Rational Security: The “Inadequate Chicken Moved to Inferior Location” Special End-of-Year Edition

Dec 30, 2025

This year-end discussion dives into the complex sphere of Western Europe's influence, with the hosts debating its shifting dynamics. They analyze Trump's controversial lawsuit against the BBC as a new front in his battles with the media. Merrick Garland's performance as Attorney General is scrutinized, revealing the friction between legal timelines and political pressures. The hosts also reflect on military actions against drug traffickers and their implications for checks and balances. Finally, humor and insights abound as they explore a Ukrainian sumo wrestler and recommend intriguing books and podcasts.

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ANECDOTE

Small-Town Chicken Controversy

Anna described her hometown's beloved chicken statue being removed by a new owner and replaced with a corporate-looking model.
The town reacted angrily when the replacement was moved off the square to an inferior location.

INSIGHT

Europe's Uncomfortable U.S. Alignment

Benjamin Wittes argued Western Europe remains in a U.S. sphere of influence but under strain from hostile U.S. policies.
He warned Europe faces choices: ignore change, triangulate with Russia/China, or build independent defense and regulatory capacities.

INSIGHT

Europe Has Real Agency

Scott R. Anderson emphasized European agency and parity in economic and regulatory power.
He cautioned that asserting U.S. spheres risks losing European allies and diminishing U.S. influence.

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For the podcast’s annual end-of-year episode, Scott sat down with co-host emeritus Benjamin Wittes, Senior Editor Anna Bower, and Managing Editor Tyler McBrien to talk over listener-submitted topics and object lessons, including:

Which sphere of influence is Western Europe in today?
What should we make of President Trump's lawsuit against BBC?
After nearly a year of the Trump Administration, how do you view the record of Attorney General Merrick Garland?
What does the military campaign against alleged narcotics traffickers tell us about checks and balances within the U.S. system around the use of military force (or lack thereof)?
With the escalating rhetoric in the Caribbean, what lessons should we be keeping in mind from the lead-up to the Iraq War?
What can be done to reverse Americans' tolerance for the slide towards illiberal democracy?
And importantly, is Ben's martial arts challenge to Putin still on?

For object lessons, our listeners really came through! Blake recommends a couple of coffee table books right up Tyler’s alley: “Building Stories” by Alastair Philip Wiper and "Closure: The Final Days of the Waterford Bicycle Factory" by Tucker and Anna Schwinn. Keenan points out a good companion listen to this podcast in NPR’s Sources and Methods. Liz really embraces the variety show that is “object lessons,” introducing us to Danylo Yavhusishyn—a.k.a., Aonishiki—a Ukrainian-born sumo wrestler, hyping Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 as her Game of the Year, waxing poetic about The Sun Eater book series, and log-rolling her work on the Final Fantasy TCG. Speaking of variety shows, Lisa spotlights the Live from New York: The Lorne Michaels Collection exhibition at UT Austin’s Harry Ransom Center. And Riley asks the crew about their top fiction recommendations for 2026. Tune in to find out what they are!

And thank goodness, that’s it for 2025! But don’t worry, Rational Security and the whole Lawfare team will be back with you in the new year to help make sense of what’s to come in national security in 2026!

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