Are we at an inflection point in the Middle East and what lies ahead for fact based journalism? Those two questions dominate the interview with long-time Middle East journalist, analyst and former bureau chief Janine Zacharia, who spoke in depth with Michael Krasny about President Trump's trip to the Gulf region; the $400 million jet gift from Qatar; Hamas held hostages and Israel increasingly viewed as a pariah state.

First-rate insightful and timely analysis from the Stanford based journalist who spoke about why she obsesses over the diminution of fact based news and fears for her students as well as suggesting what needs to be and can be done. Her mission, which she argues should be all of our mission, is to have a better news or media diet and she tells why citizens need to know who is behind the news.

Janine Zacharia and Michael Krasny continue in a wide range and highly illuminating dialogue which also touches on the Yemen Signal scandal as well as the question of who will defend a free press; the Washington Post under Jeff Bezos and for profit versus public media. They speak, as well, of Russia's ongoing war with Ukraine; the so-called Jerusalem syndrome and the Joe Rogan's podcast.