A DAILY PUBLIC RADIO PROGRAM FEATURING NEWS ANALYSIS OF THE DAY'S TOP ISSUES

Background Briefing: April 15, 2026

Could a Ceasefire Between Israel and Lebanon Lead to an Iran-US Agreement to End the War? We begin with an update on the blockade of the Persian Gulf amid reports that negotiations with Iran might resume soon, tempered by threats from the IRGC that they will blow up...

Background Briefing: April 14, 2026

The Trump Administration’s Explanation of Why We Are at War With Iran…”We’re America Bitches” We begin with how, while American presidents have had their sights on Iran for a long time, we are now at war with a senior Trump administration...

Background Briefing: April 13, 2026

The Escalation Trap Trump Set for Himself Deepens With the Naval Blockade and a Possible Use of a Nuclear Weapon on Esfahan We will begin with the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and assess how the escalation trap Trump set for himself by starting this war...

Background Briefing: April 12, 2026

An Experienced Negotiator With Iran on Vance’s Failure to Make a Quick Deal With an Enemy of 47 Years We begin with the failure of negotiations in Pakistan between VP Vance and Iran’s Foreign Minister and Speaker of the Parliament with Trump now ordering a...

Background Briefing: April 9, 2026

In Desperation, Our Self-Serving and Imbecilic President Has Strengthened a Brutal Regime and Elevated Its Global Position We begin with reports that for weeks Trump has been desperate to make a deal with Iranian officials because he only cares about himself, not the...