DSR602: Recent Episodes
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If and when Nancy Pelosi decides to sends the articles of impeachment to the Senate, the odds of a fair trial are slim to none. (Aw, who are we kidding? They're zero.) Trump will be acquitted. He will have a celebratory press conference and declare he has been exonerated, an end to the hoaxy witch hunt. But will his legal troubles stop there? What about as more details of his crimes are revealed? More cover ups take place and are revealed? Other trials reveal more evidence against the president and his men. We discuss with former US prosecutor Harry Litman, Just Security Editorial Director Kate Brannen and Just Security co-editor Ryan Goodman why things might go from bad to worse for Trump and why it could all go on for years. Also discussed: The aftershocks of Kate Brannen's scoop revealing the unredacted contents of communications on the Ukraine scandal that incriminates the president and reveals deep fissures within the Trump Administration. And: Can the president just go around knocking off any foreign leader he wants? Join us.
In the days since President Donald Trump ordered the killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, the presidents's spokespeople have taken to the airwaves to claim that we are safer with the Iranian who had the death of hundreds of Americans on his hands gone. But so far, things don't feel safer. The Iranian government--which has a global network of proxies at its disposal--promised revenge. It vowed to enrich uranium beyond limits set by the agreement struck during then Obama Administration. The Iraqi parliament voted to expel U.S. troops from that country and the U.S announced the beginning of its withdrawal. Oil prices moved upward. Russia, Iran, and ISIS stood poised to benefit from declining U.S. influence. To some, another Mideast war seemed inevitable. But is it? Will Iran prove to be the rational actor who calms then situation? Will Trump blink and actually seek the de-escalation his Secretary of State promised? Will divisions in the national security establishment have an impact? Kori Schake of AEI, Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law and Joe Cirincione of the Ploughshares Fund discuss on an urgent, can't miss episode of Deep State Radio.
For Two Years, Rosa Brooks had remained optimistic that despite all that was happening in the Trump administration over the past three years, a full-on constitutional crisis could be avoided. That changed with our episode on October 11, 2019. In this Best of Deep State Radio episode, we’ve pieced together several of these discussions including what led Rosa to declare a constitutional crisis. Tune In.
In the last episode of not just 2019 but of the entire decade for Deep State Radio, we gather Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law, Stephen Walt of Harvard's Kennedy School, David Sanger of the New York Times and Ed Luce of the Financial Times to reflect on the ten years just past. We identify the big geopolitical trends from the rise of China (and Russia) to the spread of ethno-nationalism and the boom times for both demagogues and billionaires. The climate crisis got worse. So did inequality. Democracy teetered at the brink in America. And...egg nog anyone? Have a few drinks and settle in for a look back and what it means to all of us going forward. Happy Holidays from Deep State Radio!
During this special 20 minute conversation with one of the standout stars of the impeachment process, California Congressman Eric Swalwell, he parries the latest jibes from the White House against Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic Majority in the House by noting that 70 percent of the American people want a fair trial in the Senate. For this reason, he argues, Americans should not jump to the conclusion that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell will get his way and convene the kangaroo court he has promised he would deliver. Swalwell also discussed recent revelations about how Putin shaped Trump's Ukraine views and just what shape on-going investigations will have to take in 2020 to counter the on-going abuse of power by President Trump. You won't want to miss the breaking news, special edition of Deep State Radio.
In the wake of impeachment, all eyes turn to the Senate. Will delaying handing over the articles of impeachment buy the Democrats any leverage? Will buying time be enough with new bad news for Trump breaking daily--such as the report it was Putin who told him about Ukraine interference in 2016 or the magazine Christianity Today coming out for the president's removal from office? Or will the Senate sham trial come and go but these constant developments put the GOP in an ever weaker position. Many shoes are yet to drop. That's why we call it the Republican Centipede (Well, at least that's one possible reason). Join former US Attorney and MSNBC commentator Joyce White Vance and NYU Law and Just Security's Ryan Goodman for a do-not-miss episode on the week's biggest story.
The US and the UK were the Batman and Robin of the Atlantic Alliance. Or was it the Holmes and Watson? The Lucy and Ethel? Well, whatever we were, we aren't that any more. It looks like Great Britain may be heading for a crack app and a future as only Meh Britain. And the US has been in retreat since the fiasco in Iraq. What comes next? Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law, Kori Schake of IISS, Ed Luce of the Financial Times and Joe Cirincione of the Ploughshares Fund discuss, debate and try to put recent shocking developments in perspective. Don't miss it.
What if the history books record that Donald Trump was third American president to be impeached, but the first of those to be re-elected? It's not far-fetched. In fact, many folks think it's likely. And it's what happens after that that has them scared. We discuss in a great roundtable with the Washington Post's Greg Sargent, Georgetown Law's Rosa Brooks and NYU Law School's Ryan Goodman. You won't want to miss it.
Remember national security? Remember defending the country against foreign attacks? Remember principles? Remember truth? Well, there sure are some people in our government who don't. Saudis attack Americans and the American president flacks for the Saudi Crown Prince. Russia attacks America and GOP Congressman and Senators help them by spreading Russian disinformation. An investigation confirms the FBI had every reason to investigate Trump campaign cooperation with a Russian attack on the U.S. and the president and the attorney general ignore its findings and state the opposite within minutes of its release. On this episode of DSR Kori Schake of IISS, David Sanger of the NY Times, Ed Luce of the Financial Times and Sharon Weinberger of Yahoo News, discuss this week's breaking news and what it means. Don't miss it.
Unfortunately, Juliette Kayyem’s tv appearances have made her a household name. Unfortunate only because of her area of expertise: tragedies — both natural and unnatural. We saw this again after the recent shooting at Naval Air Station Pennsacola. It was another moment where Juliette’s unique background and confidence have helped people understand the unimaginable. It’s the offscreen Juliette — Bostonian, professor, wife, mom, surfer and Harry Styles fan — least known to fans & viewers. In this episode we got to know both a little better. Hope you enjoy.
On this special episode of Deep State Radio, coinciding with the official beginning of the House Judiciary Committee's Impeachment Hearings, we discuss the case against Trump in the context of history. Our guests are impeachment historian Frank Bowman of the University of Missouri and Ryan Goodman, NYU Law School professor and co-editor at "Just Security." Are the Democrats making a mistake by focusing on bribery? Did the GOP make any good points in their counter-arguments as the hearings kicked off. Where do we go from here? Can Chief Justice Roberts keep the Senate trial from being a kangaroo court or do Senate rules hamstring him and is the outcome inevitable? It's a lively, vital discussion that is not to be missed. Join us.
With every flashing headline, every bright chyron claiming "breaking news" we expect our worlds are changing. In the current political atmosphere in the US those come fast and furious and leads pundits everywhere to regularly exclaim that we have reached a turning point. Well, we offer a different kind of pundit on Deep State Radio, people who speak their minds and don't march to the beat of everyone else's drummers, people like Ed Luce of the Financial Times, Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University Law Center and Max Bergmann of the Center for American Progress. And while much is happening all around us, it's not clear much will change, which is why Rosa asserts, "There are no turning points." We discuss. Which leads us to some of the biggest and most important stories in the world that are not getting enough attention. Join us.
Matt Gaetz has got to go. The people of Florida’s 1st congressional district deserve better. Much better. But wanting him to go isn’t enough. Someone has to beat him. That someone is Phil Ehr. As part of UNREDACTED’s series of meeting the candidates who are taking on the worst of the worst Republicans, we spoke with Phil. A former naval aviator, he satisfied his need for speed in the air over the Balkans and Iraq — not Florida’s highways like Gaetz. Between his service to our country and his work in the community, Phil Ehr is exactly the kind of person needed to hold and expand our majority the House of Representatives. After listening you’ll see why. Enjoy.
Psssst. Put down that drumstick. Push back from the Thanksgiving table. You don't need any more of that pumpkin pie. (And we say that as your friend.) We have something better for you to do, in keeping with the spirit of the day and much less likely to drive you crazy than your relatives. Join us for Deep State Radio's special Thanksgiving feast featuring Ed Luce of the Financial Times, Kori Schake of IISS and Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law in which they offer up all that they are thankful for. Guess who said she's thankful for Garanimals matching outfits. Guess who said she was thankful for the fact that we're not living in a full-on apocalypse. Guess who said he's thankful that American Thanksgiving is late in November so it pushes off the start of "Christmas bollocks." Tune in and hear these views and also somewhat more serious perspectives on what's going right in the world. (And if you can't pushback from the table...wear earbuds and listen to us during the meal! Enjoy!) Happy Thanksgiving from Deep State Radio.
The president of the United States, always searching for lower lows, has done profound damage to the military, our system of justice and America's standing in the world by pardoning war criminals from our own military. The risk at which this puts soldiers and civilians in the future is only matched by that which it poses to our entire nation as leaders without values or standards seek to institutionalize their corruption. Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law, Kori Schake of IISS and Ed Luce of the Financial Times discuss the moral crisis that may both underpin and exceed in danger the Constitutional Crisis that is garnering most of the headlines. Don't miss it.
Next in UNREDACTEDdsr’s series of introducing the challengers focused on the unfinished business of 2018, we spoke with Phil Arballo – the man who’ll unseat Devin Nunes. While Nunes has long been a household name for all the same reasons, Arballo is working every day to introduce himself to the people of California’s 22nd Congressional District – as well as the nation on the whole. Nunes dishonors our Congress every day, but he is a darling of the FOX crowd and the Right Wing who’ve left him with more than $7 million in cash to fight Arballo off. But he’s beatable. After listening to this episode you’ll see why Phil Arballo is the man to do so.
Adam Schiff masterfully conducted impeachment hearings that made the case that Donald Trump sought to bribe and extort the president of Ukraine, using his official office to advance personal interests. The case is a lock. Except if facts don't matter. Or if you don't care. And that's the GOP position. And guess what comes next? Distractions and circuses and Bill Barr investigations into the origins of the Mueller Report and Lindsay Graham fishing expeditions on Hunter Biden and the High Court of noted champion of fairness in government Mitch McConnell. In other words, a shitshow wrapped in a goatfuck shrouded in a partisan perversion of justice. But don't guess at what's coming next, listen to former US attorney and commentator Harry Litman and NYU Law professor Ryan Goodman as they prepare you for the worst...and why to cling to hope. Tune in.
This week promises to be a dramatic on the impeachment front. Is Gordon Sondland going to tell the truth (for the first time) or lie (again)? What about Lt. Col Vindman, Fiona Hill and the others to come? Will there be a game changer? And how will the president throw himself into the mix? More Tweets? More distractions? And speaking of distractions...is impeachment drawing our attention away from major unfolding global crises: in Hong Kong, with the Uighurs in China, in Iran, in Syria, in Latin America, with US-Israel policy? It could make your head spin if you didn't have the cool incisive wisdom of Georgetown University's Rosa Brooks and former NSC staffer and current CNN commentator Sam Vinograd to make sense of it all. And that's just what you have here on this not-to-be-missed episode of Deep State Radio.
Love her or love her less, (UNREDACTED can’t get enough of her), Lauren Duca burst onto the public stage with a series of high-profile columns and media appearances. In December 2016 she wrote “Trump is Gaslighting America” — well ahead of the curve of the now common coverage of trump’s rampant deceit. That same month she bravely went on FOX News to tangle with host Tucker Carlson. Duca emerged from the showdown more emboldened and known than ever. In fact, after Carlson suggested she “stick to thigh high boots,” Lauren did exactly that when launching her new column “Thigh-High Politics” for Teen Vogue. We talked to Lauren about her wild ride, and her new book, “How to Start a Revolution: Young People and the future of American Politics.”
In Ohio today, one house of the legislature passed a law saying that if a student gets a science question wrong at school because it does not conform with his religious beliefs it can't be held against him. We have officially entered the post-fact world. That matters in the impeachment case because as the Democrats lay out a careful factual case, the GOP response is a tsunami of conspiracy theories, lies, nonsense, and distractions. And that might be all that's necessary to maintain the political balance that keeps Trump in office. Is there an antidote? Will the next rounds of hearings produce a game-changer? Ryan Goodman of NYU Law School and "Just Security" and Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University Law Center discuss with host David Rothkopf. Join us for essential insights into this newest phase of the impeachment chapter...and the decline of Western Civilization.
With all eyes on the impeachment hearings this week, we take a step back to reframe the discussion about Trump shake-down of the Ukrainian government in terms of the damage that was done to U.S. national security interests and those of our allies. Congress voted money to Ukraine not as a gift, but to enable them to defend against an active invasion by Russia. Withholding that money put lives and Ukraine’s stability at risk. The case is just one illustration of a broader series of decisions by the Trump team that have put America and Americans in danger—from the green light given to the Turks to invade Syria thereby strengthening ISIS, Russia, Iran and the Syrians to seeking to cut a deal and leave Afghanistan to the Taliban, from bungling the North Korea negotiation to gift after gift after gift given to the Russians. We discuss with Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut, one of the top Democratic foreign policy leaders and thinkers in Washington. Don’t miss this special episode of DSR.
