The Lawfare Podcast

Law clerk Alexander Rigby and Associate Professor Chinmayi Sharma discuss the benefits and challenges of open banking and interoperability in the digital age. They explore the history of interoperability, the evolution of the tech industry, and the implications of open banking post-2008 financial crisis. The conversation highlights the importance of decentralized architectures, standard protocols, and balanced regulations for promoting innovation and competition in the financial sector.

Legal experts Anna Bower, Lee Kovarsky, and Martin Lederman discuss the legality of Special Counsel Jack Smith's appointment, appellate issues in Trump's NYC case, filings in Fulton County, and more. They tackle Supreme Court challenges, historical context of special counsel appointments, Judge Cannon's decision, recent court opinions, updates on cases in DC and Fulton County, delay in Supreme Court ruling, and legal ramifications for Trump-related cases.

Discussing the surprising UAE-Israel normalization, experts delve into its implications for Israel, Iran, and the US, as well as regional dynamics. They explore the deal's impact on Palestinian rights, Israeli politics, and potential responses from Arab Gulf states. The podcast also speculates on how this agreement may influence the upcoming US election and examines the Trump administration's narrative strategies.

International relations expert Eric Ciaramella and Ukrainian journalist Anastasiia Lapatina discuss recent Ukraine agreements, including the Ukraine peace summit, US-Ukraine security agreement, G7 funding for Ukraine assistance, and the fight against Russia.

Eric Ciaramella joins Quinta and Scott to discuss big wins for Ukraine at the G7, plans for government employee changes under a potential second Trump presidency, and the success of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research within the State Department. They also touch on the absurdity of conducting a virtual studio recording during a fire drill.

Cyber security experts Maia Hamin, Trey Herr, and Marc Rogers discuss flaws in Microsoft's cloud security, the implications of the Chinese hacking group breach, and recommendations to enhance cloud security policies. They emphasize the importance of transparency, accountability, and regulatory frameworks in mitigating vulnerabilities and preventing cyber crises.

Eric Posner, author of 'The Demagogue's Playbook', discusses the historical context of demagogues in democracies, the founders' concerns about demagogues in American government, and how Trump's demagoguery influenced his election win. The conversation explores the dynamics of demagogues in American politics, the balance between a powerful presidency and checks and balances, and the challenges demagogues pose to democracy and institutional norms.

Author Renée DiResta discusses how false narratives manipulate society, challenges faced by Stanford Internet Observatory, foreign influence on 2016 elections, analyzing viral narratives, conspiracy theories on social media, and reflections on past decisions.

Former Ambassador Roberta Jacobson discusses Mexico's historic election of Claudia Sheinbaum, addressing voter concerns, cartel violence, and potential policy directions. They explore AMLO's influence, judicial reforms, candidate protection challenges, US-Mexico relations, and the rise of female politicians in Mexico.

Joining the discussion on Senator Menendez's corruption trial, Dan Richman and Eric Columbus analyze the challenges of prosecuting a sitting member of Congress, exploring legal definitions of bribery, Speech or Debate Clause restrictions, and defense strategies. The podcast delves into the complexities of proving quid pro quo in legislative matters, communication with the jury, and the implications of intercepted communications in the trial.