
June 7, 2026
6/9/2026 | 55m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
Susan Glasser; Anne Applebaum; Jules Boykoff
Susan Glasser looks at Pres. Trump's baseless claims of election fraud in California and the electoral field at large. Anne Applebaum gives an update on the fighting between Russia and Ukraine as Zelensky meets with Nordic and Baltic leaders. Former professional soccer player Jules Boykoff discusses "sports-washing" in the world of soccer as North America prepares for the start of the World Cup.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback

June 7, 2026
6/9/2026 | 55m 46sVideo has Closed Captions
Susan Glasser looks at Pres. Trump's baseless claims of election fraud in California and the electoral field at large. Anne Applebaum gives an update on the fighting between Russia and Ukraine as Zelensky meets with Nordic and Baltic leaders. Former professional soccer player Jules Boykoff discusses "sports-washing" in the world of soccer as North America prepares for the start of the World Cup.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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PBS and WNET, in collaboration with CNN, launched Amanpour and Company in September 2018. The series features wide-ranging, in-depth conversations with global thought leaders and cultural influencers on issues impacting the world each day, from politics, business, technology and arts, to science and sports.Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship>> HELLO, EVERYONE.
WELCOME TO AMANPOUR AND COMPANY.
HERE IS WHAT'S UP.
>> YOU SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING IN CALIFORNIA.
THEY ARE RIGGING THE ELECTION.
>> TRUMP FALSELY CLAIMS A STOLEN ELECTION AGAIN.
THIS TIME IN THE L. A. MAYORAL RACE.
I SPOKE TO THE NEW YORKER SUSAN GLASSER ABOUT WHAT IT MEANS FOR AMERICAN DEMOCRACY AND THE MIDTERMS AHEAD.
> >> THEN, AS SOON AS SHE GOT HERE DOCTORS TOLD US TO SAVE HER LIFE.
>> THEY HAD TO AMPUTATE BOTH HER ARMS AND RIGHT LEG.
>> A YEAR AGO THE WORLD MET A TWO-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN GAZA FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE.
NOW CORRESPONDENT -- VISITS HER AND WITNESSES AN EXTRAORDINARY STORY OF SURVIVAL.
> >> PLUS, PRESIDENT ZELENSKY TORAH ZERO SEEKING SUPPORT WITH THE WAR ENTERING ANOTHER CRITICAL PHASE WHAT COMES NEXT FOR UKRAINE?
> >> ALSO AHEAD.
>> FIFA HAS A REAL PROBLEM WITH GREENWASHING, WHICH IS TO SAY TALKING A BIG SUSTAINABILITY GAME BUT NOT ACTUALLY FOLLOWING THROUGH ON THE GROUND.
>> THE WORLD CUP IS FINALLY HERE BUT SO ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT CLIMATE, COST AND THIEF'S POWER.
--SPEAKS TO THE AUTHOR OF "RED CARD" ABOUT THE CONTROVERSY SURROUNDING THIS YEAR'S TOURNAMENT.
> >> AMANPOUR AND COMPANY IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE ANDERSON FAMILY ENDOWMENT, JIM ATWOOD AND LESLIE WILLIAMS.
CANDACE KING.
THE SYLVIA A AND SIMON THE PROGRAM ENDOWMENT TO FIGHT ANTI- SEMITISM.
THE STRAUSS FAMILY FOUNDATION.
THE PETER G PETERSON AND -- FUND.
CHARLES ROSENBLUM.
COMMITTED TO BRIDGING CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
BARBARA HOPE ZUCKERBERG .
AND BY CONTRIBUTIONS TO YOUR PBS STATION FROM VIEWERS LIKE YOU.
THANK YOU.
> >> WELCOME TO THE PROGRAM, EVERYONE.
ONCE AGAIN, PRESIDENT TRUMP IS FALSELY CLAIMING ELECTION FRAUD .
THIS TIME, AFTER DEMOCRATS ADVANCED IN THE NONPARTISAN PRIMARY FOR THE LOS ANGELES MAYORAL RACE.
TRUMP HAS BLAMED MAIL-IN BALLOTS FOR THE RESULT, REVIVING FALSE CLAIMS THAT HAVE BECOME A FAMILIAR FEATURE OF HIS PRESIDENCY.
ON NBC'S MEET THE PRESS THE PRESIDENT OFFERED NONE AND CUT THE INTERVIEW SHORT.
>> YOU ARE ELECTIONS , YOU ARE LIKE A THIRD WORLD COUNTRY.
YOUR ELECTIONS ARE CROOKED AND YOU ARE CROOKED.
AND MEET THE PRESS IS CROOKED.
AND SO IS ABC AND CBS, AND CNN.
YOU ARE ONE-SIDED, CROOKED NETWORKS.
LET'S CALL IT QUITS BECAUSE I'VE HAD ENOUGH.
THANK YOU, DARLING.
HAVE A GOOD TIME.
>> THE NEW YORK TIMES REPORTS HE IS INVESTIGATING WHAT HE CALLS A RIGGED SYSTEM, EVEN AS ELECTION OFFICIALS MAINTAIN THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF WIDESPREAD FRAUD NOW THE CONTROVERSY IS SPILLING INTO A NATIONAL SECURITY FIGHT IN WASHINGTON.
TRUMP HAS SAID THAT AS ACTING DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE BILL PULLED HE WILL INVESTIGATE AND HE, QUOTE, MAY FIND OUT SOME THINGS ABOUT THE RIGGED ELECTIONS.
THAT, DESPITE OFFERING THAT NO EVIDENCE EXISTS.
DEMOCRATS STRONGLY OBJECT TO THE ALLY AND CLOSE OFFICIAL OF THE PRESIDENT WHO HAS NO EXPERIENCE.
THEY ARE NOW REVOLTING AND VOWING TO BLOCK THE REAUTHORIZATION OF A CONTROVERSIAL FORWARD SURVEILLANCE PROGRAM.
SO WHAT DOES THAT TELL US ABOUT THE PRESIDENTS MINDSET RIGHT NOW AND THE STATE OF AMERICA'S DEMOCRACY HEADING INTO THE MIDTERMS?
FOR MORE I'M JOINED BY SUSAN GLASSER OF THE NEW YORKER.
SUSAN, ALWAYS GREAT TO HAVE YOU ON THE PROGRAM.
LET'S START WITH THESE BASELESS ALLEGATIONS ABOUT THE MAYORAL RACE IN CALIFORNIA , IN LOS ANGELES .
PRESIDENT TRUMP ALSO TOUCHED ON THE --RACE THERE AS WELL, WHERE YOU DO HAVE A RUNOFF BETWEEN BOTH A DEMOCRAT AND A REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE.
WE WILL GET THAT IN A SECOND.
IN TERMS OF LOS ANGELES, AGGRESSIVE DEMOCRAT MOVED AHEAD OF THE REPUBLICAN , SPENCER PRATT, TO FACE OFF AGAINST KAREN BASS IN NOVEMBER.
TRUMP IS SAYING THAT BECAUSE SPENCER PRATT , JUST A FEW DAYS AGO, WAS IN THE LEAD AND IT LOOKED LIKE THERE COULD BE A SCENARIO WHICH WOULD BE QUITE UNUSUAL FOR A BLUE, ALL BLUE CITIES LIKE LOS ANGELES TO HAVE A REPUBLICAN RUNNING AGAINST A DEMOCRAT.
THE PRESIDENT IS SAYING NOW THAT THESE NEW VOTES HAVE BEEN COUNTED.
SOMETHING IS FISHY AND THAT IS EVIDENCE ENOUGH OF ELECTION FRAUD.
JUST GIVE US YOUR TAKE CARE.
DO YOU THINK HE REALLY BELIEVES THAT ?
I GUESS THE BIGGER QUESTION IS, DOES THAT EVEN MATTER?
>> LOOK, DONALD TRUMP, THERE'S NO ELECTION THAT HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE OUTCOME IN HIS LIFE.
AND THAT INCLUDES ELECTIONS TO WIN TONY AWARDS OR OSCARS AS WELL.
THAT HE HASN'T CALLED RIGGED.
YOU KNOW, IT'S DIGNIFYING THE ABSURD TO SUGGEST THAT DONALD TRUMP HAS ANY BASIS FOR MAKING ANY CLAIMS RIGHT NOW ABOUT CALIFORNIA.
TO DO SO IN THE ABSENCE OF ANY KIND OF PROCESS, OF ANY EVIDENCE .
THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS IN A RULE OF LAW SOCIETY AND THE PRESIDENT HAS A VERY, VERY CLEAR-CUT PLAYBOOK .
NOT JUST A YEAR INTO THIS NOW.
WE KNOW HOW THIS WORKS WITH DONALD TRUMP.
HE MAKES BASELESS CLAIMS.
HE DOESN'T NEED ANY EVIDENCE.
IN THE 20 ELECTION HIS OWN ATTORNEY GENERAL TOLD HIM, TO HIS FACE, AND IN PUBLIC INTERVIEWS, THAT THERE WAS NO BASIS TO CLAIM ANY FRAUD OF ANY SUBSTANTIAL NATURE IN THE 2020 ELECTIONS, THAT IT DID NOT AFFECT THE OUTCOME.
HE EVEN LEFT THE ADMINISTRATION.
HERE WE ARE, YEARS LATER.
