Transcript: Brett McGurk on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan,” Oct. 4, 2026

Updated on: October 4, 2026 / 12:08 PM EDT / CBS News

The following is the full transcript of the interview with Brett McGurk, who served as a top Middle East adviser to former Preident Joe Biden, a portion of which aired on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on Oct. 4, 2026.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So, October 6th, 2023, Saudi Princess Reema Bandar shakes hands with you on a deal meant to normalize relations, or start normalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, create a pathway for the Palestinians, give Saudi the civilian nuclear deal, and within hours this incredible attack happens in Israel. Why, in the book, do you argue that those two things are connected?

BRETT MCGURK: Well, first, Margaret, it's great to be here. And I try to just tell this history. It's chronological, but I really try to bring the reader into the room. And the book starts about three days into the Biden administration, President Biden asked me to go see the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia about some significant changes we were going to make in Saudi policy, including cutting off various weapons systems and a number of steps. And the Crown Prince in…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/world/