The Lawfare Podcast

Shane Harris, a national security and intelligence reporter for The Atlantic, dives into the intricate world of military communication. He highlights the precarious nature of using apps like Signal for planning operations, emphasizing security lapses from previous administrations. The discussion reveals the strategic role of the 'Houthi PC Small Group' in military coordination and examines the challenges journalists face when reporting sensitive information. Throughout the conversation, ethical considerations and the impact on national security are critically explored, shedding light on the delicate dance of transparency and responsibility.

Tom Kent, former head of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and a seasoned expert on Russia, delves into the recent executive order that threatens American government broadcasting. He highlights the strategic importance of organizations like Voice of America in countering misinformation and promoting U.S. interests globally. Kent discusses how budget cuts and policy changes pose significant risks to media credibility. He emphasizes the vital role of effective communication and the need for reform to address inefficiencies and biases within U.S. international broadcasting.

The discussion tackles the legal ramifications of invoking the Alien Enemies Act by President Trump, including its effects on law firms. Tensions surrounding immigration hearings unveil frustrations with deportation directives. The conversation further dives into the complexities of Temporary Restraining Orders and courtroom proceedings linked to executive actions. Notably, it analyzes the implications for firms like Paul Weiss, the governance challenges faced by the United States Institute of Peace, and broader themes of accountability in legal contexts.

Charles Dunst, a former journalist and deputy director of research at The Asia Group, discusses strategies to strengthen democracies in the face of rising authoritarianism. He emphasizes the significance of Singapore as a case study for effective governance while warning against blind admiration for autocratic efficiency. Dunst highlights the importance of investing in public goods and embracing immigration to compete with autocracies. He also explores the interconnectedness of domestic health and foreign policy, stressing that internal challenges can weaken global responses to authoritarian threats.

Manuel Meléndez-Sánchez, a Harvard PhD candidate specializing in El Salvador's politics, joins to discuss President Nayib Bukele's controversial approach to gang violence and its impact on democracy. They analyze how Bukele's aggressive tactics have temporarily reduced crime but led to significant human rights abuses. The conversation delves into Bukele's media manipulation and populist strategies that bolster his popularity, while also drawing parallels with global authoritarian trends, offering a cautionary tale for democracy.

Gregory Johnsen, a non-resident fellow at the Arab Gulf States Institute and a leading Yemen expert, discusses the U.S. bombing campaign in Yemen and its implications. He argues that the Houthis welcome conflict with America and Israel, seeking to leverage this for domestic support. The conversation delves into the complexities of U.S. military strategies, the challenges of foreign intervention, and the Houthi's strategic calculations amidst ongoing power struggles.

Dan Hendrycks, Director of the Center for AI Safety, discusses groundbreaking strategies on national security in the age of superintelligent AI. He explores the concept of mutual assured AI malfunction as a new deterrence strategy, drawing parallels to nuclear policies. The conversation also delves into the urgent need for international cooperation to regulate AI access, emphasizing the potential risks and ethical considerations. Hendrycks advocates for heightened government oversight in AI security to protect against misuse and ensure accountability.

This week, Scott sat down with Rational Security veterans and Lawfare colleagues Benjamin Wittes and Molly Reynolds to talk through the week’s big national security news, including:“House Odds.” Speaker of the House Mike Johnson scored an unlikely win last week, when he kept the narrow (and notoriously fractious) Republican house majority united enough to pass its own continuing resolution to keep the government open—and then successfully got enough Democrats to acquiesce to debate on it for it to pass through the Senate without amendment. What does this tell us about the current dynamics in Congress—and what the Democratic minority in either chamber might realistically hope to achieve moving forward?“This Pressure Goes to Eleven.” The Trump administration amped up military operations in the Middle East this week, taking out a senior ISIS leader in Iraq, pursuing an aggressive set of airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen, and greenlighting a renewal of Israeli hostilities in Gaza, seemingly ending the weeks-long ceasefire that had prevailed there. The common thread across all three sets of action seems to be Iran, a regime that the Trump administration has both socked with a return of maximum pressure sanctions and sought to engage on possible negotiations over its nuclear program. Is this new maximum maximum-pressure campaign likely to work? What risks and benefits does it present?“Saying the Quiet Part Incredibly Loud and at Length.” President Trump gave an unprecedented speech at the Justice Department last week, where he spent over an hour misrepresenting the criminal cases that had been made against him prior to his rising to the presidency and naming specific individuals as enemies who he indicated should be arrested. What motivated his address? And what will it mean for the campaign of vengeance he is slowly rolling out against his perceived political enemies?In object lessons, Molly momentarily set aside her usual evangelism for regional NPR-affiliate podcasts to champion Good Politics/Bad Politics, a Substack deep-dive into U.S. elections and governance by Jonathan Bernstein, Julia Azari, and David S. Bernstein. Scott, ever the escapist, steered clear of wands and wizardry but still embraced fantasy with Lev Grossman’s “The Bright Sword.” And Ben lamented the recent gutting of Voice of America—only to note that those voices haven’t vanished. They’re just looking for a new frequency.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For today's episode, Lawfare Foreign Policy Editor Daniel Byman interviewed Steven Heydemann, the Director of the Middle East Studies Program at Smith College, to assess the fast-changing developments in Syria today. Heydemann discusses the surge in communal violence in Syria, the deal between the new Hayat Tahrir al-Sham-led government and Syria's Kurds, Israel's counterproductive interventions, and U.S. policy toward the new regime in Damascus. To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Derek Thompson, senior editor at The Atlantic and co-author of Abundance, joins Renée DiResta and Kevin Frazier for a thought-provoking conversation. They explore innovative funding strategies for scientific progress and how technology could reshape political structures. The discussion highlights the need for new political approaches to tackle issues like housing and public health, criticizing stagnant liberal ideologies. They also delve into AI's role in society, examining its implications and the necessity for effective housing reforms to foster individual freedoms.