Rational Security: The “Unboxing Day” Edition

Dec 31, 2023

Topics discussed in this episode include the AUKUS deal's impact on the intelligence relationship, enforcing a gag order on ex-President Trump, the potential for a loyalty-first cabinet if Trump is reelected, the role of misinformation in shaping public perception of the Gaza conflict, and transitioning classified documents to digital format. They also share book recommendations and personal experiences.

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Introduction

00:00 • 2min

Altitude Sickness and Mountain Time

02:19 • 13min

Judges' Power in Enforcing Discipline

15:41 • 20min

Exploring the Role of Wizards in Stories

36:10 • 3min

The Potential for a Loyalty-First Cabinet and the Role of Senate Confirmation

38:58 • 6min

Missed Opportunities for Reform and Role of Misinformation

44:28 • 22min

Implications of Moving Classified Documents to Digital Format

01:06:13 • 28min

Book recommendations, the 1790s, and LinkedIn experiences

01:34:04 • 4min

This week on Rational Security, Quinta and Scott rang in the New Year with co-host emeritus Benjamin Wittes by discussing some listener-submitted topics, including:

What does the AUKUS deal mean for the Five Eyes intelligence relationship?
How can courts enforce a gag order against former President Trump?
What would a President Nikki Haley mean for the Republican Party’s foreign policy?
Which is better, wizards or fighters?
Could anything stop former President Trump from appointing a cabinet of loyalists if elected back into the White House?
How is misinformation impacting public understandings of the Gaza conflict?
What advice would you give to folks beginning law school—and those married to them?
Could we just do away with hard printouts of classified information altogether?
How will China’s economic and demographic challenges impact its decision-making on Taiwan?
What does Prighozin’s death mean for Wagner in Africa?
What was your most (or least) favorite media of the year?

As for object lessons, they shared several sent in by listeners, including:

The video game Pentiment, a murder mystery set in Renaissance Bavaria;
The book “Palestine 1936: The Great Revolt and the Roots of Middle East Conflict” by Oren Kessler;
The “anti-reactionary conservative news site” The Dispatch, including its podcasts Advisory Opinions, The Remnant, and The Dispatch Podcast;
The book “Three Dangerous Men” by Seth Jones, examining military leaders in China, Iran, and Russia;
The book “Killers of the Flower Moon” by David Grann (but not the movie);
The podcast “The Prince” about the rise of Xi Jinping (along with The Economist’s other phenomenal podcast work);
The book “Listen Liberal: Or, What Ever Happened to the Party of the People” by Thomas Frank;
The new book “For the People, For the Country” by John Ragosta, a political biography of Patrick Henry;
And LinkedIn as the hot new social networking site!

Thank you to everyone for listening to Rational Security and supporting Lawfare throughout the year. We hope you enjoy a Happy New Year, and we will be back in your feeds in 2024!

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