Rational Security: The “Tortured Pundits Department” Edition
Sep 26, 2024
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Join Natalie Orpett, an expert in national security, Anna Bower, a savvy political commentator, and Matt Gluck, a contemporary national security analyst, as they dissect pivotal themes impacting our world. They analyze President Biden's speech at the U.N., reflecting on foreign policy legacies amidst ongoing crises. Georgia's election rule changes spark debates on election integrity and potential manipulations ahead of 2024. Delve into the interplay between political pressures and public trust in democracy as the discussion unfolds.
President Biden's UN speech outlined a vision for international cooperation on major global issues, emphasizing the importance of alliances in addressing emerging challenges.
Georgia's newly introduced election rules have raised significant concerns about the integrity and timing of the 2024 election results amid fears of potential manipulation.
Revelations from Trump's memos reveal troubling insights into his approach towards directing the Justice Department, hinting at possible future abuses of presidential power.
Deep dives
Biden's UN General Assembly Speech
President Biden's speech at the UN General Assembly focused on his foreign policy legacy, marking notable events such as the withdrawal from Afghanistan, the war in Ukraine, and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The speech was relatively succinct, lasting just over 30 minutes, where Biden advocated for strong alliances as a cornerstone of American foreign policy. He emphasized the need for the U.S. to work with allies to address issues like South China Sea tensions, although notably downplayed the emphasis on China compared to previous administrations. The address served as both a reflection of his presidency and a call for collective action among nations in a changing world.
Changes in Georgia Election Policies
Georgia's state election board introduced new rules that raised concerns about the integrity and timing of the upcoming 2024 election results, particularly among critics who feared these changes could encourage manipulation. The most controversial measures included a new 'reasonable inquiry' rule that might empower local officials to delay election certifications if they claim further inquiries are needed. This came after a shift in the election board's composition to a more MAGA-aligned majority, leading to apprehensions about the motives behind these rules. However, some argue that the new rules may not lead to the systemic delays feared by critics due to existing legal frameworks that require timely certification.
Trump's Legal Opinions on Investigations
Recent revelations about memos from former President Trump's White House counsel shed light on his thoughts concerning the authority to direct investigations and prosecutions during his presidency. The memos indicate that Trump sought to understand how far he could direct the Department of Justice without the Attorney General's initiation. Although they outlined potential presidential powers, they highlighted the norms that generally restrict such actions to prevent the politicization of the justice system. This scenario raises alarms regarding Trump's future use of these powers if re-elected, suggesting a possible disregard for established legal constraints.
Perspectives on AI Governance
During his UN speech, President Biden addressed the growing need for international governance concerning artificial intelligence (AI), reflecting its rapidly changing implications on global society. He outlined hopeful cooperation among nations to navigate AI's benefits while addressing potential risks to human rights and societal structures. While the comments were relatively brief, they marked an important acknowledgment of AI as a critical issue for international collaboration. This aligns with ongoing discourse about establishing regulatory frameworks for technology that profoundly shapes modern life, indicated by Biden's mention of a declaration on responsible AI use.
Concerns Over Election Transparency and Safety
As Georgia implements new election procedures, concerns about transparency and the potential for political violence loomed large, particularly in light of recent history surrounding election integrity issues. Reports indicated a surge in individuals motivated by the events of January 6 to pressure local election officials, raising fears of organized harassment surrounding the electoral process. This atmosphere reflects a growing awareness and scrutiny of election administration, with alarming implications for those responsible for executing the vote. While legal frameworks exist to safeguard the process, the increasing tensions and potential for intimidation pose significant challenges to upholding democratic integrity.
This week, Scott was joined by Natalie Orpett, Anna Bower, and Matt Gluck to talk over some of the week's big national security news, including:
“Some Assembly Required.” On Tuesday, President Biden gave his fourth and final speech as president to the U.N. General Assembly. He used the occasion to reflect on the many foreign policy decisions of his presidency, including the withdrawal from Afghanistan, opposition to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the (thus far unsuccessful) pursuit of a ceasefire in the conflict in Gaza. What does this speech—and the year’s U.N. General Assembly more broadly—tell us about the state of his foreign policy legacy?
“Keeping it Peachy.” Georgia’s state election board is in the news for rules changes that some allege could delay finalization of the 2024 election results, opening a possible door for Congress to manipulate the results. But what will these rules changes really mean? And what does it tell us about the potential for (and limits on) efforts to manipulate the outcome of the 2024 presidential election?
“Memo-ries of the Way We Were.” Last week, the New York Timespublished excerpts from several memoranda prepared by then-President Trump’s White House Counsel addressing questions he appears to have posed regarding his ability to direct the Justice Department to investigate and prosecute individuals. Given Trump’s repeated pledges of vengeance if he were to return to the White House, what do these memoranda tell us about what he might be able to accomplish? And what obstacles may lie in his way, particularly in light of the Supreme Court’s intervening decision on presidential immunity?
For object lessons, Natalie recommended Helen Phillips' new novel “Hum.” Anna stole Scott's object lesson and recommended season two of Rings of Poweralong with season three of Industry. Scott sang the praises of the best tiny speaker he ever did see (er, hear). And Matt Gluck dug into the sportsball file to urge listeners to begin following the Detroit Tigers' historic playoffs run.
