team international it is a world heritage site visited by millions but the proposed plans for these dan balz most iconic building could set muslims and christians at odds more on that after a short break this is the weekly on r.t. international. before. all of trump became a household name the now states and other world over. washington ceased to be a city that. tended toward the compromised by what is a sure national interest people talk about gridlock in congress years people talk about. the right self the radicals mckeon in both bodies so this grappling. with the solid bipartisan centrist approach to politics most domestic and foreign. dates times that's for sure. join me every thursday on the alex simon show and i'll be speaking to guest in the world of politics sports business i'm show business i'll see you then. or welcome back this is the weekly right here on r t international police finally moved in to clear out the cell to clear the autonomous protest zone in seattle on wednesday all the pockets of protests are ongoing in neighboring districts activists occupied the city's capitol h

veteran reporter dan balz of "the washington post" writes a sobering piece in today's paper that trumpe lasting damage to america's standing in the world. he writes this. quote, from abroad, the united states is seen as having lost confidence in itself, as it grapples not only with the pandemic, but also with long-standing political divisions and a racial reckoning over the treatment of black americans. the last time this country's standing was in decline, it was because of fears that the united states would exercise its vast powers excessively and unilaterally. that is not the issue today. instead, it is a worry that the united states is no longer prepared or willing to use the powers it still has for the good of the world. that is where we start today with some of our favorite reporters and friends. dr. vin gupta, global health policy expert and msnbc medical contributor is back, plus associated press white house reporter, jonathan lamir is here, and former democratic senator, our friend, claire mccaskill is back. jonathan lamir, i want to start with you. the two covid breaking news