Topic: Mahmoud Abbas

Mahmoud Abbas has named Hussein Elsheikh as the first-ever Vice President of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Elsheikh, a veteran politician who spent 11 years in an Israeli prison, is seen as Abbas's hand-picked successor to appease Western powers. The move comes as international pressure mounts for reform within Palestinian governance following the war in Gaza.

Donald Trump is set to meet Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago and has exchanged friendly correspondence with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. Speculation arises that Trump may attempt to negotiate a peace deal or hostage release before the election as an "October Surprise." Critics' claims of Logan Act violations are dismissed as Trump is not currently negotiating on behalf of the U.S. government.

NBC News correspondent Richard Engel reports on the diplomatic fallout from the Gaza hospital explosion, noting that Arab leaders like Mahmoud Abbas and King Abdullah II found it "untenable" to meet with President Biden. The hosts observe that Engel uses the word "attack" rather than "explosion," suggesting a bias toward the Palestinian narrative. They further speculate on the influence of the military-industrial complex on network news reporting.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken travels to Beijing for high-stakes meetings, though State Department officials downplay expectations for a breakthrough. China warns the U.S. to stop "meddling" in internal affairs like Taiwan. Simultaneously, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas visits China as Beijing seeks to expand its diplomatic influence in the Middle East following its mediation between Saudi Arabia and Iran.