur American activist and advocate from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in China. She is the founder and executive director of the nonprofit Campaign for Uyghurs. Abbas became one of the most prominent Uyghur voices in international activism following her sister's detainment by the Chinese government in 2018. She testified in 2019 before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in regard to the emergence of concentration camps in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, and the threat of Chinese power in the Eastern Pacific. She has also testified before the House of Representatives on international religious persecution, forced labor, and human rights abuses as they relate to Uyghurs.

Herman Pirchner is the president of the American Foreign Policy Council, which was founded back in 1982 in Washington to provide some well thought out perspectives on foreign policy questions. In 1982, Herman was the president of the American Foreign Policy Council, and today more than forty years later he remains as the president of this important and distinguished group. Herman has held other significant positions as well, senior Senate staff, and as director of the national security team advising former presidential candidate and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. The AFPC, the American Foreign Policy Council, also publishes a great deal of material from is senior fellows and senior management in the form of monographs and books and shorter papers for briefings. Herman has hosted hundreds of delegations from foreign countries to come to the United States to meet senior American political leaders. And likewise, he has sent these senior American political leaders to foreign countries to meet with their peers. He did this for quite a few years in China, and likewise in Russia, and has done it for the last 10 years in Ukraine, a country with which he is very familiar, and to which he has traveled often. Herman has also written a good deal. Two of his books particularly pertain to the topic. One was a work in 2004, which shows the kind of prescience that Herman exercises or possesses, Reviving Greater Russia: The Future of Russia's Borders with Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, and Ukraine. He is also the author of Post Putin: Succession, Stability, and Russia's Future, which is also available in Russian and Ukrainian. Stephen Bryen has also held senior Senate staff positions, including for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and he has excelled in both the private sector and the government sector. For many years he was one of the senior civilian employees at the Department of Defense, a position in which he gained the highest award given by the Department of Defense to civilians, not once but twice. I am speaking of the Distinguished Service Medal. Dr. Bryen is particularly expert on technology and strategy, and as such has been contributing to other Westminster shows on China, Japan, Taiwan, as well as on Russia and Ukraine. I should also mention that he was the executive director of a grassroots political organization, the head of the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs, and in the Pentagon he served as Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Trade Security Policy. Dr. Bryen is also a frequent contributor on foreign policy matters in his own column, which appears usually a couple of times weekly, in which he gives his sometimes unique perspective on the burning questions of the day, including Russia and Ukraine, so we are delighted he is also back here with us to further debate the future of Ukraine.

Original air date: October 20, 2023 Senator Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee subcommittee on the Middle East. In this exclusive one-on-one conversation, he discusses the President's funding request for Ukraine and Israel, the recent trip of President Biden to Israel, the risks associated with the conflict between Israel and Hamas including the risk of escalation and the broader issue of what America's role and priorities in the region ought to be. It's a must-listen podcast. Join us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Original air date: October 20, 2023 Senator Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee subcommittee on the Middle East. In this exclusive one-on-one conversation, he discusses the President's funding request for Ukraine and Israel, the recent trip of President Biden to Israel, the risks associated with the conflict between Israel and Hamas including the risk of escalation and the broader issue of what America's role and priorities in the region ought to be. It's a must-listen podcast. Join us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was fun seeing Fox Butterfield, the first New York Times correspondent in China since 1949, in Portland, Oregon back in July. I last visited Portland in 2022, and you never quite get over the sight of Mount Hood dominating the horizon on a clear summer day in its awesome fashion.Fox welcomed me to his home, perched on a small hill in a modestly upscale suburb. A history enthusiast, he has lived through and witnessed some of the most pivotal moments in modern history: from meeting Harry Truman as a teenager with his grandfather, to studying under John Fairbank, the progenitor of Chinese studies in America, to reporting on the Vietnam War and helping expose the Pentagon Papers, which earned him a Pulitzer Prize. Though trained as a China specialist, he only began his reporting inside China in the late '70s, culminating in his book China: Alive in the Bitter Sea. This bestseller set a benchmark for generations of China correspondents. Later in his career, Fox shifted his focus to domestic issues of race and crime, writing acclaimed works like All God's Children and In My Father's House.Talking to Fox was a breeze. I was pleasantly surprised that his spoken Chinese remains impressively sharp — his tones and pronunciations are still spot-on. Of course, we did most of our chatting in English. This piece will explore his early experiences, particularly his family background, his time at Harvard, and his reporting during the Vietnam