Jill Nelson reports on China’s growing influence in the Middle East; Paul Butler talks to Alexis Mrachek about the lack of progress in U.S. talks with Russia; and Leigh Jones previews the upcoming third season of our standalone podcast, Effective Compassion. Plus: commentary from Cal Thomas, an unusual ocean monster, and the Thursday morning news.Support The World and Everything in It today at wng.org/donate. Additional support comes from Beyond the Forum-a podcast by The Veritas Forum. Season two on Science and God explores the ideas that shape our lives. Available now wherever you listen to podcasts. And from TriVan. From concept to completion, TriVan builds amazing specialty vehicles, designed and manufactured in the USA. trivan.com