May 13, 2021

Political analyst Jamal Simmons talks to Michel Martin about “The 4% Problem” and the need for a radical rethink if corporate America really is committed to reckoning with systemic racism. Their conversation is part of our ongoing initiative about poverty, jobs, and economic opportunity in America called Chasing the Dream.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry says it’s not the right time for a ceasefire as violence escalates. Israeli airstrikes continue, and Palestinian militants in Gaza have fired dozens of rockets. The dead include seven Israelis and at least 83 Palestinians. Yesterday Christiane spoke with Israel’s Ambassador in London, and today we hear from activist and lawyer Noura Erakat.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has called for a meeting of four international mediators to help resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The U.S. and Russia have much to discuss: cyber attacks, election interference, Ukraine and the treatment of opposition leader Alexey Navalny. All this may be discussed at a summit between Biden and Putin. The Russian Ambassador to the EU joins the show.

Congresswoman Liz Cheney was kicked off the House Republican leadership team for refusing to accept "the Big Lie" -- that the election was stolen from former President Trump. What does this say about democracy in America and the Republican Party’s willingness to protect it? Francis Rooney was a GOP Congressman until January this year and joins the show from Florida.