War. While the bulk of the piece may not focus directly on China, it offers a glimpse into the intellectual formation of one of America's most prominent China watchers and how both domestic and global forces shape U.S. perceptions of China.Enjoy!LeoIndexSeeing China with Joe Biden and John McCain in the 70sCyrus Eaton, Lenin Prize and family legacy in Cold War“Rice Paddies”, and studying under John Fairbank at HarvardFrom Pentagon Papers to VietnamReporting on the frontlines in Vietnam Seeing China with Joe Biden and John McCain in the 70sCould you talk about your first trip to China?I was the Hong Kong correspondent for The New York Times from 1975 to 1979 because that's where we covered China in those days. I couldn't go to China until 1978, when I attended the Canton Trade Fair. That was my first trip to China; I can barely remember it.My second trip to China was much more memorable. In 1979, when the U.S. and China were about to normalize relations, China invited the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to visit, and I was invited as a New York Times correspondent. In those days, China had a shortage of hotel rooms, at least for foreigners, so they made everybody room with somebody else. The Chinese government assigned me to room with the naval liaison to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who was a Navy captain named John McCain.For two weeks, John McCain and I were roommates. We had breakfast, lunch, and dinner together and traveled everywhere. McCain's best friend on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee was Joe Biden. So, the three of us did almost everything together for two weeks. That one is easy to remember. What was your impression of Joe Biden?Joe Biden was a nice man, very earnest, but he was a typical career politician that when he approached somebody, he always grabbed them by the hand. He was tall, had a strong handshake, and would give them a big smile and grab their hands. He kept doing this to the Chinese, who didn't really know what was going on because they're not used to being touched that way, especially not somebody almost breaking their hand.So I finally said to him, “Senator.” And he'd say, “No, call me Joe.” I said, “Okay, Joe, please don't grab Chinese by the hand. It's kind of rude and offensive to them, and they don't understand it.” He would say, “Well, why not?” And I said, “Because that's not their custom.” He'd say, “Okay, thank you very much.” And then, five minutes later, he'd do the same thing over and over again.John McCain and I became good friends, especially because I had seen McCain in prison in Hanoi when I first started working for The New York Times, and we bonded over that shared history during our trip to China. They allowed me to go into his prison in 1969, and I was the first reporter to find out that John McCain was still alive when his jet fighter was shot down over Hanoi.I saw him then and as roommates 10 years later in China. We had a great time, and I would take him out and say, “Let's sneak away from our handlers and see how Chinese really live and what they really say.” We just went out and talked to people, and he thought this was a lot of fun.“He said something straightforward and obvious, but I had never thought about it. He said China is the oldest country in the world with by far the largest population. It's a big, important place.”That's a wonderful tale. What made you initially interested in China?When I was a sophomore at Harvard as an undergraduate in 1958, there was a fear that the United States was going to have to go to war with China over those two little islands, which Americans call ‘Quemoy' and ‘Matsu' and Chinese people call ‘Jinmen' and ‘Mazu'.America's leading sinologist and Harvard professor of Chinese studies, John Fairbank, decided to give a public lecture about the danger of the United States going to war for those two little islands.I attended his lecture. He said something straightforward and obvious, but I had never thought about it. He said China is the oldest country in the world with by far the largest population. It's a big, important place. Why would the United States want to go to war with China over those two little islands? It made no sense logically. And we had just finished the war in Korea. As I listened to him, I realized, “Gee, I don't know anything about that place.”So I began to audit his introductory class on the history of East Asia. And in the spring, I decided to take a second class in Chinese history that Fairbank was teaching. As a Harvard undergraduate, I would find out my exam grades at the end of year from a postcard you put in the exam booklet. When I received my postcard back from the final exam, it said: “please come to see me in my office, tomorrow morning at 10.” “Oh no,” I thought I really screwed up my exam. So I went to see John Fairbank. I was nervous, especially because he was a great man, a big figure on campus, and the Dean of Chinese studies in the United States. So I went in, and he said, “Fox, you wrote a wonderful exam. Have you considered majoring in Chinese history?” I went, “oh, no, I had not considered it.” I was so relieved that I had written a good exam.He said, “Well, if you are, you must immediately begin studying Chinese.” At that time, Harvard did not teach spoken Chinese, only classical written Chinese, and there were just about 10 people, all graduate students.So Fairbank said, “here's what you do. Going down to Yale, they have a special program that teaches spoken Chinese in the summer because they have a contract with the Air Force to teach 18-year-old Air Force recruits how to speak Chinese so they can listen to and monitor Chinese air force traffic.”So I spent the summer at Yale studying Chinese with air force recruits. I took classical written Chinese classes when I returned to Harvard that fall. Luckily, I got a Fulbright Fellowship to go to Taiwan after I graduated, so I studied in the best spoken Chinese program at the time run by Cornell University.Cyrus Eaton, Lenin Prize and family legacy in Cold WarI wonder whether there's any family influence on your China journey. Your father was the historian and editor-in-chief of the Adams Papers, and