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

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

We'll begin with the intensifying war between Israel and Hamas as Israel cuts off fuel,

water and food supplies to the Gaza Strip and assess the possibility of another front

opening in the north as clashes with Hezbollah escalate. Joining us is Asha Kaufman, Director of the Crock Institute for

International Peace Studies and a professor of history and peace studies at the University of Notre Dame.

Prior to that, he taught at Hebrew University in Jerusalem and was a research fellow with the Harry S. Truman

Research Institute for the Advancement of peace, where he headed its Middle East

unit. His latest book is Contested Frontiers, Cartography, Sovereignty, and Conflict at the Syria,

Lebanon, Israel, Trib border region. Then, with the House reconvening on Tuesday to elect another

speaker, we will speak with a former Republican congressman who later worked on the January 6th investigation.

Joining us is Denver Riggelman, who supported advanced intelligence analysis and technical

development programs during his over two decades as an intelligence officer, NSA advisor,

federal contractor, research and development

technology lead, and CEO of support companies for the Department of Defense.

A veteran of the global war on terror with multiple worldwide operations, he served in the

United States Air Force for nine active duty years and is a former Republican

member of the House of Representatives representing Virginia's fifth congressional district

and the former senior technical advisor for the House Select Committee to investigate the

January 6th attack on the United States Capitol. He is the co-author of The Breach, the untold

story of the investigation into January 6th.

Then finally, we'll speak with Richard Parker, who teaches economics and public policy at

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