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The DSR Network

The DSR Networkthedsrnetwork.com
Twice a week, this podcast will take you on a smart, direct, sometimes scary, sometimes profane, sometimes hilarious tour of the inner workings of American power and of the impact of our leaders and their policies on our standing in the world. Hosted by noted author and commentator David Rothkopf and featuring regulars Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law School, Kori Schake of Stanford University and Ed Luce of the Financial Times, the program will be the lively, smart dinner table conversation on the big issues of the day that you wish you were having...without the calories. Sometimes special guests will join the conversation and always the emphasis will be on providing the unvarnished perspectives others shy away from. Deep State Radio is the insider perspective on American national security and foreign policy that you can't find anywhere else. If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider becoming a member by visiting thedsrnetwork.com.

Episodes

The DSR Daily for March 11: Court Blocks Deportation of Protest Leader

On the DSR Daily for Tuesday, we break down the temporary block on the deportation of protest leader Mahmoud Khalil, US/Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia, the stock market taking a nose dive after Trump’s tariffs took effect, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 11, 202517 min

The Daily Blast: Bad News for Trump as Brutal New Stock Market Plunge Wakes Up Dems

President Trump is on the defensive. The Dow fell nearly 1,000 points after Trump admitted that couldn’t rule out a recession. This comes after more turmoil in the markets stemming from his erratic flip flops on tariffs. Meanwhile, Trump’s agency heads are raging at Elon Musk over the cuts he’s inflicting on their agencies. The opposition has awakened: House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries is whipping opposition to the continuing resolution temporarily funding the government. But will Senate D...

Mar 11, 202527 min

AI, Energy and Climate: Raj Kapoor: Climate Tech Investing and AI

Raj Kapoor is a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Climactic, a seed venture firm focused on climate tech. Join host David Sandalow as he and Kapoor discuss how AI can accelerate the deployment of clean energy technologies, strengthen climate resilience strategies, support climate tech investing and more. AI, Energy and Climate is a special series from the DSR Network sponsored by NEDO and hosted by David Sandalow, Inaugural Fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy. AI f...

Mar 10, 202544 min

The DSR Daily for March 10: ICE Arrests Columbia Protester

On the DSR Daily for Monday, we discuss the Liberal Party of Canada’s new leader, ICE detaining a key Columbia activist, Musk and Rubio clashing with the Polish Foreign Minister over Starlink, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 10, 202518 min

The Daily Blast: Musk Humiliated as Trump’s Own Advisers Brutally Expose DOGE Fiasco

The rift between Elon Musk and Republicans is about to get worse. The New York Times reports that in an extraordinary Oval Office meeting, President Trump’s senior agency heads fought bitterly with Musk. They are angry with him because they themselves know the cuts by his so-called Department of Government Efficiency will produce all kinds of fiascoes at their agencies. Tellingly, they expressly don’t want to take the blame for what Musk is unleashing! We talked to New Republic staff writer Kate...

Mar 10, 202522 min

The DSR Daily for March 7: Trump Balks on Tariffs Again

On the DSR Daily for Friday, we discuss trump expanding tariff exemptions, Trump reining in Elon, the EU passing a huge defense package, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 07, 202530 min

The Daily Blast: Trump Attack on Social Security Takes Ugly Turn with Musk Leak Stunner

As President Trump’s administration gears up to cut Social Security, The Washington Post reports that a top official at the Social Security Administration privately admitted that Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency is in charge of the cutting. The official also allowed that DOGE will “make mistakes.” Cuts to Social Security historically face major political blowback. So do Trump’s political team and the GOP really believe turning over Social Security to Musk’s marauders is a goo...

Mar 07, 202524 min

How Do Dems Fight Back Effectively?

After years of attacking Democrats for America’s economic woes - and promises that he would turn everything around once in office - Trump is already confronting the possibility of a 2025 depression. At the same time, rather than attack Trump for the current economic downturn or raising awareness amongst the public, Democratic politicians have settled for little more than exclaiming their distaste for the president while wearing pink suits in protest. Why can’t the Democratic Party coordinate an ...

