The Supreme Court is back in session with a full plate this fall. To breakdown the latest national security cases on the docket, co-host Yvette is joined by Jamil Jaffer, Founder & Executive Director of the National Security Institute at George Mason University. Together they cover the big ticket issues, from United States v. Zubaydah and the state secrets privilege, to New York State Rifle & Pistol Association and 2nd Amendment rights. Jamil Jaffer is the Founder & Executive Directo...
Nov 04, 2021•22 min
As our climate heats up, so do geopolitical tensions. This week, co-hosts Elisa and Yvette discuss the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) issued by the National Intelligence Council, and dive into all things climate change, fossil fuels, and future green energy technology. How will climate change impact global migration patterns? Which nations have a hand in the oil reserves of the Arctic? And what is solar geoengineering? References: "National Intelligence Estimate on Climate Change" The Offi...
Oct 28, 2021•29 min
It’s all eyes on energy, and all eyes on China this week. Co-hosts Elisa and Yvette unpack the latest issues, from depleting energy reserves, to DOD resignations, to Chinese/Russian joint military exercises. Joining them to discuss the looming energy crisis and its global impact is Elaine Levin, President at Powerhouse. And later, we are joined by Captain Mary Ann Schaffer, Managing Director and System Chief Pilot at United Airlines, who unpacks United’s mission to cut carbon emissions. Elaine L...
Oct 22, 2021•28 min
General Colin Powell, who passed away this week, is remembered throughout the national security community as a distinguished public servant and American statesman. As the first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the first Black Secretary of State, Powell broke barriers, shaped history, and reset the rules for how American military force should be deployed in the post-Vietnam era. In honor of his legacy and impact, we are joined this week by Jack Rives, who served alongside General P...
Oct 21, 2021•21 min
This week we are honored to host Avril Haines, Director of National Intelligence. As the first woman to serve as DNI, Avril Haines has an extraordinary perspective and the experience to match. Among many things she discusses - China, investments in cyber and intelligence infrastructure, creating a more diverse workforce, the shifting threat landscape, and opportunities for women in the intelligence community. Avril Haines is the Director of National Intelligence: https://www.dni.gov/index.php/wh...
Oct 14, 2021•58 min
Happy Cyber Awareness month! And there’s already plenty to discuss. This week co-hosts Elisa and Yvette are joined by Claudia Rast, ABA Cybersecurity Legal Task Force Co-Chair, to discuss the biggest headlines in tech, from Facebook whistleblower revelations, malware vulnerabilities in hospitals, the Pandora Papers, South Dakota as a new tax haven, and the legal aspects to all of it. Claudia Rast is Co-Chair of the ABA Cybersecurity Legal Task Force: https://www.butzel.com/attorneys-claudia-rast...
Oct 07, 2021•36 min
This week, hosts Elisa and Yvette break down the latest in national security law news: Why is the Supreme Court’s public perception at an all time low? Is China headed towards issuing their own stable coin? And what’s going on on the Korean Peninsula? Tune in for all this and more. References: “Approval of U.S. Supreme Court Down to 40%, a New Low.” Gallup. Sep. 23 2021: https://news.gallup.com/poll/354908/approval-supreme-court-down-new-low.aspx The Bank Secrecy Act: https://www.occ.treas.gov/t...
Sep 30, 2021•26 min
To meet today's challenges, Americans must rediscover shared values, relearn the fundamentals of our constitutional republic, and re-form a sense of civic identity and commitment to our communities and across the nation. In this week’s episode, we are sharing an excellent conversation on civics featuring former U.S. Secretary of Defense Bob Gates, Suzanne Spaulding of CSIS, with opening remarks by Dr. John Hamre of CSIS. This conversation was originally recorded and broadcasted by CSIS as part o...
Sep 23, 2021•26 min
This week, co-host Yvette is joined by Bill Banks to discuss the latest topics in national security law: What are the legal issues surrounding Biden’s new “over-the-horizon” strategy in Afghanistan? Is it time for the U.S. to revise and reform the AUMF? And with COVID vaccines still dominating headlines, are the new federal mandates considered constitutional? And if they are, could there be other legal challenges? William Banks is a professor at Syracuse Law School and the Chair of the ABA Stand...
Sep 16, 2021•25 min
The last twenty years of American counterterror and national security efforts have had profound impacts on our nation and the world. On the 20th Anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, we ask, how have we done? What worked and what didn’t work? Were processes, policies, laws, and resources adequate to the requirements? Did we adhere to those policies and laws? And perhaps most importantly, what lessons have we learned to ensure our nation and its allies can do better in the coming decades? This episode...