your maternal grandfather, Cyrus Eaton, was one of the most prominent financiers and philanthropists in the Midwest. Could you speak on the impact of family legacy on your China journey?My father certainly instilled a love of history in me. That was always my favourite subject in school and the one I did best in. Eventually, my major at Harvard was Chinese history. My father didn't know anything about China and never went. My mother visited Taiwan and stayed with me for ten days in the 60s.My maternal grandfather, Cyrus Eaton, would fit the Chinese notion of a rags-to-riches success story. He grew up in a small fishing village in Nova Scotia, Canada, and went to college in Toronto with the help of an older cousin. This cousin went on to become a Baptist minister in Cleveland, Ohio, across the lake. Among the people in his parish was a man named John D. Rockefeller — yes, the original John D. Rockefeller.The cousin invited my grandfather and said he had a job for him. So my grandfather started off as a golf caddy for John D. Rockefeller and then a messenger. Ultimately, he founded his own electric power company in Cleveland — Ohio Electric Power — and became quite influential. He had multiple companies but then lost everything in the Great Depression.During World War II, my grandfather heard about a large iron ore under a lake in Ontario through his Canadian connections. By then, he had already formed connections with President Roosevelt and then Truman, so he said, “If you can give me some money and help underwrite this, I can get Canadian permission to drain the lake for the iron ore deposit,” which became the world's richest iron ore mine, Steep Rock Iron Ore. That's how he got back into business. Truman and my grandfather ended up having a close connection, and he used my grandfather's train to campaign for re-election in 1948. My grandfather was an unusual man. He had a real vision about things.He was trading metals with the Soviet Union as well.I don't know the details, but when Khrushchev came to power, my grandfather became interested in trying to work out some arrangement between the United States and Russia, which is where the Pugwash movement came from. He was inviting Russian and American scientists to meet. They couldn't meet in the U.S. because it was against American law, but he arranged for them to meet in his hometown of Pugwash, Nova Scotia. We had American and Russian nuclear physicists meeting to discuss nuclear weapons in this little village. Eventually, he invited some Chinese people to come.At one of these conferences, I met Harrison Salisbury, an editor of The New York Times and the first NYT Moscow Correspondent. I was just starting out as a stringer for The Washington Post, but Salisbury saw something in me and suggested I send him a story. That connection eventually led to my job at The New York Times.He must have known people pretty high up in China too.I don't know the China connections; he didn't know Mao or Zhou Enlai. He did have a close relationship with Khrushchev, to the extent you could. It started with the Pugwash movement.He just sent a telegram to Khrushchev and became friends?Yes. What do you call that, guanxi?I guess so. Do you remember when he won the Lenin Peace Prize?I do. I think I was in Taiwan at the time. I didn't go to the ceremony.How did you feel about his activities growing up?I was never too sure what was going on. My mother had the intelligence of her father—in fact, she looked remarkably like him—but she was skeptical because she always felt that he was making all these big deals but wasn't looking out for his own family.What was your mom like?My mother was a smart woman. She went to Bryn Mawr during the Depression, but my grandfather refused to let her take a scholarship because it would signal he had no money. She worked full-time while in school and graduated near the top of her class. She was angry at him for making her life difficult for his own pride.My mother worked all her life. By the time I reached college, she was working at Harvard University, which was unusual for the time. She started as a secretary but eventually became the registrar in charge of all the records. When she died in 1978, the Harvard Crimson published a tribute saying she had been the most helpful person to many undergraduates.What did you want to become as a teenager?I wanted to be a baseball player. Yes, for a long time my life revolved around baseball. I thought I was pretty serious. Some time in college, I realized I wasn't going to become a major league baseball player, and I became much more interested in the life of the mind.“Rice Paddies”, and studying under John Fairbank at HarvardDid you think of Asia growing up?There was really almost nothing until I mentioned, in my sophomore year, when I was 19, beginning in 1958 as an undergraduate at Harvard studying with John Fairbank. No courses offered at high school that I could have gone to. Even at Harvard, the Chinese history class was almost all graduate students. Harvard undergraduates could take an introduction class to the history of East Asia, which included China, Japan, and Southeast Asia. Harvard students nicknamed this course “Rice Paddies.”That's the famous course by Fairbank and Reischauer. What was it like studying with those two legends?Well, they were both significant people in every way. Fairbank helped start the field of Chinese history in the United States. Reischauer certainly started studying Japanese history.In my first year, they had just finished a textbook for the Rice Patties course. It had not been published as a book yet, just a mimeograph form. They gave us these big books you had to carry around, like carrying one of those old store catalogues with hundreds of pages printed on one side. You would bring these things into class. One was called East Asia: The Great Tradition, and the other East Asia: The Modern Transformation.What was John Fairbank like as a person?Intimidating. He was a tall, bald man, always looking over his glasses at you. But he was charming and friendly, and if he sensed that you were interested in his field, he would do almost anything for you. He reached out to students in a way that few other faculty members did.