Background Briefing (5am)

Background Briefing (5am) – April 12, 2024

Israel’s AI Tools “Gospel,” “Lavender” and “Where’s Daddy” are Being Used for Targeted Assassinations in Gaza

We begin with information emerging that Israel has weaponized artificial intelligence and that AI tools are being used in Gaza for targeted assassinations, with the “Gospel” system used to target buildings used by militants, “Lavender” used to compile kill lists, and “Where’s Daddy” to track combatants to their homes before killing them there. Joining us is Dr. Nancy Okail, President & CEO of the Center for International Policy. A scholar and advocate of human rights, justice, peace, and equity, she has over 20 years of experience working on these issues across the Middle East and North Africa region, as well as globally, and she provides policy recommendations to senior government officials in the U.S. and Europe.

Increased Cooperation Between the U.S., Japan and The Philippines’ Militaries Tops the White House Summit Agenda

Then we examine yesterday’s White House meeting between President Biden and Japan’s Prime Minister, followed by a state dinner, then today’s meeting of the two leaders with President Marcos of the Philippines, where greater defense cooperation and interoperability between the allied militaries was discussed, along with 70 other agreements. Joining us is Ellis Krauss, professor emeritus of Japanese politics and policy-making at the University of California, San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy. He is a leading expert on Japanese politics and U.S.-Japan relations and his books include The Rise and Fall of Japan’s LDP: Political Party Organizations as Institutions; Beyond Bilateralism: U.S.-Japan Relations in the New Asia Pacific; and Reluctant Warriors: Germany, Japan, and Their U.S. Alliance Dilemma.

An Assessment of the Political Damage to Arizona Republicans From the 1864 Abortion Ban

Then finally we assess the political damage to Republicans in Arizona over the enactment of an 1864 abortion ban, and the wins for Democrats on the abortion issue, which will be prominent in this election year. We speak with Stephen Lemons, an independent journalist who writes about Arizona politics and crime for Phoenix Magazine and Phoenix New Times. His in-depth reporting on Arizona’s politics can be found at his blog stephenlemons76.com.