DONALD TRUMP HAS CONVERTED THESE LIES INTO THE NEW IDEOLOGICAL LITMUS TEST FOR MEMBERSHIP INTO THESE REPUBLICAN PARTY OR SENIOR LEVEL APPOINTMENTS , WHO KNOW THAT HE DOESN'T HAVE ANY BASIS .
AND TO SUGGEST HE REALLY BELIEVES ON THE BASIS OF WHAT?
HOW WOULD HE ACTUALLY REALLY BE IN A POSITION TO REALLY BELIEVE THAT THERE IS FRAUD HERE?
AND WHAT DOES IT MATTER?
>> RIGHT.
AND AS WE SPENT TIME ON LAST WEEK WITH JONATHAN MARTIN , REALLY FOCUSING ON THE PRIMARIES IN CALIFORNIA IN PARTICULAR, WE INTRODUCED OUR AUDIENCE TO WHAT IS CALLED THE JUNGLE PRIMARY.
THAT IS THE NONPARTISAN PRIMARY SYSTEM IN WHICH ANYONE CAN RUN , FROM WHICHEVER PARTY.
IT WOULD BE, AS I NOTED EARLIER, MORE SURPRISING.
AND IT HAS BEEN MORE SURPRISING TO SEE MORE REPUBLICANS REALLY RISE IN POPULARITY.
OBVIOUSLY NOT GOING TO THE RUNOFF, AS IT'S LOOKING AT THIS POINT FOR THE MIDTERMS , AND THAT'S GOING TO BE IN NOVEMBER.
BUT IT DOES GIVE A SENSE AS A WEAKNESS OF KAREN BASS, AND ALSO THE GRIEVANCES OF MANY VOTERS IN CALIFORNIA AS WELL.
I DID MENTION STEVE HILTON.
HE IS GOING TO LIKELY BE RUNNING AGAINST A DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR.
AND PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID THIS .
HE POSTED UNTRUTHS SOCIAL ABOUT THE BOTH THE MAYORAL RACE AND THE GOVERNORS RACE.
THAT WILL FOR SPENCER PRATT TO HAVE LOST THE L. A. RUNOFFS AFTER THE BIG LEAD HE HAD.
THIRD WORLD NATION, RIGGED ELECTIONS.
NOW THEY WILL BE WORKING ON GREAT GUY STEVE HILTON.
AND TO THAT POINT, LAST NIGHT, MY COLLEAGUE ERIN BURNETT ASKED STEVE HILTON OF HIS TEAM HAD SEEN ANY INDICATIONS OF ELECTION FRAUD AS WELL.
AND HERE IS WHAT HE SAID.
>> THERE'S SOMETHINGS WRONG WITH THE SYSTEM.
I'VE BEEN SAYING ALL ALONG THAT WE TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO LET PEOPLE DOWN.
WE'VE BEEN VERY --KEEPING AN EYE ON IT, TEAM STANDING BY, LAWYERS STANDING BY.
THAT IS THE SAME ANSWER THAT I'VE BEEN GIVING FOR A FEW DAYS NOW.
WE HAVE SEEN NOTHING THAT WOULD GIVE US CAUSE TO INTERVENE IN THAT WAY.
>> ARE YOU SURPRISED BY THAT?
WHEN A REPUBLICAN IS ACTUALLY ON TRACK TO WIN POTENTIALLY IT'S A FREE AFFAIR ELECTION.
>> I'M NOT SURPRISED BY THAT.
COME ON.
AGAIN, WE ARE 10 YEARS INTO THIS.
DONALD TRUMP 'S CLAIMS, FOR EXAMPLE, ABOUT THE 2020 ELECTION, WHICH HE LOST IN, RELIES ON THE MOST MASSIVE POSSIBLE ALLEGATIONS OF CONSPIRACY BASICALLY IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD IF YOU WANT TO TAKE WHAT DONALD TRUMP SAID AT FACE VALUE.
MANY OF THE STATES THAT HE CLAIMED , BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WIN THE ELECTION, REPUBLICANS WON FOR SENATE, REPUBLICANS WON FOR GOVERNOR.
ARE YOU IMAGINING THAT THESE CONSPIRACY THEORIES ARE OUT THERE IN THIS DEVIOUS PLOT WHERE THEY ARE GOING TO ELECT REPUBLICANS TO EVERY OFFICE IN MANY DISTRICTS EXCEPT FOR DONALD TRUMP?
IN A RULE OF LAW SOCIETY, IF YOU HAVE AN INVESTIGATION, IF YOU HAVE EVIDENCE OF FRAUD, YOU BRING IT TO THE AUTHORITIES, YOU INVESTIGATE IT, YOU TAKE IT TO COURT .
COURTS HAVE FOUND AGAIN, AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN WHEREVER SPECIFIC CLAIMS HAVE BEEN ADVANCED BY TRUMP AND HIS ALLIES THEY HAVE NOT FOUND THAT THIS IS A RIGGED ELECTION.
IN FACT, THEY HAVE FOUND AGAIN, AGAIN, AND AGAIN THAT THE UNITED STATES IS QUITE A SAFE AND RELATIVELY FRAUD FREE ELECTION SYSTEM.
THIS IS TROLLING ON AN EPIC SCALE THAT COMES RIGHT OUT OF DONALD TRUMP'S PLAYBOOK.
I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT TO SET UP THE QUESTION OF, WHAT DOES IT MEAN IN TERMS OF THE POSSIBLE APPROACH WE MAY SEE TO DONALD TRUMP FACED WITH HIS PARTY MAKING MAJOR LOSSES IN THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS THIS FALL.
>> AND I KNOW THAT IT'S EXHAUSTING AT THIS POINT.
SO MANY YEARS LATER, TAFT RELITIGATE THIS QUESTION, AS YOU'VE NOTED , SO MANY COURT CASES HAVE PROVEN THAT THERE IS NO WIDESPREAD FRAUD.
MANY OF THESE JUDGES ARE TRUMP APPOINTED JUDGES AS WELL.
AND TRUMP IS REMINDED OF THIS EVERY TIME HE MAKES THESE BASELESS ALLEGATIONS.
YET, HE STILL DUG IN HERE AND HAS LED MANY TO THINK, OKAY, OUTSIDE OF CALIFORNIA, IS HE POTENTIALLY SETTING UP FOR A BIGGER PROTEST, SCANDAL, REACTION TO RESULTS THAT HE MAY NOT LIKE IN THE MIDTERMS?
>> YEAH.
HIS EFFORT TO UNDERMINE THE POSSIBLE DEMOCRATIC PICKUPS IN THE MIDTERM ELECTION LITERALLY BEGAN, MORE OR LESS, THE DAY HE RETURNED TO OFFICE IN 2024.
HE'S ALREADY HAD A VERY PREEMPTIVE EFFORT TO UNDERMINE AMERICAN 'S CONFIDENCE IN THE LEGITIMACY, FAIRNESS AND INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTIONS.
HE HAS, AS YOU KNOW, HAD A YEAR'S LONG CAMPAIGN AGAINST MAIL-IN BALLOTS , TO THE FRUSTRATION OF THE REPUBLICANS, THAT BELIEVE MANY STATES AROUND THE COUNTRY WHERE MAIL-IN BALLOTS WOULD BENEFIT THEM.
AGAIN, DONALD TRUMP HAS GONE OUT OF HIS WAY FOR MANY YEARS NOW TO TAKE A PREEMPTIVE APPROACH OF UNDERMINING AMERICAN CONFIDENCE IN THE LEGITIMACY OF OUR ELECTIONS RIGHT OUT OF, AND I MIGHT NOTE, IN AUTHORITARIAN PLAYBOOK USED AROUND THE WORLD AND NOT JUST HERE IN THE UNITED STATES.
LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS, WHAT I FOUND VERY STRIKING ABOUT WHAT TRUMP IS DOING IN CALIFORNIA IS JUMPING IN WITH SWEEPING, UNFOUNDED ASSERTIONS AND NO EVIDENCE WHILE THE ACCOUNTING IS STILL GOING ON.
WE WILL REMEMBER THAT HE STARTED DOING THIS IN 2020 AS WELL AS THE COUNTING WAS STILL OCCURRING.
IT'S IN ORDER TO REALLY CALL INTO QUESTION FOR HIS FOLLOWERS THE LEGITIMACY OF AN OUTCOME IN WHICH REPUBLICANS DON'T WIN.
THE QUESTION MANY PEOPLE HAVE IS, GIVEN HOW MUCH DONALD TRUMP HAS BEEN WILLING TO MAKE SWEEPING CLAIMS OF EXECUTIVE POWER, AND TO DEPLOY FEDERAL ASSETS ON THE GROUND IN WAYS THAT ARE VERY QUESTIONABLE, AND AT TIMES RULED ILLEGAL, WHETHER THAT'S WHAT HE'S LOOKING AT POTENTIALLY DOING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE COUNTING THIS FALL IN KEY STATES AND DISTRICTS AROUND THE COUNTRY.
THAT'S THE FEAR THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE, IS THAT IT'S NOT JUST GOING TO BE INFLAMMATORY RHETORIC FROM DONALD TRUMP, THAT HE MAY ATTEMPT TO USE FEDERAL AGENTS TO INTIMIDATE VOTERS OR TO INTIMIDATE VOTE COUNTERS, FOR EXAMPLE.
HE MAY FILE PRINT OF LAWSUITS.
WHO KNOWS WHAT'S POSSIBLE?
>> THAT LEADS TO MY NEXT QUESTION ABOUT APPOINTING HIS ACTING DNI, BILL PULLED.