“He was an academic entrepreneur and missionary for Chinese studies, and was creating the field of Chinese history in the United States. Before him, Chinese history didn't exist for most Americans to study.”And he had regular gatherings at his house.Yes. His house was a little yellow wooden house dating back to the 18th century, right in the middle of the campus. Harvard had given it to him, and every Thursday afternoon, anybody interested in China who was in Cambridge that day was invited. You never knew who you were going to meet. Fairbank was a kind of social secretary. When you walked in, he'd greet you with a handshake and then take you around to introduce you to some people. He did that all the time with people. He was an academic entrepreneur and missionary for Chinese studies and was creating the field of Chinese history in the United States. Before him, Chinese history didn't exist for most Americans to study. I always wanted to major in history. That subject appealed to me and was my strongest area of study. I took some American history and intellectual history classes, but the Chinese history class became the one that I really focused on. I couldn't tell you exactly why, but it was interesting to me. The more I read, the more I liked it. After that first Fairbank class, I signed up for the more intensive modern Chinese history class and whatever else Harvard had. I signed up for a Japanese history class, too. At the end of my senior year, John Kennedy named my professor Edwin Reischauer his ambassador to Tokyo. So, on my way to Taiwan as a Fulbright scholar, I stopped in Tokyo to meet Reischauer at the US Embassy, and two of Reischauer's grown children took me around Tokyo. I reported in Tokyo later in my career.Was Ezra Vogel working on Japan at the time?Yes, Ezra had. Ezra was in my Spanish class in the first year. He hadn't yet decided what he would focus on then. We sat next to each other. We were always personal friends even though he was a bit older. He was a nice man and became a professor later. I sat in the same classroom with several other older people who went on to teach about China, including Dorothy Borg. Even then, she had white hair. She worked for the Council on Foreign Relations in New York but was taking classes at Harvard. When I first went to China, she was still involved with China.So, from that group of Americans studying China at Harvard at that time, many went on to do things related to China, including Orville Schell, Andy Nathan and me. I did not know Perry Link while in Harvard.Many major figures in China studies today were at Harvard with you.Yale had Mary and Arthur Wright, but they were graduate students at Harvard with me and went on to become full professors at Yale. This must be because that was a place where Fairbank was an evangelical figure that people gravitated towards, and he was preaching this new faith of Chinese studies.From Pentagon Papers to VietnamWhat did you do after Harvard?I spent a year in Taiwan when I graduated. I wanted to stay, but Fairbank hurried me up to get back to graduate school.Did you listen to Fairbank?I was going to get my PhD at Harvard and teach Chinese history, but after five years, I became less interested in actually studying Chinese history.During the 1960s, the Vietnam War happened. Vietnam is kind of a cousin of China, so I started reading everything I could about Vietnam. I even started a course on Vietnam so that Harvard undergraduate and graduate students could learn about Vietnam.I got a fellowship to return to Taiwan to work on my dissertation about Hu Hanmin. At that time, many American GIs were coming to Taiwan on what we call R&R — “rest and recreation.” The U.S. government made a deal with the American military that anyone who served in Vietnam for a year had an automatic R&R, a paid week leave to go anywhere in Southeast Asia. Many chose Taiwan to chase pretty young Chinese girls. So, GIs would show up in Taiwan and didn't know what they were doing. I would see them on the street, go up and talk to them.I became more interested in Vietnam over time. A friend told me, “You're spending so much time reading newspapers about Vietnam, you should become a journalist.” It hadn't occurred to me. By chance, I met a correspondent from The Washington Post, Stanley Karnow, who was the Hong Kong correspondent for the Post and covered Vietnam for quite a while. He asked me to be his stringer, a part-time assistant. So I would send my story to him, but he'd never do anything with it.I was discouraged, and that's when I met Harrison Salisbury through my grandfather in Montreal. Salisbury asked me to send stories to The New York Times. I thought I was a traitor to my job with The Washington Post. But it wasn't really a job; it was in my imagination. When I sent Salisbury my first story, I received a cable from the foreign editor of The New York Times saying they had put my story on the front page and given me a byline. My parents at home in Cambridge, Massachusetts saw it that morning, and they wondered, what is Fox doing?” They thought I was working on my PhD dissertation.“Oh, that looked like our son there.”The story was about Chiang Kai-shek's son, Chiang Ching-kuo, who was becoming Chiang Kai-shek's successor. I wrote about how he was going about it. That was a good news story, so The New York Times sent me a message and said, “If you'd like to work for us, we'll be happy to take more stories.”So I started sending them stories once or twice a week, and after four or five months, they gave me a job offer in New York. That was just one of those lucky breaks. I guess The New York Times correspondent who made that initial contact with me, Harrison Salisbury, who had won several Pulitzer Prizes, must have seen something in me.What's your relationship with your editors over the years? Generally pretty good. They certainly intimidated me at the beginning. The person who actually hired me was the foreign editor at The New York Times, James Greenfield. When I returned to New York, it was New Year's Day, the end of 1971. James asked me about my training and asked me to spend the next couple of months sitting at the foreign desk to watch how they do