Roger Parloff, a Senior Editor and Legal Correspondent, joins a lively group to dissect Donald Trump's unprecedented trip to the Persian Gulf. The discussion highlights how Trump's foreign engagements could reshape U.S. policy, particularly regarding Israel and Syria. They also tackle the Supreme Court's surprising ruling on the Alien Enemies Act, bringing attention to the balance of power in legal matters. The episode offers a dynamic blend of geopolitical insights and policy analysis, shedding light on the evolving landscape of national security.
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Trump's Significant Middle East Pivot
Trump's Middle East trip marked a notable policy shift, surprising many with significant actions on Gaza, Syria sanctions, and hostages.
This pivot creates tensions with Israel's Netanyahu and reflects a complex, evolving US-Gulf region dynamic.
insights INSIGHT
Netanyahu's Political Dilemma
Trump's actions including negotiating hostage release and lifting Syrian sanctions strained relations with Netanyahu.
Netanyahu is caught between hardline supporters and US pressure to end Gaza conflict, complicating his political survival.
insights INSIGHT
Trump's Quiet on Abraham Accords
Trump's apparent disengagement from Abraham Accords contrasts sharply with Biden's active pursuit.
This suggests a deprioritization of Israeli normalization efforts under Trump with complex regional implications.
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Michelangelo's Forbidden Messages in the Heart of the Vatican
Roy Doliner
Benjamin Blech
The Sistine Secrets delves into the idea that Michelangelo embedded coded messages in the Sistine Chapel ceiling, reflecting his familiarity with Jewish texts and his resistance to the Church's authority. The book presents a speculative narrative about Michelangelo's intentions, drawing on his involvement with Judaic texts and Kabbalistic teachings.
The setting sun
The setting sun
Osamu Dazai
Osamu Dazai's 'The Setting Sun' captures the poignant decline of a Japanese aristocratic family in the aftermath of World War II. Through the eyes of Kazuko, a young woman grappling with societal shifts, the novel explores themes of loss, identity, and the search for meaning in a rapidly changing world. The narrative is imbued with a sense of melancholic beauty, portraying the clash between traditional values and modern sensibilities. Dazai's semi-autobiographical style lends authenticity to the characters' struggles, making it a compelling exploration of post-war Japanese society. The book's vivid imagery and introspective tone create a lasting impression, inviting readers to contemplate the complexities of human existence and the passage of time.
This week, Scott sat down with a particularly baritone cast of Lawfare colleagues—co-host emeritus Benjamin Wittes, Foreign Policy Editor Dana Stuster, and Senior Editor (aka Legal Correspondent) Roger Parloff—to discuss the week’s biggest national security news stories, including:
“Let’s Sheikh On It.” President Trump completed a surprisingly historic trip to the Persian Gulf last week, which began with the type of fanfare that Trump loves and only Saudi Arabia can provide and ended with the controversial gift of a new Air Force One from Qatar at the president’s reported request. In between, however, Trump reiterated his calls for an end to the Gaza conflict, became directly involved in negotiating the release of the last living American-Israeli hostage from Hamas, and announced a dramatic about-face in U.S. sanctions policy toward the new regime in Syria that caught even his closest advisers by surprise—all measures that are unlikely to be greeted warmly by the man who has traditionally been Trump’s closest regional ally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. How big a pivot point was Trump’s trip? And what could its implications be for U.S. policy towards the region?
“Not Retiring from a Fight.” The Supreme Court issued an unprecedented third opinion off its emergency docket this past week in the inaptly named A.A.R.P. v. Trump, part of the ongoing litigation over the Trump administration’s controversial efforts to remove Venezuelan nationals under the Alien Enemies Act. In a 7-2 ruling, the Court held that the summary notice and opportunity to challenge that U.S. officials had provided to some individuals prior to their removal was inadequate. But as litigation through the lower courts continues, what impact is this holding likely to have on the administration’s broader immigration policies?
“Shell Shocked.” Former FBI Director James Comey found himself at the center of an unlikely controversy this week, when his decision to relay a photo of shells arranged to form the numbers “8647” that he reportedly found on the beach was interpreted as a death threat against President Trump, triggering a Secret Service interview and potentially more legal consequences to come. How seriously should this incident be taken? And what does it tell us about the Trump administration’s use of prosecutorial discretion?
In Object Lessons, as white smoke rose over the Vatican, Roger also turned his gaze heavenward—diving into Benjamin Blech and Roy Doliner’s “The Sistine Secrets” to uncover the subtexts Michelangelo left behind. Inspired by the same papal events, Scott turned to Conclave for a peek inside the process. Ben planted seeds of solidarity and resilience (or was that resistance?) across from the Russian embassy. And Dana’s incoming students at Franklin and Marshall College are about to share in his appreciation for Osamu Dazai’s “The Setting Sun.”
The Lawfare Podcast 