To join Politicology+, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.

After more than three weeks of chaos, the House of Representatives has elected a new Speaker.

On this weekly roundup, host Ron Steslow and guests Katty Kay (veteran reporter and NYT bestselling author) and Susan Del Percio (MSNBC political analyst and crisis communications expert) discuss Speaker Mike Johnson’s rise to take the gavel, the most pressing issues before the House, and putting a bonafide election denier in the Speaker’s chair.

Then they discuss Qatar’s role as an intermediary in hostage negotiations, a financial backer of Hamas, a major ally of the United States, and their quest to buy influence from major U.S. universities. 

[Politicology+] The continuing erosion of support for democracy and data that indicate the appetite for political violence is rising across the spectrum.

Segments this week:

(02:22) Mike Johnson becomes speaker

(31:31) Qatar

[Politicology+] The erosion of support for democracy and increasing willingness to resort to political violence

Politicology+ is our private, ad-free version of this podcast, with subscriber-only episodes, strategy, and analysis. To join us there, visit politicology.com/plus or subscribe in Apple Podcasts.

Find out more about Katty’s work with Claire Shipman: https://www.kayandshipman.com/

Follow this week’s panel on X (formerly Twitter):

https://twitter.com/RonSteslow
​​
https://twitter.com/KattyKay_

https://twitter.com/DelPercioS



Related reading:
Segment 1: 
Axios—What to know about new House Speaker Mike Johnson
NBC News—GOP speaker nominee Mike Johnson played a key role in efforts to overturn the 2020 election
The Hill—Democrats seize on new Speaker Mike Johnson’s anti-abortion record | The Hill
The Hill—Where House Speaker Mike Johnson stands on Ukraine, Israel | The Hill


Segment 2: 
The Free Press—Qatar’s War for Young American Minds | The Free Press
The Guardian—Yuval Noah Harari backs critique of leftist ‘indifference’ to Hamas atrocities
The Atlantic—The Reckoning That Is Coming for Qatar - The Atlantic
Axios—Behind the Curtain: Rattled U.S. government fears wars could spread
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices