Hello and welcome to Background Briefing, available 24-7 at background briefing.

I'm Ian Masters, and today we'll examine a number of stories and issues in the news.

We'll begin with the US vetoing a UN resolution put forth by Algeria for an immediate

ceasefire in Gaza while offering an alternative draft resolution urging a temporary ceasefire on the

condition that all hostages are released. Joining us to discuss the plight of the Palestinians trapped in the crowded enclave

at the Egyptian border as the death count approaches 30,000,

is Wendy Perlman, a professor of political science and director of the Middle East

and North Africa Studies Program at Northwestern University.

Her books include violence, non-ence, and the Palestinian National Movement

and Triadic Coercion, Israel's Targeting of States that Host Non-State Actors,

and we'll discuss her essay in New Alliance magazine, The Eurasia of Palestinian Society.

Then, with the Trump-led pro-Puton caucus in the House rewarding the murderous Russian dictator while abandoning the victims of

his aggression in Ukraine, we will look into the American Rights 100 years embrace of dictators

and speak with Jacob Halberon,

a senior editor at the National Interest,

a non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center,

a columnist for the spectator and the author of They Know They Were Right,

The Rise of the Neocons.

Previously, he was an editorial writer at the Los Angeles Times

and a senior editor at the New Republic,

and we will discuss his latest book out today, America Last, the Wright's century-long romance with foreign dictators.

Then finally we'll assess the latest historian's President's Day survey and speak with Justin Vaughn,

...