things. I couldn't even write stories for a while; I just handed them the copy that came up. I later got promoted to news assistant and was asked to find something interesting and write one story a week. I wrote some stories about Asia for the newspaper. They wouldn't give me a byline at first as I wasn't a reporter. My first assignment was to Newark, New Jersey, which had gone through a series of terrible race riots in the late 1960s. I was going to be the correspondent in Newark.This was after they hired you and during those two years of training? Yes. One day, I was covering a story. The new mayor of Newark — the first black mayor of a major American city — called a meeting in city hall to see if he could stop the riots.He was trying to bring people together: white, black and Hispanic. Within ten seconds, everybody was having a fistfight. People were knocking each other out with the police and mayor in front of them. The mayor yelled at people to stop, and they still kept punching and hitting each other with big pieces of wood right in City Hall. And I was there. Two very large black men grabbed my arms behind my back. The nasty term for white people in those days was “honky”. They said, “What are you doing here, honky?” They began punching me in the stomach and hitting me in the head. I thought I was going to die right there before I finally broke free. I got to my office to send my story of the city hall by telephone across New York City. And they put that story on the front page.Your second front page at The New York Times. So the editor of The New York Times was a very intimidating man, Abe Rosenthal, a gifted correspondent who'd won several Pulitzer Prizes. He won a Pulitzer Prize in Poland and Germany. I got this message saying, “Mr. Rosenthal wants to see you in his office immediately.”I thought, “oh jeez I'm getting fired.” I just got beaten up in City Hall and they're going to fire me. So I walked in, and he said, “Fox, that was a really nice story.” He said, “you did a really good job on that story. We have another assignment for you. I want you to go over to the New York Hilton Hotel”, which was about ten blocks away.He told me that one of our correspondents, Neil Sheehan, had gotten a secret government document, the Pentagon Papers, which were boxes and boxes of government documents. Neil couldn't read all that by himself, so I had to go and read it with him. Besides, I knew about Asia. By that point, I had read as much as I could about Vietnam. I also knew Neil Sheen because I had helped him come to Harvard to give a talk about Vietnam while I was a graduate student. So we actually had a good relationship. I spent the next two months in Neil's hotel room reading documents, but two of us were not enough, so a third and eventually a fourth correspondent were brought in. Did you understand the risk you were taking working with the classifieds? You could be arrested. Right, yes. I had to tell my parents, “I can't tell you anything about what I'm doing.”When we finally started publishing, I wrote three of the seven installments, which was amazing because I was a junior person. Abe Rosenthal called me back into his office after we finished, and said, “Fox, you did a nice job on this, so we're sending you somewhere. We're sending you to Vietnam.” He said, “I want you to go immediately.” So I went from the Pentagon Papers to Saigon. That was a surprise. That was not where I wanted to go. In fact, what I really wanted was to go to cover China, but that would have meant Hong Kong. But Vietnam turned out to be fascinating. There was always something happening.Reporting on the frontlines in VietnamCan you talk about your Vietnam experience?It was an experience at many levels. Intellectually, it was seductive because there was so much going on, people getting shot every day. The only way to truly understand it was to be there.You could divide the correspondents into those who stayed in Saigon and those who went out to the field. I wanted to be in the field as much as possible. I spent time on Navy ships and even in a fighter plane, hitting what appeared to be factories.The GIs, or “grunts”, wanted to know what we wrote about them, and some would come to our office in Saigon. Sometimes they were angry. A few correspondents received threats, but we mostly had a good relationship. The more you were willing to go out into the field, the more respect you earned. I was out there from the beginning.Vietnam was more complicated than I initially thought. If you were strictly anti-war or pro-government, you missed the full picture.You had been against the war before. How did you feel once you were there?I was part of the anti-war movement and then found myself in the middle of the war. I got to know many ordinary Vietnamese who were actually happy to have Americans there because the communist soldiers would threaten to confiscate their property. Vietnam was more complicated than I initially thought. If you were strictly anti-war or pro-government, you missed the full picture.What was the relevance of the Pentagon Papers then?The Pentagon Papers showed that the U.S. government was deceiving the public, but we were also helping some people. It was more complex than the extreme positions made it seem.Were you at risk of being arrested for the Pentagon Papers?Possibly, yes. My name was on the case, but by that time, I was in Vietnam. I put it out of my mind.How long were you in Vietnam?I was in Vietnam from 1971 to 1975, with breaks in Japan. The New York Times didn't let anyone stay more than two years at a time because of the exhaustion of war. But I kept going back and stayed until the last day of the war in 1975 when I left on a helicopter to a Navy ship.I took the place of a brilliant female correspondent, Gloria Emerson. I inherited her apartment, and Vietnam was as exciting a place as it could be. There was always something to do, something to see, something that you shouldn't see but wanted to see. Vietnam was all that I talked about for four years. I stayed until the last day of the war, April 30th, 1975.Did you get hurt during the war?I was hit by mortar fragments and lost my hearing for almost a month. Once, I was left behind after the