WITH NO INTELLIGENCE, BACKGROUND OR EXPERIENCE HE IS A HOUSING FINANCE OFFICIAL, SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN A STALWART SUPPORTER OF THE PRESIDENT.
PRESIDENT TRUMP CAME OUT WHEN ASKED ABOUT WHAT QUALIFICATIONS HE HAD FOR THIS JOB.
HE SAID, WELL MAYBE FIND SOME THINGS OUT ABOUT THE RIGGED ELECTIONS.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?
ABOUT PUTTING SOMEONE LIKE BILL PULLED HE?
I GUESS THESE TWO CONCERNS ABOUT THE OUTCOME OF FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS AND NOT INTIMIDATING VOTERS.
AT THE SAME TIME, THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT JOB.
IT WAS A ROLE THAT WAS ESTABLISHED AFTER THE 9/11 COMMISSION.
LOOKING BACK TO WHAT PIECES WERE MISSING LEADING UP TO THE 9/11 ATTACKS.
TO HAVE SOMEONE LIKE HIM RUNNING THIS ORGANIZATION, AT THE SAME TIME WHEN THERE ARE CONCERNS ABOUT ELECTION SECURITY, WHAT DOES THAT TELL US ABOUT THE STATE OF THE COUNTRY FROM A NATIONAL SECURITY PERSPECTIVE, SUSAN?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
I'M SO GLAD YOU BROUGHT THAT UP.
WE SHOULD SAY TO PEOPLE , AFTER A HISTORY OF MANY SCANDALS IN THE 40s, 50s, 60s AND 70s, THE WHOLE PRINCIPLE OF THE U. S. INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY IS THAT IT IS NOT MEANT TO SPY ON AMERICANS.
IT IS NOT MEANT TO INTERVENE IN OUR DOMESTIC POLITICS.
IT IS MEANT TO PROTECT US FROM FOREIGN NATIONAL SECURITY THREATS.
THAT IS THE EXPLICIT STATUTORY ROLE OF THE U. S. INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY.
NOT TO GET INVOLVED IN DOMESTIC CLINICAL DISPUTES.
AND IT WAS ALREADY, I THINK, A BREATHTAKING BREACH OF OUR LAWS AND CUSTOMS THAT HIS PREDECESSOR, TULSI GABBARD, WHY DID SHE SHOW UP IN GEORGIA WHERE DONALD TRUMP CONTINUES TO MAKE BASELESS CLAIMS ABOUT HIS DEFEAT IN THE 2020 ELECTION , AND HAS USED HIS JUSTICE DEPARTMENT TO GO AFTER ELECTION RECORDS THERE.
TULSI GABBARD SHOWED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT AS THE DNI.
IT'S NEVER BEEN EXPLAINED EXACTLY WHAT SHE WAS DOING.
IT SEEMED, WHEN DONALD TRUMP MADE RECORDS TO HIS NEW ACTING DNI, BILL PULTE, THAT HE WAS INVOLVED WITH LOOKING AT THE QUOTE, UNQUOTE , RIGGED ELECTIONS.
DONALD TRUMP HAS EXPLODED THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN OUR INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY, WHICH IS MEANT TO BE FOCUSED ON FOREIGN THREATS, AND IS NOW USING THEM TO CARRY OUT HIS DOMESTIC POLITICAL ERRANDS.
THAT'S NUMBER ONE.
AND NUMBER TWO, WITH BILL PULTE, IT'S VERY NOTABLE THAT TRUMP IS MAKING HIM ONLY HIS ACTING DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE.
HE'S BASICALLY BYPASSING THE U. S. SENATE AND SAYING, I'M NOT EVEN GOING TO BOTHER TO PRETEND TO HAVE HIM CONFIRMED FOR THIS ROLE, EVEN THOUGH THE JOB IS A SENATE CONFIRMED JOB.
WHY?
DONALD TRUMP SAID IN HIS FIRST TERM HE WOULD HAVE PROBLEMATIC CHARACTERS IN SENSITIVE ROLES LIKE THIS WHO ARE ACCOUNTABLE ONLY TO HIM.
I THINK IT'S VERY NOTABLE THAT HE SAYING ON THE FRONT AND TO CONGRESS, BASICALLY, I DARE YOU TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS.
>> THE DEMOCRATS, OBVIOUSLY THE MINORITY PARTY HERE, ARE USING THE REAUTHORIZATION OF FISA, SECTION 702 OF THE FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE ACT , AS SOME SORT OF LEVERAGE THAT THEY CAN HOLD OVER PRESIDENT TRUMP AS THEY ARE FIGHTING AGAINST THIS BILL PULTE NOMINATION.
IS THAT A WISE MOVE ON THEIR PART?
PLAY, IN OUR LAST MOMENT WE HAVE HERE, EXPLAIN TO OUR VIEWERS AGAIN WHAT FISA IS.
>> YEAH.
THIS IS THE HEART OF THE AMERICAN INTELLIGENCE COMMUNITY'S ABILITY TO CONDUCT ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE, WIRETAPPING , MUST BE REAUTHORIZED ON A REGULAR BASIS BY CONGRESS .
RIGHT NOW THEY ARE SAYING WE WILL DO THAT AS LONG AS BILL PULTE IS IN THAT ROLE.
TRUMP IS NOT NOMINATING HIM AND THAT'S PART OF THE PROBLEM.
IT'S A VERY LIMITED ROLE.
REPUBLICAN SENATORS, SOMETIMES THEY TALK A BIG GAME WHEN IT COMES TO BEING UPSET WITH VARIOUS EXTREME ACTIONS TRUMP TAKES.
AGAIN, AGAIN, AND AGAIN THEY HAVE FOLDED WHEN IT COMES TO THE VOTE.
WE WILL SEE HOW MANY OF THEM WILL JOIN WITH DEMOCRATIC COLLEAGUES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
IT'S NOT CLEAR.
>> SUSAN GLASSER, TO BE CONTINUED.
ALWAYS GREAT TO HAVE YOU ON.
PLEASE COME BACK SOON.
>> THANK YOU.
> >> NEXT, TO A STORY WE FIRST BROUGHT YOU MORE THAN A YEAR AGO.
A THREE-YEAR-OLD PALESTINIAN GIRL FROM GAZA WITH A RARE GENETIC CONDITION.
WHEN WE FIRST MET HER SHE WAS RUNNING OUT OF TIME.
TONIGHT, MEDICAL EVACUATION -- HER LIMBS WERE AT RISK.
BUT THEN THE KING OF JORDAN STEPPED IN AND BROUGHT HER FOR TREATMENT.
--RETURNS TO VISIT AND WITNESS A REMARKABLE STORY OF SURVIVAL AND RECOVERY.
>> Reporter: THE LITTLE GIRL THAT CAPTIVATED THE HEARTS OF SO MANY ON HER JOURNEY TO THE BRINK OF DEATH AND BACK.
THE JOURNEY THAT WE BROUGHT YOU YEAR AGO THAT BEGAN IN CAUSES HOSPITALS WHERE DOCTORS HAD NOTHING --THE PALESTINIAN TODDLER WAS SUFFERING FROM A RARE MEDICAL CONDITION WITH GANGRENE SPREADING IN HER BODY.
HER MOTHER, THROUGH CNN, APPEALED FOR HELP.
FOLLOWING A REPORT --ORDERED HABIBA'S EVACUATION FOR LIFE- SAVING TREATMENT.
WE ARE NOW BACK TO VISIT HABIBA.
>> WE FOUND A TOTALLY DIFFERENT HABIBA.
A HAPPY AND CHATTY CHILD.
>> Reporter: HER SPIRIT AND SMILE ALMOST MAKES YOU FORGET WHAT SHE HAS BEEN THROUGH.
A LIFE ALTERING TRIPLE AMPUTATION.
>> Reporter: IS REALLY AUTHORITIES NEVER GAVE A REASON FOR REPEATEDLY DELAYING HABIBA'S EVACUATION LAST YEAR .
AS SOON AS SHE GOT HERE DOCTORS TOLD US TO SAVE HER LIFE.
THEY HAD TO AMPUTATE BOTH HER ARMS AND RIGHT LEG.
>> Reporter: HABIBA IS EXCITED TO TAKE US AROUND THIS COMPOUND THAT IS NOW HOME.
THE SOS CHILDREN'S VILLAGE AND REFUGE FOR JORDANIAN ORPHANS THAT IS NOW ALSO HOSTING FAMILIES FROM GAZA, RECEIVING TREATMENT.
--IS A MOTHER ON A MISSION MAKING SURE NOTHING FEELS OUT OF REACH FOR HER BABY GIRL .
THE OTHER ROCK IN HABIBA'S LIFE HAS BEEN -- HIS SISTER IS HIS WHOLE WORLD AND HE IS HERS.
BUT BENEATH THAT BRAVE FACE AND WARM SMILE IS A 12-YEAR-OLD BOY'S TRAUMA THAT HAS, IN MANY WAYS, BEEN OVERSHADOWED BY HIS SISTER'S ORDEAL.
AS WE SIT DOWN FOR A CHAT IT DOESN'T TAKE LONG TO SEE THAT HE TOO CARRIES THE HIDDEN SCARS OF GAZA.
>> Reporter: BUT IT'S REMEMBERING HOW HABIBA WANTS WAS THAT BREAKS THEM.
>> Reporter: HE NOTICES HABIBA IS LOOKING AT HIM.
IT SEEMS HE HAS TO HOLD IT ALL IN .