Next week public hearings on impeachment will begin. Democrats, led by Rep. Adam Schiff, will make the case that Donald Trump sought to bribe a foreign official, one of the few high crimes and misdemeanors specified in the Constitution's article on impeachment. Republicans will argue he did not and will seek to derail the hearings or attack the witnesses. At stake is the future of the rule of law in America. We discuss with Ryan Goodman of "Just Security" and NYU Law School and Kate Shaw of Cardozo Law School just how the case might best be made and what the pitfalls are likely to be. We also discuss the latest breaking news in the multiple current cases against Trump and his associates. And, we try to go inside the mind of Attorney General Bill Barr so you don't have to. Don't miss this important, insight-rich episode.
Look around. Count the good and great political leaders in the world today. That didn't take long did it? Why not? What has happened? Where have all the leaders gone? Is that a sign of progress or decline? And where does it lead? To messy, ineffective governments--mere cattywampusness--or to something much, much worse? Kori Schake of IISS, Ed Luce of the FT and Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law discuss and you do not want to miss their sweeping, penetrating, sobering conclusions. A must listen episode of DSR!
Once, when presented with an argument that the Pope would appreciate it if he laid off persecuting Russian Catholics, Stalin responded, "The Pope? How many divisions does he have?" It may be that Trump-Barr-McConnell soulless brain's trust have muttered something similar about Democratic efforts to stop the lawless president. So long as Barr is unwilling to prosecute and views the Department of Justice as the private attorney's for Trump, they might as well be saying, "Pelosi? How many prosecutors does she have?" We discuss their strategy and how the House vote to proceed with impeachment changes the equation with two great experts, our regular co-host, Ryan Goodman, co-editor of "Just Security" and professor at NYU Law School and Barbara McQuade, former U.S. Attorney and professor at the University of Michigan Law School. It's just the kind of expertise you need to make sense of a crazy news week. Tune in.
Donald Trump has promoted a foreign policy that seeks to reverse or undermine many of the lasting tenets of post WWII U.S. foreign policy. He wants to retreat into a gated community nationalism that eschews international institutions, alliances, engagement, diplomacy and even the basics of sound coordinated foreign and national security policy at home. The risks are becoming clearer every day: in Syria, via trade wars and in the gains Trump has won...for our rivals, notably the Russians. We discuss how long it may take to recover and how we may get there with Tony Blinken, former Deputy Secretary of State under President Barack Obama and currently an advisor to the presidential campaign of Joe Biden. It is an important, thought-provoking conversation that you won't want to miss. Join us.
The not-so-secret secret of Trump foreign policy is that there is no policy. But the better kept secret is that we have one seeming policy from the President himself and then another, which is the effort of professionals in the government to keep the President from getting us all killed. It's not really the Deep State conspiracy whack jobs would have you believe in. It's the hidden check of our system: patriotic pros in our government who won't be corrupted by the corrupt or dumbed down by the dumb. Case in point: Syria. Another case in point: Ukraine. Join the great Rosa Brooks, the irreplaceable Kori Schake and the brilliant Ed Luce for another great, timely discussion on urgent issues--but maybe, just maybe this one won't leave you curled up under your bed.
From describing Trump's violations of the Constitution's foreign and domestic emoluments clauses as the Trump Administration's "original sin" to grappling with a Manhattan phone book-length list of presidential crimes, Representative Jamie Raskin of the House Judiciary and Oversight Committees presents us with the current state of the impeachment efforts in the U.S. Congress. Raskin is one of Trump's most effective and thoughtful critics and his impassioned discussion of the president's serial abuses is must-listening. The second half of this episode is then the first in the series of behind-the-scenes powers in the Democratic Party and their views on how to achieve victory in 2020. Our guest is our friend and founding partner, Bernard Schwartz, a leading Dem donor and thought leader who brings to bear his decades of experience to frame the race ahead. Join us for two wide-ranging and illuminating conversations.
This was the week the cracks began to show in Republican defenses of the indefensible. Oh sure, there were more distractions, shenanigans and lies. But between the abortive attempt to hold the G7 Meeting at Trump's not-so-nice, faltering Doral golf resort, new testimony in House impeachment inquiry that made the president's crimes clearer than ever before and the shocking case made by the president's lawyers that even if the president murdered someone he could not be indicted or even investigated, the Constitutional crisis deepened and Trump became harder to defend. Join our great guests Susan Hennessey of Lawfare, Ed Luce of the Financial Times and co-host Ryan Goodman of "Just Security" and NYU Law School for an absolutely essential and chilling discussion of precisely where we are amid the cascading scandals of the Trump Era.
What if the problem is not Trump. Or Boris Johnson. Or the rest of the current occupants of the global leadership clown car? What if the problem runs deeper? What if something about our societies is fundamentally broken? What if that is democracy? What if each election to come takes us further from old ideals and toward deeper dysfunction? Ok, so maybe it's not what you want to hear about when you're driving home or working out or doing whatever you do when you're listening to Deep State Radio. But it's what you NEED to hear. A sobering and thought-provoking conversation with Georgetown University's Rosa Brooks and the Financial Times' Ed Luce. Tune in.
It has been a few days of staggering incompetence, ignorance, corruption and betrayal from the Trump Administration. The Kurds were betrayed not once but twice, most recently by a sham deal that facilitates Turkish ethnic cleansing. The White House Chief of Staff admitting a quid pro quo in the Ukraine scandal while, at the same time, announcing that the US would host the next G7 meeting at a Trump resort in Florida. Trump senior officials were taking turns throwing each other under the bus. And momentum to remove the president from office was gaining momentum. It takes a great group to sort this all out and we have them: Ryan Goodman of "Just Security" and NYU Law, Rosa Brooks, of Georgetown Law (and, maybe, president of the Deep State) and Ed Luce of the Financial Times analyze, explicate, lament and commiserate with you our dear listeners. Tune in!
You've been waiting for it. You've been talking about it. You've been listening to our Rosa Brooks say we weren't there yet for a year now. But, finally, thanks to the really extraordinary rejection of basic Constitutional principles like separation of powers and the idea that Congress and the Executive are co-equal branches of government, we're there! We know because Rosa Brooks, of Georgetown Law School, and Ryan Goodman of NYU Law School and "Just Security" say so on this special edition of Deep State Radio. Except perhaps it's not really a "baby" crisis. It's a big one and we discuss where it might go next on this pod. Don't miss it!
The die is cast. Impeachment hearings are underway. The Trump presidency is in great (and well-deserved) peril. But, getting from where we are to an impeachment vote in the House and a conviction in the Senate will require a completely different tone and conduct from the Democratic leadership. And forestalling the end of the Trump presidency will require a change of pace from the White House. Edward Luce of the Financial Times and Mieke Eoyang, Vice President for National Security at the Third Way discuss and consider what is likely to happen next. Essential listening. Join us.
Our political system has built into it a kind of immune system to protect it from abuse and abusers. But just as how in life, bacteria develop that are resistant to drugs, so too in our system we have seen the emergence of a kind of threat that resists oversight, checks and balances and processes designed to keep us safe from corruption and tyranny. Donald Trump is just such a threat and recent revelations regarding how Trump's team sought to kill an investigation into suspect conversations he had with foreign leaders and further illustrations of Trumpworld's efforts to place the president above the law prove it. We discuss with the Washington Post's Greg Sargent, Amb. Ivo Daalder of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and Ryan Goodman, co-editor of "Just Security" and a professor at NYU Law School. It is an essential conversation. Don't miss it.
In the second of two episodes following up on the G7 meeting in Biarritz, Joe Cirincione of the Ploughshares Fund, Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law and Evelyn Farkas of the German Marshall Fund discuss why the president of the US continues to play the role of emissary for the Kremlin. They also discuss the state of the campaign to replace to Trump and who might succeed him. Hint: There are only four or five people with a real chance. Tune in.
If the president of the United States decides to launch a nuclear attack, our system is designed for him to be able to do so quickly and for virtually no one to be able to stop him. It takes four minutes from the moment he determines to do it until launch. This week, the president was revealed to have thought about using nuclear weapons against hurricanes and that wasn't the craziest thing he said or did. Joe Cirincione of the Ploughshares Fund and Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law join David Rothkopf to discuss what protections may exist if the president has gone crazy. Tune in.
In a far reaching and incisive conversation with Michael Morell, former Acting Director of Central Intelligence and Deputy Director of the CIA from 2010-2013, we discuss a world situation that in his view presents more challenges than any we have faced since World War II. However great the threats confronting us may be, they are however, compounded by problems we face at home: tension between the White House and the Intelligence Community, a political choice not to prepare for coming interference in our 2020 elections, a desire to minimize extremist threats overseas and policy choices that have exacerbated global unease. Further, our leaders and our next generation policymakers are ill-prepared to understand or deal with the emerging technologies that are remaking war, espionage, and international relations. This is an episode you won't want to miss.
The collusion hits just keep on coming on Deep State Radio. We don't just have the 2016 oldies that made the Mueller Report so great (or so long, anyway), we've got the on-going collusion between the Trump Administration and Russian disinformation warriors (special shout out here to Attorney General Bill Barr) and that between Mitch McConnell and The Obstructors and their pals back in the land of borscht and bribes. And all that's to say nothing of what is sure to come as we approach the 2020 campaign. We've got it all plus: How America Could Screw Up the Next Election. With Ryan Goodman of Just Security and NYU Law School and Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University Law Center, this is just the end of summer podcast you've been looking for!
David Sanger of the New York Times brings us up to date on the latest from the Russian nuclear program--which means catastrophes near the arctic circle with ramifications that extend around the globe. Kori Schake of IISS and Evelyn Farkas of the German Marshall Fund join to discuss what all this means for US strategic policy, nuclear strategy and...well, yes, here we go again, Greenland. It always comes back to Greenland. Don't miss this timely and lively discussion.
In an obvious attempt to infuriate Puerto Rican statehood advocates, Donald Trump wants to buy Greenland. And if a few thousand Republicans would move up there (as they no doubt would to mine and drill the hell out of its every beautiful nook and cranny) then he would no doubt welcome it as a state. Come to think of it, if we can designate which Republicans move there, maybe everyone can get behind this idea. We discuss this surprising foreign policy gambit plus other slightly more serious ones--like China, Hong Kong and the collapse of the UK into teeny tiny pieces with Kori Schake of IISS and Ed Luce of the FT. Tune in.
In the wake of Bob Mueller’s testimony before the House of Representatives, UNREDACTEDdsr spoke with the host of the hit podcast Mueller, She Wrote, ‘A.G.’ While A.G. is a pseudonym, we know she is a military veteran in a senior role in an executive branch agency. She understands how government works — and when it doesn’t. She as much as anyone knows there’s no so-called “Deep State” — but has one of the best grasps of the real state, the one we see every day being attacked and dismantled by donald trump. Her mastery of the Special Counsel’s investigation is second to none. In addition to giving a summary on the post-Mueller state of play, A.G. outlines how she feels justice will be served — and specifically defines justice as she realistically sees it. At a time it feels the Russia investigation has stalled, A.G. is a good reminder of how much still lies ahead.
The day after Donald Trump leaves office in January 2021 (as we'll assume for the sake of argument and/or sanity that he does), what happens to America's relations with the world? What snaps back to the way it was in the past? What does not? Where has irreparable damage been done? Where are quick fixes possible? And where might there be meaningful differences between different potential candidates to succeed Trump? We discuss all these with leading Democratic foreign policy strategist and thinker Jake Sullivan, formerly the top policy advisor to the Clinton campaign and a senior official in the White House and the State Department during the Obama years. Tune in for this important glimpse into a world that may only be 18 months away.
General James Clapper was both the Director of National Intelligence and the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, one of the most distinguished intelligence leaders of the past several decades. We discuss with him where the Russia investigation is post-Mueller, the challenges for the intelligence community in the face of leadership upheaval and the risks associated with the upcoming election and his belief that it won't be just Russia interfering in our democracy next year. Tune in for this important conversation.
On this episode of Deep State Radio Kori Schake of IISS and Ed Luce of the Financial Times join host David Rothkopf to discuss the state of global crises from North Korea to Hong Kong, Kashmir to the Persian Gulf, global warming to Brexit and well, it's a good thing it's summer and sunny outside or things could have gotten pretty depressing. Still, they focus on solutions and what an engaged U.S. president could do to help improve matters. Yes, yes, we know, that raises other questions. But it's summer, so let's stay optimistic, shall we? Tune in.
