Jolie Myers

Marco!

Marco!

Marco!

You're listening to Today Explained.

You're listening to Today Explained.

You're listening to Today Explained.

Let me check the date today. No, it seems like we have not quite gotten there yet. You know, the things that are the root causes of this conflict are not really things that Trump or any U.S. president is necessarily able to deliver. So it's not surprising to me that it's proven a lot more difficult to get this deal than he was expecting.

Let me check the date today. No, it seems like we have not quite gotten there yet. You know, the things that are the root causes of this conflict are not really things that Trump or any U.S. president is necessarily able to deliver. So it's not surprising to me that it's proven a lot more difficult to get this deal than he was expecting.

Let me check the date today. No, it seems like we have not quite gotten there yet. You know, the things that are the root causes of this conflict are not really things that Trump or any U.S. president is necessarily able to deliver. So it's not surprising to me that it's proven a lot more difficult to get this deal than he was expecting.

There's almost been this sort of mini side drama over who the U.S. envoy for this conflict was. When Trump first got into office, he selected this guy, Keith Kellogg, who had been Mike Pence's national security advisor in the first term. He was briefly the acting national security advisor for Trump. He comes from a more sort of traditionally hawkish, like he's a MAGA guy, but like a MAGA hawk.

There's almost been this sort of mini side drama over who the U.S. envoy for this conflict was. When Trump first got into office, he selected this guy, Keith Kellogg, who had been Mike Pence's national security advisor in the first term. He was briefly the acting national security advisor for Trump. He comes from a more sort of traditionally hawkish, like he's a MAGA guy, but like a MAGA hawk.

There's almost been this sort of mini side drama over who the U.S. envoy for this conflict was. When Trump first got into office, he selected this guy, Keith Kellogg, who had been Mike Pence's national security advisor in the first term. He was briefly the acting national security advisor for Trump. He comes from a more sort of traditionally hawkish, like he's a MAGA guy, but like a MAGA hawk.

And he was going to be the one who's going to negotiate this deal. You know, it seems as if he did not endear himself to the Russians. He's seen as too pro-Ukrainian. And so now they brought in Steve Witkoff, who was an old friend of Trump's from the New York real estate world. You can read their origin story.

And he was going to be the one who's going to negotiate this deal. You know, it seems as if he did not endear himself to the Russians. He's seen as too pro-Ukrainian. And so now they brought in Steve Witkoff, who was an old friend of Trump's from the New York real estate world. You can read their origin story.

And he was going to be the one who's going to negotiate this deal. You know, it seems as if he did not endear himself to the Russians. He's seen as too pro-Ukrainian. And so now they brought in Steve Witkoff, who was an old friend of Trump's from the New York real estate world. You can read their origin story.

It goes back to once in the 80s, Trump forgot his wallet and Steve Witkoff bought him a sandwich and that's how they got to know each other. Fast forward, Witkoff was initially appointed as the envoy for the Gaza conflict. He's also been their point person talking to Russia. And now, apparently, as if that wasn't enough, he's negotiating with Iran on their nuclear program.

It goes back to once in the 80s, Trump forgot his wallet and Steve Witkoff bought him a sandwich and that's how they got to know each other. Fast forward, Witkoff was initially appointed as the envoy for the Gaza conflict. He's also been their point person talking to Russia. And now, apparently, as if that wasn't enough, he's negotiating with Iran on their nuclear program.

It goes back to once in the 80s, Trump forgot his wallet and Steve Witkoff bought him a sandwich and that's how they got to know each other. Fast forward, Witkoff was initially appointed as the envoy for the Gaza conflict. He's also been their point person talking to Russia. And now, apparently, as if that wasn't enough, he's negotiating with Iran on their nuclear program.

So, you know, one guy without any foreign policy experience is involved in negotiating three nuclear major conflicts that would be a major challenge, even for the most experienced diplomat.

So, you know, one guy without any foreign policy experience is involved in negotiating three nuclear major conflicts that would be a major challenge, even for the most experienced diplomat.