AFTER RUNNING AROUND ALL DAY HABIBA HAS HAD ENOUGH OF HER PROSTHETIC LEG.
SHE WANTS TO SHOW US HER -- >> SHE HAS PAIN THAT IS WHAT SHE ASKED US TO TAKE HER PROSTHETIC OFF.
>> Reporter: TO TRY TO GET HER TO TAKE HER MIND OFF OF THE PAIN I ASKED HER WHAT SHE ENJOYS DOING.
>> HABIBA ENJOYS SINGING.
>> BEING SEPARATED FROM HER HUSBAND AND CHILDREN ISN'T CURRENTLY HARD.
BUT RETURNING TO A GAZA IN RUINS WOULD BE A DEATH SENTENCE FOR HABIBA SHE SAYS.
HABIBA HAS FOUND A NEW CHANCE AT LIFE.
THE ROAD AHEAD WILL NOT BE EASY BUT NOTHING SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE FOR THIS DETERMINED LITTLE WARRIOR WHO IS READY TO FIGHT THE ODDS.
>> THE RESILIENCE OF A CHILD NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE.
> >> UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VLADIMIR ZELENSKY IS IN ESTONIA TODAY FOR NORDIC AND BALTIC LEADERS AS HE RAMPS UP HIS DIPLOMATIC PUSH.
EARLIER THIS WEEK HE WAS ALSO IN LONDON BEING WITH THE LEADERS OF BRITAIN, FRANCE AND GERMANY.
THIS COMES AS UKRAINE IS LOOKING TO INJECT NEW MOMENTUM INTO STALLED PEACE EFFORTS AND CONTINUE MILITARY SUPPORT.
ZELENSKY SAYS RUSSIA IS LOSING ON THE BATTLEFIELD, EVEN AS MOSCOW INTENSIFIES AS ATTACKS ON UKRAINIAN CITIES.
MEANWHILE, EUROPE IS WEIGHING A BIGGER ROLE IN ANY FUTURE NEGOTIATIONS AS U. .
S-LED DIPLOMACY STRUGGLES TO GAIN TRACTION.
SO IS THE BALANCE BEGINNING TO SHIFT HERE?
AND APPLEBAUM IS A WRITER AT THE ATLANTIC AND SHE JOINS ME RIGHT NOW FROM WARSAW, POLAND.
ALWAYS GREAT TO HAVE YOU ON THE PROGRAM.
YOU ALSO AGREE WITH PRESIDENT ZELENSKY'S VIEWPOINT HERE, HIS ASSESSMENT THAT RUSSIA IS LOSING THE INITIATIVE AND IT CAN'T WIN.
SO IT'S INTERESTING TO HEAR VLADIMIR PUTIN DISMISSING ZELENSKY'S CEASE-FIRE LETTER.
HE CALLED IT, RUDE.
SAYING, HE SEES NO POINT RIGHT NOW.
HERE IS WHAT HE SAID WHEN HE WAS SPEAKING AT THE ST.
PETERSBURG FORM LAST WEEK.
>> FOR THE SPECIALIST WORK AND SOLUTIONS.
AFTER THAT, WE CAN MEET.
THE SIGNING OF SUBDOCUMENTS OR EVEN SIGNING SOMETHING.
FIRST, WE NEED TO FIND A SOLUTION.
>> SO IF THE BATTLEFIELD LOGIC IS AGAINST HIM, WHY IS HE ONLY HARDENING?
>> ONE HAS TO ASSUME THAT PART OF THE EXPLANATION IS THAT HE IS MISINFORMED.
THE WAY THE BATTLEFIELD NOW LOOKS IS PRETTY DRAMATIC.
THE UKRAINIAN FRONT-LINE IS NOW A 20 MILE WIDE ZONE.
IN THAT ZONE, EVERYTHING IS ENTIRELY TRANSPARENT.
UKRAINIAN RECONNAISSANCE DRONES AND OTHER DRUGS CAN SEE EVERYTHING.
THAT MEANS THAT ANY RUSSIAN SOLDIER , TANK, VEHICLE THAT GOES INTO THE ZONE IS IMMEDIATELY STRUCK .
AND THIS IS WHY THE RUSSIANS ARE UNABLE TO MOVE FORWARD.
OF COURSE, IT'S ALSO WHY THE UKRAINIANS HAVE ACHIEVED SO MUCH CONFIDENCE IN RECENT MONTHS.
AND IT'S WHY SO MANY RUSSIANS ARE DYING.
BECAUSE WHEN THEY DO MOVE, WHEN THEY CONTINUALLY ARE ORDERED ON THE OFFENSIVE , THEY ARE KILLED.
THE UKRAINIANS ARE SAYING THEY ARE KILLING AS MANY AS 1000 PEOPLE OR WOUNDING AND KILLING AS MANY AS 1000 PEOPLE A DAY.
THAT'S 30,000 PEOPLE A MONTH.
THEIR GOAL IS TO KILL OR LIMIT FOR THE BATTLEFIELD MORE PEOPLE THAN THE RUSSIANS ARE ABLE TO RECRUIT.
IN THE FACE OF THAT, PUTIN HAS BAD OPTIONS.
ONE OF THEM IS TO CONTINUE TO HIT UKRAINIAN CITIES .
ANOTHER MIGHT BE TO EXPAND THE BATTLEFIELD IN SOME OTHER WAY.
BUT ANOTHER WOULD BE, LOGICALLY, TO HAVE SOME KIND OF CEASE-FIRE.
AND THE UKRAINIANS ARE BETTING THAT HE MIGHT BE PERSUADED TO HAVE A CEASE-FIRE SOMETIME IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
AND I'LL ADD ONE OTHER THING.
AT THAT ST.
PETERSBURG CONFERENCE WHERE HE MADE THOSE COMMENTS YOU JUST PLAYED, UKRAINIANS THAT MORNING, THE MORNING OF THE OPENING CONFERENCE, HIT A REFINERY IN SAINT SPRING.
THERE WAS BLACK SMOKE BILLOWING OVER THE CITY FROM A UKRAINIAN DRONE STRIKE , WHICH DOESN'T SEEM TO SHOW GREAT RUSSIAN PROGRESS.
>> WE ARE SHOWING A VIDEO OF THAT BLACK SMOKE BILLOWING RIGHT NOW .
TO SEE IT IN ST.
PETERSBURG WHEN WE HAVE BEEN REPORTING MORE AND MORE ON THESE ASSASSINATIONS, THE DRONE ATTACKS , NOT ONLY JUST ON THE BORDER IN RUSSIAN TERRITORY WITH UKRAINE.
BUT MOST RECENTLY IN LARGE CITIES LIKE ST.
PETERSBURG AND MOSCOW ITSELF .
I WANT TO GO BACK TO THAT 20 MILE DEEP KILL ZONE THAT YOU HAVE DESCRIBED FOR US.
CAN YOU SKETCH A FUTURE WHERE THIS WILL ACTUALLY BECOME A KOREAN STYLE DMZ DE FACTO BORDER?
IF THIS BECOMES A FROZEN WAR DOES THAT NOT JUST BENEFIT VLADIMIR PUTIN ?
AS LONG AS HE'S IN POWER HE WILL HAVE TIME TO REGROUP, REARM AND, AT HIS CHOOSING, RESTART A WAR.
>> AS I WROTE RECENTLY IN THE ATLANTIC I DESCRIBED EXACTLY THIS.
THE BORDER BECOMES THE FRONT LINE.
AS THE FRONT LINE GETS WIDER, AND IT IS GETTING WIDER AS THE DRONES BECOME MORE POWERFUL.
IT WILL BECOME AS UNCROSSED BELOW AS A MOUNTAIN RANGE.
IT WILL BE A DMZ , EXACTLY LIKE YOU SAY, LIKE THE ONE BETWEEN NORTH AND SOUTH KOREA.
BUT THAT IS NOT A VICTORY FOR PUTIN.
IT FREEZES THE WAR RATHER THAN ENDING IT.
IT DOESN'T BRING JUSTICE TO UKRAINE, IT DOESN'T RETURN THE TERRITORY OF UKRAINE THAT WAS ILLEGALLY OCCUPIED.
BUT IT IS VERY MUCH NOT WHAT PUTIN SAID THE WAR WOULD BE.
HE HAS TOLD RUSSIANS OVER AND OVER AGAIN, INCLUDING IN RECENT DAYS, THAT THE POINT OF THE WAR IS TO DESTROY UKRAINE AS A COUNTRY, TO ELIMINATE IT FROM THE MAP, TO CHANGE ITS GOVERNMENT, TO MAKE IT INTO A RUSSIAN PROVINCE.
AND A LOT OF THAT WILL HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED.
A HALT TO THE WAR, I THINK THE UKRAINIANS BELIEVE IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR THEM.
THEY WOULD LIKE RESPITE.
SOME SENSE OF PEACE AND CALM .
UKRAINIANS HAVE SUFFERED A LOT OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS.
I THINK THEY ARE BETTING, IN THE LONG TERM, IT WOULD WORK IN THEIR FAVOR.
THEY ARE THE MORE DYNAMIC SOCIETY.
THEY HAVE THE MORE INNOVATIVE DEFENSE INDUSTRY.
THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO REALLY BUILD THEIR LINKS WITH EUROPE .
THERE ARE ALREADY EUROPEAN COUNTRIES THAT ARE INVESTING IN UKRAINIAN COMPANIES.