On this special edition of Deep State Radio live, we have an in-depth one-on-one conversation with Barbara McQuade, former U.S. Attorney and frequent commentator on legal developments on MSNBC. As one of America's foremost legal experts on matters pertaining to combating violent extremism, Barbara offers vital insights into where our system comes up short in giving law enforcement the tools it needs to combat home-grown extremists. She also offers essential commentary on the current state of the impeachment inquiry and related legal battles. in addition, we spend time with TRG Media president Chris Cotnoir as he explains the results of a fascinating listener survey we have just completed among the Deep State audience. Chris explains why all of you are so special and your relationship with DSR is even more unusual than you may think. Tune in.
America is reeling from two more mass shootings. White nationalism and our gun pathology have combined with the encouragement of the White House to create tragedy upon tragedy and deeper divisions within our society. But the cost of the White House's combination of malevolence and ignorance is every bit as great overseas and even as America was mourning the shootings the world grew materially more dangerous. Over the past few days we have seen Chinese troops mass on the Hong Kong border, Greenland melt and the Amazon be laid waste by environmental rapists, the end of one of Regan's signature arms treaties and escalating nuclear risks in India, Pakistan, Iran and North Korea, more bloodshed in Syria, more political chaos in the UK, deepening market fears of trade and currency wars...and Trump's errors, ignorance and dark impulses have fed each and every one of these. And given his message to the world that now is the best time to be your worst self because the US, once a moral leader, will do nothing...it may even reward you...promises greater crises to come. We discuss with Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law School, Joe Cirincione of the Plowshare Fund and Evelyn Farkas of the German Marshall Fund. Tune in.
Now that a majority of Democrats in the House of Representatives support an impeachment inquiry and the House has argued in court that such an inquiry is already under way, the question becomes where does it lead? How do you frame impeachment articles that best hold the president accountable for his crimes and how do you ensure that with or without a vote on impeachment, the inquiry does the most good for the country. Also: What happens after Trump leaves office? Should he be prosecuted or not? Former US Attorney and regular MSNBC commentator Joyce Vance and NYU Law School Professor Ryan Goodman, co-editor of "Just Security" join us for a very important discussion on one of the biggest issues of our time. Tune in.
On this edition of National Security Magazine we have an in-depth discussion with former Acting CIA Director John McLaughlin about the president's proposed leadership change at the top of the US intelligence community and the risks that may be associated with it. McLaughlin, one of the most respected career intelligence officers of the past several decades, discusses his concerns and also his great confidence in the professionals of the countries intelligence and law enforcement agencies. A must listen.
Dan Coats was not a perfect Director of National Intelligence, but he was a good one, a truth-teller in an administration of slavering sycophants. He will be missed, especially since his replacement is another sycophant of the mouth-frothing variety and someone who will become a key part of a new Praetorian Guard surrounding Trump. Like Barr and McConnell he will place Trump and the GOP above national security at a moment of serious threats. It's not good. We discuss with our original Fab Four of experts Rosa Brooks, Kori Schake, Ed Luce and David Sanger. Which of the four is John, Paul, George or Ringo? Tune in as we discuss and we also consider the rise in Trumpism worldwide, stirrings of people power movements and a summer that reminds us just how severe the climate crisis is.
In this special discussion in the wake of Robert Mueller's testimony on Capitol Hill, Greg Sargent of the Washington Post, Ryan Goodman of Just Security and Rosa Brooks of NYU Law School discuss just where we are in terms of the national security threat underlying the Trump-Russia investigation. They discuss whether the momentum for impeachment has disappeared and what options may still exist to hold Trump accountable and stop election interference in the future. A must listen episode of DSR. Join us.
Ambassador Bill Burns is one of the most distinguished US diplomats of the past 50 years. In a wide ranging conversation based upon his great memoir "The Back Channel" he discusses the evolution (or devolution) of US foreign policy from Reagan to Trump and some of the biggest issues we face today. It is essential listening for anyone interested in global affairs.
According to Jonathan Greenblatt, National Director and CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, this is a particular fraught moment in the long history of the politics of race and history in America and around the world. We talk to Greenblatt in a special, thought-provoking, wide-ranging interview that touches upon the President's attacks on the members of "The Squad," the perversity of turning accusations of anti-semitism into a racist cudgel, the institutionalization of hate in America and the global rise of ethnographies-nationalism. It is one of the most disturbing trends of our era and you should not miss this essential discussion of why we are here and where we are headed.
As the great foreign policy scholar Dean Wormer of Faber College once said, "Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son." It's also no way to run a foreign policy. In fact, you don't even have to be fat or drunk for stupid to screw up a policy. This week has seen some really extraordinary cluelessness from the man who says his gut can steer US international affairs. And we discuss where it all might lead with Edward Luce of the Financial Times, Evelyn Farkas of the German Marshall Fund and Brian Klaas of University College, London. You could miss it. But then you wouldn't know what is about to go terrible wrong(er).
Why is it always Russia, Russia, Russia?? Well when you talk to Naveed Jamali who was a FBI double agent working against the Russians for over three years, you talk Russia. Turns out working with the FBI was something of a family occupation, as his parents were also informants for the FBI reporting on Russian activities. Yeah..Naveed has stories for days. Now Naveed shares his insight on MSNBC as an Intelligence Analyst and advises 2020 candidates on Russian issues. Oh and on top of all of this, he's my good friend so it means I can ask him all sorts of questions that only I could ask :)
Remember the scene in "Mean Girls" where Cady breaks the prom queen tiara into piece for everyone? Well, that's what we do here as we celebrate 200 podcasts with a look at the world during the two year's since the launch of Deep State Radio and then consider where we might go over the next 200 episodes. It's an episode you should not miss (but bring your own box wine, you'll need it.). With Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University, Kori Schake of IISS, Christine Wormuth of the Rand Corporation, Evelyn Farkas of the German Marshall Fund and Ed Luce of the Financial Times. Tune in!
It's not our fault. The month before DSR started Comey got fired, Mueller got hired, and we were off to the races with the Greatest Witch Hunt in History. Many witches later...and 200 podcasts later...we look back to ask: What has changed the most in America since we launched? Join Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law Center, Kori Schake of IISS, Christine Wormuth of the Rand Corporation and Ed Luce of the financial times for a special episode that makes up in sharp insights what it lacks in confetti and popping champagne corks!
UNREDACTED talked to Mark Zaid & Bradley Moss, two of the premiere lawyers specializing in The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). They discuss the historical importance of government transparency and describe their daily tug of war with the trump administration to get even the simplest questions answered. As a bonus, they explain why they sued co-host Philippe Reines in 2014.
As part of our celebration of 200th episode, we had a special conversation with Lawrence O'Donnell, host of MSNBC's "The Last Word" and one of the keenest, most candid observers of Washington anywhere. We discuss with him how this moment is different from all others, the critical mistakes we may be making and why nonetheless, there may be reason for hope. Following that we then turn to former U.S. Attorney Harry Litman for a discussion of what to expect from next week's Mueller hearings and beyond. You won't want to miss either conversation. Join us...and then join next week for a 200th Episode special with the folks who got us here, our beloved regulars.
You may not be familiar with Skullduggery Podcast Hosts and journalists Michael Isikoff and Daniel Klaidman, but you most definitely know the stories they broke. Mike and Dan broke the story of Ken Starr's investigation into the Monica Lewinsky affair. They discuss the drama of how this story unfolded and the details would make Hollywood screenwriters salivate, Linda Tripp offered Mike the blue dress. Not only did we talk about the Clinton Affair but we discussed some of their most recent gets on their podcast including George Conway, AOC, Rashida Talib and of course yours truly :) Listen in for an insiders look into one of our country's biggest scandals, but stay for the story of Trump calling Mike a word I can't put into print.
When the special relationship starts coming apart at the seams because of an unfortunate outbreak of stating the obvious, who you gonna call? Ivanka! From the DMZ to world leader photo ops to Brexit, America's crown princess is at the helm. And if she's not available, her second in command, Jared, is always standing by. So, have a nice time at the beach folks. What could go wrong? Our friendly deep staters David Sanger of the New York Times, Kori Schake of IISS and Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law all discuss and consider a couple of the areas--take Iran for example--where just maybe there still is something to worry about. Also: go US Women's National Team! And why does Kori have minstrels outside her window in Siena? All this and more in the latest podisode. Tune in!
This week the Unredacted crew sits down with one of Deep State Radio’s favorite guests, the one, the only Asha Rangapa. We talk all things impeachment, nicknames of our favorite White House villains, FBI training and why Asha carries a dog-eared copy of the Mueller Report. And to prepare for Mueller’s July 17 Congressional testimony, you’ll need to pop popcorn, keep your twitter fingers nimble and listen to this interview with Asha as she breaks down everything you’ll need to know before the big day. Listen up, tweet us questions and don’t forget to rate & review us on iTunes.
Most people know General Mark Hertling as the incredibly articulate, direct, no nonsense CNN Military Analyst. But Mark and I bonded on Twitter over something different, our shared love of musical theater, yes that's right musicals. After I discovered our mutual passion, I knew I had to chat with him. On this episode Mark discussed the lack of leadership in our current administration, why he has been an outspoken critic of Trump's dangerous military policies (i.e.trans ban) and what happened when he called out Ivanka Trump on twitter. And if that doesn't pique your interest....(wait for it) Mark raps Hamilton on the podcast...you read that correctly...he RAPS and it is glorious.
Yes, our Constitution is not exactly working as planned. Yes, checks and balances are not checking or balancing. Yes, the president and his family are behaving like royals on the world stage. Yes, this July 4th might be seen to celebrate not the revolution to break away from one mad king but the ascension of another. But surely there are things to celebrate about America today, right? Ed Luce of the Financial Times, Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law Center and Evelyn Farkas of the German Marshall Fund discuss...and give you plenty to celebrate this holiday weekend. Tune in. And be patient. The good stuff starts right after we list all the things we have to worry about. Whoopee! Happy Fourth everybody!
“We were holding it until the door hit her on the way out, so as promised here’s the rest of our conversation with former White House Press Secretary Joe Lockhart about Sarah Slanders™️ — who is finally & thankfully now a FORMER Press Secretary. They broke the mold when Joe stood behind the podium, and he doesn’t hold back about his thoughts of what’s happened to the role under trump. He also has a few suggestions how the media can do better combating the gusher of lies from trump and his staff. But mostly he doesn’t mince words about Sanders.”
President Trump became the first American president to enter North Korea. That's the good news. He also seems to be heading for a deal with North Korea that may freeze their nuclear arsenal at 20-60 warheads. That's not so good. It's not good because we will then reward Kim Jong Un for building that arsenal by lifting sanctions, we will get only nominal gains, like the shutdown of perhaps one aging nuclear facility, and because well...it's a deal with a country that has broken its last two nuclear deals with us. The Iranians are watching eagerly thinking, "We want one of those deals." So...maybe let's hold off on the celebrations of a breakthrough for a bit. David Sanger of the New York Times, Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law Center and Evelyn Farkas of the German Marshall Fund discuss in an important, scary episode. Tune in!
So, there was this war with Iran, remember? Then there wasn't. Then there were cyberattacks. But what did they do? And were they legal? And why did we do them? And isn't all this making another war in the Middle East more likely--whether Trump wants it or not? We start our conversation on this issues with a first-rate panel featuring Sharon Weinberger of Yahoo News, Ed Luce of the FT, David Sanger of the NY Times and Ryan Goodman of Just Security. And from there it's off to the Dem debates, the misunderstood nature of "red" states and how the Supreme Court of the United States may just have delivered a real blow to democracy. You don't want to miss this stellar episode of Deep State Radio.
My time with Tony and Rachel: A conversation with Tony Award Winning Director Rachel Chavkin
If you watched the Tony Awards, it wasn't James Corden's big splashy opening number that made the news, it was Rachel Chavkin's speech. In a blistering few minutes, Rachel called out the misogyny & lack of diversity in the theater community. But if you know Rachel's history, social activism is nothing new to her. During our conversation we talked the importance of mentors especially for women, healthcare and the importance of voting. Rachel's art is inherently political and the Tony Award winning hit Hadestown is no exception. It was the perfect show at the perfect time written and directed by women. And of course since I was talking to a Tony Award winner I HAD to give Rachel a Broadway musical quiz and shamed her for her love of Cats...yes CATS.
