Rational Security: The “Don’t Cry for Me, Lawfare” Edition
Jan 29, 2025
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Peter Harrell, a former Senior Director of the National Security Council under President Biden and expert in sanctions, joins the discussion. They dive into Trump's risky diplomacy with Colombia over military flights and the implications for U.S. foreign relations. The conversation shifts to Project Stargate, exploring the U.S.-China tech rivalry in AI development, especially after DeepSeek's surprising advancements. They analyze the stakes of AI competition and the future of U.S. foreign aid policies under shifting political landscapes.
The podcast explores the diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and Colombia, raising concerns about the sustainability of aggressive international relations tactics.
Discussion on Project Stargate highlights the competitive dynamics of U.S. and Chinese advancements in artificial intelligence, challenging traditional resource assumptions.
The potential repercussions of the U.S. foreign assistance freeze emphasize the critical need for continuity in humanitarian aid and cybersecurity initiatives.
Deep dives
Introduction to Innovative Earbuds
The discussion highlights the innovative features of the Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds designed specifically for sleep. These earbuds offer exceptional comfort and sound blocking, making them ideal for those who require a quiet sleep environment, especially side sleepers. They come with various ear pad options to ensure a perfect fit and boast impressive battery life, allowing up to 80 hours in sleep mode. Furthermore, a built-in alarm function is featured, enabling the user to wake up without disturbing anyone else in the household.
Personal Moves Prompting Realizations
The podcast reflects on the challenges involved in moving residences, illustrated by the hosts' personal experiences. One host recounts a particularly cumbersome move, taking 11 hours and filled with complications, including sluggish movers. This anecdote highlights the frustrations often associated with relocation, contrasting it with another host's move that spanned a significant distance and showcased the potential differences in moving experiences. The discussion underscores that regardless of the circumstances, moving can be a laborious process laden with unexpected hurdles.
International Diplomatic Spats
A significant diplomatic incident between the U.S. and Colombia is discussed where Colombia refused to accept U.S. military flights returning migrants. President Trump responded with threats of various sanctions, illustrating a hardline approach to international relations. The quick resolution of the spat raised questions about the effectiveness and sustainability of such aggressive tactics. The dynamics reveal that while Trump may have seen a short-term victory, it poses potential long-term risks to U.S. relations with its allies.
AI Competition and Technological Developments
The conversation examines the announcement of Project Stargate, a significant U.S. initiative aimed at developing artificial intelligence capabilities. The hosts contrast this with Chinese tech company DeepSeek's advancements, which have sparked concerns within U.S. markets. The emergence of DeepSeek exemplifies the competitive dynamics between U.S. and Chinese artificial intelligence development, suggesting that cost-effective, innovative AI solutions can challenge previous assumptions about requiring extensive computational resources. This situation may prompt the U.S. to rethink its approach to maintaining a competitive edge in AI.
The Impact of Foreign Assistance Policies
The podcast dives into a recent freeze on U.S. foreign assistance, a dramatic shift that highlights the complexities of delivering international aid. This pause affects various programs that play crucial roles in humanitarian efforts worldwide, particularly in developing countries. The hosts note that the interruption of foreign assistance could lead to dire consequences for areas relying on U.S. support, such as health care and security. The discussion reflects on the delicate ecosystem of foreign aid, emphasizing the importance of continuity and the potential repercussions of sudden withdrawals.
Cybersecurity in Foreign Assistance
A focus on cybersecurity initiatives within foreign assistance is highlighted, detailing how recent funding boosts aimed at strengthening international partnerships are now at risk. The podcast discusses the past successes of U.S. cyber diplomacy, such as aiding Costa Rica with security resources after a ransomware attack. The cessation of these programs could hinder efforts to counter cyber threats effectively and may lead to nations seeking closer ties with other powers like China. This shift underscores the broader implications for U.S. influence and cooperation in critical technological fields moving forward.
This week, Scott was joined by his colleagues Kevin and Eugenia—in what is sadly her last episode before leaving Lawfare—as well as special guest Peter Harrell for a deep dive into the week’s national security news, including:
“Tariff or Takeoff.” The Trump administration got into what is arguably its first major international spat this week when Colombia’s refusal to accept a U.S. military flight returning migrants to that country led President Trump to threaten an array of punitive measures, from visa cut-offs to sanctions and tariffs. After Colombian President Gustavo Petro backed down, the White House was quick to claim victory. But how sustainable is Trump’s strategy? And is it really the route to restoring respect for the United States that the White House claims it is?
“Talk to Me When They Get To ‘Project: The Fifth Element.’” Last week, the Trump administration announced Project Stargate—an initiative not to revive ‘90s sci-fi classics, but to instead make a massive investment in the U.S. development of artificial intelligence and related technologies. But a few days later, an announcement by Chinese AI platform DeepSeek indicating it had reached comparable results at a lower cost triggered a sudden decline in the value of AI-related stocks. What do these developments tell us about the competitive dynamics surrounding AI? And how should the United States be navigating them?
“A Friend in Need is a Friend Shit Out of Luck.” The Trump administration has issued an across-the-board freeze of U.S. foreign assistance programs for 90 days as it reviews them for consistency with the administration’s vision of “America First” foreign policy. But what ramifications will this pause really have for U.S. foreign policy and beyond?
For object lessons, Kevin plugged the Seattle University School of Law’s Technology, Innovation Law, and Ethics Program. Eugenia got back to her roots in recommending the indie RPG video game Wildermyth, which follows a troupe of fantasy heroes from modest origins through their sunset years. Scott out-nerded Eugenia by recommending a pen-and-paper indie RPG, the physically gorgeous Thousand Year Old Vampire. And Peter kept it professional by recommending Arthur Herman’s book “Freedom’s Forge”as a case study on U.S. industrial policy that may have lessons for our current historical moment.
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