Hello and welcome to Background Briefing, available 24-7 at Background Briefing.org, I'm me and Masters,

and today we'll examine a number of stories and issues in the news.

We'll begin with Biden's defiance in the face of increasing calls for him to step down as we learn that a Parkinson's expert visited the White House eight times and eight months,

the last on March the 28th.

Joining us to discuss how Biden can reboot his campaign or a new leader can

quickly be found is Simon Rosenberg, a veteran political analyst, strategist and commentator,

the former president and founder of the New Democrat Network, a leading progressive think tank

and advocacy organization. He previously worked on the DeKarcas and Clinton presidential campaigns

where he was a member of the 1992 Clinton War Room. He has a new blog on Substack at Hopium

Chronicles, and we will discuss his latest article, legit questions about Biden's health, no letting

up. Then, with many breathing a sigh of relief at the far right came in third in the

French election. We will speak with David Antelman, twice winner of the Deadline Club Award, and a

chevalier of the French Legion of Honour. He is the author of A Shattered Peace for a sign 1919 and

the price we pay today, and a red line in the sand, diplomacy strategy

and the history of wars that might still happen.

Formerly a correspondent for the New York Times and CBS News in Europe and Asia,

he runs the substack blog, Andleman Unleashed, and we will discuss his article at MSNBC

as France votes and Biden stumbles,

it's time to Trump-proof Europe, and how the loser Le Pen has now joined forces with

Orban to form Patriots for Europe, the third largest bloc in the European Parliament.

Then finally we'll speak with Francis Karugu, who is an international development specialist based in Nairobi, Kenya,

a Yale Global Justice Fellow.

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