The West Block – Episode 32, Season 13

THE WEST BLOCK
Episode 32, Season 13
Sunday, April 21, 2024

Host: Mercedes Stephenson

Guests:
Jonathan Panikoff, Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative Director

Panel: John Manley, Former Liberal Cabinet Minister; and
Lisa Raitt, Former Conservative Cabinet Minister

Location:
Ottawa Studio

Mercedes Stephenson: Israel and Iran are engaged in an unprecedented back and forth of direct military strikes on one another. So far those strikes have been controlled and limited, but could that change?

I’m Mercedes Stephenson. The West Block starts now.

Calls for calm as Mideast retaliatory strikes make history. With Israel and Iran launching drones and promising consequences for each other, where do the strikes stop? And is this a path to war?

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: “This budget is about fairness for every generation.”

Mercedes Stephenson: And Canadians have now had time to digest the federal budget and for many, it’s leaving a bitter taste. We get takes from both sides of the political aisle.

All eyes are on the Mideast, searching for any clues that Iran will strike back at Israel. This after Israel was the latest of the two to lash out late last week, raising tensions in the region to potentially catastrophic levels.

Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State: “We’re committed to Israel’s security. We’re also committed to de-escalating.”

Mercedes Stephenson: What could this mean for the future of the Middle East?

Joining me now is Jonathan Panikoff, director of the Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council.

Jonathan, thank you so much for joining us. I know you’ve got an extensive background in defence intelligence and security. This is obviously a situation that everyone is watching with great concern,