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 Power of Delusional Thinking" Edition

Mike Flynn signals that he may be cooperating with Robert Mueller’s investigation. President Trump thinks the investigation may be nearing its end. And the U.S. plans to stay in Syria even after ISIS is defeated. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 30, 201748 minEp. 142

The "Mother May I Launch a Missile" Edition

Should the president have the sole authority to launch nuclear missiles? President Trump designates North Korea a state sponsor of terrorism. And the “grownups” in charge of national security are exhausted. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 22, 201750 minEp. 141

The "DMs on the DL" Edition

The FBI is investigating an alleged kidnapping scheme involving ex-National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. Donald Trump Jr. was in direct contact with Wikileaks during the 2016 campaign. And author and scholar Yascha Mounk breaks down the breakdown in democracy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 15, 201748 minEp. 140

The "Mr. Page Goes to Washington" Edition

Trump campaign adviser Carter Page says officials knew about his conversations with Russians. The Saudi government launches an alleged anti-corruption push, but is it really a power grab? And CIA Director Mike Pompeo is entertaining an alternate theory about the Russia hacks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 09, 201751 minEp. 139

The "Million Dollars in Rugs" Edition

Special Counsel Robert Mueller unveils the first indictments in his sprawling investigation, and a surprise plea agreement. We’ll talk about the significance of his moves and where the investigation might be heading next. Plus, New York experiences the deadliest act of terrorism since the 9/11 attacks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 01, 201749 minEp. 138

The “How Many Elephants Make a Stampede?” Edition

Leading GOP lawmakers say there’s nothing normal about the Trump administration. The deaths of four Americans in Niger raise new questions about the legal footing of the U.S. fight against terrorism. And Attorney General Jeff Sessions seems to have no plan for future Russian election meddling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 25, 201747 minEp. 137

The "Decertified" Edition

President Trump says Iran is not living up to the “spirit” of the deal to curtail its nuclear program. Russian trolls and propagandists speak out. And an American woman and her family are freed after five years in captivity in Afghanistan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 19, 201757 minEp. 136

The "Adult Day Care" Edition

A leading GOP senator warns that President Trump risks starting “World War III.” Russia hacks the NSA using popular Russian anti-virus software. And Congress starts the bidding over a key surveillance law. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 10, 201753 minEp. 135

The "Moron" Edition

President Trump tells Secretary of State Rex Tillerson that he’s wasting his time negotiating with North Korea. A gunman opens fire in Las Vegas in the deadliest mass shooting in at least half a century. And an American is being held in Syria as an enemy combatant. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 04, 201749 min

The "Lady, You Can Drive Your Car" Edition

The Trump administration issues a new, revised travel ban. Saudi Arabia will allow women to drive. And the president tweets about a missile launch that didn’t happen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 27, 201745 min

The "Age of Flynnocence" Edition

Robert Mueller serves warrants in the Russia investigation. Donald Trump makes his first appearance before the UN General Assembly. And Mike Flynn's work on a private nuclear energy deal raises new questions about conflicts of interest in the Trump administration. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 21, 201752 min

The "Boris and Natasha Buy a Facebook Ad" Edition

Facebook confirms that a Russian troll farm bought ads during the election cycle. Congress pushes back on the Trump administration’s plan to gut foreign aid and the State Department. And Equifax suffers a massive data breach. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 14, 201747 min

The "Hurricane Alley" Edition

Trump’s lawyers argue that he didn’t obstruct justice when he fired Jim Comey. UN Ambassador Nikki Haley explains how the US could leave the Iran nuclear deal. And the Homeland Security Department faces one of its greatest tests in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, just as a new storm approaches the Florida coast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 07, 201747 min

The "No Morka" Edition

Donald Trump was pursuing business in Russia at the same time he was running for president. Two Cabinet secretaries distance themselves from the president. And is it time for the House to start seriously considering impeachment? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 30, 201751 min

The "Everything Old is New Again" Edition

President Trump unveils his plan for Afghanistan. Cyber Command gets a boost. And Steve Bannon is out at the White House. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 23, 201746 min

