Macron's World: The French President's Ambitious Agenda for 2018

James Comey Notes Claims About Donald Trump Confirmed By Priebus Notes: NYT | Rachel Maddow | MSNBC

Michael Schmidt, reporter for The New York Times, talks with Rachel Maddow about his reporting about Donald Trump's pressure on Jeff Sessions not to recuse himself from the Russia probe, and Reince Priebus notes confirming James Comey's notes about.

Top US News & World Headlines — January 5, 2018

Is Iran Unrest Anti-establishment? | Inside Story

The situation in Iran has only got worse since protests began almost a week ago. Mostly peaceful demonstrations turned violent. At least 22 people have been killed, and hundreds arrested. Protests about rising prices and financial struggles now appear to be anti-establishment. But it's unclear who is behind them. All we know is it isn't the reformists who traditionally lead demonstrations in Iran.

The international community has been quick to condemn the violence, and the US wants the United Nations to act. How will Iran deal with growing public anger?

Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra | Guests: Mahjoob Zweiri, Associate professor at Qatar University; Seyed Mostafa Khoshcheshm, specialist on Iranian domestic affairs; Trita Parsi, President of the National Iranian American Council

Inside Story: Will Donald Trump Cut All Aid to Palestine and Pakistan?

Palestinian leaders say they will not be blackmailed after US President Donald Trump threatened to cut aid worth around three quarters of a billion dollars a year.

He made the statement on Twitter, blaming Palestinians for refusing to engage in Middle East peace talks. The PA responded saying the US should not blame Palestinians for 'its own failures'.

Relations with the US have plummeted since Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel's capital last month. The aid cut threatens money allocated to the Palestinian Authority. But most US funding goes to development and building projects - and not directly to the Authority itself.

The US is also withholding millions in financial assistance to the Pakistani government. Saying Islamabad has given the US 'nothing but lies and deceit' over the years - accusing the country of being a 'safe heaven for terrorists'. So, what's behind Trump's threats and what will it mean for US policy in the region?

Presenter: Hashem Ahelbarra | Guests: Steven Rogers - A member of the Donald J Trump for President Advisory Board; David Sedney - Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Previously served as Deputy U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defence for Afghanistan and Pakistan

After Maria, a New Crisis in Puerto Rico: Mental Health

Why doesn't Donald Trump care about Puerto Ricans? Because they can't vote for him »

Top US News & World Headlines — January 3, 2018

The Middle East's Cold War, Explained

How two feuding countries are tearing apart the Middle East.

Let Down by Reformists, Working-Class Iranians Join Widespread Protests

Thousands have taken to the streets in Iran's largest and deadliest protests since 2009. Exiled Iranian activist Dariush Arjmandi says demonstrators are challenging economic mismanagement and repressive state control, not pushing the regime change agenda of Iran's global foes

‘US Is Watching!’: Rising Political Crisis in Iran Stirred by US, Israel Support

Donald Trump has issued a strongly worded tweet warning Iran that “the US is watching” following the deaths of 20 people in anti-government protests that are sweeping the country.

Iran Protests: Will Wave of Anger Swell into Revolution?

Is a Two-State Solution Still Possible? | Inside Story

In the words of one Israeli opposition MP: 'when Jerusalem burns, everything burns'. Nahman Shai fears a newly passed law in the Knesset could lead to more unrest in the Middle East.

The Israeli law makes it harder to divide the contested capital of Jerusalem in any future deal with the Palestinians. Israel says the city is its capital, Palestinians say East Jerusalem has always been their capital. It all could have a dramatic impact on any peace deal between Israel and Palestine - with some saying it's yet another fatal blow to the two-state solution.

On Inside Story, an in-depth discussion on the consequences of the latest law.

Presenter: Adrian Finighan | Guests: Mouin Rabbani - Political Analyst and Senior Fellow, Institute for Palestine Studies; Robbie Sabel - Former legal adviser to Israel's Foreign Ministry; Geoffrey Aronson - Middle East Institute

Israel Deals New Blow to 2-State Solution

Israel's parliament passed an amendment that would make it more difficult for the country to cede control over parts of Jerusalem in any peace deal with Palestinians. CNN's Oren Liebermann reports.

Glenn Greenwald: Is Facebook Operating as an Arm of the Israeli State by Removing Palestinian Posts?

Glenn Greenwald on Iran Protests: Trump Tweets “Time for Change” While Backing Dictators Worldwide

At least 22 people are dead and hundreds have been arrested, as Iranian authorities move to quell the largest anti-government protests since 2009. President Donald Trump responded to the protests on Monday in one of his first tweets of the new year, writing ”TIME FOR CHANGE!” “This is the same president who, not more than three months ago, announced a ban on Iranians from coming to the United States,” says Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter Glenn Greenwald. “He’s somebody who has aligned with the world’s worst, most savage dictators.”

Prince Reza Pahlavi Calls for Mass Demonstrations

Likens Iran protests to Nelson Mandela, fall of Berlin wall and end of Soviet Union.

Iran's Ruler Blames Unrest on 'Enemies' - BBC News

Iran's supreme leader has accused the country's enemies of stirring days of protests that have claimed at least 22 lives. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was speaking for the first time since people protesting at Iran's economic troubles clashed with security forces last Thursday.

Nine people, including a child, died overnight in violence in central Iran, state media say. The protests are the largest since the disputed 2009 presidential election. "In recent days, enemies of Iran used different tools including cash, weapons, politics and intelligence services to create troubles for the Islamic Republic," Iran's supreme leader was quoted as saying in a post on his official website.

10 Minutes: The US Under Trump

Donald Trump’s victory in the US election has left the world working out what it means for them. Trump's political flip-flops have added up to the uncertainty of what his presidency will look like.

People Are Not Happy with Current Regime in Iran – Analysis

Iranian State media says eight people were killed overnight, taking the total dead so far to 22. More than 500 others have been arrested.

The protests began over the weak economy, but the demands have since widened, with chants heard against both the government and the supreme leader,

Ali Khamenei. Khamenei blames what he calls Iran's enemies for the trouble. Joining us to discuss this is Ali Fathollah-Nejed, a visiting fellow at the Brookings Doha Center and an associate at the Harvard Kennedy School's Iran Project.

Top US News & World Headlines — January 2, 2018