Rational Security - podcast cover

Rational Security

The Lawfare Institutewww.lawfaremedia.org
A weekly discussion of national security and foreign policy matters hosted by Lawfare Senior Editor Scott R. Anderson.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Episodes

The "Vinson Lose Some" Edition

North Korea’s missile launch fizzles, but the ripples spread far and wide. CIA Director Mike Pompeo calls WikiLeaks a hostile intelligence service. And does the Globalist/Nationalist war in the White House really matter in the absence of a coherent foreign policy? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 19, 201758 min

The "Battle to the Death Watch" Edition

Former Trump adviser Carter Page is reportedly the target of a FISA warrant. The U.S. launches a cruise missile strike in Syria, and maybe sends a not so subtle signal to China on North Korea. And is the Trump administration’s foreign policy “unpredictable” by design, or just incoherent? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 12, 201751 min

The "3rd Triple Entente Beer Summit" Edition

At the Third Triple Entente Beer Summit, the usual Rational Security Gang joins up with Stewart Baker and Michael Vatis of the Steptoe Cyberlaw Podcast to discuss airstrikes in Syria, the misadventures of Devin Nunes, and Steve Bannon's ouster from the National Security Council. Plus, in Object Lessons, Stewart recommends Secondhand Time by Svetlana Alexievich and Shane does some sleuthing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Apr 08, 20171 hr 14 min

The "We Need to Talk about Devin" Edition

Devin Nunes throws a wrench into the House’s Russia investigation. Meanwhile, the Senate investigation hasn’t come off the rails. And should countries declare certain kinds of cyber attacks off limits? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 30, 201755 min

The "What’s the Russian Word for 'Edition'?” Edition

FBI Director James Comey makes it official: There is an investigation into Trump links to Russia. The top Democrat in the House investigating the Russian hacks makes a plea for civic virtue. And is Donald Trump his own worst enemy or his best defender? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 21, 201751 min

The "Guns, Butter, and Palace Intrigue" Edition

The Trump administration expands operations against ISIS and al Qaeda. The administration wants to shrink the budget for the State Department. And what do personnel moves tell us about who’s in charge of the national security apparatus? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 16, 201751 min

The "Tapp My Wires" Edition

Donald Trump accuses Barack Obama of tapping his phones, and all hell breaks loose. WikiLeaks releases thousands of pages of information on CIA hacking tools. And North Korea launches missiles that may or may not have been hacked by the NSA. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 09, 201745 min

The "Kislyak of Death" Edition

Attorney General Jeff Sessions is under fire for his conversations with the Russian ambassador to the United States, while the Trump administration tries to deflect attention on Russia investigations. Is it time to appoint a special prosecutor to look into President Trump’s potential links to Russia? And the U.S. carries out new airstrikes in Yemen while questions linger over a recent raid against Al Qaeda. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Mar 02, 201748 min

The "Death Without Dignity" Edition

President Trump selects Army general H.R. McMaster as as his national security adviser after a turbulent search. A rival to North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un is murdered under bizarre circumstances in a Malaysian airport. And Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But is Bibi on the way out? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 21, 201750 min

The "Out Like Flynn" Edition

Michael Flynn’s phone calls and new revelations from the Steele dossier raise questions about Russian influence. An appeals court puts the brakes on Donald Trump’s immigrant and refugee ban. Plus, listener questions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 14, 201751 min

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

This week, a very special guest joins the podcast to discuss the week’s news and the fate of the republic. Plus, in Object Lessons, taco bowls and bad omens. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 09, 201747 min

The "Huddled Masses" Edition

The Trump administration’s executive order on immigration spurs chaos and protests. Speaking of protest, does the mass signing of a State Department dissent cable signal a new rise of bureaucratic resistance to Trump? And what to make of the re-structuring of the National Security Council? Plus, Rational Security's biggest fan Phil Walter joins the podcast this week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 02, 201757 min

The "Centennial" Edition

President Trump has announced executive orders on border security and immigration policy—and maybe interrogation. Ex-military officers are taking senior posts in the National Security Council. And investigators have scrutinized National Security Adviser Mike Flynn’s communications with Russian officials. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 25, 201756 min

The "Four Horsemen" Edition

President Obama issues a raft of pardons and commutations on his last days in office. The Trump transition team has barely interacted with its counterparts on the National Security Council. And John Brennan reflects on Donald Trump and his legacy at the CIA. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 19, 201754 min

The "Golden Bombshell" Edition

The FBI and intelligence community have received explosive allegations that Donald Trump’s staff had contacts with Russian government officials connected to the recent hacking campaign, and that the Russian government has blackmail material on the president-elect. Intelligence chiefs brief Congress—and Trump—on what they know about who was behind the hacking. And what do new revelations—and unproven allegations—mean for the future of Trump’s Cabinet picks and his national security policy? Hosted...