Sep 10, 2021•1 hr 28 min
In this week’s episode, we hear from an esteemed panel of cybersecurity professionals on two big ticket items of this year: President Biden’s Executive Order on Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity, and the Rule 41 Search and Seizure warrant obtained by the FBI in response to the Microsoft Exchange Server data breach this past spring. This panel is moderated by ABA Cybersecurity Legal Task Force Co-Chair Claudia Rast Speakers: Dan Sutherland is the Chief Counsel for CISA: https://www.cisa.gov/da...
Sep 02, 2021•32 min
Aspiring cyber professionals listen up! In this week’s episode, we hear from an all-female panel of cyber experts whose experience spans across both public and private sectors. We hear how they kick-started their careers, what types of security threats they’re focused on right now, and advice they have for law students interested in diving into the world of cybersecurity. This panel features opening remarks by Jennifer O'Connor, Chair of Women in National Security Law, and moderated by Maureen K...
Aug 25, 2021•29 min
As the current situation in Afghanistan unfolds, hosts Elisa and Yvette, along with the ABA community, are taking a moment this week to recognize those who've worked and served tirelessly to uphold the rule of law in Afghanistan for the last 20 years. A Statement by ABA President Reginald Turner re: Afghanistan: https://www.americanbar.org/news/abanews/aba-news-archives/2021/08/aba-president-statement-re-afghanistan/
Aug 19, 2021•3 min
In Part 2 of their discussion on the risks and benefits of AI in national security, hosts Elisa and Yvette chat with James Baker about the future of AI policy. What is the appropriate level of human control in different AI contexts? Where are we with autonomous weapons applications? And what critical AI conversations do lawyers and policy makers need right now? James Baker covers all this and more in his recent book, The Centaur’s Dilemma: National Security Law for the Coming AI Revolution. Hon....
Aug 12, 2021•31 min
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not a single piece of hardware or software, but rather a constellation of technologies. This week, hosts Elisa and Yvette are joined by James Baker, an expert in national security law and process, to discuss his recent book, The Centaur’s Dilemma: National Security Law for the Coming AI Revolution. Together, they break down the risks and benefits of AI application. Will AI increase the likelihood of conflict? And how can we reap the benefits of AI for broader nati...
Aug 05, 2021•31 min
Continuing their conversation on data privacy, host Elisa Poteat and guest Alex Joel dive deeper into the global privacy dilemma. How did the Snowden revelations influence today’s privacy tensions with Europe? And with technology vastly outpacing the law, is Congress having a hard time keeping up? Alex Joel is a Scholar-in-Residence and Adjunct Professor at the Washington College of Law: www.wcl.american.edu/impact/initiat…eam/alex-joel/ References: The Church Committee: www.senate.gov/about/pow...
Jul 22, 2021•24 min
What is happening globally to the concept of data privacy? In this week’s hot topic discussion, host Elisa Poteat is joined by Alex Joel to examine the U.S. data privacy mindset, how that mindset differs from Europe’s, and what regulations might be expected in the future. Alex Joel is a Scholar-in-Residence and Adjunct Professor at the Washington College of Law: https://www.wcl.american.edu/impact/initiatives-programs/techlaw/our-team/alex-joel/ References: The Church Committee: https://www.sena...
Jul 15, 2021•27 min
Part 2 of 2 – Algorithms are everywhere – feeding us daily news, friend suggestions, and targeted ads. Yet, the majority of us have neither the training nor the access to truly understand how these systems impact us and what protocols govern them. In part two of this series, hosts Elisa and Yvette sit down with Alex Stamos to talk all things algorithmic. How do we regulate amplification? Will Section 230 reform affect these platforms? And how can we better educate the masses on these issues? Ale...
Jul 08, 2021•19 min
Algorithms are everywhere – feeding us daily news, friend suggestions, and targeted ads. Yet, the majority of us have neither the training nor the access to truly understand how these systems impact us and what protocols govern them. In this two part series, hosts Elisa and Yvette sit down with Alex Stamos to talk all things algorithmic. What is microtargeting? Who monetizes from sharing disinformation? And how have these systems and platforms changed our political landscape? What does the futur...
Jul 01, 2021•25 min
Following President Biden’s recent meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, we’re rebroadcasting our timely podcast discussion with Robert Dannenberg, who served in the CIA for 24 years. He discusses Putin's history and worldview, how he views NATO and the United States, and why Russia launched interference campaigns against US elections. To hear Part 2 of this interview, check out “Politics of Putin Part 2: Attacking American Elections” https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/national-security...
