Defense & Aerospace Report Podcast [Washington Roundtable Nov 14, ’25]
Nov 14, 2025
This week features Michael Herson, a former Capitol Hill staffer; Dr. Dov Zakheim, a former Pentagon comptroller; Jim Townsend, a transatlantic security expert; and Dr. Patrick Cronin, an Asia-Pacific strategy authority. They dive into the implications of the US government shutdown and upcoming appropriations, while also analyzing the complexities of designating 'Antifa' as terrorist organizations. The guests discuss rising tensions over Taiwan, the evolving battlefield in Ukraine, and the significance of the new Australia-Indonesia defense treaty.
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Episode notes
Use The CR To Buy Time Strategically
- Use the CR as breathing room to advance appropriations and targeted reforms before January 30th.
- Press Congress to resolve top-line disagreements now to avoid another shutdown or year-long continuing resolution.
NDAA Advances While Appropriations Stall
- NDAA is progressing well while appropriations face tougher politics and no top-line agreement.
- The conference likely defaults toward the House number, shaping final defense funding outcomes.
Politics And Travel Shaped The Timing
- Holiday travel and political optics pushed leaders to reopen the government before Thanksgiving.
- There remains significant chance of a longer CR or fresh shutdown depending on year-end fights.
