This is CBS, I on the World. I'm John Batchel. I welcome Jonathan Schenser, the executive director of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies.

We go immediately to the Middle East because we're looking at stories in all directions, lots of activity.

I want to begin, however, with a remark, starting in the White

House, the President of the United States, making phone calls, I believe, to the King of Jordan,

Abdullah, was at the same time conveying his thoughts to the President of Egypt, Mr. Sisi.

The headline is, clean out Gaza. What the President is referring to is that those of us who have been to Gaza, I've broadcast

from Gaza.

It's a series of sand dunes and beachfront property.

In France, this would be lined with houses.

In America, it was lined with houses until some burned down.

However, the president is talking about emptying Gaza

of the obviously beleaguered and very despairing people, and putting them in Jordan, which is more

than one half, maybe up to two-thirds Palestinian already, has been since the 20th century. And Egypt, because Gaza is Egypt, and it's been the irresponsibility of subsequent

Egyptian governments not to take authority over Gaza.

This is an ancient part of the world.

The word Gaza refers to gauze.

Once upon a time there was fine cotton grown here, reaching back

thousands of years. Emptying Gaza and turning it into expensive real estate is a practical

idea. But, Jonathan, I've made my pitch. The president's remark was, I believe, fended off by

the king in Jordan, but the president says he agrees.

What is to be done about this?

Is it just another Trump idea or is there weight to it?

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