Munk Dialogue with Andrew Coyne: America's checks and balances are failing to restrain Donald Trump

Rudyard and Andrew start the show trying to understand why Trump's radical steps on immigration, education, and foreign policy have been met with so little resistance. Where are the checks and balances? Trump doesn't live by the usual dictates that other presidents have. He's not bound by conscience, obedience to convention, or public opinion, and the final test will come when or if he defies a Supreme Court ruling. In the second half of the show Rudyard and Andrew turn to developments in the Middle East where it is becoming increasingly clear that the Netanyahu government does not have a real plan for the future of Gaza. While Israel is often held to an unreasonably high standard when it comes to defending itself, it likewise should not be held to an unreasonably low standard. Israel is using up any international goodwill that it has left, and it is not in their self interest to continue this war. Unfortunately, there is no good or easy option right now, only a range of bad ones. Which one will Israel choose?Become a Munk Donor ($50 annually) to get 72-hour advanced access to the full length editions of Friday Focus and Munk Dialogues. Go to www.munkdebates.com to sign up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.