Background Briefing: October 15, 2024

Trump’s Obvious Mental Deterioration

We begin with the obvious mental deterioration of Donald Trump whose bizarre ramblings at rallies was eclipsed by heightened alarm as he robotically bobbed about on stage to a random mix of music for almost 40 minutes at a town hall in Pennsylvania after deciding not to take any more questions. Joining us to discuss whether declaring Trump mentally ill might excuse the glaring fact that he is an evil, hateful and cruel criminal and traitor is Lance Dodes, a Training and Supervising Analyst Emeritus with the Boston Psychoanalytic Society and Institute who was a clinical professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Dodes is a contributor to the new book just out assessing President Trump, The More Dangerous Case of Donald Trump: 40 Psychiatrists and Mental Health Experts Warn Anew.

 

Netanyahu’s Plan to Starve 400,000 in Gaza Prompts the US to Warn Military Aid Could be Cut Off in 30 Days

Then with Netanyahu planning to empty northern Gaza by starving the population into surrender which prompted the Biden Administration to warn that the US could cut off military aid in 30 days, we speak with Nizar Farsakh, a professor in the Elliott School of International Affairs at George Washington University. A trainer on leadership, negotiations, and advocacy with over 20 years of experience across the Middle East and North Africa, he was head of Civil Society Partnerships at the Project On Middle East Democracy and also directed the Palestinian Delegation in Washington D.C. between 2003 and 2008 where he advised senior Palestinian leaders including the President, the Prime Minister and various ministries in their negotiations with Israel.

 

Canada Expels 6 Indian Diplomats For Colluding With Criminals to Assassinate a Sikh Activist on Canadian Soil

Then finally we look into the diplomatic spat between India and Canada with Canada’s expulsion of 6 Indian diplomats accused of colluding with criminals to assassinate a Sikh activist on Canadian soil. Joining us is Andrew Latham, a professor of international relations at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota specializing in the politics of international conflict and security. He was formerly the Nonproliferation, Arms Control, and Disarmament Fellow at the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, and a lecturer at the Canadian Armed Forces School of Aerospace Studies.