America at a Crossroads

Former Israeli diplomat and foreign policy expert David Siegel joins veteran public radio host Larry Mantle for a timely discussion on Israel's diplomatic future, the evolving role of Europe, and the challenges and opportunities facing the Middle East.

Drawing on decades of diplomatic experience in Israel's Foreign Ministry and his leadership of the European Leadership Network (ELNET-US), Siegel explores how shifting alliances, regional conflict, and European engagement are reshaping Israel's international relationships and strategic outlook.

Topics include:

• Israel's diplomatic strategy in a changing world
• Europe's role in Middle East diplomacy
• U.S.-Israel-Europe relations
• Regional security and evolving geopolitical alliances
• The future of diplomacy in the Middle East  

#AmericaAtACrossroads #DavidSiegel #LarryMantle #Israel #MiddleEast #Diplomacy #ForeignPolicy #Europe #Geopolitics #CurrentEvents

Law professor and leading legal historian Mary Ziegler joins award-winning journalist Madeleine Brand for a timely conversation on reproductive rights, constitutional law, and the future of American democracy.

Drawing on her extensive scholarship on the history of abortion law and her book Personhood: The New Civil War over Reproduction, Ziegler examines how battles over reproductive rights have reshaped American politics, the courts, and the nation's constitutional landscape.

Topics include:

• Reproductive rights and constitutional law
• The post-Dobbs legal and political landscape
• The intersection of democracy, federalism, and individual rights
• The Supreme Court's influence on reproductive policy
• What the future may hold for reproductive freedom in America  

Award-winning investigative journalist and George Polk Award recipient Theo Baker joins veteran public radio host Larry Mantle for a conversation on power, privilege, and the institutions that shape America's political, economic, and cultural elite.

Drawing on his acclaimed book How to Rule the World: An Education in Power at Stanford University, Baker examines how elite universities cultivate influence, how networks of privilege are formed, and what these systems mean for leadership, opportunity, and democracy in the United States.  

Election law scholar Rick Hasen joins veteran journalist and broadcaster Patt Morrison for a timely discussion on voting rights, election law, the Supreme Court, and the future of American democracy.

Drawing on decades of scholarship and his leadership of UCLA Law's Safeguarding Democracy Project, Hasen examines the legal, constitutional, and political forces shaping U.S. elections, from voting access and redistricting to campaign finance and the courts' growing influence over the electoral process.

Topics include:

• Voting rights and election integrity
• The Supreme Court's role in election law
• Redistricting, campaign finance, and ballot access
• Constitutional reforms and safeguarding democracy
• The future of American elections and democratic institutions

Political strategists Mike Murphy and Bob Shrum join award-winning journalist Madeleine Brand for a bipartisan conversation examining the political landscape ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Bringing decades of campaign experience from both sides of the aisle, Murphy and Shrum separate conventional wisdom from political reality, exploring the electoral dynamics, voter behavior, and strategic narratives likely to shape the fight for Congress.

Topics include:
• The 2026 midterm elections and control of Congress
• Swing states, battleground districts, and electoral strategy
• Political polarization and shifting voter coalitions
• Campaign messaging, media, and public opinion
• What the election could mean for the future of American democracy  

As the 2026 midterm elections approach, will voters deliver a political reckoning?

In this timely edition of America at a Crossroads, journalists Peter Baker and Susan B. Glasser join moderator Larry Mantle to examine the forces shaping the midterms, the stakes for both parties, and what the results could mean for the future of American politics.

Peter Baker is chief White House correspondent for The New York Times and a political analyst for MSNBC. Susan B. Glasser is a staff writer for The New Yorker and author of its “Letter from Trump’s Washington” column. Larry Mantle is the longtime host of AirTalk on NPR member station LAist 89.3.

Wednesday, July 15, 20265:00 p.m. Pacific

Veteran diplomat and Middle East negotiator Dennis Ross joins longtime public radio host Larry Mantle for an in-depth discussion of the rapidly evolving relationship between Iran, Israel, and the United States, and what American diplomacy should look like in an increasingly volatile Middle East.

Drawing on decades of experience advising both Republican and Democratic administrations, Ross examines regional security, nuclear tensions, shifting alliances, and the strategic choices facing U.S. policymakers in a changing global order.

Topics include:
• U.S. policy toward Iran and Israel
• Middle East diplomacy and regional security
• Iran’s nuclear program and deterrence
• American leadership in a multipolar world
• Prospects for peace, stability, and future diplomacy

#AmericaAtACrossroads #DennisRoss #LarryMantle #MiddleEast #Iran #Israel #ForeignPolicy #Diplomacy #NationalSecurity #CurrentEvents

Former federal prosecutor and legal analyst Andrew Weissmann joins acclaimed journalist and broadcaster Patt Morrison for a discussion of the rule of law, democratic accountability, and the legal and political challenges confronting the United States.

Drawing on his experience leading major public corruption and organized crime prosecutions—including service on Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s team—and his book Liar’s Kingdom: How to Stop Trump’s Deceit and Save America, Weissmann examines the intersection of truth, justice, political power, and democratic institutions.

Topics include:
• The rule of law and democratic accountability
• Political misinformation and public trust
• Prosecuting public corruption and abuse of power
• The future of American democracy and its institutions
• Lessons from high-profile federal investigations

Veteran journalist, media executive, and author Josh Tyrangiel joins acclaimed journalist and columnist Patt Morrison for a timely conversation on the promises and perils of artificial intelligence and its growing impact on government, democracy, and everyday life.

Drawing on reporting for his new book, AI for Good: How Real People Are Using Artificial Intelligence to Fix Things That Matter, Tyrangiel explores how AI is already transforming healthcare, education, public services, and civic institutions while also raising urgent questions about regulation, employment, misinformation, and democratic governance. The discussion examines how society can harness AI's benefits while mitigating its risks in an era of rapid technological change.

Topics include:
• How artificial intelligence is reshaping government and public services
• The opportunities and risks posed by AI for democracy and society
• AI regulation, public trust, and the role of government oversight
• The future of jobs, education, and the workforce in the age of AI
• Healthcare breakthroughs and real-world applications of AI
• Data privacy, misinformation, and cybersecurity concerns
• The role of technology companies in shaping public policy
• Why human judgment, creativity, and civic engagement still matter in an AI-driven world