Rational Security: The “Based in Eunuchs” Edition

Dec 10, 2023

This podcast discusses Ukraine's stalled counter-offensive and the targeting of commercial shipping in the Red Sea. It also analyzes recent incidents involving US forces and Iran-backed forces in Iraq, explores Iran's support for Houthi rebels in Yemen, and delves into the concept of kayfabe and its connection to the Trump presidency. Additionally, the podcast covers the judicial rulings regarding civil immunity and criminal charges against former President Trump.

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Introduction

00:00 • 2min

Discussion about a Mix-up and Apologies

02:16 • 2min

Ukraine's Counter-Offensive and Regional Security

03:57 • 28min

Analysis of Recent Incidents Involving US Forces and Iran-Backed Forces

32:14 • 3min

Iran's Support for Houthi rebels in Yemen

35:17 • 7min

Kayfabe, Iran, and the Perception Gap

42:28 • 12min

Presidential Immunity Rulings

54:04 • 25min

This week on Rational Security, co-hosts Quinta and Scott were joined by co-host emeritus Benjamin Wittes to talk over the week’s big national security news, including:

“Stalled and Appalled.” Ukraine’s counteroffensive to try and reclaim Russia-held parts of eastern Ukraine appears to have stalled, triggering a degree of finger-pointing on both sides of the Atlantic—just as U.S. and European support for their military campaign appears to be waning. What does this mean for the next stage of this conflict?
“Parting the Red Sea.” Since the start of the war in Gaza, U.S. and allied diplomatic and military presences have come under attack by Iran-backed proxies throughout the Middle East. Now the Iran-backed Houthi faction in Yemen is targeting commercial shipping in the Red Sea with purported Israeli ties. What’s motivating these actions? And how do they change the regional security picture?
“One Day Soon, I’m Gonna Tell My Goons, About the Blassingame.” Former President Donald Trump suffered two big legal losses in cases relating to Jan. 6 this past week, as both the D.C. Circuit in the civil suit against him and the trial court in his criminal prosecution held that he was not immune for prosecution by virtue of being the president. What will these decisions mean moving forward on the civil and criminal fronts?

For object lessons, Quinta shared an amazing development in the Menendez case. Scott pulled a musical hat-trick and endorsed the newish venue The Atlantis, the phenomenal Lydia Loveless (who he just saw there), and (since it is December) Ingrid Michaelson’s holiday album Songs for the Season—and specifically the sob-inducingly melancholy song, “Happy, Happy Christmas.” And Ben plugged the Romanian Madrigal Choir show he attended at the National Cathedral while also logrolling for the new (non-Lawfare) podcast feature he rolled out on his substack Dog Shirt Daily and related podcast “Read with Me,” which features readings of major filings and opinions in the Trump trials.

Also, we are beginning preparations for our end-of-year listener-submitted episode! If you have a topic you want us to cover, a question you want us to answer, or an object lesson you want to share, send it along to us at rationalsecurity@lawfaremedia.org no later than December 18!

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