unit I accompanied ran into an ambush. I had to walk three hours to get back to safety.Vietnam absorbed all parts of your brain, your mind, your body, and your psyche. It just took over.How did the war experience change you?It depends on the individual. Some correspondents loved Vietnam and never wanted to leave. Others were terrified and left without a word. Even today, I still belong to an online Google group of ex-correspondents in Vietnam, and I still get dozens of messages every day. They always want to discuss Vietnam.Back in the day, some got afraid and just left. I had several friends who would literally just leave a message at their desk saying, “Please pack my belongings and send them back to New York.” It's hard to generalise and have an ironclad rule about. It was different from regular assignments in most other countries.Well, Vietnam was certainly special.Vietnam absorbed all parts of your brain, your mind, your body, and your psyche. It just took over. When the war ended, I came out on a helicopter that landed on a Navy ship. The captain said I could make one phone call. I called my editor in New York and said, “I'm out, I'm safe.” He replied, “Good, because we're sending you to Hong Kong.”Recommended ReadingsFox Butterfield, 1982, China: Alive in the Bitter SeaJohn Fairbank, Edwin Reischauer and Albert Craig, 1965, East Asia: The Modern Transformation, George Allen & UnwinEdwin Reischauer & John Fairbank, 1958, East Asia: The Great Tradition, Houghton MifflinAcknowledgementThis newsletter is edited by Caiwei Chen. The transcription and podcast editing is by Aorui Pi. I thank them for their support!About usPeking Hotel is a bilingual online publication that take you down memory lane of recent history in China and narrate China's reality through the personal tales of China experts. Through biweekly podcasts and newsletters, we present colourful first-person accounts of seasoned China experts. The project grew out of Leo's research at Hoover Institution where he collects oral history of prominent China watchers in the west. Peking Hotel is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Lastly…We also have a Chinese-language Substack. It has been a privilege to speak to these thoughtful individuals and share their stories with you. The stories they share often remind me of what China used to be and what it is capable of becoming. I hope to publish more conversations like this one, so stay tuned!Correction note: An earlier version of this piece incorrectly referred to sinologists Mary and Henry Wright as "Fords." We thank reader Robert Kapp for bringing this to our attention. Get full access to Peking Hotel at pekinghotel.substack.com/subscribe

A third-generation Marylander, Senator Ben Cardin has been a national leader on health care, retirement security, the environment and fiscal issues while representing the people of Maryland in the U.S. Senate, and before that in the House of Representatives. Currently serving as Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, he has worked across party lines to further U.S. national security and to ensure that good governance, transparency and respect for human rights are integrated into American foreign policy. In this episode we discuss his upbringing in Baltimore and how his work in Baltimore has led to 58 years of public service. Senator Cardin shares his greatest achievements, his vision for Baltimore, and the traits that have made for a successful career. We hope you enjoy!

Maryland's Sen. Ben Cardin holds an influential role as the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The committee's work has been stalled for months over a dispute between Republicans and Democrats over legislation that would sanction the International Criminal Court over decisions to pursue arrest warrants for top Israeli officials for their prosecution of the war in Gaza. We ask him about the latest, and news from the West Bank, where the Israeli Defense Force's killing of an American protestor sparked a rare backlash from U.S officials toward their ally. In May of last year, Maryland's Sen. Ben Cardin announced that he will not seek re-election when his term expires on January 3, 2025.Email us at midday@wypr.org, tweet us: @MiddayWYPR, or call us at 410-662-8780.

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

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee this week on what the U.S. needs to do to better compete with China in Africa and other developing regions. Campbell bluntly told senators Washington "has to do better" to match Chinese finance, trade, and military engagement around the world. But the problem for Campbell and other U.S. stakeholders is that it's been difficult to define what success looks like in their bid to out-compete China. Jendayi Frazer, a distinguished visiting fellow at Hoover Institution and adjunct senior fellow for Africa studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, is one of Washington's foremost experts on U.S. foreign policy towards Africa. She speaks from firsthand experience as a former assistant secretary of state and joins CGSP Africa Editor Géraud Neema to explain why it's critical for the U.S. to devote more attention to Africa. JOIN THE DISCUSSION: X: @ChinaGSProject | @christiangeraud Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth FOLLOW CAP IN FRENCH AND ARABIC: Français: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine Arabic: عربي: www.alsin-alsharqalawsat.com | @SinSharqAwsat JOIN US ON PATREON! Become a CAP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CAP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth

A Manhattan court finds New Jersey Senator Bob Menendez, former head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, guilty of acting on behalf of Egyptian intelligence and steering money and weapons to the country. Also, there's been a spike in COVID-19 this summer. Host Carolyn Beeler explores whether certain aspects of summer life might be contributing to the spread. And for those who love the Trader Joe's "Everything But the Bagel" seasoning blend, beware. It's banned in South Korea. That's because the flavorful ingredient of poppy seeds are classified as a narcotic.