THERE IS UKRAINIAN PRODUCTION HAPPENING IN SOME UKRAINIAN -- EUROPEAN COUNTRIES THAT WOULD GIVE THEM THE BASIS TO REALLY PROTECT THEMSELVES AND MOVE FORWARD.
I MEAN, THE KEY, OF COURSE, AS YOU HINT IN YOUR QUESTION, IS WHAT HAPPENS IN THE LONG-TERM .
ARE THERE SECURITY GUARANTEES?
I THINK UKRAINIANS STILL HAVE SOME HOPES OF EVOLVING UNITED STATES IN THAT PROCESS.
MAYBE FORLORN HOPES.
THERE IS SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT EUROPEANS SENDING TROOPS TO UKRAINE OR HAVING SOME ROLE IN MONITORING THE SITUATION IN UKRAINE.
I THINK THEY WOULD NEED SOME FEELING, SOME SENSE THAT THE WAR WASN'T ABOUT TO BEGIN AGAIN IN ORDER TO REBUILD THEIR COUNTRY AND REBUILD THEIR SOCIETY, AND BRING PEOPLE HOME.
EVEN JUST AS A START I THINK THEY KNOW A CEASE-FIRE WOULD BE GOOD FOR THEM.
>> TO GO BACK TO WHAT YOU JUST TOUCHED ON, BRING PEOPLE HOME.
A BATTLEFIELD SCENARIO THAT IS FINALLY WORKING IN UKRAINE'S FAVOR AND THAT, POTENTIALLY, COULD LEAD TO A FROZEN CONFLICT, WOULD GIVE THE ECONOMY A CHANCE TO REVIVE AND CONTINUE TO REVIVE.
BUT ALSO, FOR THE MILLIONS OF UKRAINIANS WHO HAVE FLED AS THE WAR BEGAN OVER FOUR YEARS AGO.
AN OPPORTUNITY TO RETURN HOME.
BECAUSE THIS IS A KEY CONCERN FOR UKRAINIAN OFFICIALS AS WELL .
THE LONGER THESE REFUGEES ARE LIVING OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTRY, THE LOWER THE CHANCES CONTINUE TO BE FOR THEM TO ACTUALLY RETURN, IF THEY'VE ACTUALLY STARTED TO REESTABLISH THEIR LIVES IN OTHER COUNTRIES.
IT'S INTERESTING .
IN YOUR PIECE, YOU SPOKE WITH A WOMAN WHO SAYS SHE HAS GIVEN UP ON EVER LIVING IN A NORMAL COUNTRY AGAIN.
SHE SAID, QUOTE, THAT BEAUTIFUL LIFE WILL NEVER RETURN.
SO HOW DO YOU, AS A JOURNALIST, AS SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN COVERING THIS FOR SO LONG AND SPEAKING WITH UKRAINIANS, HOW DO YOU RECONCILE THE STRATEGIC OPTIMISM ON THE BATTLEFIELD WITH JUST THIS OVERALL HUMAN EXHAUSTION FROM UKRAINIANS?
>> IT'S FUNNY, SHE SAID THAT TO ME NOT AS AN ILLUSTRATION OF EXHAUSTION BUT AS AN ILLUSTRATION OF EXACTLY HOW MUCH SHE AND HER FRIENDS HAD READJUSTED.
THEY'VE JUST RETHOUGHT THEIR LIVES, THINGS THAT THEY PLANNED TO DO ARE NOT THE THINGS THEY WOUND UP DOING.
AND EVERYTHING WAS GOING TO BE DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IT WAS.
RETURNING SOME OPTIMISM TO UKRAINE WILL BE DIFFICULT.
BUT THAT'S NOT QUITE THE SAME THING AS SAYING EVERYONE IS EXHAUSTED AND CAN'T FUNCTION ANYMORE.
IT'S MORE THAT THEY ARE LIVING A NEW AND DIFFERENT LIFE.
>> I JUST GO BACK.
IF WE GO BACK TO FIT VERY 24th OF 2022, YOU THINK ABOUT THE LIFE THAT UKRAINIANS ARE LEADING THEN.
AND PEOPLE , AS RUSSIAN TROOPS WERE STARTING TO ROLL IN , THE INITIAL BOMBS WERE STARTING TO FALL.
AND PEOPLE WERE SITTING IN RESTAURANTS HAVING A NORMAL LIFE, A DINNER , GOING TO THEATER.
IT'S SOMETHING THAT I WOULD COULD FULLY GRASP WAS HAPPENING.
IN 2022.
SO MANY YEARS LATER , THIS WAR IS CONTINUING.
YOU ALSO TALK ABOUT THE DEFICITS HERE AND SOME OF THE REAL NEEDS THAT UKRAINE, AND SPECIFICALLY ON THE BATTLEFIELD, NEEDS RIGHT NOW MILITARILY.
MORE PATRIOTS , SPECIFICALLY.
WE HAVE BURNED THROUGH THE UNITED STATES, SO MANY , IN THIS WAR AND IRAN.
IS THE UNITED STATES PULLBACK OF PROVIDING WEAPONS, AS PRESIDENT TRUMP NEGOTIATED WOULD BE SOLD TO EUROPEANS AND THEN DELIVERED TO UKRAINIANS .
IS THAT ON PAUSE NOW?
OR IS THERE A SENSE THAT MAY NEVER RESUME AT THE RATE THAT IT WAS HAPPENING?
>> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT IT IS HAPPENING TO SOME DEGREE.
THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT ARE STILL BEING DELIVERED.
AND I SHOULD SAY, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR UKRAINIANS, THE ONE THING THE UNITED STATES HAS THAT NOBODY ELSE HAS IS EXACTLY AS YOU SAY.
THESE MISSILE DEFENSE WEAPONS.
JUST TO DEFEND UKRAINIAN CIVILIANS.
ON THE BATTLEFIELD THE DRONE AND OTHER TECHNOLOGIES ARE BETTER SUITED NOW TO FIGHTING THAN ANYTHING THE UNITED STATES GAVE THEM AT THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR.
EUROPEANS HAVE FUNDED THE WAR .
THE ECONOMY IS FUNCTIONING AND SO ON.
IT'S JUST THIS ONE PARTICULAR TECHNOLOGY THAT AMERICANS HAVE THAT OTHERS DON'T.
AGAIN, IT'S A TECHNOLOGY ABOUT PROTECTING CITIES.
IT'S NOT EVEN ABOUT THE FRONT LINE.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE IS SOME ARE BEING DELIVERED, BUT NOT IN THE NUMBERS THAT ARE NECESSARY.
THE UNITED STATES MADE A CHOICE WHEN THE PRESIDENT DECIDED TO USE THOSE WEAPONS IN THE WAR IN THE GULF, AND WHEN HE DECIDED TO ATTACK IRAN.
THAT WAS A CHOICE NOT TO USE THE SAME WEAPONS ELSEWHERE.
AND UKRAINIANS CAN SEE THIS AND THEY UNDERSTAND THE SIGNIFICANCE OF IT.
I THINK THEY ARE STILL HOPING THAT IF THE WAR IN THE RUN ENDS MAYBE PEOPLE WOULD FIND A WAY TO DIVERT SOME OF THAT DEFENSE.
THIS IS JUST AIR DEFENSE.
IT'S NOT EVEN ATTACK WEAPONS , TO THEM.
AND OF COURSE, IT'S PART OF THE CONVERSATION THE PRESIDENT ZELENSKY HAS HAD WITH THE GOLD STATES.
AS ONE OF THE BIG CHANGES IN PERCEPTION OF THIS WAR IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS HAS BEEN THE FACT THAT ZELENSKY IS NOW SEEING, IN THE ARAB WORLD , AS SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP PROVIDE SECURITY.
THE UKRAINIANS HAVE INVENTED DRONE INTERCEPTORS, WAYS OF SHOOTING DOWN THE DRONES THAT IRAN USES, WHICH IS ARE THE SAME ONES THAT RUSSIA USES.
THEY ARE SELLING THOSE, OR LENDING THOSE TO THE MIDDLE EAST.
AND I THINK THEY ARE DOING SO IN HOPES OF GETTING SOME ANTIMISSILE DEFENSE IN RETURN.
SO UKRAINIANS HAVE OTHER OPTIONS NOW THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE IN THE PAST.
>> YOU KNOW THAT MORE PATRIOTS WERE BURNED THROUGH IN THREE DAYS AGAINST THE WAR WITH IRAN THAN THE ENTIRE RUSSIA/UKRAINE WAR.
IT'S ALSO REALLY INTERESTING THAT YOU THINK BIGGER PICTURE OUTSIDE OF JUST THE WAR IN UKRAINE ABOUT THE IMPACT OF DRONE WARFARE GOING FORWARD.
AND YOU WRITE, THIS TECHNOLOGY MAY FOREVER CHANGE THE FUTURE OF WARS.
AND YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY PERSON TO COME TO THAT CONCLUSION.
BEYOND UKRAINE, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE LESSONS WHEN YOU LOOK AT TAIWAN?
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE GULF, WHEN YOU LOOK AT WASHINGTON'S PERSPECTIVE AS THE WORLD DOMINANT SUPERPOWER?
>> A LOT OF THE REALLY BIG TICKET ITEMS THAT WE ARE THINKING OF AS THE CROWN JEWELS OF THE ARMY, THE BIG BATTLESHIPS, THE BIG, COMPLICATED TANKS.
AND MAYBE EVEN SOME OF THE FIGHTER JETS.