Mar 06, 202541 min

AI, Energy and Climate: Julio Friedmann on AI, Climate Change and Carbon Capture

Julio Friedmann -- the "Carbon Wrangler" -- is Chief Scientist at Carbon Direct and one of the world's leading experts on carbon capture and decarbonization more broadly. Host David Sandalow talks with Friedmann about ways AI can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and carbon capture's role in the fight against climate change. AI, Energy and Climate is a special series from the DSR Network sponsored by NEDO and hosted by David Sandalow, Inaugural Fellow at Columbia University’s Center on Global...

Mar 06, 202538 min

The DSR Daily March 6: More Federal Hiring and Firing Follies

On the DSR Daily for Thursday, we cover the Trump-mandated hirings and firings, President Macron’s call to defend Ukraine, Trump balking on auto tariffs, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 06, 202530 min

The Daily Blast: Trump Press Sec Blurts Out Ugly, Revealing Truth about His Tariff Scam

In his speech to Congress, President Trump kept lying about his tariffs, falsely claiming that Canada is letting huge amounts of fentanyl into our country and suggesting the trade wars will only get worse. Then press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters directly that if Canada wants to avoid tariffs in the future, it should become the 51st U.S. state. She said it: Trump’s tariffs are really about getting Canada to submit to his will. Newsflash: It’s not okay for the American president to li...

Mar 06, 202521 min

What're We Getting in Return for All of Trump's Gifts to Russia?

Trump is in a very generous mood, at least if you’re Vladimir Putin. Between the public dragging of President Zelensky culminating in Tuesday night’s address to congress, it’s clear that Trump favors his man in Moscow. Mission Implausible host John Sipher joins Rosa Brooks and David Rothkopf to break down why the US is getting a raw deal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 05, 202534 min

The DSR Daily for March 5: Trump’s Very, Very Long Speech

On the DSR Daily for Wednesday, we break down Trump’s speech to Congress, the Supreme Court denying the administration’s request to cancel foreign aid, the US and Israel rejecting the Arab League Gaza plan, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 05, 202532 min

The Daily Blast: Trudeau’s Blistering Takedown of Trump’s Tariffs Puts GOP to Shame

After President Donald Trump’s tariffs went into effect, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau offered an extraordinary, heartfelt plea to the American people. He said: “Your government has chosen to do this, to you.” This comes as anxiety is rising among Republicans about the tariffs. Yet even as they’re expressing trepidation, they’re also feeling forced to keep defending the tariffs, because criticizing Trump is a death sentence. We talked to columnist EJ Dionne, author of a new piece illust...

Mar 05, 202526 min

Siliconsciousness: Introducing a Bold New Idea: AI Realism

It’s time to get real about AI. The conversations around artificial intelligence and AGI is rife with both hype and negativity — so where does the truth lie? Award-winning journalist Karen Hao joins David Rothkopf to discuss the real implications of artificial intelligence and why we need to take a hard look at the players driving innovation. This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional information is avai...

Mar 04, 202538 min

The DSR Daily for March 4: Trump Tariffs Take Effect

On the DSR Daily for Tuesday, we cover Trump pausing military aid to Ukraine, the administration’s tariffs taking effect, stalling negotiations in Congress to avoid a government shutdown, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 04, 202520 min

The Daily Blast: Trump Hit by Brutal Fox News Graphic on Tariffs as More Bad Polls Land

On Monday, while President Trump talked about his tariffs, Fox News showed him speaking even as a graphic in the corner displayed the markets sliding. That said it all: No matter how much boasting he does about the economy, the actual metrics are getting worse—and the public knows it. Trump is launching new tariffs on Canada and Mexico, and he just announced more tariffs on agricultural products, which could hurt farmers. Meanwhile, new polls from Marist and CNN show his approval under water, in...

Mar 04, 202528 min

AI, Energy and Climate: Reed Hundt on AI and Green Capital

Reed Hundt helped shape the modern Internet as Chair of the Federal Communications Commission in the 1990s. He served as a board member at Intel for many years and founded the Coalition for Green Capital. Host David Sandalow talks with Reed Hundt about lessons from the dawn of the Internet era, the future of the US semiconductor industry, changes needed to decarbonize the global economy, and more. AI, Energy and Climate is a special series from the DSR Network sponsored by NEDO and hosted by Dav...

