Rational Security - podcast cover

Rational Security

The Lawfare Institutewww.lawfareblog.com
A weekly discussion of national security and foreign policy matters featuring Lawfare senior editors Scott R. Anderson, Quinta Jurecic, and Alan Rozenshtein.

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

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Episodes

The "Oops! Rudy Did It Again" Edition

Federal investigators search Rudy Giuliani’s New York apartment, in an escalation of a criminal investigation into the former president’s lawyer. Covid-19 ravages India, with a record-breaking number of daily infections reported, and the Biden administration pledges assistance. And two tech companies are facing off in a dispute over surveillance, privacy and security. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 28, 202154 minEp. 310

The 'Collusion Was Not an Illusion' Edition

The Treasury Department says an associate of disgraced Trump ally Paul Manafort gave campaign data to “Russian Intelligence,” leading us to ask, why are we only hearing this now? A former senior Trump aide was up to even more shenanigans than we knew. And top intelligence officials testify about global threats. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 21, 202159 min

"The Longest War is Ending" Edition

President Biden announces that all U.S. military forces will be out of Afghanistan by Sept. 11. A blackout at an Iranian nuclear facility is widely attributed to Israeli sabotage, complicating negotiations over a new nuclear deal. And we finally know the company that helped the FBI hack a notorious shooter’s phone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 14, 202156 min

The "Scoop d’etat" Edition

Jordanian authorities mount arrests and detain a member of the royal family in what authorities called a threat to “security and stability” in the country, a key U.S. ally. An attack on the Capitol in Washington raises more questions about long-term security of that building. And the Biden administration seeks a way back to the negotiating table with Iran. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 08, 202148 min

The "Vaccines are the New Masks" Edition

The debate heats up over “vaccine passports.” Google exposes a hacking operation that turns out to have been a government counterterrorism mission. And the World Health Organization's director says his agency needs to further investigate whether the coronavirus outbreak originated with a lab in China. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 31, 202156 min

The "Chilly in Alaska" Edition

U.S. and Chinese officials clash during tense meetings in Alaska. The race to vaccinate the world is becoming a geopolitical problem. And Benjamin Netanyahu’s political future is uncertain after his party fails to win an outright majority in Israel’s parliamentary elections. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 24, 202153 minEp. 305

The "It Was Always Russia" Edition

A weekly discussion of national security and foreign policy matters hosted by Shane Harris of the Washington Post and featuring Brookings senior fellows Susan Hennessey, Tamara Cofman Wittes, and Benjamin Wittes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 17, 20211 hrEp. 303

The “Happy Birthday, Remote Jungle Studio” Edition

The Biden administration is reviewing the policy on drone strikes. At the same time, it grapples with how to respond to aggressive cyber threats from Russia and China. And one year after much of the United States went into a virtual lockdown, the origins of the coronavirus remain unknown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 17, 202157 min

The “Did I Say ‘Pariah?’” Edition

A newly released intelligence report officially blames Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. FBI Director Chris Wray says domestic extremism is a “metastasizing” threat. And President Biden launches airstrikes in Syria. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 03, 20211 hrEp. 302

The "Confirm and Deny" Edition

President Biden’s nominees for attorney general and CIA director mostly sail through their confirmation hearings. The administration kickstarts policy on Iran, with an eye towards salvaging a nuclear deal. And the Supreme Court rules that a New York grand jury can see Donald Trump’s tax returns. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 24, 202152 minEp. 301

The "Not Guilty but Sort of Guilty" Edition

It's our 300th episode! The Senate acquits Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial. Rolling blackouts in Texas offer a glimpse of climate insecurity to come. And the Pentagon delayed promoting two female generals to four-star commands over fears of Trump’s reaction. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 17, 202154 minEp. 300

"The Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer Does Impeachment" Edition

President Trump’s impeachment trial begins in the Senate as a prosecutor in Georgia investigates efforts to overturn the election. President Biden sets out to “revitalize” national security and foreign policy in his administration. And the U.S. is (cautiously) rejoining world bodies it left under Donald Trump. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 10, 202154 minEp. 299

The "Impeachment: Part Two" Edition

The Senate prepares to try former President Trump on charges of inciting a riot at the Capitol. A military coup in Myanmar deals a potentially crushing blow to democracy. And how do you solve a problem like Marjorie Taylor Greene? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 03, 202158 minEp. 298

The "Domestic in the Extreme" Edition

The storming of the Capitol on January 6 has exposed the long-simmering threat of domestic extremism in the United States. How will the Biden administration combat it? Protests break out across Russia as a prominent dissident returns home. And can we just skip impeachment and get to the 14th Amendment? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 27, 20211 hrEp. 297

The "Let’s Never Do That Again" Edition

Joe Biden takes the oath of office to become the 46th President of the United States. We’ll look at how Donald Trump spent his last day in office and how Biden is spending his first. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 21, 202156 minEp. 296

