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 Farewell Edition

It’s our last episode—at least in our current form. We’ll reminisce about our favorite moments, hear from longtime friends and listeners, and share in a final Object Lesson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 21, 202154 min

The “We’re Quitting Just in Time” Edition

Historic protests rock Cuba. The ripple effects of an assassination linger in Haiti. And a former president warns the consequences of withdrawal from Afghanistan will be “unbelievably bad.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 14, 202147 min

The "Beam Me Up" Edition

At long last, the Director of National Intelligence releases its findings about UFOs. The Trump Organization and its chief financial officers are accused of a 15-year tax fraud scheme. And Russian hackers are at it again, this time launching possibly the largest ransomware attack as well as a strike against the Republican National Committee. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 07, 20211 hr 1 min

The "Drugs, Bombs and Bibles" Edition

The Egyptian government may have assisted a Saudi hit team in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a new investigation finds. Congress debates repealing an authorization for “forever war.” And a judge narrows the lawsuits filed over the clearing of Lafayette Square before a Trump photo op. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 23, 202153 minEp. 318

The “Specter or Mirage?” Edition

World leaders convene in Cornwall and Brussels as President Biden makes his first official trip abroad. Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin have a face-to-face meeting in Geneva. And leak investigations aplenty have ensnared journalists, former officials and members of Congress. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 16, 202150 minEp. 317

The “I’m Not Saying It’s Aliens” Edition

Bibi Netanyahu may be out of a job. Alleged drug lords and contract killers thought they were using a secure messaging app but WOOPS, they were talking to the cops. And there’s no evidence it's aliens, but the USG doesn’t know WTF is flying around in our airspace. Support Rational Security! Don't forget to subscribe to Lawfare 's Patreon to get access to the ad-free feed of this podcast and the Lawfare Podcast . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....

Jun 09, 202158 minEp. 316

The “Where’s the Beef?” Edition

Violence escalates in Afghanistan as U.S. troops withdraw. President Biden directs intelligence agencies to look for more evidence that a lab leak may have started the covid pandemic. And a ransomware attack targets the world’s largest beef processor. Plus, special guest Madiha Afzal of the Brookings Institution joins the gang. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 02, 202156 minEp. 315

The Isn’t it Grand Jury Edition

The prosecutor in the Trump criminal probe convenes a grand jury to hear evidence and weigh potential charges. The skyjacking of a commercial airliner over Belarus sparks international condemnation. And a former Saudi intelligence official could spill classified information in a U.S. court. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 26, 202150 minEp. 314

The Sedition Commission Edition

Fighting intensifies in Israel and Gaza as President Biden pleads for a cease fire. Lawmakers debate setting up a commission to investigate the Jan. 6 attack. And a New York state investigation of the Trump Organization is now exploring potential criminal conduct. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 19, 202148 minEp. 313

The "Gas is the New Toilet Paper" Edition

The death toll rises in Israel and Gaza as a historic wave of violence enters its third day. A ransomware attack leads to the shutdown of a major gas pipeline in the U.S. And the GOP identity crisis enters its latest phase. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 12, 202155 min

The "Definitely not Indefinitely Suspended" Edition

President Biden says he will raise the cap on refugees admitted to the United States. A federal judge accuses the Justice Department and former Attorney General Bill Barr of misleading her and Congress about the advice he got on whether to charge former President Trump. And an oversight board decides Facebook was right to suspend Donald Trump, but leaves open the question of whether to permanently kick him off the social media platform. Special guest Kate Klonick joins us to discuss! Hosted on A...

May 06, 202152 minEp. 311

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
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