From one perspective, this is not a particularly auspicious moment for women at the top ranks of the US government. There are fewer women in leadership roles in the Trump Administration and then, of course, there's the fact the president has been credibly accused of being a rapist. More than once. That said, there are also some very promising signs and one of the most exciting is a new initiative to ensure gender parity at the highest levels of our national security leadership in the next administration. It is called LCWINS and it has caught on with 15 campaigns already and we discuss why with three leaders of the initiative--our own Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University, Beverly Kirk of CSIS and our old friend Julie Smith, currently in residence at the Bosch Academy in Berlin. It's a great and timely discussion of an important issue. Please join us.
This week, UNREDACTEDdsr features former White House Press Secretary & current host of the Words Matter podcast, Joe Lockhart. Back in April — right before UNREDACTEDdsr premiered — our very own co-host Philippe Reines was a guest on Joe’s podcast to debate whether To Impeach Or Not To Impeach. The debate followed The New York Times running opeds from each of them — Philippe arguing for impeachment, Joe against. Listeners loved their first back & forth, so it’s well worth the listen as a primer to this rematch. Two months later, by popular demand we revisit their debate with the benefit of all that’s happened since, most notably the completion and release of The Mueller Report, Attorney General Bill Barr’s misrepresenting Mueller’s conclusions, Mueller pushing back, and trump himself thumbing his nose at every attempt by Congress to fulfill its oversight responsibilities. We then shifted to a straight interview of Joe and his feelings about how Sarah Sanders filled the role he held under President Clinton. Joe’s never spoken ill of any of the tight community of White House Press Secretaries. Until Sanders. With her, Joe doesn’t mince words about her lying and the damage she has done enabling trump. It’s a great conversation in and of itself so we’re going to release that as its own episode as the door hits Sanders on the way. For now, enjoy Round 2
UNREDACTED recently took the show on the road to Los Angeles where we spoke to comedian and voice actor Andy Richter, best known for his work with Conan O’Brien on Late Night and The Tonight Show. Andy told us about how he gets his political fix what he’s working on, his time as Celebrity Jeopardy champion, as well as opening up about his personal life.
There's a lot we don't know about cyberwar. But that doesn't mean we can stop progress from happening while we figure it out. So, Russia attacks us, we attack back, escalation occurs and who knows, our officials may or may not tell the president because, you know, his fondness for Russia and his problems with polysyllabic words and so forth. That could be a problem, no? We discuss with Kori Schake of IISS, Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University Law Center and Evelyn Farkas of the German Marshall Fund...and believe us, you won't come away from this feeling all warm and comfy about where we are. Tune in.
It is conventional wisdom that Americans want nothing to do with the world save for cheap imports and K-Pop music. Even New York Times columnists say so. But, the reality is far different. In fact, polling suggests the opposite is true. America's welcome foreign engagement and support our allies and alliances. We discuss what's true and what this may mean in the 2020 elections with Ivo Daalder, President of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Kori Schake of IISS, Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law Center and Evelyn Farkas of the German Marshall Fund. Take that conventional wisdom!
In 1780 John Adams wrote "For as in absolute governments the King is law, so in free countries the law ought to be king; and there ought to be no other." It was in the Massachusetts Constitution that he was trying to enshrine the idea that the new U.S. would be "a nation of laws not men." It was a nice idea while it lasted. This week, as we discuss with Ben Wittes of Lawfare, Ryan Goodman of Just Security and Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law Center, that idea met a handful of new challenges that may amount to some of the toughest it has ever faced in the U.S. Now what? We discuss that--and the use of force in Iran--with our brilliant, engaging, insightful guests. Join us.
If you think getting your parents approval on whom you date is tough, try getting the CIA to approve your boyfriend or girlfriend. Dating like anything in the CIA is ridiculous and yes it even involves paperwork. I heard the twitter requests and I finally did it. I invited three former CIA officers to join me on my show to talk SEX. We dished about the rules, the regulations and the horror stories of dating and (wink wink) dating in the CIA. We talk honey-traps, surveillance, dating cess pools, the CIA officer who got caught getting a blow…...well you have to tune in to hear that story. We had a safe word on the podcast (which was popcorn) that we could use if things got too heated…we used the safe word. We get down, dirty and give you the real unredacted inside scoop.
Anna Fifield, Beijing Bureau Chief of the Washington Post, has written an extraordinary new book providing never before available insights into North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un. Deep State Radio regular's Kori Schake of IISS and David Sanger of the New York Times, join Anna for a discussion of the book, of Kim, of the current fragile state of U.S.-N.K. relations (and why a deal may yet happen before election day 2020). We also look at the fraught U.S.-China relationship and why tensions in the South China Sea might not be the most contentious flashpoint the two countries face. Tune in!
Impeachment has become a charged word in our national political debate. But the framers of our Constitution saw it as an essential tool in protecting the integrity of our government and the interests of the American people. Professor Lawrence Tribe, of Harvard Law School, is one of the country's leading constitutional scholars and he has recently written of a path forward the House of Representatives can follow that does not hold them hostage to the partisanship of the U.S. Senate. He draws on history and the Constitution itself to explain why undertaking such hearing now is essential and why the costs of failing to do so will be very high indeed. It's essential listening. Join us.
Shannon Watts was a stay-at-home mom folding laundry when news of the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary flashed across the television screen. In one moment, she went from outraged to engaged and decided to do something about it. What started as a simple Facebook group to connect with other frustrated parents grew into Moms Demand Action, a national movement with millions of supporters and a powerful grassroots network of local chapters in all 50 states. Shannon joins UNREDACTED to speak about the epidemic of Gun Violence and her new book, Fight Like A Mother.
With his new book, "China's New Red Guard: The Return of Radicalism and the Rebirth of Mao Zedong" author Jude Blanchette describes vividly a shift in the politics of China that has profound implications for that country and the world. In this episode, he discusses the book and with Rosa Brooks and Evelyn Farkas discusses China's changing role in the world, it's new assertiveness, and where we are likely to be headed from here. Join us for a vitally important discussion of the central issue in geopolitics today.
Nada Bakos was a CIA targeter during the height of the War on Terror. She has just completed a compelling new book on her experiences on the ground in the Middle East, at the Agency and coping with the White House and other political leaders in Washington. It is not only a great read but it offers valuable insights that are relevant today re: Iran, terrorism, and how we view intelligence in the wake of Russia's attack on our democracy and the President's regular attacks on the intelligence community. Join host David Rothkopf, Ryan Goodman of NYU Law School and "Just Security" and Nada Bakos for an urgent, compelling discussion.
UNREDACTED spent an afternoon with Hillary Clinton discussing events of the day, events of yesterday, events of tomorrow — everything we threw at her while sitting around her dining room table — including the Republican assault on Roe v. Wade, the differences between Richard Nixon and donald trump, trump’s “pathetic” cabinet, Rudy Giuliani’s two-decade long fixation on her, and her one-on-one meetings with more than half of the 20+ Democrats running for President. The interview was so long and so good we we split it down the middle. Here is the second half
UNREDACTED spent an afternoon with Philippe’s former boss, Hillary Clinton. More precisely, Emily & Molly interviewed Hillary in her Washington, D.C. home for over an hour while Philippe made himself comfortable in her house and backyard. (When you listen you’ll hear why he excused himself; and at the end you’ll also hear us at his house telling him what he missed.) Hillary discusses events of the day, events of yesterday, events of tomorrow — everything we threw at her while sitting around her dining room table — including the Republican assault on Roe v. Wade, the differences between Richard Nixon and donald trump, trump’s “pathetic” cabinet, Rudy Giuliani’s two-decade long fixation on her, and her one-on-one meetings with more than half of the 20+ Democrats running for President. The interview was so long and so good we didn’t want to cut anything to make it fit into one episode. So we split it down the middle with the second half coming shortly. Enjoy...
From the potential for abuse associated with indictments like those handed down in the case of Julian Assange to the potential for abuse in not handing down such indictments, from the president's continued bullying of his adversaries and those who might testify against him to the ever-growing list of court cases involving Donald Trump and his team, our system is being tested as never before. But there are some glimmers of hope such as signs the judiciary will stand up to the White House's assault on the rule of law and growing sentiment that further steps must be taken to hold Trump accountable. On this episode of DSR Live, our guests, Ryan Goodman of Just Security and NYU Law School and former prosecutor Mimi Rocah, a regular MSNBC commentator, discuss the good, the bad and the ugly of America's simmering political and legal crisis. Tune in for an in-depth discussion that could not be more timely.
Deep Staters love to...drink box wine. But sometimes, when they are sober, they also love to read. Sometimes they read when they're drunk, too. But what do they read? And does it help? On this, our annual and much beloved summer reading episode we answer the questions about what you should be reading and who you should be avoiding at all costs. It'll make your summer worthwhile and it'll make you smarter. Don't miss the great perspectives of the extremely literate Kori Schake, Rosa Brooks, Evelyn Farkas and Ed Luce. Join us!
Nigel Farage, who got one, certainly does? But who else does? Who might deserve a pumpkin pie? And, while we're at it, do you think that will stop the spread of right wing nuts like Farage? The news suggests no. So what's to be done? And...what about the other horrifying things that are going on around the world--wars, near-wars, unending-wars, trade wars? We discuss it all with a classic Deep State Radio line-up: Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law Center, Kori Schake of IISS, Ed Luce of the FT and Evelyn Farkas of the German Marshall Fund. Tune in!
Trump talks tough. But like most bullies, he shies away from any real fight. The problem is talking tough increases tensions and that raises the risk of accidental war (made more possible by the fact our National Security Advisor is a pyromaniac with a box of matches). But scary as all that is, more dangerous is what is happening at home--both in terms of the GOP war on our democracy, on women, on immigrants and on our every standard of decency and in terms of what has been a pretty sluggish response to it all by the Democrats in the Congress. What's next and why you should always have a basement full of non-perishable treats are what we discuss with DSR regular Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law School and our friends from the Unredacted from DSR podcast, Philippe Reines, Molly Jong-Fast and Emily Brandwin. Tune in!
As the fallout from the Mueller Report continues to reverberate across America, UNREDACTED had a fascinating conversation with former FBI agent Josh Campbell. As Special Assistant to Jim Comey while the FBI investigated both major candidates (but only publicly revealed the one aimed at Hillary Clinton!), Josh had a front row seat to the most controversial period in the FBI’s history. While Josh was beside Comey — literally up until the moment he was fired (Josh recounts that surreal day) — Philippe was working with Hillary. A big chunk of the episode is Josh & Philippe having a thoughtful exchange about their parallel experiences in 2016, working on two sides of the same coin. While Philippe didn’t pull any (constructive) punches about Comey, he wasn’t venting. Instead, he was trying to understand — and help the audience understand — one of the most contentious and momentous moments in America history, the aftermath of which will be felt for many years to come. Josh being former FBI and Emily former CIA and current Resister, she had a unique perspective throughout from straddling both worlds. The crew ended the taping with a far more fun topic: Josh’s famous corgi Wilshire. Josh is a truly wonderful person, and we hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as we did taping it
As one of our guests on this week's episode, Max Bergmann of the Center for American Progress where he directs its Moscow Project looking into all things Trump-Russia pointed out, the Trump Administration presents the so-called "Zebra Problem." Zebra's stripes might not appear great camouflage against green or ground plains, but they are great camouflage for individual zebras against the backdrop of the herd, good protection against lions. The Trump equivalent is so many crimes that they all tend to blur together--which may have the effect of keeping Trump & Co. from ending up wearing stripes. But Trump's crimes, as Max and our other guest, our friend, Joe Cirincione of the Ploughshares Fund discuss the crimes that kicked off the Trump era may have been the least of the blows they have struck against America and American worldwide leadership. But Trump-Russia touches almost all of Trump's dangerous international policies and our great discussion with these two explains why. Tune in for important perspectives that are seldom offered!
John is the ultimate hyphenate: Actor-Radio Host-Stand Up-Pundit- Commentator-Producer--I know it's annoying he does it all and he does it all awesomely. John & Emily took a deep dive into Trump (whether there can be redemption) religion in politics & the word "ignorance" and what it implies. We also talked about John's famous debates with David Duke ad Jerry Falwell, celeb interviews, the great gets and the ones they have yet to snag.
Where do we start? Trump renews his video bromance with Vladimir Putin and Putin smiles. Then they collude to agree they didn't collude. 370 prosecutors say Trump should be charged with multiple felony counts for obstruction and while they're at it, seem to suggest that Attorney General Bill Barr is a partisan hack. Trump is above the law and there may not be anything we can do about it. Crisis? Yes. But is it a Constitutional Crisis? And who cares? Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law and Evelyn Farkas of the German Marshall Fund to discuss with host, David Rothkopf. Join us!
It has long been a foundational belief of political smarties everywhere that the average American does not give a hoot about foreign policy. But that, according to a new study from the Center for American Progress, is just not true. Maybe 20 percent don't give a hoot. And about 30 percent are nutty nationalists. But 50 percent are more in the internationalist vein which could have big implications for the 2020 elections. We discuss with CAP's Brian Katulis, Georgetown Law's Rosa Brooks and the German Marshall Fund's Evelyn Farkas. (And while we're at it, we throw in a little Iran, Israel, North Korea and Venezuela for good measure. Tune in!)