The "Fire and Fury" Edition

President Trump warns North Korea not to “make any more threats to the United States” with its pursuit of a nuclear weapon. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announces a new crackdown on press leaks. And the Russia investigation heats up with a grand jury and a pre-dawn raid. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 09, 201753 min

The "Send in the Adults" Edition

Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly takes charge at the White House. Republican senators come to the defense of Attorney General Jeff Sessions. And President Trump finds himself personally entangled in the controversy over a meeting with Russians in Trump Tower. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 02, 201745 min

The "Beleaguered" Edition

President Trump attacks Attorney General Jeff Sessions over Hillary Clinton and Russia. Jared Kushner talks to congressional investigators about his meetings with Russians. And Shane and Tamara bring back reports from the field. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 26, 201746 min

The "Wray of Sunshine" Edition

The Senate questions FBI Director nominee Christopher Wray. Democrats file suit against the Trump campaign over leaked emails. And the UAE is reportedly behind a cyber attack that led to upheaval in the Gulf region. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 19, 201748 min

The "Looks Like I Picked the Wrong Week to Stop Sniffing Glue" Edition

President Trump's eldest son met with a Kremlin-connected lawyer to get Russian government dirt on Hillary Clinton. Iraqi forces liberate the city of Mosul from ISIS. And Trump and Putin sit down for their first face-to-face meeting. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 12, 201747 min

"The Smoke and the Gun" Edition

The first signs of potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia emerge. State Department employees say they’re uncertain about the future of their work under the Trump administration. And the president is facing a crisis in North Korea as he prepares to meet with world leaders, including Vladimir Putin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 05, 201748 min

The "Russian Chokehold" Edition

Obama may not have responded forcefully enough to Russian meddling. But is Trump responding at all? A diplomatic crisis in the Gulf is the first major test of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. And the Supreme Court agrees to take up Trump’s travel ban. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 29, 201750 min

"The Sessions Deathwatch" Edition

Attorney General Jeff Sessions testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee about his contacts with Russia. New information shows that thirty-nine states were targeted by Russian hackers during the 2016 election. And President Trump gives the military authority to ramp the number of troops in Afghanistan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 14, 201755 min

"The Door by the Grandfather Clock" Edition

It’s been a huge two days for news on the Trump/Russia/Comey front. We’ll round it up. There’s a new crisis in the Persian Gulf. And just when you thought it was safe to go back to the polls, there are new revelations of Russia targeting the elections system. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 07, 201748 min

The "Covfefe" Edition

Jared Kushner wanted a back-channel to talk to the Russians. In the aftermath of the Manchester bombing, the Brits question whether the U.S. can keep secrets. And in the wake of Trump’s meeting with NATO leaders, where do U.S.-European relations go from here? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 31, 201748 min

The "Glowing Orb of Peace" Edition

Donald Trump tours the Middle East and insists peace is within reach. Robert Mueller is tapped as the new special counsel overseeing the Trump-Russia probe. And one very special podcast panelist spills his guts to the New York Times . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 24, 201755 min

The "Chatterbox-in-Chief" Edition

President Trump lets the Russians in on a little secret. Jim Comey has been taking notes—of his meetings with the president. And what do this week’s extraordinary events tell us about where we are in this still unfolding national drama? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 18, 201746 min

The "Obi-Wan Comey" Edition

Donald Trump fires FBI Director James Comey. The gang shares their reactions. Then, we’ll dig into Rod Rosenstein’s role in Comey’s sudden departure. Finally, what does his dismissal mean for the future of the Russia investigation and the FBI? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 10, 201753 min

The "Intelligence Porn" Edition

FBI Director James Comey says the idea he could have swayed the presidential election makes him “mildly nauseous.” President Trump is reaching out to autocrats and adversaries. Is it paying off? And the NSA reins in some of its surveillance operations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 03, 201755 min

The "SF-86’ed" Edition

Mike Flynn is back in hot water over money he took from foreign sources. The Senate Intelligence Committee is beefing up for a long investigation of Russian meddling in the election. And FBI Director Jim Comey is back in the spotlight again this week amid questions of how he handled the Clinton and Trump investigations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 27, 20171 hr 1 min
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