Mar 03, 202548 min

Emergency Podcast: The Scary Episode You Need to Hear

What happens when the United States effectively switches sides on the global stage? When allying with Russia upends decades of foreign policy around the world? And what dangers does the Trump-Hegseth administration pose for global nuclear security? Joe Cirincione and Jon Wolfsthal join David Rothkopf for a tough conversation about the future of the established international order and the significant nuclear security risks posed by the Trump Administration. Looking for More from the DSR Network? ...

Mar 03, 202533 min

The Daily Blast: “Sick”: GOP Senator’s Harsh Takedown of Trump Hints at a Darker Story

After President Trump and JD Vance ambushed Ukrainian president Zelensky in the Oval Office, one GOP Senator stepped up. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska decried Trump not just for his appalling treatment of Zelensky, but also for realigning the US with the rising forces of Putinism around the world. Meanwhile, European leaders are set to negotiate a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire, which could pressure Trump-Vance to show what they really want the war’s outcome to look like. We talked to Yale professor Lauren...

Mar 03, 202517 min

Emergency Episode: After the Trump-Zelensky Oval Office Fiasco

There’s no way to sugarcoat it — the Trump/Zelensky meeting was a disaster. The betrayal of Ukraine is confirmed, and the administration is past the point of no return. Doug Lute, Rosa Brooks, and Marc Polymeropoulos join David Rothkopf to break down this train wreck of a meeting and what it means for the future of US foreign policy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 28, 202549 min

The DSR Daily for February 28: DOGE Goes to Court

On the DSR Daily for Friday, we go over Prime Minister Starmer’s visit to the White House, DOGE officials’ orders to testify, the administrations efforts to rehire fired employees, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 28, 202516 min

The Daily Blast: Trump Hit by Brutal Poll on Economy as Panicked GOPers Nix Town Halls

President Trump looks increasingly vulnerable on the very thing that helped him win the election: Rising costs. On Thursday, Trump announced that his tariffs on Mexico and Canada will begin on March 4th. Yet only hours later, a new Bloomberg poll found that 59 percent expect the tariffs to drive up prices further. Only 31 percent say they’ll be good for the economy. Meanwhile, Republicans are starting to cancel their town halls, fearing voter blowback over Elon Musk’s rampage. We talked to Andre...

Feb 28, 202524 min

Time For Dems to Stand Up — And We Mean it This Time

Will the real opposition party please stand up? Republicans are marching towards political suicide with the passage of Trump’s bad budget bill, but Democrats are nowhere to be found. Norm Ornstein and David Rothkopf break down why dems need to find their courage before it’s too late. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 27, 202536 min

The DSR Daily for February 27: Economy Suffering Under Trump

On the DSR Daily for Thursday, we discuss the first signs of economic strain from Trump’s policies, the FDA cancelling meetings of vaccine advisory committees, the White House cherry picking reporters, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 27, 202528 min

AI, Energy and Climate: Michael Liebreich on AI, Data Centers and Energy: Past, Present and Future 

How much electric power will AI need in the years ahead? How can that demand be met cheaply and sustainably? What can we learn from projections of data center power demand over the past several decades? How can AI contribute to meeting clean energy goals? Join host David Sandalow in a lively conversation with Michael Liebreich, founder of New Energy Finance, on these topics and more. AI, Energy and Climate is a special series from the DSR Network sponsored by NEDO and hosted by David Sandalow, I...

Feb 27, 202555 min

The Daily Blast: “Terrifying”: Trump’s Ominous Moment with RFK on First Measles Death

In Texas, an unvaccinated child just died of Measels—the first reported death related to the disease’s recent outbreak. This came up at President Trump’s cabinet meeting on Wednesday, and the results were troubling. After Elon Musk admitted that his cuts had briefly closed down Ebola prevention, anti-vax Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. was surprisingly cavalier about the outbreak, and didn’t bother urging Americans to get vaccinated. Trump said nothing to reassure the na...

Feb 27, 202525 min

Are We All Just Living in Trump's Imagination? 

It’s Europe week for the Trump administration, and normalcy remains a distant memory. The president’s open disdain for Europe and fondness for Putin remain on full display with visits from key players in the Russia/Ukraine conflict underway. Rosa Brooks and Ed Luce join David Rothkopf to make sense of this moment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 26, 202543 min

The DSR Daily for February 26: Republican Infighting, Yay!

On the DSR Daily for Wednesday, we cover the Ukraine/US minerals deal, the narrow passage of a budget resolution, Republican criticism of DOGE, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 26, 202519 min