A LOT OF THOSE THINGS ARE GOING TO BE MUCH LESS USEFUL IN THE FUTURE THAN WE IMAGINED.
IF A SMALL SEE DRONE, WHICH YOU CAN BUILD FOR SOME TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, CAN DAMAGE A BATTLESHIP, AND THAT HAS HAPPENED IN UKRAINE.
IF A TANK IS USELESS IN A COMPLETELY TRANSPARENT WAR ZONE WHERE EVERYBODY CAN SEE IT COMING MILES AWAY AND DESTROY IT BEFORE IT ARRIVES.
THAT MEANS THAT A LOT OF THESE TECHNOLOGIES AREN'T GOING TO BE USEFUL IN THE FUTURE.
ATTACK HELICOPTERS ARE NOW USELESS.
THEY ARE USELESS IN THE WAR IN UKRAINE BECAUSE ATTACK HELICOPTERS ARE EASY TO HIT WITH THE DRONE.
ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE GOING TO BE OBSOLETE PRETTY FAST.
>> YEAH.
BY THE WAY, IT WAS A SEE DRONE THAT RESCUED THOSE TWO APACHE HELICOPTER PILOTS JUST LAST NIGHT TOO .
AND THAT MAY BE ONE OF THE FIRST TIMES WE HAVE USED A SEE DRONE IN THAT CAPACITY, WHICH IS FASCINATING AND SPEAKS TO THAT.
APPLEBAUM, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME.
> >> NOW KICKOFF FOR THE MEN'S FIFA WORLD CUP IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER.
BUT SEVERAL CONTROVERSIES ARE ALREADY CLOUDING THE TOURNAMENT.
AFRICA'S TOP REFEREE WILL MISS THE WORLD CUP AFTER THE U. S. DENIED HIS VISA, CITING VETTING CONCERNS.
UNEASE IS ALSO GROWING IN THE U. S. FOLLOWING REPORTS ON THE POSSIBLE PRESENCE OF ICE AGENTS AT WORLD CUP EVENTS.
THE AUTHOR OF RED CARD AND A FORMER PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYER SAYS, THIS LOCAL BACKDROP COULD TARNISH HOW THE WORLD CUP IS REMEMBERED.
HE JOINS TO EXPLAIN.
>> JEWELS, THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.
EACH WORLD CUP WE HAVE A CONVERSATION SOMEWHAT SIMILAR TO THIS.
WE HAVE TALKED BEFORE, THE LAST WORLD CUP IN QATAR, THE CHALLENGES , LABOR VIOLATIONS, WHAT QATAR HAD TO DO TO GET THAT WORLD CUP ON.
FOR THAT, IT WAS VLADIMIR PUTIN.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE THIS ON RUSSIAN SOIL, SO TO SPEAK?
AND I WONDER, NOW, IN THIS CONTEXT, YOU WRITE THAT THE 2026 WORLD CUP IS NOT ONLY THE MOST POLITICALLY COMBUSTIBLE TOURNAMENT IN MODERN HISTORY, ALSO ON TRACK TO BE THE MOST POLLUTING.
LET'S TALK ABOUT THE POLITICAL COMBUSTION RIGHT NOW.
WHAT MAKES YOU SAY THAT?
>> I WOULD SAY THE THROUGH LINE BETWEEN THOSE THREE TOURNAMENTS THAT YOU JUST MENTIONED, RUSSIA WORLD CUP IN 2018, QATAR IN 2022 , AND THE UNITED STATES, CANADA AND MEXICO IN 2026, IS THE IDEA OF SPORTS WASHING.
WHEN POLITICAL LEADERS USE SPORTS TO THEIR POLITICAL ADVANTAGE IN ORDER TO MAKE THEMSELVES LOOK IMPORTANT OR LEGITIMATE ON THE WORLD STAGE WHILE DEFLECTING ATTENTION FROM CHRONIC SOCIAL PROBLEMS AT HOME .
AND SETTING UP OPPORTUNITIES FOR POLITICAL , ECONOMIC AND DIPLOMATIC ADVANCEMENT.
AND THAT TERM WAS USED A LOT, SPORTS WASHING, WHEN PEOPLE WERE TALKING ABOUT WASHINGTON IN QATAR.
AND FOR GOOD REASONS.
THEY WERE USING THAT EVENT TO MAKE POLITICAL ECONOMIC GAIN.
BUT THAT'S DEFINITELY WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE UNITED STATES AS WELL.
PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS MADE IT CLEAR.
HE'S SAID IT MANY TIMES THE PUBLIC.
THE WORLD CUP AND THE 2028 OLYMPICS IN LOS ANGELES ARE CRUCIAL TO HIS LEGACY.
I THINK WHEN YOU HAVE SOMEONE LIKE THAT, WHO IS SET ON USING SPORTS TO HIS POLITICAL ADVANTAGE IN CHARGE, AND IT MUST BE SAID, HE'S A HIGHLY ERRATIC INDIVIDUAL.
HE CAN BE IMPULSIVE AT TIMES.
AND HE LOVES ATTENTION.
THAT REALLY SETS UP A RECIPE THAT COULD CREATE PROBLEMS FOR THIS EVENT.
NORMALLY, PEOPLE TURN THEIR ATTENTION TO THE SPORT AT HAND ONCE THE EVENT FINALLY STARTS AND WE PUT THOSE PROBLEMS BEHIND US.
I'M NOT SO SURE THAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN THIS TIME AROUND.
>> ONE OF THE BIG CONVERSATIONS IS HOW SAFE THE UNITED STATES MIGHT BE FOR FANS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES BECAUSE WE HAVE A VERY DIFFERING IMMIGRATION POLICY, VISA POLICY DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE FROM , WHAT COUNTRY YOU'RE FROM.
ACTING I. C. E. DIRECTOR SAID, I. C. E. SPECIFICALLY HOMELAND SECURITY INVESTIGATIONS IS A KEY PART OF THE SECURITY APPARATUS FOR THE WORLD CUP.
WE ARE DEDICATED TO SECURING THAT OPERATION AND TO ENSURING THE SAFETY OF ALL PARTICIPANTS AND VISITORS.
WHAT DOES THAT MEAN IN PRACTICE FOR SOMEONE WHO IS COMING FROM OVERSEAS?
>> REALLY IMPORTANT QUESTION.
I THINK THIS POINTS TO THE WIDER PARADOX AROUND THIS EVENT.
ON ONE HAND, IT'S THE BIGGEST WORLD CUP EVER.
ALL OF THESE PEOPLE COMING FROM AROUND THE WORLD .
IN SOME WAYS, IN THAT SENSE, IT'S THE MOST INCLUSIVE.
ON THE OTHER HAND WE HAVE A VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION IN REGARDS TO IMMIGRATION IN THE UNITED STATES WHERE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS MAKING IT CLEAR THAT SOME ARE NOT WELCOME.
THEN, IF YOU DO GET HERE, YOU HAVE IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT.
LET'S BE HONEST , THEY HAVE BEEN MARAUDING THROUGH NEIGHBORHOOD AFTER NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE UNITED STATES.
MASKED UP .
THEY HAVE ACTUALLY KILLED PEOPLE WHO ARE U. S. CITIZENS.
THEY HAVE DETAINED, FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME, NATIVE AMERICANS.
THE LEVEL OF IRONY THERE IS OFF THE CHARTS.
THERE ARE SERIOUS CONCERNS THAT TOURISTS COMING TO UNITED STATES MIGHT EXPERIENCE HASSLE FROM IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT.
ESPECIALLY BECAUSE, AS YOU RIGHTLY POINT OUT, PEOPLE AT I. C. E. HAVE SAID THEY WILL BE CARRYING OUT THEIR DUTIES AT THIS TOURNAMENT.
ANOTHER THING I THINK IS WORTH CONSIDERING IS WHILE ALL OF THE GLOBAL MEDIA ARE FOCUSED ON THESE HOST CITIES AND WHAT'S HAPPENING THERE, YOU HAVE POCKETS OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THIS COUNTRY WHO ARE WANTING TO SUPPORT THE COUNTRIES WHERE THEY CAME FROM.
HAITI, IRAQ, YOU NAME IT.
AND PLACES FAR AWAY FROM WHERE THE GLOBAL MEDIA ACTUALLY ARE.
IN THE SMALL CORNERS OF WISCONSIN.
I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT WILL ESSENTIALLY BE A MAGNET FOR I. C. E. WHEN THEY WILL ENGAGE WITH RATING THERE.
WHEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE JUST TRYING TO HAVE FUN AND ENJOY THE TOURNAMENT.
>> --INTERNATIONAL VISITORS WHO COME TO THE UNITED STATES LEGALLY SHOULD HAVE NO CONCERNS, BUT THEY WARNED THAT THOSE WHO ENTER THE COUNTRY ILLEGALLY BECOME TARGETS FOR IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.
THE SPOKESPERSON WOULD NOT SAY WHETHER ICE WOULD CONDUCT IMMIGRATION ARRESTS AT THE WORLD CUP.
ONE OF YOUR CONCERNS HAS ALSO BEEN ABOUT THE CARBON FOOTPRINT OF THESE GAMES VERSUS PREVIOUS ONES.
FIFA, THEY SAY, THEY WANT TO BE NET ZERO BY 2040 BUT RESEARCHERS ARE SAYING THAT THIS PARTICULAR TOURNAMENT IS GOING TO GENERATE MORE THAN 9 MILLION TONS OF CO2 , NEARLY DOUBLE WHAT RECENT WORLD CUP'S HAVE.
