The podcast discusses the Gaza conflict, including the targeting of hospitals and the divide between the US and Israel. It also covers the UK's cabinet shakeup, the Afghan refugee crisis, the APEC Summit, and potential peace solutions. The episode ends with a surprise for Ben.
Clear political aims and motivation are crucial for achieving peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Language used in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict should be grounded in facts and experiences, avoiding semantic arguments.
The US-China meeting at the APEC summit aims to restore communication and stabilize the strained relationship between the two countries.
Deep dives
Pakistan to deport Afghan refugees
Pakistan has made the decision to deport up to 1.7 million undocumented Afghan refugees, with nearly 300,000 already leaving the country. Many of these refugees have been in Pakistan for decades and have built lives there. The decision to deport them is causing immense suffering and humanitarian concerns, especially with winter approaching. Organizations are working to provide shelter, food, and warmth to those affected.
Major cabinet reshuffle in the UK
The UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has conducted a significant reshuffle of his cabinet. Home Secretary Suleiman Braverman was sacked and replaced by James Cleverly, who was serving as the Foreign Secretary. Former Prime Minister David Cameron has been named as the new Foreign Secretary. The decision to appoint Cameron, who is seen as a centrist, has raised eyebrows and left other party members who were passed over for the role feeling disgruntled.
China-USA relations
US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping are set to meet face-to-face at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. The meeting aims to address strained relations between the two countries. Discussions will likely include trade, military communication, and the export of chemicals used in the production of fentanyl. The summit as a whole will focus on trade and economic growth, with a trade deal among Asian countries expected to be announced. The meeting is seen as a step towards resuming communication and stabilizing the US-China relationship.
APEC summit in San Francisco
San Francisco is hosting the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, where leaders from 21 member countries are convening. The highlight is expected to be the face-to-face meeting between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The summit will primarily focus on trade and economic growth, with potential discussions on various topics such as AI and diplomatic relations. The meeting aims to rebuild the bilateral relationship and enhance communication between countries in the Asia Pacific region.
The Importance of Clear Political Aims and Motivation for Peace
In the podcast episode, the speaker emphasizes the significance of having clear political aims and motivation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He highlights the need for both sides to be motivated to achieve peace and acknowledges that at present, there is a lack of motivation on both sides. He stresses the importance of disarming Hamas to pave the way for peace, but also mentions that it is essential to provide Palestinians with a future of dignified lives in their homeland. The speaker believes that if Israel loses its democracy in the process and fails to articulate its long-term goals, it would be a complete defeat.
Language and the Debate Surrounding the Conflict
The podcast episode delves into the importance of language used in the debate surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The speaker argues that while words are significant, they should not be given too much importance. He cautions against the inflation of words such as 'genocide' and highlights the need to focus on the facts and the experiences on the ground rather than engaging in endless semantic arguments. The speaker also mentions the danger of the conflict being hijacked by unrelated internal struggles in the United States, diverting attention from the real victims and the ongoing suffering.
Tommy and Ben discuss the latest news out of Israel and Gaza, including the legality of targeting hospitals, French President Emmanuel Macron’s call for a ceasefire, the growing divide between the US and Israel on long-term governance of Gaza, efforts to rescue the 240 hostages held by Hamas and militant groups, and first-hand accounts from two innocent people caught in the middle of this war. They also discuss the UK’s cabinet shakeup and the return of David Cameron, the nightmare facing Afghans expelled from Pakistan, and the APEC Summit in California where Biden and Xi Jinping will meet. Then Tommy speaks with historian, professor and author Yuval Noah Harari about what it would take for Israel and Palestinians to reach a peace agreement, and there’s a special surprise for Ben at the end.
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.
