Tommy and Ben talk about the drone strike by an Iranian-backed group on a US base in Jordan that killed three US service members, the pressure on Biden to retaliate against Iran directly, and the muddled politics of war. They also cover allegations that UN employees in Gaza participated in the October 7th Hamas attack, the International Court of Justice’s ruling about genocide charges against Israel, and Nancy Pelosi’s odd criticism of activists calling for a ceasefire. They also discuss NATO member fears about Russia, Trump floating major tariffs on China, a Kenyan court blocking the deployment of police to Haiti, and French farmers laying siege to Paris. Then, Tommy speaks with Ali Vaez, Iran Project Director at the International Crisis Group, about Iranian proxy groups, why Iran funds them, and the US conventional wisdom that Iran can only be deterred through military action.
Devastation in Syria and Yemen
Bassem Youssef: doctor, comedian, enemy of the Egyptian state
Wanted by Putin and rage tweeting at Iran
Trump's disastrous European vacation
The politics of the World Cup with Roger Bennett
“Abdi American”
Cyber war
Hunting terrorists
North Korea nothingburger?
Obama's legacy after Trump
White House extremists
Trump's hostage policy
North Korea and Gaza
Trump shreds the Iran deal
Ronan Farrow
The CIA's tortured history
Syria strikes and North Korea talks
Madeleine Albright’s warning about fascism
Mr. Putin goes to Washington?
Nowhere to hide: Facebook, encryption, and privacy
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