Political Fallout Shelter: Recent Episodes
Christian Lowe
Military Times Deputy Editor Leo Shane III and Defense News Capitol Hill Bureau Chief Joe Gould introduce listeners to the stories behind the latest military happenings on Capitol Hill. Each week, they’ll bring an insider’s perspective on what the biggest headlines are, why the public should care, and what’s coming next.
Leo and Joe break down Congress’ return to work this month, including the defense appropriations package (1:30) and the annual defense authorization bill (6:05). The pair also discuss President Donald Trump’s cancelled peace summit with Taliban leaders at Camp David (15:40) before fitting in some forced football/national defense talk.
Leo and Joe take a break from the news for a little summer fun, drafting a team of the best American military movie characters. They’re joined by producer Ben (Bob?) Murray as they take a trip through films like War Games and Independence Day as well as a few good ones.
Leo and Joe get ready for the summer congressional recess with a wrap-up of lawmakers’ last-minute work before leaving town: finalizing the new budget deal (1:05), confirming a host of defense posts (6:10) and punting the controversial nomination of Gen. John Hyten until the fall (8:40). The pair also get you ready for National Presidential Joke Day (18:00).
Leo and Joe break down Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s attack on Defense Secretary nominee Mark Esper (1:05) and what his likely confirmation means for Pentagon leadership vacancies (9:25). They also discuss Turkey’s fight with the White House over the F-35 (12:30) before worrying about the sound track for the Top Gun sequel (19:05).
Leo and Joe recap the fights to come following House passage of
the annual defense authorization act (1:05) and the upcoming confirmation hearing for Defense Secretary nominee Mark Esper (8:00). They also discuss Leo’s recent interview with Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg (10:15) and end with possible
new names for military bases with ties to the confederacy (17:20).
Leo and Joe recap the Senate passage of the annual defense authorization act (1:20) and the latest tensions with Iran (6:00) before breaking down the limited national security discussion in the first Democratic debates (11:30). Finally, the pair talk about what might happen at the national Fourth of July celebrations this year
(18:40).
Leo and Joe recap the sudden departure of acting Defense Secretary
Patrick Shanahan (2:00) and the timing of when a permanent replacement for the Pentagon’s top job could be confirmed (7:25). They also discuss how problems with Shanahan’s past were missed by investigators (9:50) and end with Army Secretary Mark Esper’s sudden promotion (16:15) and what he can do to make his time in office memorable (19:45).
Leo and Joe recap the 21-hour NDAA debate before the House Armed
Services Committee last week: what the big fights were (3:15), why space corps wasn’t a fight (7:40), surprises in the final product (11:30) and how Air Force One’s new paint scheme plays into national security (18:35).
Leo and Joe are joined by Defense News Weekly host Jeff Martin to review the congressional fight over nuclear weapons (1:10), the supplemental disaster aid bill (8:25), President Trump’s confusing comments on transgender recruits (11:00) and plans to have troops paint the southern U.S. border wall (15:00).
Leo and Joe review the controversies coming out of President Donald Trump’s recent trip to Japan, and debate which ones are worth worrying about: Hiding the USS McCain (2:00), “Make Aircrew Great Again” patches (6:30), electromagnetic catapults vs. steam (9:15), and calling Navy ships “boats” (14:10). The two also brainstorm new names for Jim Mattis’ new book (16:00).
Leo and Joe discuss what the disaster aid bill’s passage means for the military (1:15) and what to take away from the Senate Armed Services Committee’s first draft of the annual defense authorization bill (5:40). They also look at how lawmakers are addressing military housing problems (8:10) and new tax burdens on Gold Star families (10:50) before offering their own Memorial Day reflections (16:15).
Leo and Joe discuss the new House Appropriations plan for the defense budget (2:00) and this upcoming week’s work by senators on the annual defense authorization bill (9:05). They also discuss Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s plan to reduce corporate influence within the Pentagon (10:40) and bad lessons learned for the military from Game of Thrones (17:45).
Leo and Joe discuss Trump’s surprising/not surprising nomination of Patrick Shanahan to be the next defense secretary (1:05). They also cover the latest military news on Iran (7:30) and North Korea (12:55) before brainstorming nicknames for the incoming Pentagon
leader (16:15)
Leo and Joe discuss congressional efforts to overturn rules which block military medical malpractice lawsuits (1:00). The also detail the fight over U.S. military assistance in the war in Yemen (8:30) and explain what sonobuoys are (13:45) before dissecting the confusing strip club comments one sailor made ahead of Vice President Mike Pence’s speech last week (19:45).