JUST PUT THAT IN PERSPECTIVE FOR US.
I KNOW THAT WE'VE GOT GAMES NOW THAT ARE IN CANADA, MEXICO AND THE UNITED STATES.
THERE'S PEOPLE FLYING FROM ALL OVER TO THESE DIFFERENT COUNTRIES AND FLYING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE GAMES.
>> THE REASON WHY YOU ARE SEEING SCIENTISTS JUMP UP AND DOWN ABOUT THOSE JAW-DROPPING EMISSION NUMBERS THAT YOU MENTIONED IS BECAUSE FANS NEED TO TRAVEL OVER VAST GEOGRAPHICAL EXPANSE TO ATTEND MATCHES IN MEXICO, CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES.
ALSO, THE UNITED STATES SIMPLY DOESN'T HAVE A STRONG TRAIN SYSTEM.
PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE FLYING FROM MATCH TO MATCH.
THEREBY, JACKING UP THE ADMISSIONS.
AT THE BIGGER PICTURE, FIFA HAS A REAL PROBLEM WITH GREENWASHING, WHICH IS TO SAY, TALKING A BIG'S GREEN SUSTAINABILITY GAME BUT NOT ACTUALLY FOLLOWING THROUGH ON THE GROUND.
WE SAW THIS IN QATAR, WHERE THEY SAID THERE WILL BE A CARBON NEUTRAL GAME.
THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN.
WHAT YOU CAN SAY ABOUT QATAR IS THAT ONCE YOU GOT THERE YOU CAN GO AROUND THE DIFFERENT MATCHES ON A METRO AND HAVE ADMISSIONS BE RELATIVELY LOW.
THAT'S NOT THE CASE HERE.
SO WHILE WE HAVE STADIUMS THAT WERE BUILT, THEREBY KEEPING CARBON EMISSIONS LOW, PEOPLE'S TRAVEL BUDGETS ARE GOING TO BE REALLY HIGH.
I THINK THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF FIFA SAYING ONE THING AND DOING ANOTHER.
I THINK PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, MEXICO HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS EXAMPLES OF THIS LEADING TO THE TOURNAMENT.
>> HAD A FIFA PRESIDENT GIANNI AND FONTENOT SAID, WHETHER WE SPEAK ABOUT CLIMATE, HUMAN RIGHTS, DISEASES OR DISABILITIES, WE ARE COMMITTED TO FIFA TO PLAY OUR PART IN RESPECT TO THE FACT THAT FIFA HAS 211 MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS REPRESENTING THE ENTIRE WORLD .
FOR PEOPLE THAT DON'T FOLLOW FIFA AND WORLD CUP SOCCER VERY MUCH, TELL US A LITTLE MORE ABOUT GIANNI AND FONTENOT.
>> GIANNI AND FONTENOT BECAME THE PRESIDENT AFTER THE HUGE CORRUPTION SCANDAL THAT HIT THE WORLD'S GOVERNING BODY IN 2016 AND 2015.
HE PROMISED HE WOULD CLEAN UP THE GAME AND MAKE IT MORE EQUITABLE.
UNFORTUNATELY, HE IS ESSENTIALLY CRANKING UP THE FIFA GREEN MACHINE IN A LOT OF WAYS.
HE IS ON TRACK TO MAKE $11 BILLION FROM THIS TOURNAMENT ALONE.
MAKING IT THE MOST REVENUE OF ANY SPORTING EVENT IN SPORTING HISTORY.
NOW MR.
INFANTINO, IF YOU ASKED HIM THAT, HE SAID WE WILL REDISTRIBUTE THAT MONEY AROUND THE WORLD.
THERE IS SOME TRUTH TO THAT.
HE SENDS MONEY TO DIFFERENT FOOTBALL ASSOCIATIONS OR FAA'S AROUND THE WORLD IN ALL 211 MEMBER STATES.
THE OTHER TRUTH IS MR.
INFANTINO MAKES GOOD MONEY HIMSELF.
HE GAVE HIMSELF A RAISE.
HE MAKES $6 MILLION A YEAR .
IF YOU ARE ON THE POWERFUL FIFA COUNCIL THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE THIS REFORM MECHANISM, YOU CAN MAKE BETWEEN $250,000 AND $300,000 A YEAR FOR SIMPLY ATTENDING 2 TO 4 MEETINGS.
PRETTY SWEET WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT.
BUT THE FUNCTION OF THAT IS YOU HAVE A HUGE PORTION OF FEE FOR MEMBERSHIP THAT HAS VERY LITTLE INTEREST IN RAISING UNCOMFORTABLE QUESTIONS ABOUT GREENWASHING OR SPORTS WASHING.
INSTEAD, THEY HAVE AN INCENTIVE TO GO ALONG WITH WHAT MR.
INFANTINO WANTS.
AND WHAT MR.
INFANTINO WANTS RIGHT NOW IS TO BE AS COZY AS HE CAN WITH U. S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, HANDING HIM A PEACE PRIZE AND DOING A WHOLE LOT MORE .
>> YOU KNOW, THERE WERE HEADLINES HERE ABOUT NOT JUST THE MONEY THAT FIFA MIGHT HAND TO HOST CITIES OR COUNTRIES, THE ACTUAL COSTS.
I'M HAVING THIS CONVERSATION FROM NEW YORK AND WE ARE HOSTING THE ABSOLUTE FINALS.
THE COST OF ALL OF THE POLICE OVERTIME, THE TRANSPORT INFRASTRUCTURE, IS BEING BORNE BY THE CITIES AND STATES WHERE THESE THINGS ARE HAPPENING.
WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING TO FIFA?
WHY ARE CITIZENS HERE PAYING TO HOST THIS?
>> FIFA'S CORE BUSINESS MODEL INVOLVES SOCIALIZING THE COSTS OF THE WORLD CUP AND PRIVATIZING THE BENEFITS OF THE WORLD CUP.
AND BY SOCIALIZING THE COSTS , I MEAN TAXPAYERS IN NEW JERSEY AND NEW YORK.
THEY WILL PAY FOR SECURITY.
THEY WILL PAY FOR THE MEDICAL TEAMS.
HEY, I LIVE IN OREGON.
AS A TAXPAYER I HELP FUND THE SECURITY FOR THIS EVENT.
THE LOCAL BODIES AND ALL OF THESE POSTINGS ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE FAN FESTS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE INCLUSIVE.
THESE ARE VERY DIFFICULT THINGS TO MONETIZE .
WHEREAS, FIFA, THE WAY THEY DROP THEIR CONTRACTS, THEY TAKEN ALL OF THE MONEY FROM THE BROADCASTERS.
THEY TAKE IN ALL OF THE MONEY FROM THE CORPORATE SPONSORS.
THEY ACTUALLY TAKEN MONEY FROM CONCESSIONS ON SITE AT THESE WORLD CUP VENUES.
THEY TAKEN THE MONEY FROM THE PARKING.
SO YOU CAN SEE THAT THE WAY THAT THE CONTRACTS WERE DRAWN UP THIS TIME AROUND WERE VERY IN FAVOR OF FIFA AND VERY DIFFERENT FROM 1994, THE LAST TIME THE UNITED STATES HOSTED THE WORLD CUP, WHERE THEY GOT A BIGGER SLICE OF THE MONEY PIE.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THE PEOPLE ARE NOTICING, NOT JUST IN THE UNITED STATES BUT AROUND THE WORLD, YOU TAKE A GAME THAT IS ARGUABLY THE MOST ACCESSIBLE GAME ON THE PLANET.
YOU HAVE BAREFOOT KIDS THEY CAN KICK ANYTHING SPHERICAL ON WHATEVER SURFACE THEY ARE PLAYING ON.
YOU NOW HAVE TICKET PRICES FOR THE FINALS THAT ARE SOARING ON THE SECONDARY MARKET THAT ARE JUST TENS AND TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS, NOT TO MENTION GETTING HERE AND SO FORTH.
WHAT IS IT ABOUT THIS GAME THAT HAS MADE IT , AT THE SAME TIME, THE MOST ACCESSIBLE AND INACCESSIBLE THING?
>> THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT SOCCER IS THE PEOPLE'S GAME.
I WENT TO A MUSEUM OF GENOCIDE THERE AND THERE WERE NUMEROUS EXHIBITS WHERE PEOPLE TALKED ABOUT HOW SOCCER GOT THEM THROUGH THE SIEGE IN SARAJEVO AND HOW PEOPLE WERE HUDDLED AROUND THE TELEVISION WATCHING AND LACK AND WHY AT THE 1994 WORLD CUP.
SO IT IS ENORMOUSLY IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE.
IT HELPS PEOPLE GET THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES.
FIFA IS TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THAT.
IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT TICKET PRICES, THEY ARE MAKING SO MUCH MONEY OFF OF THE BACKS OF SOCCER LOVERS AROUND THE WORLD.
ESSENTIALLY, TURNING THE PEOPLE'S GAME INTO A GAME FOR THE RICH FOR PLUTOCRATS.
SO THEY HAVE THEIR MARKET WHERE THEY ARE SELLING TICKETS FOR THE FINAL AROUND $11,000 A POP.
AND IN QATAR JUST FOUR YEARS AGO THE TOP TICKET WAS GOING FOR $1600.
FIFA IS USING WHAT THEY CALL , DYNAMIC PRICING.
SOUNDS KIND OF NICE.
I LIKE DYNAMIC STUFF.