Available every Monday, “UNREDACTED” from the DSR Network will peel back the week's craziest headlines to thoughtfully explore the challenges at the forefront of our national political conversation. UNREDACTED will offer forward-looking solutions while breaking down the news of the week. Hosted by former CIA Operations Officer and Disguise Officer and comedian (yes, wrapped up into one person) Emily Brandwin, five-time bestselling author and political columnist Molly Jong-Fast, and former Senior Advisor and Spokesman for Hillary Clinton from 2002-2017 through her tenure as U.S. Senator, presidential nominee, and Secretary of State - serving as one of her Deputy Assistant Secretaries of State, Philippe Reines. UNREDACTED will feature some of the biggest named guests from news-makers, politics and entertainment to give listeners a unique perspective. Though the issues facing America are as serious as they’ve ever been, the three faces of UNREDACTED - Emily, Molly and Philippe - are each irreverent, biting, hysterical, sarcastic, oh, and smart too (just ask them.)
You've seen him in Scandal, Private Practice & Grey's Anatomy..so basically ever single Shonda Rimes show that you're obsessed with Paul Adelstein has been in. Paul and Emily bonded over their Midwest roots talking theater, politics and everything in between. Paul and Emily hypothetically cast the Trump White House movie and you'll never guess what roles they each would like to play.
David Sanger of the New York Times joins Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law and Kori Schake of IISS to discuss why the president's top advisors don't want their staffs raising the issue of protecting the US from further Russian attacks on our democracy and what it might mean. Is he a traitor? Is he a moron? Is our government falling apart? Are these mutually exclusive? Tune in to the latest Deep State Radio to find out.
On this episode, our experts Edward Luce of the Financial Times, Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University Law Center and Kori Schake of IISS reveal the secret and disturbingly advanced plans of Donald Trump to blow the international system that America helped create after World War II. It's farther along than you might think...and scary as can be. Which leads back to the one dominant question that arises while discussing Trump--is he evil or is he just really stupid? Rosa offers a compromise. Tune in to find out what it is.
It has been a busy week in foreign affairs even if you have been too glued to the Mueller Report, the White House Easter Egg roll and Game of Thrones to pay any attention. Ukraine elected a comedian with no government experience as president and while that was a triumph for democracy, well, now comes the hard part. The US ratcheted up tensions with Iran and we all know where that's going. North Korea tweaked the president with a test of a new weapons system. And...the Democratic presidential race got one candidate with a big foreign policy pedigree. But we must ask, does such a pedigree matter or is something else more important. Tune in to listen to Kori Schake slam home that answer in the midst of quotes from the "Far Side" and Walt Whitman and then to listen the German Marshall Fund's Laura Rosenberger, formerly Hillary Clinton's top foreign policy advisor, offer a perspective on what really matters in a candidate.
No, the Mueller report was not about exoneration. No, it was not about politics. But one thing it was about at its inception was that the US had been attacked by a foreign enemy and we wanted to find out why. Presumably with the intent of stopping it. So...how come we're not doing that? And how come we're not more outraged that our government seems to think saving their own skin is more important than that, so important that they deem it essential to protect our attackers? We discuss with Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University, Kori Schake of IISS, and Laura Rosenberger of the German Marshall Fund. This is important, don't miss it.
It’s podcast appreciation day on “Washington for Beautiful People!” Emily talks to the hosts of one of her fav podcasts Zero Blog Thirty, Chaps McNeely (@UncleChaps) and Connor Crehan (@captaincons.) These two veterans join Emily in a candid discussion about gun control, the Trans-Military Ban, PTSD and (wait for it) Musicals. The guys brought up musical theater (Emily swears) and a whole lengthy discussion ensued. A special podcast focused on our military that included insights and lots of laughter.
We'll get some of the Mueller Report later this week. Or the Barr version of the Mueller Report. And it is certain to prove the president innocent...or guilty. Hot takes will fly. But as our guests Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law School and Ed Luce of the Financial Times point out, we won't know for days what this version of the report means or what it's missing. So take a nap. Have a walk. Play with your kids. Celebrate Easter or Passover. Enjoy the weekend, you won't miss a thing if you skip Twitter for a few days (provided you listen to our episode). What's more, note our guests, the Mueller Report is probably the least of our problems. So...um...there's also that. Feel better yet?
This week on “Washington for Beautiful People,” Emily’s special guest is a chef, entrepreneur, father, teacher, author, television host and the guy who eats all the strange shit….Andrew Zimmern. Andrew and Emily talk politics but dive into a discussion about social activism and surviving major life struggles. They also talk about St. Louis cuisine (yes, it’s good…ignore Bagelgate) and Emily gets shamed but then gets tips on how to perfect her key lime pie (hint, she’s been doing it ALL wrong.)
The US has designated Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization, the first time it has done so with a foreign military. Some see this as the ratcheting up of tensions and a prelude to war. Some see it as another gift to the re-election campaign of Bibi Netanyahu. And some, including our experts, see it primarily as more posturing from a blustering bully who doesn't want any real wars on his watch, he just wants to look tough. Kori Schake of IISS, Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University Law School and Evelyn Farkas of the German Marshall Fund discuss and consider where, if anywhere, we might nonetheless bumble into conflict. Tune in.
According to the president, we have a crisis on our southern border. And we have national security threats from N. Korea to Venezuela to Iran. And yet, we don't have a Secretary of Defense, of the Air Force, a WH Chief of Staff, a UN Ambassador and well, anybody of consequence in any top job at the Department of Homeland Security. Which leaves everything to our president his slathering loyal assistant Igor...er, Stephen Miller. Which would make for a great horror movie but a lousy national security prognosis for the world's most powerful nation. Rosa Brooks, Kori Schake, Evelyn Farkas and David Rothkopf discuss. Join us.
“Washington for Beautiful People” hit the road for a very special episode taped from the campus of Yale University. CNN’s two favorite political minds Asha Rangappa & Sam Vinograd joined Emily for a wide (very wide) ranging discussion about Trump, favorite musicals (there was judgment) 2020 hot picks and who was on each other’s list (yup, that list). You’ll laugh, you’ll be surprised and you’ll get to know the Wine & Fries ladies.
Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut has since entering the U.S. Senate in 2013 emerged as one of its leading voices on foreign policy and, especially on the issue of the War in Yemen, has become a voice of conscience that has led one of the rare instances of a bi-partisan pushback against Trump Administration policy. We discuss the current state of the US-Saudi relationship, Yemen, Iran, the Middle East, the possibility of future attacks by the Russians and others on our democratic institutions and the Trump-created crisis at the the Mexico border in a wide-ranging, provocative conversation. Join us.
As we look toward 2020 will it matter that apparently the White House was handing out security clearances like candy on Halloween? Will Trump's horrible foreign policy matter? (Or will the ways he attempts to spin it as a yuge success?) And can Joe Biden save the day...or at least give us a soothing shoulder massage? (We joke because we love. Ok, we're ambivalent. But we joke anyway.). Join Kori Schake of IISS, Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law School and host, David Rothkopf of somewhere near's Joe's Pizzeria in New York City, for this latest episode of what we might call, if we were Donald Trump, your favorite podcast.
According to our Kori Schake of IISS, a military term for a strategy document is a "pony blanket." On this episode we do the unthinkable and discuss our "strategies" (and we use the term loosely) in the Americas at the moment--in Venezuela, on our border, with the countries of Central America and with some new regional leaders who are, let's face it, pretty awful. (You know who you are Jair and AMLO.). Join us as we spend a caliente episode south of the border with Kori, David Sanger of the New York Times and Georgetown University's Rosa Brooks.
What do you get when you combine four mouthy tweople (that 's people on twitter.) You get chaos, laughter, political conversation and did I mention chaos? On this special episode of "Washington for Beautiful People," Emily is joined by the shy Philippe Reines, positively demure @Goldengateblond (aka Shauna) and the delicate flower Allison Winn Scotch. (Please read those descriptions with the appropriate sarcasm.) The conversation took all sorts of roller coaster twists and turns. Listen in to hear their 2020 picks and the one question that no one on the panel could address...dun dun dun!
Few journalists have so distinguished themselves in their coverage of the Trump-Russia investigations as has Natasha Bertrand, staff writer for the Atlantic and analyst for NBC News. We discuss the recent developments in the case from the Barr letter purporting to summarize the Mueller Report to the storm of controversy it has generated. We explore prevailing misconceptions about the case and consider where it may go from here in a wide-ranging, in-depth and must-listen discussion. Tune in for one of the most useful overviews you will get of where this case stands right now--which may be at the brink of a Constitutional crisis.
The current leadership in the UK may or may not be the worst since the low points of Plantagenet rule. Our experts Ed Luce of the Financial Times, Kori Schake of IISS, and Amanda Sloat of Brookings, consider this, the likelihood that a Robin Hood is likely to emerge to save the U.K. (hopefully not the Russell Crowe version) and what may be next in that country's mad march toward self-destruction. It's an important issue with deep ties to the Trump-Russia investigation, as well. Join us.
Despite the pronouncements of the Trump Administration that the president has been fully exonerated (and those by his spokesperson that people who accused him are guilty of treason and should be put to death), let's not get ahead of ourselves. Especially about the death penalty for Trump critics part. That's a little close to home. We've still not seen the actual Mueller report, note our experts Rosa Brooks and Evelyn Farkas, and regardless of what it says, the president is still awash in corruptions, surrounded by thugs and the subject of many more investigations. So perhaps this latest "turning point" for Trump may not be much of a turning point at all. We discuss. So you should tune in.
Diedrich Bader was born in D.C, lived in Paris, Dad worked for the CIA (yup, that CIA) and he has an IMDB page that's longer than a CVS receipt. I think it's official, Diedrich Bader just claimed the title as the most interesting man in the world. Growing up, Bader's family's business was USG and as a result we had a lively, passionate, wide ranging conversation on what's working and what isn't working in Washington (hint: D.C. is broken y'all.) You know Bader as the scene stealer from Veep, Office Space, and American Housewife, but really get to know him on this podcast.
In this episode of Deep State Radio, David Rothkopf remains in an undisclosed location, and Rosa Brooks -- the Mike Pence of Deep State Radio (or maybe the Harry Truman?) -- again steps in as host. Rosa, Ed Luce and Heather Hurlburt wonder if the US college admissions scandal tells us something about global fears of class slippage and economic ruin, and the team does a round robin on issues in the news: Saudi kill teams, Syrian chaos, and the end of the Trum Kim Jung Un love affair.
In this episode of Deep State Radio, David Rothkopf takes a "vacation," and Rosa Brooks steps in as hostess with the mostest. Ed Luce tell listeners that the prospects of a brand new Brexit referendum are looking brighter in the United Kingdom, and outlines the options the British electorate should be offered: Stay, May, or D-Day. Also in this episode, Ed, Rosa Brooks, Kori Schake and Heather Hurlburt examine the globalization of white nationalist terrorism, and ask what we would gain -- or lose -- if we start thinking of white nationalism terrorism as a global phenomenon paralleling Islamic extremist terrorism.
Washington for Beautiful People is where entertainment and politics meet, so who better to talk about this than Entertainment Weekly Senior Reporter Anthony Breznican. On this episode, Anthony and I talk about celebrity involvement in politics and how A-list stars like Chris Evans puts everything on the line to speak truth to power. We also chat Mr. Rogers (the anti-Trump), how voting local matters and why he thinks Alyssa Milano is amazing (get in line Anthony) . Oh and I may have confessed who's on my list....yes that list. Listen in for a fun, wide ranging, conversation and insider look at the beautiful people that are speaking up and out against Washington...well Trump.
Lurid and sleazy are everyday descriptions in Trumpworld but the world was nonetheless stunned by revelations of a South Florida madam who founded a chain of spas recently busted for human trafficking and how she has become a Mar-a-Lago insider & GOP donor who is now pimping out the presidency…well, just like a Trump. But the sordid nature of the story is not why it is important. The national security threats associated with it are. Kori Schake of IISS, Mieke Eoyang of the Third Way and Evelyn Farkas of the German Marshall Fund discuss this plus developments around the world. Tune in!
For a man who’s word means nothing and who never met a lie he didn’t like, it is hard to imagine how Donald Trump could produce something even more meaningless than the stream-of-consciousness Twitterized nonsense he offers up daily. But there is one thing that qualifies and that is the President’s budget because with a Democratic House, there is zero chance his budget plan will be used for anything except lining Congressional hamster cages. Still, it gives some insight into what the president and his advisors are thinking. And when it comes to national security and foreign policy what it tell us is…disturbing. Kori Schake of IISS, Mieke Eoyang of the Third Way and Evelyn Farkas of the German Marshall Fund discuss. Join us!
