MSNBC: October 17, 2023

This morning on MSNBC’s Way Too Early, I spoke to host Jonathan Lemire about rising tensions in the Middle East ahead of U.S. President Joe Biden’s visit to the region tomorrow. Thumbs up that he’ll also be traveling to Jordan to meet with King Abdullah II and the leaders of Egypt and the Palestinian Authority. Policy makers, if they wish for a long term solution, need to develop a regional plan to address widespread hopelessness and joblessness among the young - who in many countries make up about half or more of the respective populations. And as I saw first hand in Gaza, idle and despondent youth are very vulnerable to radicalisation. Climate change and food insecurity will only add to that.

We also spoke about the war in Ukraine and I said the worst thing that could happen right now if attention and resources are diverted away from that conflict. The next U.S. funding for Ukraine may come as a package coupled with pledges for Israel and Taiwan.