12:00: Former U.S. Ambassador to Qatar Susan Ziadeh on the value of diplomacy
1:00: What do we need to know about the 'city-killer' asteroid?
What is the role of a diplomat — and what is the value of diplomacy — in 2025? And how does diplomacy support U.S. national security? Retired U.S. Ambassador Susan Ziadeh has spent her career in foreign affairs. As the former ambassador to the State of Qatar, she offers insight into America's relationships with states and nations in the Middle East, as well as Qatar's role in brokering a Gaza ceasefire. Ziadeh is in Rochester as a guest of the World Affairs Council, but first, she joins us on "Connections." In studio:
- Susan Ziadeh, Ph.D., former U.S. Ambassador to the State of Qatar
Then in our second hour, we'll hit this point first: don't worry; we're safe. Scientists say an asteroid that has been described as a "city-killer" now has a near 0% chance of hitting earth. The new guidance comes weeks after the near-earth object was reported to have a better than 3% chance of striking our planet by 2032. According to NPR, this is the pattern scientists predicted. This hour, we discuss a range of issues related to the asteroid: why was it called a "city-killer;" if it were a cause for concern, what could be done to stop it; and what should be on our radar as we discuss the United States' future in space? Our guest:
- Brian Koberlein, Ph.D., astrophysicist and science writer
*Note: "Connections" is livestreamed each day on the WXXI News YouTube channel. Watch here.