For a man who’s word means nothing and who never met a lie he didn’t like, it is hard to imagine how Donald Trump could produce something even more meaningless than the stream-of-consciousness Twitterized nonsense he offers up daily. But there is one thing that qualifies and that is the President’s budget because with a Democratic House, there is zero chance his budget plan will be used for anything except lining Congressional hamster cages. Still, it gives some insight into what the president and his advisors are thinking. And when it comes to national security and foreign policy what it tell us is…disturbing. Kori Schake of IISS, Mieke Eoyang of the Third Way and Evelyn Farkas of the German Marshall Fund discuss. Join us!
America and India are entering a rough patch in the relationship between the world’s two biggest democracies. Trade issues are at the center of the current trouble but the problems go deeper. And of course, we have seen disturbing tension between India and Pakistan recently. Is this relationship getting the attention from the Trump Administration it deserves? Is the attention its getting helping or hurting. We speak with former US Ambassador to India Timothy Roemer about this and much more...including his perspectives as a former Congressman from Indiana about how the Democrats can win the middle of America and who can do it. You won't want to miss this great conversation with an exceptional American leader. Tune in.
It's not often that America's Sweetheart exclaims "this conversation is going to drive me to drink." That's the sign of a fiery conversation about Trump, politics and giving back. Valerie Bertinelli has graced our tv screens as an actress and as a food personality. Valerie is also a passionate critic of this administration and that's where things got interesting. In this podcast, Valerie talks politics, dream 2020 candidates, twitter clap backs, dog & cat spooning and of course birthday meals (it's Valerie, there had to be food talk.) Join us for a funny, candid wide ranging conversation with Valerie Bertinelli.
Jared Kushner is in charge of the US relations with the Saudis (among others). How's that working for us? Is he the one giving the Saudis the thumbs up that they can abuse human rights to their hearts content without any consequences if they only accept his hare-brained scheme for Middle East Peace (which will never happen)? Is it time for a new approach? And what about the Congressional investigations into Trump? Bibi's indictment? Brexit? Ed Luce of the Financial Times and Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University Law School join host David Rothkopf to discuss all this and more. Essential listening. Join us!
David Sanger was in Hanoi for the failed negotiations between Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un. He recommends the food, the US approaches to the negotiation not so much. Apparently, leaving it to two megalomaniacal leaders who think they have the skill to land a deal that their negotiators weren't even close to is a bad idea. David discusses the trip and its consequences with Ed Luce of the Financial Times and Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University Law School. Tune in!
Five years ago, the Russian invasion of Eastern Ukraine began. That was followed by the annexation of Crimea, US and European sanctions and, soon after, by stepped Russian efforts to undermine the leaders and parties in the West that were opposing him. Which of course, leads not just to Donald Trump but to Brexit and the rise of the right in Europe. It's a stunning turn of events...and events look like they're going to be turning just like this for some time to come. No one is better equipped to make sense of this and give us a perspective on where we are going than former U.S. Ambassador to Russia and professor at Stanford University Michael McFaul. It's a great, thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation. Please tune in.
Depending on your view of history and human life, the Michael Cohen circus on television this Wednesday was the third or fourth most important story of the day (that we know of). Certainly, a shooting war between two nuclear powers like India and Pakistan has got to rank first. And the possibility of a breakthrough between the US and North Korea might rank second (if it actually happens and it is not all for show). Global warming is probably always a bigger story. So we got Katie Phang, Joe Cirincione, and our own Rosa Brooks to cover them all (except global warming...but we'll get to that again soon). Tune in!
Craig's college fallback plan was to become a tv writer and when you're as talented and funny as he is, a TV writer is a great fallback plan. Signing with an agent while a senior in college (overachiever) he and his writing partner Carter Bays quickly found work writing for David Letterman and moved on to create the hit show How I Met Your Mother. Craig's path to success wasn't a Disney Movie, unless the hero marches in his High School band (Craig's description of his uniform is chef's kiss perfection). Now that we know how Ted met his wife, Craig is taking on new projects and speaking out against the Orange one. He also offers great marital advice on how to give feedback to your spouse
Sometimes the experts at Deep State Radio harbor a slight but noticeable skepticism about the foreign policy acumen of Donald Trump and the band of ignorant thugs around him. But in this episode, nuclear experts Joe Cirincione and Jeffrey Lewis and DSR’s own Rosa Brooks suffer an outbreak of optimism about Trump’s summit with his diminutive love, Kim Jong Un. Is it possible? Where will this lead? Tune in to find out!
Once upon a time Stephen Walt and John Mearsheimer wrote a blockbuster book called "The Israel Lobby and US Foreign Policy." Deep State Radio Host David Rothkopf slammed it. But if you are tuning in to hear the two of them go at each other, you'll be disappointed. Rothkopf admits to Walt he felt his critique of the book was over the top and that Walt and Mearsheimer helped trigger an important conversation in the U.S. Then the two discuss the state of the US-Israel relationship today and why it is so ugly, the best approach for the U.S. in a changing Middle East and where the first two years of Trump foreign policy have left us. (We're still alive, so there's that.) Tune in for a lively, wide-ranging conversation.
Everyone has a story to tell and Elena Nicolaou has a helluva one. For years Elena and her family were close friends with Paul Erickson and his girlfriend Maria Butina...yes that Maria Butina. (The "alleged" Russian spy.) Elena details the relationship her family had with Paul and this red headed Russian girlfriend (who was half his age, but no judgement). Maria and Paul went to Disney World with Elena, Maria read Elena's palm and Paul texted Elena about Ariana Grande & Pete Davidson's relationship. If this story seems crazy, wait until you hear it ALL. Tune in for the absolutely crazy and unbelievably true story of the family that befriended the Russian (ahem "alleged") spy.
Donald Trump’s America has so alienated our traditional allies that when Mike Pence and Ivanka Trump went to the Munich Security Conference this past week, they were humiliated on more than one occasion by a clearly hostile crowd. But our problem is not just that America is rejecting principles on which it has built its security for decades. Our allies are faltering and facing deep problems of their own. Brexit is the worst example. But everywhere you look there are others. That means we won’t just be able to hit reset when Trump leaves office (if he ever does). We may need to start from scratch with new ideas about new alliances for a much changed world. Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law and Ed Luce of the FT discuss whether there are any signs of those new ideas being cooked up now…anywhere. The answer is…well, let’s not spoil it for you. But bring a stiff drink (or several) for this one. Join us!
In America today we face the shocking reality that there are traitors at the highest level of our government selling out our country. What makes this more shocking is that depending on which party you are in, you see a different group of traitors. Incivility is so five years ago. We’re at the point where the goal is to send your opponents to jail. That said—the case against one set of traitors is pretty evident on its face and the case against the other is pretty cuckoo. But where does it all lead? Will it get worse? Is Mueller the answer? Or is focusing on fixing what really is broke in America the key. Join Edward Luce of the Financial Times, Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University and journalist Sarah Kendzior of the Gaslit Nation podcast for a rousing discussion of our unsettled moment in history.
In his 37 year career in the U.S. Army, General Charles Jacoby rose to become the commanding general of U.S. Northcom and the North American Aerospace Defense Command and a leading thinker of some of the most pressing issues the U.S. military faces. Today, he chairs the Modern War Institute at West Point, a think tank within the military academy that contemplates the future of conflict, new technologies, shifting geopolitical rivalries and what the consequences may and should be for the U.S. In this wide-ranging discussion, we explore with Gen. Jacoby some of the biggest challenges we face and how best to address them. Don't miss this vitally important conversation.
They're twitter's dynamic duo: he's the peanut butter to her jelly, the Mickey to her Minnie, the Batman to...you get the point. These two guests are hilarious and when you bring them together on this podcast, THEY ARE FIRE. You'd think that leading GOP strategist RickWilson and liberal writer Molly Jong-Fast would have nothing in common, but you're wrong. They have two very important things in common; they hate Trump and they love our country. In this podcast we talked about twitter trolls (Molly LOVES them) the best nickname ever given to a shady Governor (thank you Rick) and guesses for 2020, along with a ton of other politichitchat.
Virginia's leadership mess obscures deeper problems within the state...and the country. How do our flaws--from racism to anti-semitism to our corrupt current leadership--impact America's standing and create opportunities for our enemies? Join Rosa Brooks, Evelyn Farkas and host, David Rothkopf for an introspective journey into our moment and what to do about it.
What if Rosa Brooks was president? What if Kori Schake were? What about Evelyn Farkas? We live in an era of strong women candidates...what about strong women from the Deep State? Tune in and you will discover that's the answer to all our problems...in what will probably be your favorite Deep State Radio episode effort. Featuring: Pepin the Short!
In an in-depth conversation with former National Security Advisor to Vice President Joe Biden Colin Kahl, now of Stanford University, we discuss the unsettling reality of Trump Administration foreign policy for American interests and for those of our allies worldwide. From the intelligence community's not so subtle indictment of Trump policies in their most recent report on global threats to the State of the Union, from team Trump's nationalism to a case-by-case breakdown of the unsettling situation in the Middle East, this discussion is a must listen for anyone who wants to get beyond the headlines to understand the bigger trends and threats at play in today's world. Tune in.
What if I told you I know this guy who counts U.S. Presidents as fans, has been on the New York Times Bestseller list (many times) & created a tv show that featured a little known actor named Bradley Cooper. You'd say this sounds like a character from a novel and I'd say...you're close. It's author Brad Meltzer whose own life is as interesting as the characters he writes. In this fascinating chat, we talk about his meeting with Tony Mendez (the real CIA officer behind Argo) when he read to George Bush Sr before he passed away and why women make the best subjects for his books on role models.
Have a little time on your hands? Why not spend the evening trying to figure out which of the president's off-spring is the worst? If you want to throw in Jared, go right ahead. Then, once you've hashed it out consider that in Trump's friendless world in which he can't trust even his closest staff the people whose opinions matter most to him...are those awful, awful kids. We discuss this and how to get your dog to behave on this must-listen edition of Deep State Radio. Tune in!
This week our leader will, as the Constitution mandates, let us know the state of our union. We won't believe a word he says. And we already know the answer. Just look at the week's other events from political chaos in Virginia to brewing wars overseas to upcoming testimony from the president's lawyer that probably won't be good for the occupant of the Oval Office. (Who's not really orange, he just has "good genes." Join us for a discussion with attorney Katie Phang, law professor Rosa Brooks and law-abiding columnist, Ed Luce as we prepare you for the week ahead.
Alyssa Milano is the ultimate hyphenate: actress, producer, entrepreneur, host and activist. It's her role as an activist that is making a difference in our crazy dumpster-fire world. Realizing at a young age that with fame came an opportunity to effect change, Alyssa has always used her voice to help others. As an AIDS activist, a UNICEF Ambassador to #METOO Champion, she has been a fierce advocate for those in need. Alyssa and I talk candidly about #METOO and men's fears (hint: you don't have to fear being accused of rape if you don't rape anyone), why she won't endorse anyone for 2020, women in politics and why Bill Prady called her superwoman.
It's an old joke. And we couldn't resist it. But the punchline of the effort to contain Huawei's burgeoning power over current and next generation telecommunications technologies may be one with profound geopolitical consequences. It may also be one not too many people are in a position to understand...and few of those that do are policymakers. Also in the incomprehensible department: America's emerging "policy" in Afghanistan. Kori Schake of IISS, Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law, Ed Luce of the Financial Times and David Sanger of the NY Times all specialize in the incomprehensible and are here to help. Tune in!
Roger Stone was very upset the FBI made his dog anxious when they raided his home. He also was unhappy he did not have chance to put on a nice suit before being hauled in court. On the other hand, who cares? He's a big time sleaze and deserves everything he gets. Meanwhile, no one deserves to be abused as the people of Venezuela have been first by Hugo Chavez and then by Nicolas Maduro. So the U.S. is helping to lead a push to oust Maduro. What does that have to do with Stone? Listen in to Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law, Kori Schake of IISS, David Sanger of the NY Times and Ed Luce of the Financial Times to learn the answer (if the title didn't give it away.)
You may know Asha Rangappa as the witty, brilliant legal & national security analyst that graces your television screens on CNN. But, I know her as my tap dancing, french fry loving snark sister. What makes Asha's voice so important in today's political conversation is her trailblazing career and unique experience; she's one of the first Indian Americans to work FBI counterintelligence. She brings a breadth of knowledge and perspective that is so needed in today's dialogue. We discuss Mueller (insert heavenly singing), intelligence careers, our favorite theater roles (cause of course she's a thespian) and we tap dance. Yup, we throw down! So tune in for the espionage & Trump dumpster fire talk, but stay for the tap dancing.
