The Lawfare Podcast

The podcast features Lawfare Senior Editor Scott R. Anderson and leading court reporters Roger Parloff and Anna Bower. They discuss removal proceedings in Georgia, a proposed gag order for Trump in Washington, mishandling of classified information by Trump in Florida, and the wave of litigation seeking to disqualify Trump under the 14th Amendment.

Former Senate Foreign Relations Committee staffers Lester Munson, Jodi Herman, Jamil Jaffer, and Dana Stroul discuss U.S.-China relations, Huawei, cyber and tech security, the South China sea, and Uighur internment.

Political scientists John Mearsheimer and Sebastian Rosato discuss their new book, debunking the idea that states act irrationally in foreign policy. They explore the perception of states as rational actors, the differences between models and theories, the challenges of applying political psychology to real-world scenarios, and the rationality of NATO expansion. They also examine the mistake of assuming irrationality in adversaries, highlighting the dangers of this mindset in foreign policy decision-making.

Rory Cormac, a professor and author, discusses the historical relationship between the British Royal Family and intelligence, covering topics such as the involvement of monarchs in advising prime ministers, intelligence gathering for self-protection, the mysterious death of Rasputin, surveillance on King Edward the eighth, and challenges of researching royal intelligence.

Political scientists Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt discuss the challenges facing American democracy, including the Republican Party's failure on democratic benchmarks and the difficulties of amending the US Constitution. They highlight the unique counter-majoritarian features of the US system and argue for a paradigm shift in how we view and improve the Constitution.

The hosts discuss the weaponization of the global reserve currency by exploring the role of Walter Riston in weaponizing the world economy. They also analyze the legal institutions of the European Union and the use of economic statecraft for competitive advantage. The podcast explores how global networks revolutionize state surveillance capabilities and the challenges of balancing national security and economic interests. It discusses the complexity and consequences of the world economy and the importance of economic intelligence in decision-making.

In this episode, Eugenia Lostri discusses the need for cybersecurity aid and initiatives by the U.S., EU, and international bodies. Topics include the challenges of transnational cybersecurity threats, envisioning cybersecurity aid at the EU level, a cyber incident in Costa Rica, international cooperation in cyber aid, and tensions and objectives in cybersecurity aid.

Saraphin Dhanani and Benjamin Wittes discuss Trump's expected motion to dismiss the Jan. 6 case based on presidential immunity. They explore the defense strategy, potential counterarguments, and the usefulness of the immunity defense. They also analyze the DOJ's response, Trump's trial strategies, and the appeal process in a criminal trial.

This week on Rational Security, Quinta and Alan are joined by Lawfare Senior Editor Molly Reynolds as they discuss Speaker Kevin McCarthy's impeachment inquiry against President Biden, the investigation of the investigation of Donald Trump, and the controversy surrounding Elon Musk's alleged decision to turn off Starlink coverage near Crimea. They also touch on mindfulness in the House, the concept of 'legitimate legislative purpose,' and Elon Musk's role in the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

Lawfare editors and legal fellows discuss ongoing Trump trials, including events at Mar-a-Lago and Judge Tanya Chutkan's courthouse. They delve into 14th Amendment litigation, multiple election cases, and Trump's eligibility. The podcast also explores defense and prosecution strategies, along with indictment recommendations in Georgia.