Jun 24, 2021•35 min
This week, hosts Elisa and Yvette breakdown the latest in national security news, from newly nominated cybersecurity officials, to upcoming cases on the Supreme Court docket, and the latest Air Force contract making strides towards a 3D printed supply chain. This episode references: U.S. v. Zubaydah (20-827): https://www.supremecourt.gov/qp/20-00827qp.pdf FBI v. Fazaga (20-828): https://www.supremecourt.gov/qp/20-00828qp.pdf U.S. v. Tsarnaev (20-443): https://www.supremecourt.gov/qp/20-00443qp.p...
Jun 17, 2021•19 min
What is the difference between a whistleblower and a leaker? What are the various pathways a whistleblower can take when bringing information forward? And once a claim is made, how are discretion and protection built into the process? In this week’s episode, we hear from a panel of legal experts on the complexities of whistleblowing. They discuss the various roles lawyers play between government counsel, private counsel, and inspector general, as well as the importance of whistleblowers to the i...
Jun 09, 2021•30 min
Part 2 of 2 – The Biden Administration will be withdrawing all American troops from Afghanistan in the coming months, aiming to close out what has now been 20 years of U.S. military presence in the country. But where does this leave us with Iraq? In this week’s episode, hosts Elisa and Yvette sit down with author Robert Draper to discuss his new book, To Start a War: How the Bush Administration Took America Into Iraq. Together, the three discuss the book’s central characters, the detailed and co...
Jun 03, 2021•24 min
The Biden Administration will be withdrawing all American troops from Afghanistan in the coming months, aiming to close out what has now been 20 years of U.S. military presence in the country. But where does this leave us with Iraq? In this week’s episode, hosts Elisa and Yvette sit down with author Robert Draper to discuss his new book, To Start a War: How the Bush Administration Took America Into Iraq. Together, the three discuss the book’s central characters, the detailed and complex decision...
May 27, 2021•30 min
Last week President Biden signed an executive order designed to modernize the federal government's response to cyberattacks. This new EO proposes an array of actions, including facilitating increased information sharing, improving software security, enhancing cybersecurity standards and processes for government systems; and establishing a cybersecurity safety review board. In this week’s episode, moderator Maureen Kelly sits down with Jen Daskal and Dan Sutherland to discuss all these key compon...
May 20, 2021•30 min
Is our legal system prepared for attacks like we saw on the Colonial Pipeline last week? In a functioning democracy, is it appropriate for a private company like Facebook to be so important to electoral success? And as COVID cases in India surge, what are the legal complexities of easing vaccine intellectual property rights in order to help our global counterparts? Bill Banks and Yvette Bourcicot sit down to discuss all these national security law issues and more. William Banks is a professor at...
May 13, 2021•31 min
Risk assessment and strategic planning are essential to any effort to protect and enhance national security. The areas in which such analysis and planning must take place — and the extent to which such planning is necessary — are expanding rapidly, however, raising questions about what preparedness means in the 21st century national security environment.This panel will discuss the legal authorities and the ingredients for good legal advice across a range of crisis areas. In particular, the panel...
May 06, 2021•24 min
The theme for Law Day 2021 is "Advancing the Rule of Law Now." In honor of Law Day, this week's episode showcases highlights from this year's program, Advancing the Rule of Law Now: A Global Perspective. This program explores the rule of law from an international perspective, specifically, the role of the United States within the international rule of law landscape. The rule of law is the bedrock of American rights and liberties, but the United States also serves, for many, as a beacon of sustai...
Apr 30, 2021•25 min
In partnership with the ABA Law Student podcast, host Meg Steenburgh sits down with national security expert, Standing Committee on Law and National Security Chair, and Syracuse University professor William Banks, as he sheds light on how current events interact with our nation’s security and the law. William Banks is a professor at Syracuse Law School and the Chair of the ABA Standing Committee on Law and National Security: http://law.syr.edu/profile/william-banks1 ABA Law Student Podcast: http...
Apr 22, 2021•25 min
Most security issues in government present leadership challenges and might in the first instance, best be addressed with effective leadership. In the next instance, such issues present process challenges; getting the process right leads to better policy and to better results. Only in the third instance are issues resolved through law, in part because you cannot legislate leadership. National security lawyers play an essential role in all three areas: Leadership, process, and law. COVID-19 has pr...
Apr 15, 2021•48 min
