Is The Trump Administration Pushing For War With Iran?
President Donald Trump’s move this week to send 1,000 troops to the Middle East has ratcheted up tensions with Iran that have been building since the White House scrapped the nuclear deal last year. The decision has put the United States at odds with some major European allies, which are trying to avoid more escalation as they work to keep the agreement intact. Meanwhile, other international conflicts are also growing, with The New York Times reporting the United States has stepped up cyber incursions into Russia’s grid — without the personal knowledge of Trump, and a U.N. expert releasing evidence that Saudi crown prince Mohammad bin Salman was potentially personally involved in the plan to kill American resident Jamal Khashoggi last fall.

To discuss all this and more, Jim Braude was joined by Nicholas Burns, former undersecretary of state and U.S. Ambassador to NATO, who now teaches at Harvard Kennedy School of Government.

Should Beacon Hill Mandate Gender Diversity On Public Boards?
A new bill on Beacon Hill aims to address the issue of gender inequality in the business world by mandating a certain number of women on the boards of public companies headquartered in Massachusetts. The move is hailed by supporters as a way to give more teeth to an issue that many people agree is a problem. However, some critics say it is not the government’s place to mandate such changes.

Jim Braude was joined by Boston Globe columnist Shirley Leung, who recently wrote a piece in support of the proposed legislation, Jesse Mermell, president of the Alliance for Business Leadership, and Beth Lindstrom, who ran in the Republican primary to challenge Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

Can Boston Really Build Its Way Out Of The Housing Crisis With Luxury Towers?
According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, Massachusetts has the third-highest rent in the country, behind California and Hawaii. It now takes an average salary of more than $42 an hour to live in the Boston area. Stephanie Leydon reports on a luxury apartment in the Fenway that received zoning approval by agreeing to build affordable housing in Roxbury.

IMHO: What Happened To ‘Never Forget’?
Jim Braude shares his thoughts on Jon Stewart’s most recent push for extending healthcare funding for September 11 first responders.