Dan Lamothe, a seasoned Pentagon reporter for The Washington Post, and Katherine Kuzminski, a military researcher at the Center for a New American Security, dive into the unconventional choices Donald Trump made for his national security team. They discuss the implications of appointing figures without traditional military backgrounds and the nuances of cultural wars shaping defense policies. The conversation also explores how these selections reflect shifting national security strategies, especially regarding threats from China and Russia, as well as the importance of accountability in military leadership.

Dan Lamothe from The Washington Post discusses the challenges of U.S. aid missions and the resurgence of 'zombie mortgages'. The podcast also previews the NBA Finals matchup between the Celtics and Mavericks.