Jan 11, 201753 min

The "New Year/New Tweets" Edition

The Obama administration sanctions the Russians it says were involved in election hacking, while President-Elect Trump continues to insist the Russians aren’t to blame. North Korea says it’s close to developing a nuclear missile that could strike U.S. targets. And the latest not-really-a-ceasefire takes hold in Syria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 05, 201749 min

The "Dude, Where's My Drone?" Edition

A leaked memo lays out Trump’s priorities for the Pentagon. The Chinese return an underwater U.S. Navy drone. And what does this week’s spate of terrorist attacks portend for 2017? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 22, 201651 min

The "RexSec" Edition

The CIA concludes that Russian hackers tried to help Donald Trump get elected. Trump will nominate Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson as the next secretary of state. And the Obama administration is confident that journalist Austin Tice, held hostage in Syria, is alive. And a special guest joins the gang to discuss the week's news. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 15, 201656 min

The "Human Objectification" Edition

The president-elect takes a call from the leader of Taiwan. Bipartisan pressure is mounting in Congress to investigate the Russian hacks of the presidential election. And if you're a wonk in Washington, you may be out in the cold. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 09, 201651 min

The "Who Wants to be a Secretary of State?" Edition

President-Elect Trump is zeroing in on a nominee for secretary of state. Election recounts begin amid fears of computer hacking. And in San Francisco, hackers hold the municipal railway system hostage. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 01, 201652 min

The "Emoluments" Edition

Donald Trump announces his picks for some key national security positions. Meanwhile, Trump grapples with multiple conflicts between his businesses and his coming presidency. The knives are out for NSA Director Adm. Mike Rogers. Plus, a special Thanksgiving Object Lesson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 23, 201657 min

The "Welcome to the New Not Normal" Edition

The Trump administration transition has begun—right? The president-elect sits down with "60 Minutes" and leaves the fate of FBI Director James Comey uncertain. And foreign governments react to Trump’s election. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 17, 20161 hr

"The First Day of the Rest of Our Lives" Edition

This week, the gang reflects on the unexpected election of Donald Trump for president. What national security themes drove his voters? What challenges does Trump face forming a government? And how will America's allies react to his election? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 10, 201649 min

"The New National Nightmare Will Soon Begin" Edition

FBI Director James Comey is under fire for his actions in the home stretch of the presidential election. A journalist suggests private communications between Donald Trump and a Russian bank—but is there any there there? And investigators issue a puzzling finding about the death of one of Vladimir Putin’s closest aides in a Washington, DC, hotel room. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 02, 201653 min

The "Strange Bedfellows" Edition

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump enter the home stretch of the presidential campaign. Hackers take down a key component of the Internet in an unprecedented attack. And WikiLeaks makes some unexpected alliances. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 26, 201654 min

The "Thank God We’re Not in Kansas Anymore" Edition

Iraqi and U.S. forces begin the campaign to reclaim the city of Mosul, ISIS’s de facto capital in Iraq. Retired Gen. James Cartwright pleads guilty to lying to federal leak investigators. And three Kansas men are accused of plotting attacks on Muslims. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 20, 201651 min

The "John Podesta Makes a Mean Risotto" Edition

Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton square off in their second debate. And the intelligence community officially pins the blames on Russia for hacking U.S. political organizations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 14, 201657 min

The "Gaslighting and Guesswork" Edition

The Vice Presidential candidates face off in their first and only debate before Election Day. Senators have buyers remorse over a law that lets families of 9/11 victims sue Saudi Arabia. And can the NSA keep its own secrets? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 06, 201657 min

The "400-Pound Guy on a Bed" Edition

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump face off in the first presidential debate. What did they have to say on ISIS, hackers, and other important national security issues? And a Trump adviser heads off to Moscow and meets with senior Russian government officials. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 27, 201650 min

The "What Candy Are You?" Edition

Bombings in New York and New Jersey have fixed us again on the threat of lone wolf terrorists. Have back-to-back summits on refugees brought us any closer to solving a humanitarian crisis? And The Washington Post comes out against a pardon for Edward Snowden. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 21, 201653 min
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