Israeli Settlements Push Ahead, The Next Step in Cyberdeterrence, The Loss of George Michael

Coming up on today’s show:

• In defiance of a U.N. Security Council Resolution, Israel will move ahead with plans to build thousands of new settlements in a predominantly Palestinian section of East Jerusalem. According to the U.N., the settlements are a “flagrant violation under international law.” The U.S. surprisingly abstained from the vote, drawing sharp criticism from Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli government. Daniel Levy, president of the U.S./Middle East Project weighs in.

• San Diego’s deep water cargo port is looking for a larger slice of the import-export market, but expansion plans could bring more than just cargo.  Nearby neighbors worry there will be extra pollution if business picks up.  Erik Anderson reports from KPBS in San Diego.

• London is facing the worst pollution levels seen in years, with nitrogen dioxide levels higher than Beijing. We look at the failures of regulation that have led to this pollution and what can be done to fix it. Martin Williams, Professor at King’s College in London and air quality scientist explains what this means for the city nicknamed “The Big Smoke.”

• This week, details surrounding the Russian hack of the DNC continued to emerge, as it became apparent that Russia’s military intelligence arm was linked to the hacking. Some security experts are calling for better cyberdeterrence as part of a more comprehensive cyber security strategy.  Chris Demchak, professor at the U.S. Naval War College and RADM Grace M. Hopper Chair of Cybersecurity, explains what that strategy might look like.

• The United States military throws away a lot of stuff, and much of it is too dangerous to let it sit in a landfill. So how did U.S. Troops stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan dispose of their trash?  Giant burn pits operated by Kellog Brown and Root, a former subsidiary of Haliburton paid to dispose of toxic chemicals, expired Meals Ready to Eat, batteries, MK-19 rounds and DEET soaked tents. All incinerated in open landfills creating serious health hazards for troops, contractors and locals. Jennifer Percy, a contributing editor at The New Republic, talks about her new story “The Things They Burned.” She’s joined by Senior Master Sergeant Jessey Baca who completed two tours in Iraq and has since been diagnosed with a terminal illness.

• The death of pop singer George Michael comes at the end of a year of particularly heavy losses in the music world. Michael Musto, a New York City Based Journalist and columnist for The Village Voice and Out.com, talks about Michael’s importance to the pop world and gay culture.