Shane Harris, a national security journalist from The Atlantic, discusses the link between online radicalization and recent gun violence incidents. Benjamin Wittes, editor-in-chief of Lawfare, warns that Russian gray-zone warfare efforts, especially drone incursions, remain under-discussed. Quinta Jurecic shares intriguing data on the outcomes of federal law enforcement actions in D.C. Lastly, Alan Z. Rozenshtein highlights the troubling disregard for the TikTok ban by the Trump administration, raising concerns over executive power.
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insights INSIGHT
Online Meme Culture Shapes Violent Acts
Chronic online immersion can make violence performative rather than strictly political.
Shane Harris argues internet meme culture and nihilistic in-groups drive some recent shooters.
insights INSIGHT
Don't Force Shooters Into Political Boxes
Searches for tidy political motives often mislead in lone-target attacks.
Benjamin Wittes emphasizes internet subcultures are sometimes a better lens than partisan rhetoric.
insights INSIGHT
Rising Male Social Isolation Is A Risk Factor
Young men report rising loneliness, fewer close friends, and social disconnection.
Scott R. Anderson links this "boy crisis" to vulnerability to violent online subcultures.
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For this week's very special episode on Rational Security's 10th anniversary, Scott sat down with a slew of co-hosts emeritus, each of whom brought their own topic to discuss.
Shane Harris flagged the connections between online radicalization and the young men behind many recent public acts of gun violence, including the alleged perpetrator of the Charlie Kirk killing;
Benjamin Wittes insisted we are STILL not talking enough about Russian drone incursions and other forms of gray zone warfare in Eastern Europe;
Quinta Jurecic brought some statistics about the success (or not) of the Trump administration's federalization of law enforcement in D.C. (and elsewhere) that are worth contemplating; and
Alan Rozenshtein asked how it can still be true that no one but him seems to care about the Trump administration blatantly disregarding the TikTok ban.
In object lessons, Shane is basking in the glory of HBO’s “Somebody Somewhere”—partly because his buddy Jeff Hiller just won an Emmy for his role in it. Ben praises Adam Boehler—and even Donald Trump—for helping secure Elizabeth Tsurkov’s release. Alan is definitely not using this opportunity to use Pacific Rim for his object lesson—really—instead recommending fantasy mystery “The Tainted Cup,” by Robert Jackson Bennett. Scott takes us into orbit with Samantha Harvey’s “Orbital,” a lyrical meditation on life and reflection in space. And Quinta dives into the future with “Empire of AI,” by Karen Hao, a deeply reported look at OpenAI and its role in shaping the technology’s trajectory
Last call to help us celebrate Lawfare’s 15th anniversary! Get your tickets now to join us this Friday, 9/19, to hear from some of your favorite Lawfare people past and present, take a look back on the key moments that have shaped our first 15 years, and get a sneak peek into what’s coming next.
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