The Lawfare Podcast

Matt Olsen, Assistant Attorney General for National Security, discusses the overhaul and reauthorization of the FISA 702 program with Lawfare Editor-in-Chief Benjamin Wittes. They cover new constraints on the Justice Department and the FBI, lack of a warrant requirement, controversial provisions, and the bill's prospects in the Senate.

Lawfare Editor-in-Chief Benjamin Wittes discusses the House's passing of FISA 702 reauthorization with Lawfare Senior Editors. They dive into how the center prevailed on warrant requirements, civil liberties community gains, administration impact, Senate next steps, and bill intricacies.

Explore the start of Trump's trial in NYC with 34 felony counts related to hush money payments post-election. Delve into the trial background, delays by Trump, jury selection insights, and trial coverage plans.

Brookings Senior Fellow Molly Reynolds joins to discuss the debates on reauthorizing Section 702 of FISA. They also explore Speaker Mike Johnson's aid package for Ukraine and Israel, and the discovery of malicious code in Linux software. The podcast delves into national security news and legislative challenges.

Topics discussed include upcoming jury selection in hush money case against Trump, Judge Cannon's rulings in FL, update on Fulton County, Jack Smith's brief on immunity defense, audience questions from supporters

Former IDF official Daniel Reisner discusses targeted killings, military ethics, and peace prospects in the Middle East. He shares insights on international law, peace negotiations, and contrasts between American and Israeli perspectives. Reisner recounts his military experiences in Lebanon, ethical dilemmas, and the complexities of decision-making in wartime. The conversation also covers personal data risks, moral considerations in national security, legal battles, and the challenges posed by 'lawfare' targeting Israel's legitimacy.

Legal scholars Jack Goldsmith and Bob Bauer discuss the need to reform the Insurrection Act, highlighting the historical context, recent crises, and recommendations for reform. They emphasize the balance of presidential authority, the importance of clearer terms and limits on executive power, and the necessity for congressional oversight to prevent misuse. The discussion explores judicial review, procedural reforms, and steps to ensure proper military use under the Act.

Historian Joseph Thompson discusses the close ties between country music and the U.S. military, highlighting how Nashville and the Pentagon shaped American patriotism. The conversation explores the influence of artists like Roy Acuff, Elvis Presley, and Lee Greenwood, as well as the transformation of racial dynamics and ideas of American identity in the genre. Thompson's new book 'Cold War Country' delves into this unique relationship, showcasing the impact of country music on military recruitment and national identity.

Sarah Harrison, advocate for human rights and international law, discusses the laws governing US security assistance to Israel and the challenges of assessing compliance with international law. They explore the risks of not conditioning military aid, the role of Congress in shaping foreign policy, and the complexities of evaluating human rights abuses for aid eligibility. The podcast delves into the aftermath of an Israeli airstrike, concerns over civilian casualties, and the implications of current US security assistance policies.

Alicia Wanless, Director at Carnegie Endowment, discusses information ecology and 19th-century naturalism at Verify 2024 with the Lawfare Podcast. They explore the intricacies of the information environment, parallels between ecological and information ecosystems, interdisciplinary collaboration in understanding the information environment, consistent measurements, data privacy, challenges in understanding pesticide impact on bird eggs, and the concept of information ecology and naturalism.