Interview with UN Secretary General António Guterres; US-Israeli relations; The 2024 presidential election
Nov 12, 2023
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Fareed Zakaria interviews UN Secretary General António Guterres on the human toll of the Israel-Hamas war, the broader impact on the Middle East region, tragic deaths of UN staffers. Also, discussions on US-Israeli relations and Biden's low polling numbers for the upcoming presidential race.
The podcast highlights the importance of distinguishing between speech and physical intimidation, and the potential risks of driving discourse into the shadows on college campuses.
The dire situation in Gaza's hospitals, including a shortage of supplies and medication, emphasizes the urgent need for humanitarian aid and challenges in evacuating patients to safer locations.
Deep dives
The Importance of Free Speech and Handling Offensive Views
The podcast episode discusses the importance of free speech and the challenge of handling views that may be deeply offensive to either side. The speaker emphasizes the need to distinguish between speech and assembly from physical intimidation and harassment. Examples are given of conservative state legislators introducing laws to protect campus free speech and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis initially supporting controversial speech protection but later reversing course by ordering the closure of campus chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine. The episode also highlights the changing landscape of free speech debates on college campuses and the potential risks of driving discourse into the shadows.
The Dire Situation in Gaza's Hospitals
The podcast sheds light on the dire situation in Gaza's hospitals, particularly Al-Shifa hospital, which is facing intense bombardment amidst the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel. The hospital is running out of supplies and medication, with doctors even performing surgery without anesthesia. The International Committee for the Red Cross confirms the healthcare system in Gaza has reached a critical point, but the Israeli Defense Forces deny accusations of targeting civilians seeking shelter at the hospital. The podcast also highlights the urgent need for humanitarian aid to reach Gaza's hospitals and the challenges in evacuating patients to safer locations.
Interview with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres
The podcast features an exclusive interview with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, where he addresses the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the role of the UN in finding a peaceful solution. Guterres emphasizes the need to distinguish between Hamas and the Palestinian people, condemning Hamas for their terror attacks while advocating for the protection of innocent Palestinian civilians. He urges for a transition that allows the Palestinian Authority to assume leadership in Gaza while calling for serious negotiations towards a two-state solution, with the US playing a crucial role in facilitating the process. Guterres also expresses concern about the escalating tensions in Lebanon and the potential for further destabilization.
Political Pressure on President Biden and the Poll Numbers
The podcast discusses the political pressure and challenges faced by President Biden, as reflected in recent polling and state elections. The polls indicate that Biden's approval ratings are declining, with some swing states showing him trailing behind Donald Trump. The episode highlights frustration among voters regarding the economy and policies under the current administration. Additionally, the podcast explores the potential impact of recent events, such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and protests related to abortion, on Biden's political standing and the upcoming 2024 election.
This week Fareed talks to CNN reporter Nada Bashir live from Jerusalem for an update on the crisis in the health system in Gaza. Then, he sits down for an interview with UN Secretary General António Guterres to discuss the human toll of the Israel-Hamas war as the Palestinian death toll continues to rise. They also talk about what this conflict could mean for the broader Middle East region, and the tragic deaths of UN staffers on the ground. Then, Fareed speaks with former US official and author Dan Senor about what is next for US-Israeli relations. Plus, Republican strategist and pollster Kristen Soltis Anderson talks with Fareed about Biden's low polling numbers ahead of next year's presidential race.