Rational Security: The “Dry January” Edition

Jan 7, 2024

Topics discussed include the killing of a senior Hamas official and its potential for regional escalation, updates on the special counsel's case against former President Trump, charges brought against Senator Bob Menendez, challenges of color blindness on the sound board, Gainesville as the chicken capital of the world, recent developments in the Middle East and the federal courts, policy implications of a motion to dismiss based on presidential immunity, legal issues surrounding Trump's appeal of immunity decision, discussion of fiction reading and a Denver bar, and tarot readings and New Year's Day dinner party.

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Introduction

00:00 • 2min

Discussion on Red-Green Color Blindness and Sound Board Issues

02:01 • 2min

Gainesville: The Chicken Capital

04:17 • 22min

Recent Developments in the Middle East and the Federal Courts

25:53 • 9min

Policy Implications of a Motion to Dismiss Based on Presidential Immunity

35:09 • 2min

Legal Issues Surrounding Trump's Appeal of Immunity Decision

36:42 • 25min

Discussion of Fiction Reading and a Denver Bar

01:01:30 • 4min

Tarot Readings and New Year's Day Dinner Party

01:05:32 • 4min

This week on Rational Security, Quinta and Scott were joined by Lawfare Legal Fellow Anna Bower to talk through the week’s big national security news, including:

“Hamas, No Más.” A senior Hamas official was recently killed in an attack in Beirut, in what many believe was an operation by Israel—a country whose leaders have pledged to target Hamas’s leaders wherever they might be, though it has not formally acknowledged involvement in this particular attack. But pursuing such action across a border that is already on the edge of becoming a second front in the Gaza conflict has observers nervous. How significant is this operation? Does it risk regional escalation?
“Bad for the Immune System.” Just before the holiday, the Supreme Court rejected special counsel Jack Smith’s petition for it to expedite consideration of former President Trump’s claim of immunity to criminal charges. And in the week that’s passed, briefing is already underway—including an argument by an amicus asserting that appeal shouldn’t be allowed at all. What hangs on this case? And how do the courts seem poised to address it?
“The Unprincipled Agent Problem.” The Justice Department has leveled additional charges against Sen. Robert Menendez and his wife alleging additional illegal actions in support of Qatar, including some in violation of the Foreign Agents Registration Act. Meanwhile, several associates of former President Trump have faced similar charges for alleged work for the same government. What should we make of these powerful public officials and their associates doing work for foreign governments? And is FARA the right tool to address it?

For object lessons, Quinta continued to suck up to the estate of Roberto Bolano by endorsing his book “The Savage Detectives.” Scott spilled the beans on one of Denver’s lovely speakeasies, B&GC. And Anna urged folks to try out a Tarot Card reading for the New Year—advice Fox News appears to have taken on former President Trump’s behalf.

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