Topics discussed in the podcast include Gaza ceasefire deal, Bibi's rejection of a two-state solution, Biden administration's military campaign in Yemen, UAE weapons funneling to Sudan, mass protests in Germany, British conservatives' attempts to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, Elon Musk's visit to Auschwitz, and Winston Churchill's odd auction item. The podcast also features an interview with Ricardo Zuniga on spiraling gang violence in Ecuador.
Growing opposition to the far-right AfD party in Germany is evident through mass protests against their plans to deport millions of immigrants and refugees.
The UK government's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda faces legal challenges and concerns about the safety and inadequacy of the Rwandan judicial system.
Elon Musk's recent comments and actions regarding anti-Semitism do not reflect a genuine change in perspective, as he fails to acknowledge the true nature of his previous controversial statements.
Deep dives
Large protests in Germany against far-right party
Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets across Germany to protest against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The protests were sparked by a report that revealed two AfD members attended a meeting where plans to deport millions of immigrants and refugees were discussed. The large turnout reflects growing opposition to the AfD and its rising popularity in recent polls.
UK's controversial plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda faces delays
The UK's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda as a deterrence measure was delayed by the House of Lords. The plan has faced legal challenges and concerns about the safety and inadequacy of the Rwandan judicial system. The plan is part of the government's efforts to stop asylum seekers from crossing the English Channel from France.
Elon Musk's anti-Semitism apology tour
Elon Musk continues his anti-Semitism apology tour, which includes visiting Auschwitz and participating in a symposium on anti-Semitism in Poland. Musk's tour follows his controversial tweet last year where he appeared to endorse an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory. However, his recent comments and actions do not reflect a genuine change in perspective, as he jokes about his many Jewish friends and does not acknowledge the true nature of his previous statements.
UAE's support for Sudan's Rapid Support Forces
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been accused of providing support and arms to Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group implicated in war crimes and human rights abuses. The UAE's support for the RSF is connected to its involvement in the Yemen conflict, where the group was hired to fight against Houthi rebels. Calls have been made for the international community to pressure the UAE to cease its support for the RSF.
Factors contributing to the violence in Ecuador
The surge in violence in Ecuador can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, Ecuador's strategic geographic location between Colombia and Peru makes it an ideal transit point for cocaine shipments to Europe and Asia. Secondly, the demobilization of FARC combatants in Colombia created a power vacuum in the drug trade, leading to the rise of different criminal groups in the region. Thirdly, Mexican cartels have expanded their reach and formed alliances with local gangs in Ecuador, intensifying the violence. Lastly, the breakdown of governance and widespread corruption have facilitated the criminal activities and made it challenging for the government to effectively combat the problem.
Addressing the challenges and international cooperation
The President of Ecuador faces significant challenges in dealing with the violence and criminal organizations. The current approach of using the military to crack down on them is insufficient given the complex nature of the issue. International cooperation is crucial in addressing the problem. The United States can assist by providing support, better technology, and cooperation on arms trafficking. European countries, as major cocaine markets, should contribute by providing police and intelligence support and tackling the demand side of the drug trade. Multilateral development banks can offer financial assistance to Ecuador. However, it is essential to recognize that these criminal organizations are not just involved in drug trafficking, but also in human smuggling and other illicit activities. Tackling them requires a comprehensive approach and targeting their financial networks across jurisdictions.
Tommy and Ben discuss the latest news out of Gaza, including a potential ceasefire deal that would include a two month stop in fighting in exchange for hostages, a look back at Bibi’s rejection of a two-state solution throughout his political career, and the news that the Biden administration is preparing for a sustained military campaign in Yemen. They also talk about the UAE funneling weapons to Sudan, mass protests in Germany against the far-right ADF party, British conservative’s continuing attempts to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, Elon Musk’s visit to Auschwitz, and an odd auction item belonging to Winston Churchill. Then Ben speaks with Ricardo Zuniga, the former US Special Envoy to the Northern Triangle and Senior Advisor at the US Institute of Peace about the spiraling gang violence in Ecuador.
For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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