As Russia's unlawful war of aggression continues to inflict untold devastation on Ukraine, policymakers have begun to search for ways to support Ukraine's beleaguered economy and fund its eventual reconstruction. Their attention has turned to the billions of dollars in assets that the United States has frozen as part of its robust sanctions against the Kremlin. But as policymakers attempt to make some of these assets available to Ukraine, it begs the question: Under what legal authority can the United States seize these Russian frozen assets?Lawfare senior editor Scott R. Anderson and Chimène Keitner, Alfred & Hanna Fromm Professor of International & Comparative Law at the University of California Hastings College of the Law, wrote a piece for Lawfare titled, “The Legal Challenges Presented by Seizing Frozen Russian Assets,” where they explain the core legal issues that U.S. policymakers need to consider as they weigh whether and how to move forward with seizing any frozen Russian-related assets. Lawfare legal fellow Saraphin Dhanani sat down with Scott to discuss all of this, as well as to get Scott's take on how the U.S. might move forward in its efforts to support Ukraine using Russian assets, notwithstanding, of course, the many legal constraints it faces. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Gayle Tzemach Lemmon, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, Scott R. Anderson and Dan Byman from Brookings, Oula A. Alrifai, a Syrian specialist, and Leah West, a Canadian expert on ISIS detainees, as they dissect the chaotic aftermath of the U.S. withdrawal from Syria. They cover the fallout of Turkish incursions, the humanitarian crisis facing families, and the precarious state of Kurdish forces against ISIS. Their insights illuminate the complex geopolitical dynamics and serious implications for regional stability.

In this lively discussion, Scott R. Anderson, a Brookings Fellow, Dmitri Alperovitch, Co-Founder of Silverado Policy Accelerator, Kori Schake from the American Enterprise Institute, and Natan Sachs, Director of the Center for Middle East Policy, dive into critical national security issues as they relate to the 2024 election. They dissect Kamala Harris's and Donald Trump's differing foreign policies, especially regarding Ukraine, Israel, and NATO. The panel also explores the implications of these approaches on future U.S. aid and global alliances.

The podcast features Lawfare Senior Editor Scott R. Anderson and leading court reporters Roger Parloff and Anna Bower. They discuss removal proceedings in Georgia, a proposed gag order for Trump in Washington, mishandling of classified information by Trump in Florida, and the wave of litigation seeking to disqualify Trump under the 14th Amendment.

On May 31, CNN reported that federal prosecutors investigating the unlawful removal of classified documents from the White House to Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence have obtained an audio recording in which the former president acknowledges that he knowingly kept a classified Department of Defense document that contained details about a potential attack on Iran. According to CNN, the tape indicates that Trump “understood he retained classified material after leaving the White House.”Trump’s alleged comments made on the recording have sparked a debate about whether he will be charged with violating 18 U.S.C. 793(e) of the Espionage Act.What exactly did Trump say on the tape? Did he violate the Espionage Act? How does this change Special Counsel Jack Smith’s investigations? And what does all of this mean for Trump’s reelection campaign? To go over everything that happened, Lawfare Editor-in-Chief Benjamin Wittes sat down for a live recording of the podcast alongside Lawfare Senior Editors Scott R. Anderson, Quinta Jurecic, and Roger Parloff, who unpack all of these questions and more.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Jan. 6 committee issued its final report Thursday night, and the team at Lawfare spent Friday reading through it and formulating some initial thoughts, observations, bewilderments, and questions. To give you an overview and some analysis, Lawfare editor-in-chief Benjamin Wittes sat down with Lawfare executive editor Natalie Orpett, and Lawfare senior editors Scott R. Anderson, Quinta Jurecic, Molly Reynolds, and Roger Parloff. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dan Byman, an expert at the Center for Strategic & International Studies; Ghaith al-Omari, a scholar at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy; and Scott R. Anderson, a senior editor at Lawfare, delve into the escalating violence in the West Bank amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict. They examine the implications of settler violence, the precarious position of the Palestinian Authority, and the potential international legal ramifications. Discussions highlight the need for proactive measures and viable solutions to foster peace and stability in the region.

Join Senior Editors Scott R. Anderson, Molly Reynolds, Quinta Jurecic, Anna Bower, and law expert Nate Persily as they dive into the national security landscape and electoral integrity leading up to 2024. They analyze the impact of the Electoral Count Reform Act and the ongoing efforts to combat election misinformation. The conversation also highlights how lessons from 2020 have shaped state preparations, the rising challenges for election officials, and the critical role of social media in managing public trust amidst emerging threats.

Scott R. Anderson, a Senior Editor with foreign policy expertise, and Daniel Byman, a Foreign Policy Editor focused on security, delve into the escalating tensions between Israel and Hezbollah. They discuss Israel's recent military actions, including targeting Hezbollah leadership and using explosive devices disguised as pagers. The conversation highlights the complexities of military strategies, ethical dilemmas, and the unpredictable nature of conflict. They also examine U.S. military dynamics and its role in this intricate geopolitical landscape.

Scott R. Anderson, a national security law expert, and Susan Hennessey, a legal scholar in national security, discuss shocking instances of foreign interference in U.S. elections. They elaborate on claims of Iranian and Russian efforts to sway the electoral process, including a disinformation campaign with fake emails threatening Democratic voters. The duo analyzes the complexities surrounding the intentions and capabilities of foreign actors, emphasizing the pressing need for public trust and robust defenses against electoral manipulation.