Discussions on Biden's ceasedire proposal and inviting Netanyahu to Congress, global reactions to Trump's guilty verdict, debate over Ukraine using US weapons near Russia, early elections in the UK, surprising election results in India, political changes in South Africa, tensions between North and South Korea, Mexico's election of first female president.
Biden's ceasefire offer may pressure Hamas and Israel; Democrats' reasons to invite Netanyahu raise questions.
Global reactions to Trump's guilty verdict show international perceptions; allowing Ukraine strikes near Russia signals U.S. support.
Rishi Sunak's early election announcement in the UK stuns with Tory party trailing; Modi's BJP faces challenges in Indian elections.
Deep dives
Rishi Sunak Calls Early UK Election on July 4th and Faces Troubling Poll Numbers
Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak surprises with an early election announcement for July 4th amid troubling poll numbers showing the Tory party trailing Labour by 17 points. Sunak's speech faced protestors playing 'Things Can Only Get Better,' reflecting a grim outlook for Tories. The move contradicts the expectation to wait for economic improvement and has led to further challenges with right-wing demagogue Nigel Farage entering the race.
Modi's BJP Falls Short of Projected Landslide Victory in India's Election
In India's election, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's BJP party falls short of the promised landslide victory, likely securing around 240 seats out of the required 272 for a majority. This marks the first time in a decade the BJP did not win a majority on its own. Modi's aggressive anti-Muslim rhetoric and emphasis on his image led to a close referendum on his leadership, prompting a need for coalition government formation.
Ukraine Given Permission to Strike in Russia with US Weapons
The Biden administration grants Ukraine limited permission to strike within Russia near Harkiv, where Russian airstrikes have been devastating. This move signals a notable policy shift to empower Ukraine's defense capabilities. The decision aims to address the immediate threat near the Russian border while avoiding escalatory risks and ensuring Ukraine's strength in negotiation discussions.
Shifting Political Dynamics in India
Recent developments in India point to a shift in political dynamics, with Prime Minister Modi facing challenges in maintaining momentum for societal transformation. The opposition, particularly the Congress party, has shown signs of recovery and increased strength in recent elections, indicating a change in the once-dominant Modi-led BJP's popularity. Modi's age and potential succession concerns within the party add uncertainty to the BJP's future direction.
Political Changes in South Africa
In South Africa, the recent elections saw the African National Congress (ANC) facing a significant decline in voter support, falling short of winning 50% of the national vote for the first time in 30 years. The rise of new political parties and the shifting political landscape suggest a potential end of an era for the ANC's long-standing dominance. The country grapples with political instability and the need for rejuvenation within its political system.
North Korea's Unconventional Border Tactics
North Korea's recent provocative actions at the border involving the launch of over 1,000 balloons filled with cigarette butts and trash into South Korea highlight the escalating tensions between the two nations. This unconventional move has sparked responses from South Korea, including loudspeaker broadcasts criticizing North Korea and playing K-pop music in retaliation. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges and complex dynamics in the region, potentially amplifying the existing adversarial relationship.
Tommy and Ben discuss Biden’s ceasefire proposal and debate whether going public with the plan will pressure Hamas and Israel to accept it, they also try to understand why Democrats agreed to invite Israeli PM Bibi Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress. Then they discuss global reactions to Trump’s guilty verdict, the debate over allowing Ukraine to use American provided weapons against targets on Russian soil, British PM Rishi Sunak’s decision to call early elections on July 4th, shocking election results for Prime Minister Modi in India, an end of a political era for Nelson Mandela’s ANC party in South Africa, and a tit for tat between North and South Korea involving balloons full of trash and K-Pop songs. Then, Tommy covers the historic election of Mexico’s first female president, Claudia Sheinbaum, with Dan Restrepo, a founding partner at Dinamica Americas and President Obama’s former principal advisor on issues related to Latin America.
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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