Rational Security: The "Let's Understand How We Got Here" Edition
Sep 12, 2024
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Join Kevin Frazier, Eugenia Lostri, and Benjamin Wittes as they dive into vital national security discussions. They unpack the 2024 presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump and its implications for national security. The trio analyzes recent justice department actions against Russian misinformation efforts. As they reflect on the legacy of 9/11, they weave in personal anecdotes and explore the evolving landscape of foreign influence in elections and the pressing need for data privacy protection.
The intersection of celebrity influence and politics is increasingly prominent, as Taylor Swift's endorsement of Kamala Harris reveals the potential for pop culture to sway voter engagement.
The recent presidential debate between Harris and Trump showcased the critical importance of national security, highlighting how it shapes electoral rhetoric and candidate platforms for the 2024 election.
In response to foreign interference threats, the Justice Department's recent indictments against Russian actors illustrate the evolving landscape of election security amid rising concerns over misinformation.
Deep dives
Taylor Swift and Political Endorsement
Taylor Swift's recent endorsement of Kamala Harris has sparked discussions about the intersection of celebrity influence and politics, particularly within the context of a polarized national landscape. Her fans, known as Swifties, may hold a distinctive view on Harris, especially in light of their shared involvement in various cultural and social issues. The blending of pop culture with serious political endorsement represents a new frontier where celebrities can sway public opinion and voter engagement. This underscores the evolving role that entertainers play in the political landscape, especially as traditional boundaries between politics and popular culture become increasingly blurred.
National Security Themes in the 2024 Presidential Debate
The recent presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump featured a plethora of discussions surrounding national security issues, which emerged as central themes despite the typical focus on more domestic subjects. Candidates invoked military perspectives and projections of how foreign leaders perceive both Trump and Harris, highlighting the significance of national security in the electoral context. The debate emphasized contrasting approaches, particularly regarding China, where both candidates displayed a notably aggressive stance toward Chinese policies in the realm of AI and trade. This collective emphasis on national security indicates that, at least in rhetoric, it plays a critical role in shaping the candidates' platforms as voters look ahead to the 2024 elections.
Legal Consequences of Russian Election Interference
In response to heightened concerns about election interference, the Justice Department has taken significant action against various Russian entities engaged in disinformation and propaganda designed to influence the upcoming elections. Recent indictments have focused on Russian operatives who have allegedly funded influencers to spread misinformation, specifically targeting right-wing commentators. The scale of the financial investments revealed has raised questions about the effectiveness of such influence campaigns and their implications for American democracy. This situation highlights the evolving landscape of election security and the legal frameworks being implemented to combat foreign interference, especially as the election season approaches.
Legacy of 9/11 and Evolving National Security Policy
The aftermath of the 9/11 attacks continues to cast a long shadow over U.S. national security policy, leading to profound transformations in how the nation approaches terrorism and foreign relations. While the United States has achieved significant measures of success in preventing further large-scale attacks on its soil, the legacy of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan remains a contentious topic in public discourse. Moreover, as the nation transitions away from prioritizing terrorism in national security strategy documents, there is an ongoing exploration of shifting threats—from great power competition to emerging cyber threats. This evolution suggests that while the immediate responses to 9/11 shaped policy for decades, the continuing adjustments reflect a need to address both historical lessons and present-day realities.
The Importance of Presidential Debates
Debates serve as a crucial platform for candidates to showcase their visions for the country, allowing voters to glean insights into their policies, not only in terms of content but also in how they respond under pressure. The recent debate highlighted various national security concerns, illustrating how critical these discussions are in gauging candidate priorities. Observers noted that while the debates might not deliver substantive policy discussions, they nevertheless demonstrate the candidates' temperament and ability to engage in the high-stakes world of international and domestic affairs. This realization prompts questions about the ongoing role of debates in shaping public perceptions and influencing electoral outcomes, particularly in a political climate characterized by division and partisan viewpoints.
In the debut episode of RatSec 2.1, Scott sat down with his Lawfare colleagues Kevin Frazier, Eugenia Lostri, and Benjamin Wittes to talk over the week’s big national security news, including:
“I Have Concepts of a Segment Topic.” On Tuesday, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump faced off in what might end up being the only presidential debate between the two candidates in the 2024 election. What did it tell us about how national security is figuring into this election?
“Running Political Interference Interference.” The Justice Department has been very busy these past few weeks, bringing an array of indictments and enforcement actions against various Russian actors and their proxies for spreading misinformation, surreptitiously funding political commentary, and otherwise attempting to interfere in the upcoming 2024 elections. What explains this sudden wave of activity so close to the election? And what threats are still hanging out there?
“Never Forgot.” Twenty-three years have passed since the unprecedented terrorist attacks of 9/11. In many ways, they redefined the trajectory of U.S. national security policy (and politics) for decades. But today, the United States has shifted focus to a very different set of challenges. What is the legacy of 9/11 more than two decades after the attacks?
For object lessons, Kevin readied our listeners for depression before recommending Neil Postman’s new book, “Amusing Ourselves to Death.” Ben endorsed the documentary Man on Wireas his favorite movie about 9/11, in part because it has nothing to do with 9/11. Scott urged D.C.-area residents not to sleep on the sublime joys of an outdoor show at Wolf Trap while the weather is still nice. And Eugenia shed her video game label to throw her support behind James Cameron’s latest maritime adventure, the (weirdly mutant-free) sea exploration documentary series OceanXplorers.