If the shutdown in Washington drags on and with it animosity between the political parties grows, will the remainder of Trump's first term be marked by gridlock in DC...and a president forced to turn overseas to make his mark? What might that mark be? Pulling troops out of S. Korea? Breaking up NATO? War with Iran? Kori Schake of IISS, Ed Luce of the Financial Times and Joe Cirincione of the Ploughshares Fund discuss these and even worse possibilities. This is a good one to listen to from your backyard bunker or silo. Tune in! Good times!
Donald Trump has the figure and muscle tone of a baby whale but he moved through the MLK Memorial in Washington on Monday like Usain Bolt. Traveling with the equally intolerant and odious Mike Pence, the U.S. president was in and out of the memorial in two minutes. But he went. Which our own Kori Schake says speaks to the power of norms in our society and is a good thing. Even better, the rapidly accelerating role for diverse voices in American politics--a trend that gained a big boost with the November elections and another when Cardi B entered the government shutdown debate over the weekend. Join Kori and guest Joe Cirincione for a discussion of these trends plus--next steps with North Korea on the latest DSR.
After 300 rejection letters from local newspapers around the country, Warren Leight decided it was time to ditch his journalistic pursuits, and we're lucky he did. Warren has always had his thumb on America's political pulse merging the most topical issues into his work. While he never found an audience for his feel good hostage musical comedy, he found critical acclaim writing/producing Law & Order SVU. His new "ripped from the headlines" show Law & Order: Hate Crimes is poised to take deeper look into the issue. And most importantly we talked about Ice-T, Emily's rap name, twitter trolls and why people need to stop blaming him for Chris Meloni leaving SVU.
Trump may be a disaster as a person and as a president. But he may also be triggering a rebirth in American political thought and a flowering of new policy ideas. The progressive branch of the Democratic Party is in the lead at the moment, but with so many areas demanding rethinking, the ferment may spread and we may all be the beneficiaries. How? Tune in to our discussion among Georgetown's Rosa Brooks, the Financial Times' Ed Luce, IISS's Kori Schake and the New York Times' David Sanger to discuss new ideas, why they're happening and why their may be a silver lining to the shit storm we are dealing with every day.
We're finally getting there folks. It is not the government shutdown. It is not the hyper-politicization of everything. But thanks to Donald Trump and recent revelations about the Russia probe, we may be getting to a point where even persnickety legal experts like our own Rosa Brooks acknowledge that America is on the verge of a constitutional crisis. A big one. The likes of which we haven't seen in decades. Join Rosa, Kori Schake of IISS, David Sanger of the New York Times and Evelyn Farkas of the German Marshall Fund for a discussion of the latest bombshells that have helped bring the impending crisis into clearer view.
General Mark Hertling served for 37 years in the U.S. military, rising to become Commanding General of the U.S. Army Europe. Since his retirement, he has become well-known as a commentator on television and on social media. He discusses what went wrong between Trump and "his generals", the current level of dysfunction within the U.S. national security establishment, its impact on our allies, our security and morale in the military. He also speculates as to whether or not, it may actually be helpful for the U.S. to have a president like Donald Trump every so often--in much the same way that a heart-attack may help a smoker give up cigarettes. Don't miss this wide-ranging and incisive discussion.
Hillary Clinton's senior advisor Philippe Reines has had a unique career path, to say the least. He never imagined that his job would circle him around the globe as HRC's right hand man or that he would be called on to go "method" and role play as Trump for 2016 presidential debate prep. Philippe peels back the curtain and gets candid about politics, his recent twitter tussle with a FOX commentator, his thoughts about 2020 Democratic candidates and why he owes Emily $1.
In this, our second year in review episode for the year ahead we look at US domestic developments in the next 12 months. The bad news is--they're pretty bleak. The good news is--we tell them to you in advance so you can sleep through the whole year or just settle into a drunken stupor. Join Rosa Brooks, Kori Schake, Ed Luce, David Sanger and Deep State Dog for a great conversation about what will surely be the very worst year in Donald Trump's life.
As we have learned, these days years seem much longer than they used to. So, as a special service to Deep State nation, your favorite podsters are providing you with all of 2019 in two compact 45 minute episodes. The first looks at what is going to happen internationally in the year ahead. And it'll be a full year--with everything from military confrontation between the US and China in the South China Sea to the collapse of Venezuela, the US still in Syria by year end and not a single mile of new wall built on our southern border. Join Kori Schake of IISS, Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law, David Sanger of the NY Times and Ed Luce of the Financial Times for a great new episode...and the introduction of...Deep State Dog.
Not everyone can claim Kermit the Frog, Miss. Piggy and Fozzie Bear as their friends. Not everyone can say they created the most successful sitcom on television. And certainly, not everyone can say they were awarded the Anti- Defamation League Entertainment Industry Award. Not anyone can claim all of those things...but one person can: Bill Prady. On this Washington for Beautiful People, Bill and Emily discuss the fall of the GOP, the good, bad and very ugly of social media, the "others" and The Muppets, yes the The Muppets.
What made the Tiara of Optimism sparkle in 2018? And who? We pick the positive stories of the past year and the people for whom we are the most grateful so that you can enjoy your holidays in the right spirit of optimism. (Which is the only way you get both the Philippine Coast Guard and Robert Mueller in the same conversation.). Join Kori Schake of IISS, Rosa Brooks of Georgetown, David Sanger of the New York Times and Ed Luce of the Financial Times for a glittering moment of hope in what has sometimes been a pretty dark year.
Santa is not the only one who knows whether you have been naughty or nice. The rest of the Deep State knows too. And by the rest of the Deep State, we mean...yes, Santa is one of us. Of course. On this episode, using our intelligence assets on the North Pole and elsewhere we pluck some thorns from the Crown of Entropy and distribute them to the people, ideas and events of 2018 that most deserve them. Join Kori Schake of IISS, Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law School, David Sanger of the New York Times and Ed Luce of the Financial Times for this year-end round-up unlike any other.
What does Trump, podcasts and Patti Lupone have in common: Jon Cryer. On Washington for Beautiful People Jon and Emily discuss Trump, twitter trolls, podcasting and (wait for it) Patti Lupone. While most people know Jon Cryer as Duckie from "Pretty in Pink" or Alan Harper from "Two and a Half Men" Cryer has always had an interest in our political system and criminal justice. Since 2016, Cryer has used his voice to amplify important issues including criminal justice reform. It was that interest that led him to host the popular podcast Addendum. And most importantly, Jon regales Emily with stories from musical theater and the one the only Patti Lupone.
The U.S. Senate, not recently known for its courage or willingness to stand up to President Donald Trump, sent the entire Trump Administration an acid rebuke on Thursday when it voted to stop funding for U.S. support of the War in Yemen and passed a resolution declaring that Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman was responsible for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. At the same time, reports appeared that suggested it the Mueller probe will soon dig deeper into Gulf efforts to manipulate the Trump administration. For Gulf allies who rejoiced when Barack Obama left office thinking that was a low point in the relationship, what's ahead will likely be much, much worse. David Sanger of the New York Times, Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University and Evelyn Farkas of the German Marshall Fund discuss with host David Rothkopf. Tune in!
David Sanger of the New York Times discusses how the Trump Administration's decision to pull out of the INF Treaty because of Russian non-compliance may be just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the unwinding of the foundational nuclear agreements of the past several decades. He describes why the INF was widely regarded as a successful agreement and why the rise of new powers may make it hard to put back together again. And then he discusses how its undoing might also lead to the end of the key ICBM-related treaty our countries have. And for good measure we chat about the latest in Trump-Russia and the oddity of a president who can't seem to get anyone to accept what is often considered the second most powerful job in Washington. Tune in!
The Economist named former Foreign Secretary and famed unmade bed Boris Johnson as its idiot of the year. Ed Luce of the Financial Times, joins our discussion to explain why. Then Evelyn Farkas of the German Marshall Fund and Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University Law School defend America's honor by describing the enormous idiot surplus America enjoys these days. In addition, they also discuss Trump-Russia, Maria Butina, and the noose slowly closing around the American president. So, as you can imagine, much fun was had by all. Please join us.
When TV Writer Nell Scovell wrote her now famous tell all expose in Vanity Fair about the behind the scenes exploits at Late Night with David Letterman, some thought it would ruin her career. But, the essay--a critical moment on the path to our "Me Too" era-- didn't end her career, she thrived. Nell went on to write jokes for President Obama at the White House Correspondence Dinner, for some of television's top comedies and she was the co-author of "Leaning In" with Sheryl Sandberg. On this episode of "Washington for Beautiful People," Nell and I chat about the WHCD, Michelle Wolff, Bernie Bros and Bernie's wrinkled suits, MeToo, toupees and dream 2020 candidates. Join us for a hilarious and thought-provoking conversation.
Relax. Keep your champagne on ice. Donald Trump is still president of the United States. And his foreign policy--which is a crudely mixed cocktail of racism and greed with a twist of incompetence--is still what America is serving up to the world. But that won't always be the case. In fact a New Democratic House of Representatives may start changing some of it pretty soon. Which begs the question, where do we go from here? What about the tariffs and the transactionalism and the attacks on international institutions and the distrust of our allies and alliances is going to outlast Trump and what will change the day he leave the White House? We discuss in a great and wide-ranging conversation with one of the Democratic Party's foremost foreign policy thought-leaders, former National Security Advisor to V.P. Joe Biden and chief advisor to the Hillary Clinton Campaign, Jake Sullivan. You won't want to miss it.
We can debate the policy and personal successes and failures of George H.W. Bush but there is no question that his example stands in stark contrast to that of America's current president and many in the generation of political leaders around him. The question is: Was Bush the last of a breed? Did something change a quarter century ago when he left the presidency? Did it change even earlier? And are those changes--many that have produced today's disfunction--permanent or can our system reverse them? Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law, Ed Luce of the Financial Times, attorney and former prosecutor Katie Phang and former CIA operative Emily Brandwin discuss. Join us.
Tony liked ducks. He was introspective enough to enter therapy. He loved his family. He had a code of ethics. He even drank every so often. He had a soul. He was likable. In short, he was everything our president is not. But would you really prefer him as president to the current Gangster-in-Chief who tampers with witnesses in the open, praises the guts of lying co-conspirators and, well, has his own considerable history with the mob? Edward Luce of the FT, attorney Katie Phang and host of Deep State Radio's "Washington for Beautiful People" Emily Brandwin discuss. (And spoiler alert: They all prefer Tony.) Tune in!
When Josh Campbell joined the FBI, he was told one thing: FBI doesn’t lie. Josh worked for Comey, he worked for Mueller and learned that integrity is the backbone of the Bureau. So when faced with a President who couldn’t find “truth” with a map, Waze and the resurrected ghosts of Rand & McNally, he decided to leave the career he loved and joined CNN. On the premiere episode of "Washington for Beautiful People", the L.A.-based CNN Commentator shares insights into his work with Mueller and Comey, why he wrote his now famous NYT Oped, where he thinks the investigations are going and most importantly we talk about his ridiculously adorable corgi.
New from the Deep State Radio Network, National Security Magazine will be a regular podcast series featuring long-form interviews with important national security newsmakers. In this week's episode we feature a conversation with Wendy Sherman, the first woman to hold the post of Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs and author of the new book, "Not for the Faint of Heart", a memoir of her extraordinary life. We discuss with her experiences negotiating the Iran nuclear deal, facing off with North Korea's leaders and coping with the challenges of dealing with Washington's bureaucracy. She also shares her candid views on the current administration and where we are headed on the critical issues of our time. Tune in!
When Donald Trump was presented with the overwhelming evidence of Russian interference in the US elections (of which he was Exhibit A) he said, "I don't believe it." When presented with proof of the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman's role in ordering the murder of Jamal Khashoggi he said, "I don't believe it." When presented with his own government's assessment of the catastrophic costs of climate change he said, you guessed it, "I don't believe it." Who needs rose-colored glasses when you have your head that far up your own narcissism? Is this a canny strategy or is Trump our Maroon-in-Chief? Kori Schake offers Henry the IVth, Part 1 as one of her Tiara-of-Optimism worthy examples. Mieke Eoyang and Emily Brandwin are not quite so sanguine but all discuss this phenomenon as well as Russia & Ukraine, Brexit, our self-inflicted border crisis and more! Tune in!
