Shield of the Republic When Power Stops Caring About the Law
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Dec 8, 2025 The discussion kicks off with a deep dive into a controversial double-tap strike on a drug boat off Venezuela, raising questions about potential war crimes. The pair analyze the resignation of Admiral Holsey and speculate on U.S. ambitions in Venezuela. They tackle the Defense Department's IG report on Signalgate, debunking claims of complete exoneration. The conversation shifts to the Witkoff-Kushner dealings in Russia, highlighting the complexities of negotiating with Putin and the ongoing corruption crisis in Ukraine amid a backdrop of political misjudgments.
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Naval Actions Blur Crime And War
- The US Navy has been turned into a force that in practice is carrying out lethal actions against criminals rather than arresting them.
- Eliot A. Cohen warns this blurs crime and war and risks unlawful killings and mission creep.
Targeted Killing Became Routine Policy
- Targeted killings evolved into routine policy and technology now enables wide use of assassination-style strikes.
- Eric Edelman cautions we haven't fully reckoned with the strategic and legal consequences of normalized remote strikes.
Plan For The Post-Maduro Reality
- Avoid assuming Maduro's removal equals a stable democratic transition without a plan for post-regime governance.
- Plan for occupation, security, and realistic political outcomes before using military force.