Podcast / American Prestige / Jan 9, 2025

Lebanon Elects a President, Afghanistan and Pakistan Skirmish at the Border, and Trump Embraces Imperialism

On this episode of American Prestige, headlines from around the globe.

The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

Trump-Xi Summit, Iran Ceasefire Breakdown, CIA Mexico Strike / American Prestige
byThe Nation Magazine

Danny and Derek fight fake news as they fight their allergies. In this week’s news: Trump and Xi meet; Trump rejects Iran’s ceasefire terms (3:09); Gulf states continue strikes against Iran-linked targets (5:53); U.S. intelligence estimates show Iran retains most missiles (8:48); Asian economies cut energy use with fertilizer shortages threatening crops (10:24); Gaza ceasefire plans appear to proceed without Hamas disarmament (12:58), Israel moves closer to an early election (15:47), and Netanyahu publicizes a UAE visit as Abu Dhabi denies it (17:40); Lebanon and Israel pursue talks as Israeli attacks continue (20:03); jihadist attacks intensify in Mali (24:37); Russia and Ukraine resume attacks after a brief ceasefire (27:45); Wes Streeting quits while Labour pressure builds on Starmer (30:09); CNN reports the CIA’s involvement in cartel killings in Mexico (32:20); and U.S. military activity raises fears of a Cuba operation (34:02).

Don’t forget to listen to our latest miniseries, Marx Prestige.

And join us for our livestream every Wednesday at 8pm ET. Enjoy the replay of this week’s.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

People celebrate Joseph Aoun’s election as president in Tripoli, Lebanon, on Jan. 9, 2025.

(Khaled Habashiti / Xinhua via Getty Images)

On this week’s American Prestige news roundup: The transition process continues in Syria as the US government beginning relations with the new Syrian leadership, but fighting continues between Turkey and the SDF; in Lebanon, the IDF faces a withdrawal deadline and the parliament finally elects a new president; yet more Gaza ceasefire talks are underway; the downing of a civilian aircraft strains Azerbaijan-Russia relations; Afghanistan and Pakistan exchange cross-border fire; South Korea is still trying to arrest impeached President Yoon while the interim president is also impeached; the Biden administration determines that the RSF is committing genocide in Sudan; as a new Ukrainian offensive is underway in Kursk, the Russians continue advancing in eastern Ukraine; Austria looks to be getting a far-right government; Justin Trudeau resigns as prime minister of Canada; and Donald Trump appears to warm up to the idea of conquering everything.

To help support people in LA:

The Nation Podcasts
The Nation Podcasts

Here's where to find podcasts from The Nation. Political talk without the boring parts, featuring the writers, activists and artists who shape the news, from a progressive perspective.

Trump-Xi Summit, Iran Ceasefire Breakdown, CIA Mexico Strike / American Prestige
byThe Nation Magazine

Danny and Derek fight fake news as they fight their allergies. In this week’s news: Trump and Xi meet; Trump rejects Iran’s ceasefire terms (3:09); Gulf states continue strikes against Iran-linked targets (5:53); U.S. intelligence estimates show Iran retains most missiles (8:48); Asian economies cut energy use with fertilizer shortages threatening crops (10:24); Gaza ceasefire plans appear to proceed without Hamas disarmament (12:58), Israel moves closer to an early election (15:47), and Netanyahu publicizes a UAE visit as Abu Dhabi denies it (17:40); Lebanon and Israel pursue talks as Israeli attacks continue (20:03); jihadist attacks intensify in Mali (24:37); Russia and Ukraine resume attacks after a brief ceasefire (27:45); Wes Streeting quits while Labour pressure builds on Starmer (30:09); CNN reports the CIA’s involvement in cartel killings in Mexico (32:20); and U.S. military activity raises fears of a Cuba operation (34:02).

Don’t forget to listen to our latest miniseries, Marx Prestige.

And join us for our livestream every Wednesday at 8pm ET. Enjoy the replay of this week’s.

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Subscribe to The Nation to Support all of our podcasts

Your support makes stories like this possible

From illegal war on Iran to an inhumane fuel blockade of Cuba, from AI weapons to crypto corruption, this is a time of staggering chaos, cruelty, and violence. 

Unlike other publications that parrot the views of authoritarians, billionaires, and corporations, The Nation publishes stories that hold the powerful to account and center the communities too often denied a voice in the national media—stories like the one you’ve just read.

Each day, our journalism cuts through lies and distortions, contextualizes the developments reshaping politics around the globe, and advances progressive ideas that oxygenate our movements and instigate change in the halls of power. 

This independent journalism is only possible with the support of our readers. If you want to see more urgent coverage like this, please donate to The Nation today.

Derek Davison

Derek Davison is a writer and analyst specializing in international affairs and US foreign policy. He is the publisher of the Foreign Exchanges newsletter, cohost of the American Prestige podcast, and former editor of LobeLog.

Daniel Bessner

Daniel Bessner is an historian of US foreign relations, and cohost of American Prestige, a podcast on international affairs.

More from The Nation

Trump-Xi Summit, Iran Ceasefire Breakdown, CIA Mexico Strike

Trump-Xi Summit, Iran Ceasefire Breakdown, CIA Mexico Strike Trump-Xi Summit, Iran Ceasefire Breakdown, CIA Mexico Strike

Danny and Derek fight fake news as they fight their allergies. 

Derek Davison and Daniel Bessner

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.

The UK Government’s AI Obsession Is a Big Risk—With Will Dunn The UK Government’s AI Obsession Is a Big Risk—With Will Dunn

What happens when a government goes all in on AI? It creates some huge vulnerabilities.

Paris Marx

Washington Wizards' John Wall, left, and NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum, pose for photos after Tatum announced that the Wizards had won the first pick in the NBA basketball draft lottery in Chicago, Sunday, May 10, 2026.

The NBA Lottery, Those Nova Knicks, and Movies We Love to Hate The NBA Lottery, Those Nova Knicks, and Movies We Love to Hate

Arya Shirazi joins the show to talk NBA lottery and movies.

Dave Zirin

House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) speaks at a press conference with other members of the Congressional Black Caucus on the Supreme Court decision in “Louisiana v. Callais,” at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on April 29, 2026.

Democrats After the Voting Rights Act—Plus, Jewish Anti-Zionism Democrats After the Voting Rights Act—Plus, Jewish Anti-Zionism

On this episode of Start Making Sense, Harold Meyerson argues Democrats remain likely to win the House in November, and Adam Hochschild talks about the Bund in prewar Europe.

Jon Wiener

Jeff Bezos at the Vanity Fair Oscar party.

Journalism in the Age of Oligarchy—With David Sirota Journalism in the Age of Oligarchy—With David Sirota

Danny and Derek speak with David Sirota, founder and EIC of The Lever, about journalism, independent media, and the consolidation of presidential power. 

Daniel Bessner and Derek Davison

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman arrives at court at the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building on April 30, 2026, in Oakland, California.

Down With the AI Overlords—With Sarah Myers West Down With the AI Overlords—With Sarah Myers West

Tech expert Sarah Myers West discusses how AI is concentrating power among a handful of oligarchs—and how its future could be made more democratic.

x