Trump has forged an indelible bond not with our allies nor with the American people (a majority of whom can't stand him) but with a group of really bad men worldwide who are not just evil, they're creeps. Vlad. Bibi. Duterte. And of course, now topping that list Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Trump's defense of MBS and his indefensible crimes--from murder to torture--and his and MBS's strategy has counted on the rest of the world not caring for long about those crimes. But in Europe, governments are standing up to the Saudis and against the US position. And soon this going gap, between most of the nations of the west and Trump and his Axis of Assholes, may be on display at the upcoming G20 meeting. Kori Schake, Mieke Eoyang, Rula Jebreal and Emily Brandwin discuss what to expect from Trump, MBS and their not-so-nice friends.
It's Thanksgiving weekend in the USA. It's a warm, friendly, family holiday provided that a.) your family does not discuss politics, b.) your unhinged uncle does not drink too much and c.) the indoor deep-fryer does not burn the whole house down. Maybe you'll go to a class reunion. Those are always...terrible. Or, alternatively, maybe you'll do what you did on prom night...stay home alone. Except this time you'll have Rosa Brooks, Emily Brandwin and Maggie Feldman-Piltch to join you and they'll be talking about what's right with the world and what they're thankful for. They will, that is, just as soon as they get their own awful high school experiences off their chests. Join us!
Who needs relatives? Join your Deep State family for a cheerful holiday discussion of the Turkeys of the Year, the losers, jerks, criminals, and large orange embarrassments that made the past year as unappetizing as an under-cooked Butterball. Our own Rosa Brooks, former undercover CIA operative and improv comedian Emily Brandwin and Maggie Feldman-Piltch of NatSecGirlSquad offer their views and...we not-so-subtly tease several new podcasts soon to be released by Deep State Radio. Tune in!
Yemen has become a humanitarian catastrophe on a scale of few others in the recent history of the planet. 14 million people live on the verge of famine. Tens of thousands are dead. And despite gestures in the direction of bringing the conflict to a close precious little progress has been made. Who is culpable? What is America's role? Obama's during the early stages of the conflict? Trump's now? Our panel including former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Dafna Rand, Yahoo DC Bureau Chief Sharon Weinberger and Georgetown University Law School's Rosa Brooks discuss and consider what may happen next for the suffering people of Yemen.
Trump's Europe trip was a rare multi-tiered fiasco, a kind of mille feuille of fiascos, at which the disasters operated on many levels--his alienation of our allies, his insults to our troops, his vanity, his cozying up to villains, his fear of getting wet, his complete lack of understanding of how the world works. In fact, it may be the worst overseas trip by any president ever...since Trump's Helsinki Summit. Meanwhile, North Korea seems to be building more missile bases and everything else on the planet is worse off than it was two years ago. So...that's bad. David Sanger, Rosa Brooks, and Evelyn Farkas discuss and, to the extent possible, make sense of it all. Tune in!
There are constitutional reasons why Mathew Whitaker should not succeed Jeff Sessions as even the Acting Attorney General of the US. There are legal reasons. There are ethical reasons. But none of these stopped Donald Trump from beginning the latest chapter in his effort to obstruct justice and contain the threats he feel Robert Mueller's investigation poses for him. On this special episode Florida-based attorney and former prosecutor Katie Phang and Georgetown Law's Rosa Brooks join us to discuss this disturbing and dangerous if not quite shocking turn of events. Please tune in!
It is one week after the shootings in Pittsburgh and 80 years after Kristallnacht. How deep do the rivers of hate in America today run? How much culpability do our political leaders have for channeling that hate into our daily discourse? Who is put at risk? On this 1-on-1 we have a conversation with one of America's leaders in combatting these forces that are tearing our society apart, Jonathan Greenblatt, National Director and CEO of the Anti-Defamation League. Join us for a timely and special conversation.
Donald Trump said the mid-terms were a huge success (they weren't), that he did better than other presidents during their first mid-term elections (he didn't), that he had the touch of gold and only those who ran away from him suffered (not true). On the other hand, he still has a job today and Jeff Sessions doesn't. That's right, within hours of the election results coming in, the president flipped the script and started to put the squeeze on the Mueller investigation. What does that mean for the immediate future, the rule of law in America, our general level of nausea and anxiety. David Sanger of the NY Times, Mike Tomasky of the Daily Beast and Laura Rosenberger, former top campaign aide to Hillary Clinton join us to discuss. You should join too!
Average Americans will have to wait until the results are in to understand America's verdict in next Tuesday's midterm elections. But our Deep State nerds don't want to wait. So we've had a conversation with one of America's premier political observers, Norman Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute in which we discuss the likely highs, lows and implications of the most important election in America history until the next one. Tune in!
Average Americans will have to wait until the results are in to understand America's verdict in next Tuesday's midterm elections. But our Deep State nerds don't want to wait. So we've had a conversation with one of America's premier political observers, Norman Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute in which we discuss the likely highs, lows and implications of the most important election in America history until the next one. Tune in!
With the midterm elections days away, our experts discuss just what the past two years have taught us about Trump, about the American electorate, and about the world. We also talk about where we are headed and what we can expect from the next two years of Trump's term...if he makes it all the way through them. Bow your heads and pray to the deity of your choice for the outcome we need. Then tune in to join Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University, Kori Schake of IISS, Evelyn Farkas of the Atlantic Council and Ed Luce of the Financial Times for an essential pre-Election Day Discussion.
J.P. Morgan’s Emy Shayo is one of Brazil’s most respected analysts. With the election of right wing candidate Jair Bolsonaro to the presidency in Brazil, the country and region have taken a disturbing turn. That said, markets responded positively. Is this another case of the markets getting bought off…only to allow a bad guy to do damage to civil liberties? (See America, United States of) Tune in for a fresh and somewhat contrarian take to what you have heard thus far.
Cyber-risk is literally everywhere. Everyone is vulnerable. We have never faced such a challenge before. And whereas the defense establishment has some pretty sophisticated defenses and offenses developed, the reality is that any city, any country, any person in America can be a target of an attack. How do we address this massive new threat? Mieke Eoyang, VP for National Security at Third Way, is helping to lead an effort to generate new thinking in this regard and in this one-on-one discussion, she shares her insights into where it might lead.
Remember way back when we were concerned with how the White House was planning on pulling out of yet another international agreement, this one among the very few real nuclear arms control agreements that exist? That was Monday. Since then we have had news the president has had his cellphone hacked because he can't be bothered with security, one of the most extraordinary bombing campaigns in America history, the president dismissing it by calling it "this 'bomb' stuff" and then a couple hours later taking credit for the arrest of the rabid Trump supporter who was apparently the bomber. How do you make sense of all that? Do what we do and sit down with original Deep Stater, our own David Sanger, for a great 1-on-1. Just the perfect accompaniment to a couple of cocktails and then maybe, a couple more cocktails.
Remember way back when we were concerned with how the White House was planning on pulling out of yet another international agreement, this one among the very few real nuclear arms control agreements that exist? That was Monday. Since then we have had news the president has had his cellphone hacked because he can't be bothered with security, one of the most extraordinary bombing campaigns in America history, the president dismissing it by calling it "this 'bomb' stuff" and then a couple hours later taking credit for the arrest of the rabid Trump supporter who was apparently the bomber. How do you make sense of all that? Do what we do and sit down with original Deep Stater, our own David Sanger, for a great 1-on-1. Just the perfect accompaniment to a couple of cocktails and then maybe, a couple more cocktails.
The Kashoggi murder has rocked the Middle East. The underlying crime was so horrific, its cover-up has been so pathetic and unpersuasive, and the position of the US administration has only compounded the outrage. The question is: Will this change anything? Our guests Stephen Walt, Rosa Brooks, Kori Schake and Ed Luce discuss and then move on to considering what the deeper significance of the Trump Administration's decision to pull out of the INF Treaty with Russia might mean for the US, for Russia, for arms manufacturers, for China and for all the rest of us. Tune in!
Harvard's Stephen Walt has written a timely book called "The Hell of Good Intentions: America's Foreign Policy Elite and the Decline of U.S. Primacy"...which is just exactly the kind of subject you would expect Rosa Brooks, Kori Schake, and Ed Luce to want to discuss with Steve Walt given the hell of current events and the number of members of the U.S. foreign policy elite they know who are also declining. Join us for a fascinating discussion about where America went wrong and what, if anything, we can do about it.
If the Democrats win in November, it may mean paralysis in Congress on a wide variety of issues. But on trade there is what some consider an "unholy" alliance between the far right and the far left in opposition to trade. When they unite they are a powerful group that shares Donald Trump's trade skepticism. What does that mean for trade between now and 2020? Nafta 2.0? China trade war? Aluminum and steel tariffs? Autos? Former Eximbank Chairman Hochberg discusses the outlook, how we got here and what a new trade agenda might look and sound like. Tune in.
Middle East scholar and commentator Rula Jebreal joins us for a frank discussion of where the case of the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi has brought us in regional relations and what we might expect next in the way of regional reforms or tensions. Also: A discussion of the role the US can play working with reformers to produce outcomes that are better for the people of the region--and worse for extremists. Join us.
While the Trump Administration may get much Trumpier with the personnel changes expected after Election Day, a Democratic victory on November 6th that brought them control of the House of Representatives is likely to create a check on Trump's impulses of a sort he has never had to deal with. From Russia to the Middle East, the Democrats will be pushing for very different policies and countries that have cozied up to the president perhaps should expect a backlash...one that could get worse in 2020. Also: A discussion of the influence of foreign money in the Washington Policy community.
In the Financial Times our own Ed Luce discusses how Trump's attacks on the truth and his enemies have moved us toward fascism and where he has fallen short of achieving key steps on the road toward that brand of authoritarianism. Our panel including Ed, Rosa Brooks of Georgetown, Kori Schake of IISS and Joe Cirincione of the Plowshares fund discuss whether we may go next and what recent developments--from the Khashoggi case to Trump on the stump--reveal about the trends. Tune in!
Nikki Haley's sudden resignation as US UN Ambassador was not just a shock to the foreign policy community. It's also another sign that post November 6th, the Trump foreign policy team is likely to be further transformed and to shift further in the direction of the hawkish views of National Security Advisor John Bolton, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the White House team closest to Donald Trump. Will that change include the departure of SecDef Jim Mattis? And what if the Dems win the House? What new fault-lines in US foreign and national security policy might that create? We discuss with Mieke Eoyang, VP for National Security at Third Way. Join us!
Peter Singer, one of the most creative thinkers considering how technology is transforming the national security realm has a new book out written with Emerson Brooking. It explores how social media was transformed into an important battlefield before our very eyes and it is essential reading. But don't take our word for it. Listen to Peter discuss it on this Deep State Radio 1-on-1. From his description of how General Mike Flynn went from visionary to lunatic conspiracy theorist to his discussion of the gaps among our own leaders in dealing with this problem, you won't want to miss it.
Here in the Deep State we’re so used to the endless shitstorm of the past few years that sometimes we can become a trifle cynical. But there is a possibility that the recent talks between North and South may actually represent progress and that two sides may be moving in a more peaceful direction. Sure, the North is still building nukes. But, if the chances of war decrease, so does the likelihood of using the nukes. An expert take from Joe Cirincione of the Ploughshares Fund.
It really gets under the skin of Atlantic Council national security expert Evelyn Farkas that people always push back on NATO expansion because it might offend Russia. Even Donald Trump started doing it after his Helsinki meeting with Vladimir Putin when he questioned the idea of Montenegro joining. (We wonder where he got that idea.). Evelyn examines the benefits of NATO that have nothing to do with Russia at all and why it continues to be important to stabilizing Europe in the 21st Century.
Indictments in Washington and Holland made it clear that Russian intelligence has been pursuing cyber operations far beyond just America’s elections. With efforts targeting sports doping authorities (to retaliate for Russian athletes being caught juicing) and others going after investigators associated with the shoot-down of the Malaysian airliner flight over Ukraine, Western intelligence agencies sent a strong message to Vladimir Putin that they have their eye on him. The question, as cyber expert and Deep Stater David Sanger puts it is, does he care? Also in cyber news, Vice President Mike Pence said China was targeting Donald Trump because they don’t like him. While it’s easy to understand why they wouldn’t, Pence didn’t offer much evidence. Sanger also discusses. Join us.
This week, the US pulled out of a 1955 treaty of amity with Iran. They did it to send a signal that the two countries, that haven’t been friends since 1979, still aren’t, apparently. They also pulled out of a second important agreement, an amendment to the Vienna Convention, in protest of a case brought under it against the US by the Palestinians. Both acts were linked to actions in the International Court of Justice—one a loss on a case regarding Iran sanctions that was tied in part to the 1955 treaty, the other due to a pending case from the Palestinians. And both were part of recent U.S. pushback against multilateralism and international legal institutions in particular…as well as on-going efforts to turn up the heat on Iran and Palestine.
Middle East expert Hisham Melhem joins us to discuss. Tune in.