The Headlines

Blinken Renews Push for Middle East Truce, and U.S. Abortions Increase

Oct 23, 2024

Michael Crowley, a New York Times reporter traveling with Secretary Blinken, shares insights from his Middle East tour. He discusses Blinken's push for ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon amidst escalating tensions. The conversation also reveals a surprising rise in abortion rates across the U.S., even in states with strict laws. Lastly, explore a radical approach to flood management in England that advocates returning land to the sea, combining environmental restoration with innovative flood defense.

09:26

Creator website

Episode guests

Michael Crowley

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Secretary of State Blinken's ongoing advocacy for truces amid escalating Middle East tensions underscores complex foreign policy challenges before the upcoming U.S. election.

The rise in abortions across the U.S., despite stringent state laws, highlights changing perceptions and access issues surrounding reproductive health post-Roe v. Wade.

Deep dives

Foreign Policy Challenges for the Next President

The upcoming election presents significant foreign policy challenges for the next U.S. president, primarily concerning U.S.-Middle East relations. Secretary of State Blinken's repeated visits to the region highlight the escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, as well as ongoing conflicts in Gaza. U.S. officials express frustration over limited effectiveness in negotiating peace and a truce, particularly given the proximity of the election and the potential shift in U.S. leadership. With Israel potentially waiting for a more favorable administration under a different president, the current administration's leverage has diminished, complicating efforts to stabilize the region.

Intro

2min

Rising Abortions Amid Restrictions and Legal Turmoil

5min

Embracing Nature: A Revolutionary Approach to Flood Defense

2min

Plus, a radical approach to flooding in England.

Tune in every weekday morning. To get our full audio journalism and storytelling experience, download the New York Times Audio app — available to Times news subscribers on iOS — and sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Tell us what you think at: theheadlines@nytimes.com.

On Today’s Episode:

Blinken Urges Netanyahu to Seek Truces in Gaza and Lebanon, by Michael Crowley, Aaron Boxerman, Hwaida Saad and Thomas Fuller

Abortions Have Increased, Even for Women in States With Rigid Bans, Study Says, by Claire Cain Miller and Margot Sanger-Katz

U.S. Fears Russia Might Be Planning Post-Election Chaos, by Steven Lee Myers and Julian E. Barnes

Judge Orders Giuliani to Forfeit Millions in Assets to Election Workers He Defamed, by Eileen Sullivan

Freshman Enrollment Appears to Decline for the First Time Since 2020, by Zach Montague

A Radical Approach to Flooding in England: Give Land Back to the Sea, by Rory Smith