World Review: Gaza Chaos, Rubio’s Rise, Iran Deal or Strike
Today, I hosted the 238th episode of “World Review with Ivo Daalder” live in the Conference Center of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. Joining me this week in Chicago were three journalists who have been with the program since the beginning: Carla Anne Robbins, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and occasional guest host of World Review; Nahal Toosi, senior foreign affairs reporter and columnist at Politico, and Karen DeYoung, associate editor and senior national security correspondent at the Washington Post.
This was the last episode of the show produced by the Council. Next month, I will step down as the head of the Council after 12 years.
But, fear not, World Review with Ivo Daalder isn’t going away. I will take a few weeks break and will then return to the air in the same format and with the same regular participants. It will be an exciting new chapter of the show. So, stay tuned!
“World Review is always fascinating. I love the fact that you can get journalists from around the world to participate since zoom is the medium.”
— A Subscriber to America Abroad
Now, to this week’s episode
We start today with a glimmer of hope – a possible ceasefire in Gaza after more than two-months of unrelenting bombing, major troop movements, and a siege of the small strip of land that is home to more than 2 million Gazans. If Hamas agrees, the fighting will stop and aid can stream back into the enclave. But the situation is dire—and the differences between the parties remain deep and wide. So what can we expect in the days ahead?
Then we take a look at President Trump’s national security advisors. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has risen in power and prominence, taking over as National Security Adviser and putting his own stamp on this critical White House body—by firing 100 of its staff. Meanwhile, at the Pentagon Defense Secretary Pete Hegesth continues to face massive staffing issues and resentment within a building he does not appear to control. Is he next on the list of departures? Will Rubio take on his roll as well?
Finally, Iran. A 6th round of nuclear talks is slated to start in the next few days. The negotiations are at a crunch point, with the U.S. insisting that Iran accept an interim agreement that would ban enrichment. Time is of the essence, as Israel threatens and prepares to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities. How will this play out?
I encourage you to watch or listen to the episode (and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!).