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Background Briefing offers an educational approach to providing information in an era of “fake news.”
The Party of Law and Order Now Embraces Lawlessness as the GOP Speaker Trashes the Rule of Law to Please the Scofflaw-in-Chief We begin with the former party of law and order’s embrace of lawlessness as a top Republican who is second in line to the president trashes the judicial system and the rule of … Continued
Mike Johnson Personifies the Staggering Hypocrisy of the “Christian” Right We begin with the staggering hypocrisy of the Christian Right, with the movement’s most prominent and powerful politician, the pious man of God Mike Johnson, showing up today at Trump’s porn payoff trial. Johnson praised the defendant and trashed the witness on the stand, as … Continued
As Ukraine Faces a Long War, Will the U.S. and NATO Be There, and is There Any Hope of a Peace Deal? We begin with Russia intensifying its attacks on Ukrainian lines as they move to try to recapture the city of Kharkiv, near the Russian border, and get an analysis of the possibility of … Continued
The Israeli Public’s Support for Continuing the War and Netanyahu’s Defiant Response to Biden We begin with the reaction from the Israeli public and in political circles to Biden’s threat to halt weapons deliveries to the IDF if they move into Rafah, which they appear to be in the early stages of executing. We discuss … Continued
Trump’s Delaying Tactic is Working as Three of the Four Trials He’s Facing Will Likely Not Be Heard Before the Election We begin with the Trump-appointed judge overseeing the classified documents case in Florida delaying the start of the trial indefinitely in a blatant display of fealty to Trump, combined with obvious inexperience and incompetence, … Continued
Israel Joins Peace Talks in Cairo Amid IDF Escalation in Gaza We begin with a mid-level Israeli delegation joining ceasefire negotiations in Cairo as the IDF steps up military operations on the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing, closing off the two main entry points for humanitarian aid into Gaza. Joining us is Leila Hilal, … Continued
The House Speaker Uses an Antisemitic Trope Blaming George Soros as he Launches Hearings on Antisemitism on Campuses We begin with Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton referring to the pro-Palestinian student encampments as “the little Gazas that have risen up on campuses across America,” which he dismissed as “disgusting cesspools of antisemitic hate full of pro-Hamas … Continued
On the Brink of the Ethnic Cleansing of Gaza as Ceasefire Talks Are Deadlocked We begin with the likely invasion of Rafah and the expulsion of Palestinians into Egypt, as talks underway in Cairo for a ceasefire appear deadlocked and while Netanyahu’s right flank threatens to bolt from the ruling coalition if he accepts a … Continued
A Pro-Israel Mob Invades the UCLA Campus to Beat up Pro-Palestinian Students While the Police Look On We begin with a violent invasion by a pro-Israel mob who came onto the UCLA campus last night to beat up the pro-Palestinian students and tear down their encampment, while UCLA security, campus police, and the LAPD stood … Continued
As Campus Protests Intensify and Spread, Northwestern University Serves as a Model For De-escalation We begin with more campuses erupting across the country, as protests against Israel’s war in Gaza intensify and spread, and speak with Wendy Pearlman, a professor of political science and director of the Middle East and North Africa studies program at Northwestern … Continued
