Squawk Pod: The Saudi visit, the Epstein vote & Oz Pearlman the mentalist - 11/18/25

Geopolitics and International Relations - Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman's visit to Washington DC is expected to strengthen defense, trade, and technology ties, including AI and nuclear energy [6] - The US is considering approving the sale of Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia, potentially altering the military balance in the Middle East [7] - Discussions are expected regarding Saudi Arabia potentially joining the Abraham Accords, contingent on an ironclad path to a Palestinian two-state solution [52] - The UN Security Council approved President Trump's plan for Gaza, but the challenge remains in disarming Hamas [60] - The EU is considering laundering frozen Russian reserves, estimated between $150 billion and $250 billion, through Euroclear bonds to aid Ukraine [66] US Domestic Policy and Politics - The US Department of Labor's website revealed initial jobless claims totaled 3232000 in the week ended October 18th, and continuing claims came in at 196% million, up slightly from 195% million in the prior week [5] - Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers is stepping back from public commitments following the release of emails showing a friendly relationship with Jeffrey Epstein [15] - Congressional Republicans are proposing a new healthcare plan involving prepaid healthcare savings accounts, funded by allowing premium tax credits to expire [37] Morality and Accountability - The visit of Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman raises questions about accountability for the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Kosigible [9][56] - The discussion revolves around the "penalty box" concept for moral offenses and whether there is a duration or different measures for different people and offenses [10][11] - There is a debate about selective morality and whether standards are applied differently to different individuals, particularly in the context of political figures [22][27] Business and Finance - The US Saudi Investment Forum is scheduled [7] - The Saudi Crown Prince previously announced $600 billion to be spent in the US in various endeavors [52] - Mentalist O Pearlman, a former Wall Streeter, discusses using insights into the past to avoid financial disasters [74]