Stephen A. Cook

Amir Tibon, a diplomatic correspondent for Haaretz and author of "The Gates of Gaza," teams up with Stephen A. Cook, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, to discuss the fraught landscape of Israeli-Hamas negotiations. They explore the complexities of achieving a ceasefire amidst conflicting demands and the human toll on hostages' families. The duo also examines how Trump's presidency might shape U.S. foreign policy in the region, highlighting the evolving dynamics of diplomacy and the implications for both Israel and Palestine.

Stephen Cook, senior fellow on Middle East and African studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, provides expert analysis on Iran and regional dynamics. They unpack how the fighting is progressing and the differing strategic aims of the United States and Israel. Conversations cover China's cautious role, Russia's real-time intelligence support, and where the conflict might head in the coming months.

Ruth Marcus, a former Washington Post columnist and author, joins Yale Law School's James Forman, an expert on mass incarceration, alongside Stephen Cook from the Council on Foreign Relations. They dive into the implications of Trump's recent bombings in Iran and a pivotal New York Democratic primary win for Zohran Mamdani. The trio discusses a whistleblower's shocking revelations about Trump’s judicial nominees and the ongoing ethical dilemmas within the Justice Department, highlighting the urgent need for accountability in politics.