SCOOP: The Heat Turns Up On Hostage Negotiations, High-Level Diplomacy & The New House Speaker

A full serving of SCOOP before the holiday week! Congressman Nehls of Texas gives us his assessment of the challenge that lies before House Republican leadership this week: “I don’t think the Lord Jesus himself could manage this group.” He said this while smoking a cigar near the U.S. Capitol. We'll take that as a tone setter for the week ahead: Onward! Here's our show: What to know about the latest in the war between Israel and Hamas. What to watch as the week starts with repeated, strategic references to hopes for hostage-release as the White House announces a 3 year-old American toddler as one of the prisoners. What does Qatar have to do with it? More on the Middle Eastern nation that provides neutral negotiating ground. The U.S. strikes "a training facility and a safe house" in Syria, used by Iranian-backed groups, after attacks from said-groups leads to the injury of more than 50 service members since the war between Israel and Hamas (another Iranian-backed terrorist group) began. Pres. Biden meets with President Xi in San Francisco. Is "ballet diplomacy" the new "panda diplomacy" between the two largest economies in the world? The challenge for the House of Representatives as a government shutdown looms and the new House Speaker presents a brand new idea. Senator Scott (R-SC) drops out of the run for the White House and Sen. Manchin (D-West Virginia) makes a surprising announcement. How early is too early for Christmas decorations? Asking for a friend.  Love our ad-free podcasts? Consider treating yourself for the holidays and join us in building a solution in news for less than the price of a latte a month!  https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/