THIS IS NOT NICE IF YOU'RE A TICKET BUYER.
THEY ARE TRYING TO SQUEEZE THE VERY MAXIMUM THAT THEY CAN OUT OF YOU, MAKE YOU PAY AS MUCH AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN STAND.
THEN THERE IS THE SECONDARY MARKET.
WHEN PEOPLE BUY TICKETS AND RESELL THEM.
THERE IS NO CAP ON THAT IN THE UNITED STATES.
I SAW A TICKET ONLINE GOING FOR $11 MILLION THE OTHER DAY.
I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE GOING TO SELL IT FOR $11 MILLION, BUT IF THEY DID, FIFA WOULD GET MORE THAN $3 MILLION FOR THAT BECAUSE THEY TAKE 15% FROM THE BUYER IN THE SECONDARY MARKET AND 15% FROM THE SELLER.
SO THEY'VE ACTUALLY CREATED AN INCENTIVE TO HAVE TICKET PRICES GO THROUGH THE ROOF.
>> YOUR RESPONSE SPECIFICALLY TO THE HIGH TICKET PRICES, THE FIFA PRESIDENT SAID, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE MARKET.
WE ARE IN A MARKET IN WHICH ENTERTAINMENT IS THE MOST DEVELOPED IN THE WORLD SO WE HAVE TO APPLY MARKET RATES.
FIFA SAID TO THE WALL STREET JOURNAL THAT THEY HAVE WORKED COLLABORATIVELY WITH HOST CITIES TO LOWER COSTS AND PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY, INCLUDING CERTAIN HOSTING OBLIGATIONS.
EVEN WITH THAT, WE ARE SEEING THE PRICES WHERE THEY ARE?
>> TRY TELLING THAT TO NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR WHO WAS VERY ELOQUENT IN EXPLAINING RECENTLY WHY SHE DECIDED TO INITIALLY CHARGE $150 FOR TRAIN TICKET PRICES TO GET TO THE VENUE IN NEW JERSEY.
THOSE PRICES DID GO DOWN.
BUT HAS SHE EXPLAINED, FIFA GIVES HER AND NEW JERSEY TAXPAYERS ZERO DOLLARS.
SO THAT PUT HER AND OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION AROUND THE UNITED STATES IN A VERY DIFFICULT POSITION WHERE THEY EITHER PUT THAT ON THE BACK OF THE TAXPAYING PUBLIC OR THEY PUT THAT ON THE BACK OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE TO WATCH THE WORLD CUP AND SHE WENT WITH THE LATTER PATH AND GOT A LOT OF FLAK FOR BUT I THINK SHE ACTUALLY MADE THE RIGHT MOVE, TRYING TO EXPLAIN TO THE PUBLIC THAT FIFA HAS SET THIS SITUATION UP AND THEY ARE RELYING ON THE BACKS OF PEOPLE IN THESE VARIOUS HOST CITIES AND NOT GETTING MUCH IN RETURN EXCEPT FOR THE GAME.
REALLY, IT'S NOT FIFA THAT GIVES US THAT, IT'S THESE INCREDIBLE PLAYERS AROUND THE WORLD THAT DO THAT.
>> LET'S TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IN THE WORLD.
LET'S TALK SPECIFICALLY ABOUT IRAN.
THEY HAVE MADE IT TO THE GAMES .
THEY ARE NOT THAT FAR BELOW WHERE THE U. S. IS RANKED IN THE OVERALL STANDINGS .
AT THE SAME TIME, WE'VE GOT A HOST NATION THAT IS ACTIVELY BOMBING A PARTICIPATING COUNTRY.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED.
>> IT ABSOLUTELY HAS NOT HAPPENED BEFORE WHERE ONE OF THE HOST COUNTRIES FOR THE WORLD CUP WAS ACTIVELY BOMBING AND THREATENING WAR CRIMES AGAINST ONE OF THE NATIONS.
IT HAS REALLY PUT --OVER THIS WORLD CUP.
IF PRESIDENT TRUMP AND THE WHITE HOUSE WERE THINKING STRATEGICALLY THEY WOULD BE WELCOMING THE IRANIAN TEAM WITH OPEN ARMS.
IF YOU LOOK RECENTLY AT WHAT THE IRANIAN MEN'S AND WOMEN'S NATIONAL SOCCER TEAMS HAVE DONE WHEN THEY HAVE GONE ABROAD, THEY HAVE USED THE OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE QUESTIONS AND EVEN CRITIQUES ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT BACK HOME IN IRAN .
IN 2022, FOR EXAMPLE, AS THE IRANIAN TEAM IS KNOWN , THEY DIDN'T SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM, THEREFORE SENDING A MESSAGE TO ACTIVISTS BACK AT HOME THAT THEY TOO WERE CRITICAL ABOUT HOW THE GOVERNMENT WAS RUNNING THINGS IN IRAN.
MORE RECENTLY, WHEN THE IRANIAN WOMEN'S TEAM WENT TO AUSTRALIA, YOU HAD A COUPLE OF THEM CLAIMING POLITICAL ASYLUM.
AGAIN, A TOUGH MESSAGE FOR THE IRANIAN REGIME TO RECEIVE AT HOME.
RATHER THAN OPENING HIS ARMS, PRESIDENT TRUMP, TO THE IRANIANS AND SAYING, YOU ARE WELCOME HERE AND HOPING MAYBE THEY WILL PROVIDE HIM WITH SOME PROPAGANDA, HE HAS DONE ALMOST THE VERY OPPOSITE.
HE HAS SAID THEY MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO BE SAFE IF THEY COME HERE.
HE HAS SAID NEGATIVE THINGS ABOUT THEM IN THE PRESS.
THIS IS VERY MUCH AGAINST WHAT THE WORLD CUP IS SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT.
GIANNI INFANTINO TALKS ABOUT HOW FOOTBALL UNITES IN THE WORLD.
BUT THE WAY PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS DONE WITH IRAN, IT'S FRACTURING THE WORLD.
>> AS YOU THINK ABOUT THIS, AND YOU HAVE WRITTEN THIS POINTED CRITIQUE, YOU HAVE SAID YOU WERE KIND OF SAYING THIS OUT OF LOVE FOR THE GAME.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE HAPPENS?
>> WELL, IT'S TRUE.
IT'S SORT OF A LOVE LETTER THAT IS GROUNDED IN A DEEP CRITIQUE.
YOU ARE RIGHT.
IT'S A LOVE LETTER FOR SOCCER AND ITS POWER.
I HAVE SEEN SOCCER BUILD COMMUNITY, I HAVE SEEN SOCCER FORTIFY COME ROBBERY.
WHAT I HOPE FROM THIS TOURNAMENT IS PEOPLE AROUND THE UNITED STATES OPEN THEIR HEARTS TO VISITORS FROM ABROAD AND SAY TO THOSE FOLKS, LOOK, THE ENTIRE UNITED STATES CANNOT BE DISTILLED TO TRUMP.
WE LOVE PEOPLE COMING TO THIS COUNTRY, YOU ARE WELCOME HERE, HOPING YOU HAVE A GREAT TIME WHEN YOU WERE HERE.
I HOPE THE SOCCER IS AT A VERY HIGH LEVEL, I HOPE WE SEE SOME OF THE BEST MATCHES THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN A LONG TIME.
BUT I'M ALSO KIND OF HOPING THAT SOME OF THE PLAYERS THAT ARE ON THESE VARIOUS ROSTERS TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MENTION THIS BROADER CONTEXT THAT YOU AND I HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT AND TO EMBRACE THE REALITY THAT SOCCER IS POLITICS BY OTHER MEANS.
AND THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO SPEAK OUT ABOUT THE IMPORTANT ISSUES OF OUR TIME.
WE ARE LIVING IN AN INCREDIBLE POLITICAL MOMENT.
THIS WORLD CUP IS RIGHT SMACK IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL OF THIS INTENSITY.
PERHAPS THESE PLAYERS AND FANS CAN START TO CONSTRUCT A MORE POSITIVE FUTURE MOVING FORWARD.
>> PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AT PACIFIC UNIVERSITY, AND AUTHOR OF "RED CARD FOR" JEWELS, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU.
> >> FINALLY, THE ASTRONAUT WEARS PRADA.
THE FASHION HOUSE IS TAKING ITS FIRST STEPS ON THE CELESTIAL RUNWAY, CREATING OUTFITS FOR NASA ASTRONAUTS.
PRADA REVEALED THEY WILL CREATE AN INNER LAYER GARMENT WITH VENTILATION TUBES NEEDED IN .
AS PART OF A COLLABORATION WITH THE SPACE INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPER, AXIOM SPACE.
HOW COOL IS THAT?
> >> EQUALLY OPULENT, THE AURORA ASTRAGALUS SPOTTED FROM THE SPACE X DRAGON CRAFT ABOVE THE WORLD'S SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE.
LOOK HOW BEAUTIFUL THAT IS.
SURELY, THE ENVY OF ANY HIGH- FASHION SET DRESSING HERE ON EARTH.
> >> THAT'S IT FOR OUR PROGRAM TONIGHT.
IF YOU WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT'S COMING UP ON THE SHOW SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER AT PBS.
ORG/TRAN01.
JOIN US AGAIN TOMORROW NIGHT.
The World Cup Is Coming to the U.S. — but at What Cost?
Video has Closed Captions
Jules Boykoff discusses the U.S. political backdrop and how it could effect this year's World Cup. (17m 54s)
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