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Strikes on Rafah, Long-Range Weapons in Ukraine, and a South Africa Election

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

Derek Davison and Daniel Bessner

May 31, 2024

Smoke billows following Israeli bombardment as displaced Palestinians move in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, on May 31, 2024.(Eyad Baba / AFP)

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Strikes on Rafah, Long-Range Weapons in Ukraine, And A South Africa Election | American Prestige
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Danny and Derek are innocent, with news to boot. This week: in Gaza, Israeli bombs displaced Palestinians in tents (0:29) despite the ICJ ruling calling for a halt in that operation (4:36), global opinion on Palestine continues to shift (7:12), Egyptian-Israeli border clashes (13:59), and more; some developments regarding Iran’s nuclear program (18:19); a summit attended by representatives of China, South Korea, and Japan (22:35); the DPRK/North Korea has a failed satellite launch (25:55); an update on Sudan, namely the besieged city of El Fasher (27:56); the Burkina Faso military junta delays the transition to civilian control (29:54); in Ukraine news, Vladimir Putin hints at a ceasefire recognizing the current territorial status (34:22) while Antony Blinken hints at the US greenlighting Ukraine using American long-range weapons to strike Russia (36:09); in Mexico, a presidential election on Sunday (39:56) while Mexico City is on the verge of losing its water supply (41:59).

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This week on American Prestige: In Gaza, Israeli bombs displaced Palestinians in tents (0:29), despite the ICJ ruling calling for a halt in that operation (4:36), global opinion on Palestine continues to shift (7:12), and there are clashes along the Egyptian-Israeli border (13:59); some developments emerge regarding Iran’s nuclear program (18:19); a summit is attended by representatives of China, South Korea, and Japan (22:35); the DPRK/North Korea has a failed satellite launch (25:55); we have an update on the besieged Sudanese city of El Fasher (27:56); the Burkina Faso military junta delays the transition to civilian control (29:54); Ukrainian President Vladimir Putin hints at a cease-fire recognizing the current territorial status (34:22), while Antony Blinken hints that the US may greenlight Ukraine’s using American long-range weapons to strike Russia (36:09); in Mexico, a presidential election will be held on Sunday (39:56), while Mexico City is on the verge of losing its water supply (41:59).

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.

Thailand–Cambodia Fighting, Venezuela Escalation, Yemen Separatists | American Prestige
byThe Nation Magazine

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Jolly Saint Nick is giving the U.S. government lots of coal this year, a boon to fossil fuel companies. In this week’s news: Thailand–Cambodia fighting resumes despite Trump’s ceasefire claim (1:52); an Israeli airstrike in Gaza threatens what remains of the ceasefire (6:00), and a winter storm devastates Gaza as Israel continues blocking shelter materials and aid (9:10); Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council prepares to declare a new government amid Saudi threats (12:08); the U.S. approves the largest-ever arms package to Taiwan (16:10); China reportedly unveils a prototype advanced chipmaking tool (18:18); the Bondi Beach attack in Australia has possible Islamic State links (19:48); a New America Foundation report documents extensive U.S. airstrikes in Somalia (22:01); M23 announces its withdrawal from Uvira in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (24:49); Ukraine peace talks continue as the war nears its fourth year, including disputes over Kupiansk (27:59); Chile elects far-right president José Antonio Kast (32:23); the U.S. escalates pressure on Venezuela with military deployments and a partial oil blockade (33:27); and Congress passes a $901 billion National Defense Authorization Act, including a repeal of Syria’s Caesar Act and changes to Selective Service registration (41:40).

Listen to our special with Annelle Sheline on what’s going on in Yemen.

Don’t forget to listen to our Chinese Prestige miniseries.

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


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