The "So Not-Nice They Impeached Him Twice" Edition

The House impeaches President Trump—again—for his role in stoking an attack on the Capitol. President-elect Biden announces more national security appointments, including his nominee to lead the CIA. And Mike Pompeo breaks some diplomatic furniture on the way out the door. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 13, 202155 minEp. 295

"The Peaceless Transition of Power" Edition

A normally procedural session of Congress dissolves as protestors descend on Washington and occupy the Capitol. A new crackdown on pro-democracy forces in Hong Kong will complicate the incoming Biden administration’s approach to China. And how will a (barely) Democrat-controlled Senate affect Biden’s national security agenda? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 06, 202154 minEp. 294

The "F--- This Year" Edition

President Trump issues another round of pardons, raising expectations that his family members and maybe Trump himself will be next. As 2020 comes to a merciful close, we’ll take a look back at the big national security stories that didn’t get enough attention. And we’ll talk about what we’ve got our eyes on for 2021, besides a triumphant return to the actual Jungle Studio. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 31, 20201 hr 3 minEp. 293

The "Disbarred" Edition

Attorney General Bill Barr exits the stage. Did he leave before Trump could fire him? A massive computer hack attributed to Russian intelligence may have exposed dozens of companies and government agencies. And in the face of that and other Russian threats, how is a Biden administration likely to change U.S. policy towards Moscow? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 17, 202056 minEp. 292

The "Stocking the Cabinet" Edition

President-elect Biden continues building his Cabinet, but his pick for defense secretary leaves some supporters cold. Administration officials drag their feet on the transition as Trump’s lawyers mount increasingly absurd and dangerous efforts to overturn the election. And the White House tries to rally support for a controversial weapons sale to the United Arab Emirates as the Gulf Arab states look ahead to a Biden administration that may be more skeptical of close ties. Hosted on Acast. See ac...

Dec 10, 202053 minEp. 291

The "You Get a Pardon and You Get a Pardon!” Edition

A top Iranian nuclear scientist is assassinated. Everyone gets pardons this Christmas! And the attorney general takes steps to ensure the investigation of the Russia probe continues in the Biden administration. Plus, the gang welcomes special guest Noah Efron of "The Promised Podcast." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 03, 20201 hr 7 minEp. 290

"The First Day of the Rest of Our Lives (Revisited)" Edition

We're off this week for Thanksgiving, but we're bringing you back four years ago to reflect on the day after the 2016 election. What national security themes drove Donald Trump's supporters? What challenges did we anticipate Trump would face in forming a government? And what did we get right? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 25, 202050 minEp. 289

"The Firings Will Continue Until Morale Improves" Edition

President Trump fires the country’s top election security official because he won’t go along with his lies about a stolen election. Promising news about coronavirus vaccines raises important questions about who should get it first, and where. And President Trump prepares to draw down troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 18, 202050 minEp. 288

The "Peaceful(ish) Transfer of Power" Edition

Joe Biden is elected president, but Donald Trump refuses to concede, and the transition to a new administration is rocky. Attorney General Bill Barr authorizes federal prosecutors to investigate potential voter fraud. And the gang takes questions from our live audience! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 12, 20201 hr 6 minEp. 287

The "Still Counting" Edition

President Trump falsely declares victory and asserts the election was fraudulent. What havoc could he raise as states continue to count ballots? Some of the most dreaded threats of foreign interference didn’t materialize, but other danger may lie ahead. And Trump may be defeated, but Trumpism may be alive and kicking. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 04, 202054 minEp. 286

The “Buckle Your Seatbelts” Edition

Americans head to the polls in the face of a virus and potential disruptions at polling places and beyond. Whoever wins next Tuesday, the period between Election Day and the inauguration is bound to be rocky. And we’ll take a big picture look at the national security challenges that the next president will face, whoever he is. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 28, 202059 minEp. 285

The “That’s Rudy!” Edition

Rudy Giuliani finds himself at the center of a misbegotten effort to interfere in the 2020 election. American diplomats and intelligence officers complain they’re being left in the cold after mysterious attacks. And the Trump administration sends an unusual envoy to Syria to discuss U.S. hostages. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 21, 202058 minEp. 284

The "Unmasked at Last" Edition

A Justice Department investigation into whether Obama-era officials improperly requested the identities of individuals from intelligence reports ends with a whimper. An investigation into the shooting of a protestor in Portland raises questions about the federal government’s use of force. And CyberCommand takes down a Russian botnet. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 14, 202053 minEp. 283

The “Don’t Let it Dominate You” Edition

President Trump tests positive for the coronavirus and the White House becomes a hot zone. Justice Department officials were “a driving force” behind an immigration policy that separated families at the border with Mexico. And two ISIS militants are charged in the murder of American hostages. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 07, 202053 minEp. 282

The "Sh*t Show" Edition

Trump tells a white nationalist group to “stand by” as he further tries to erode confidence in the November elections, this time from the presidential debate stage. Election officials are bracing for a wave of litigation and shenanigans when Americans head for the polls. And new information about Trump’s taxes reveal he’s massively in debt, adding to long-standing fears that his finances make him vulnerable to manipulation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Sep 30, 202058 minEp. 281
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