“I am a Democrat who believes that carrying out a bipartisan (and nonpartisan) investigation into pandemic origins is essential,” writes Jamie Metzl, who has been called the “Original COVID-19 Whistleblower” and was referenced multiple times in newly-revealed emails between Dr. Morens, Dr. Anthony Fauci, EcoHealth Alliance head Peter Daszak, and the NIH. • SPONSORED BY TAX NETWORK USA – Owe back taxes? Tax Network USA has saved over $1 billion for their clients and can help you secure the best deal possible. Call 1-800-245-6000 for a private, free consultation, or visit https://drdrew.com/tnusa “Others may feel differently,” Jamie writes, “but it's my view that this close-nit community of natural origin advocates were so wedded to their priors they could not imagine even the possibility that the work they had carried out for decades to prevent pandemics — with the best of intentions — might possibly have contributed to the worst pandemic in a century.” Jamie Metzl is a technology futurist, geopolitics expert, and author of Superconvergence as well as the international bestseller Hacking Darwin: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Humanity available at https://amzn.to/3RwkeC2. Jamie has served in the U.S. National Security Council, State Department, Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and as a Human Rights Officer for the United Nations in Cambodia. Jamie was the lead witness in the March 2023 US congressional hearings on COVID-19 origins and has been called the “original COVID-19 whistleblower” for his efforts calling for a full investigation of the pandemic's origins. Find more at https://jamiemetzl.com/ and follow him at https://x.com/JamieMetzl Tom Renz is an attorney from Ohio conducting ‘Lawfare for Freedom' by fighting corruption surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic at state and federal levels. Find out more at https://renz-law.com and follow him at https://x.com/RenzTom 「 SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS 」 Find out more about the brands that make this show possible and get special discounts on Dr. Drew's favorite products at https://drdrew.com/sponsors  • CAPSADYN - Get pain relief with the power of capsaicin from chili peppers – without the burning! Capsadyn's proprietary formulation for joint & muscle pain contains no NSAIDs, opioids, anesthetics, or steroids. Try it for 15% off at https://capsadyn.com/drew • PALEOVALLEY - "Paleovalley has a wide variety of extraordinary products that are both healthful and delicious,” says Dr. Drew. "I am a huge fan of this brand and know you'll love it too!” Get 15% off your first order at https://drdrew.com/paleovalley • TRU NIAGEN - For almost a decade, Dr. Drew has been taking a healthy-aging supplement called Tru Niagen, which uses a patented form of Nicotinamide Riboside to boost NAD levels. Use code DREW for 20% off at https://drdrew.com/truniagen • GENUCEL - Using a proprietary base formulated by a pharmacist, Genucel has created skincare that can dramatically improve the appearance of facial redness and under-eye puffiness. Get an extra discount with promo code DREW at https://genucel.com/drew • COZY EARTH - Susan and Drew love Cozy Earth's sheets & clothing made with super-soft viscose from bamboo! Use code DREW to save up to 30% at https://drdrew.com/cozy • THE WELLNESS COMPANY - Counteract harmful spike proteins with TWC's Signature Series Spike Support Formula containing nattokinase and selenium. Learn more about TWC's supplements at https://twc.health/drew 「 MEDICAL NOTE 」 Portions of this program may examine countervailing views on important medical issues. Always consult your physician before making any decisions about your health. 「 ABOUT THE SHOW 」 Ask Dr. Drew is produced by Kaleb Nation (https://kalebnation.com) and Susan Pinsky (https://twitter.com/firstladyoflove). This show is for entertainment and/or informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Rich Zeoli Show- Full Episode (05/22/2024): 3:05pm- From their X social media account, the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic stated: “Last night, based partially on evidence uncovered in the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic's recent staff report and public hearing, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services commenced individual debarment proceedings against Dr. Peter Daszak, President of EcoHealth Alliance, Inc. This move comes one week after the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services issued an immediate, government-wide suspension on all taxpayer funds allocated to EcoHealth. Dr. Daszak's individual debarment will prevent him from receiving funds from the U.S. taxpayer.” 3:20pm- On Wednesday, Dr. David Morens, a former top adviser to Dr. Anthony Fauci, testified during a House Oversight and Accountability Select Coronavirus Pandemic Subcommittee—over allegations he erased emails related to the origins of COVID-19. 3:35pm- Rich has a cold—and bravely fights back a sneeze on air. 3:40pm- Rich, Matt, and Henry discuss which segments they should include in Monday's Memorial Day “Best of” broadcast. If you have any recent segments you would like to hear again, just let us know! 4:05pm- Brooke Singman of Fox News writes: “House Republicans have obtained information they say proves "indisputably" that Hunter Biden lied under oath multiple times during his congressional deposition earlier this year. The House Ways & Means Committee on Wednesday held a mark-up session to discuss documents protected under IRS code 6103 — a portion of the tax code that keeps certain information confidential. Discussing that material without it being properly released by the House Ways & Means Committee is considered a felony.” You can read the full article: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/house-gop-claims-hunter-biden-lied-under-oath-during-congressional-deposition 4:20pm- Could Joe Biden be absent from general election ballots in Ohio and Alabama? The Democratic National Convention (DNC) is being held from August 19th to 22nd—but Ohio law requires parties certify their candidates at least 90 days before election day. President Biden will officially become his party's nominee 75 days before the election—missing the deadline. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens have both warned the DNC that there will not be a legislative solution to this problem. While it is unlikely Biden would win Ohio regardless, are Democrats willing to just forfeit the state and its 17 electoral votes? 4:35pm- While appearing on MSNBC, former FBI Director James Comey warned that Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is planning to go after the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Justice if he wins the 2024 election. 4:40pm- Mainstream media outlets are once again complaining about the potential threat of foreign election interference—just in time for the 2024 presidential election with Donald Trump's polling numbers stronger than ever. 4:50pm- AUDIO OF THE DAY: TikTok user “BellyMoss” complains that her doctors have been guilty of “blatant medical fatphobia” for suggesting that it would be in her best interest to lose weight. 5:05pm- Mary Rooke—of the Daily Caller—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to discuss the new documentary she wrote, “Demand for Hate.” The Daily Caller writes: “What is a hate crime hoax, and how do we stop one before it takes over the news? Through in-depth analysis and personal stories, our new documentary demonstrates how these hoaxes have damaged lives and created division in our society... and equips you with the tools you need to identify and stop future hoaxes in their tracks.” Learn more about the documentary here: https://hdemand.dailycaller.com/sales-page1715354388624 5:20pm- While speaking with the Hudson Institute, former presidential candidate Niki Haley stated she will be voting for Donald Trump in November. She added, “Trump would be smart to reach out to millions of people who voted for me and continue to support me and not assume that they're just going to be with him.” 5:30pm- During press conferences on Wednesday, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and head coach Andy Reid defended kicker Harrison Butker. Butker has received outsized media attention after delivering the commencement address at Benedictine College—where he argued the importance of having both parents in the home. Butker also defended the idea that some women, and men, might find raising a family more fulfilling than their life in the workplace. 5:35pm- Mark Moyar—The William P. Harris Chair in Military History at Hillsdale College & former Trump Administration Appointee—joins The Rich Zeoli Show to talk about his new book, “Masters of Corruption: How the Federal Bureaucracy Sabotaged the Trump Presidency.” You can learn more about the book here: https://a.co/d/gnPbMVW 5:50pm- White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre claims students are “literally” being crushed by loan debt + Henry reveals he never updates his phone! 6:05pm- On Wednesday, Dr. David Morens, a former top adviser to Dr. Anthony Fauci, testified during a House Oversight and Accountability Select Coronavirus Pandemic Subcommittee—over allegations he erased emails related to the origins of COVID-19. 6:10pm- From their X social media account, the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic stated: “Last night, based partially on evidence uncovered in the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic's recent staff report and public hearing, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services commenced individual debarment proceedings against Dr. Peter Daszak, President of EcoHealth Alliance, Inc. This move comes one week after the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services issued an immediate, government-wide suspension on all taxpayer funds allocated to EcoHealth. Dr. Daszak's individual debarment will prevent him from receiving funds from the U.S. taxpayer.” 6:35pm- While speaking before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Secretary of State Antony Blinken bragged about appointing the “first chief diversity and inclusion officer” in the department's history. Later in the hearing, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) tore into Blinken for the Biden Administration's catastrophic foreign policy failures. 6:40pm- Ryan King of The New York Post writes: “White House officials went into cleanup mode after President Biden delivered a gaffe-riddled speech to the NAACP in Detroit Sunday—making a whopping nine corrections to the formal transcript. The changes fixed both trips of Biden's tongue —such as calling Capitol rioters ‘irrectionists'—and flagrant retellings of history, like claiming he was still vice president during the COVID-19 pandemic.” You can read the full article here: https://nypost.com/2024/05/21/us-news/white-house-makes-nine-brutal-corrections-to-biden-naacp-detroit-speech/

The Rich Zeoli Show- Hour 4: 6:05pm- On Wednesday, Dr. David Morens, a former top adviser to Dr. Anthony Fauci, testified during a House Oversight and Accountability Select Coronavirus Pandemic Subcommittee—over allegations he erased emails related to the origins of COVID-19. 6:10pm- From their X social media account, the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic stated: “Last night, based partially on evidence uncovered in the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic's recent staff report and public hearing, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services commenced individual debarment proceedings against Dr. Peter Daszak, President of EcoHealth Alliance, Inc. This move comes one week after the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services issued an immediate, government-wide suspension on all taxpayer funds allocated to EcoHealth. Dr. Daszak's individual debarment will prevent him from receiving funds from the U.S. taxpayer.” 6:35pm- While speaking before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Secretary of State Antony Blinken bragged about appointing the “first chief diversity and inclusion officer” in the department's history. Later in the hearing, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) tore into Blinken for the Biden Administration's catastrophic foreign policy failures. 6:40pm- Ryan King of The New York Post writes: “White House officials went into cleanup mode after President Biden delivered a gaffe-riddled speech to the NAACP in Detroit Sunday—making a whopping nine corrections to the formal transcript. The changes fixed both trips of Biden's tongue —such as calling Capitol rioters ‘irrectionists'—and flagrant retellings of history, like claiming he was still vice president during the COVID-19 pandemic.” You can read the full article here: https://nypost.com/2024/05/21/us-news/white-house-makes-nine-brutal-corrections-to-biden-naacp-detroit-speech/

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief:   We begin with a revealing look into Gaza's internal governance. According to a new exposé by The New York Times, Hamas operates a police state there, complete with a secret police force and an extensive network of government informants.   The corruption trial of Senator Robert Menendez began in New Jersey on Monday. We'll examine the case against the New Jersey Senator, who's accused of using his position as the Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to fill his pockets and benefit foreign governments.   More arrests in Canada related to the 2023 assassination of a Sikh separatist in British Columbia, as Indian officials respond to accusations that they were behind the murder.   Lastly, in today's Back of the Brief, a potential Chinese Communist Party influence operation in the Big Apple.   To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com.   Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief.   Email: PDB@TheFirstTV.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices