The Lawfare Podcast

Journalist Rick Beyer discusses the Ghost Army of World War II, a group of artists and designers who used inflatable vehicles, sound recordings, and actors to deceive German forces. The episode explores the origins, operations, and dangers faced by the Ghost Army. It also delves into the role of visual artists and sound designers, the research efforts to unearth the forgotten Ghost Army, and the tactics used by the unit. Additionally, it discusses the fate of inflatable tanks and common misperceptions of documentary filmmakers.

Ben Saul, an internationally recognized expert in human rights and counterterrorism, discusses his new role as the UN Special Rapporteur. Topics covered include balancing human rights with counterterrorism, the impact of defining terrorism on human rights, and geographic priorities for the Special Rapporteur.

Javier Milei, Argentina’s new president and self-described anarcho-capitalist libertarian, discusses his rise to power, his campaign promises, and the challenges he faces in turning around the country's economy. They also explore the potential impact of symbolic policies and the uncertainty surrounding his proposals for the economy.

In this podcast, Lawfare Senior Editor Stephanie Pell interviews Preston Marquis, Molly Reynolds, and Benjamin Wittes about the two House FISA Sec. 702 bills. They discuss the differences between the bills, the unusual politics surrounding the reauthorization process, and the Queen of the Hill floor procedure. They also explore the complexity of the politics, civil libertarian objections, and alliances between left and conservative libertarians.

The podcast discusses the Senate's failure to move forward with Ukraine aid, concerns about European commitment to Ukraine, ongoing negotiations on Ukraine aid and border policy changes, decreasing support for Ukraine aid among strong Republican supporters, politics surrounding an immigration package, challenges faced by the House Republican Conference in governing and their position on Ukraine aid, and the prospects of providing additional assistance to Ukraine tied to provisions related to the border.

This podcast discusses Ukraine's stalled counter-offensive and the targeting of commercial shipping in the Red Sea. It also analyzes recent incidents involving US forces and Iran-backed forces in Iraq, explores Iran's support for Houthi rebels in Yemen, and delves into the concept of kayfabe and its connection to the Trump presidency. Additionally, the podcast covers the judicial rulings regarding civil immunity and criminal charges against former President Trump.

Lawfare Senior Editor Scott R. Anderson sat down with Lawfare Editor-in-Chief Benjamin Wittes, Senior Editor Roger Parloff, and Legal Fellow Anna Bower to discuss a range of matters. They covered topics such as Judge Chutkan's denial of Trump's motions to dismiss his D.C. criminal case and Trump's filing seeking to stay the D.C. case. They also talked about updates from Fulton County and the various 14th Amendment Section 3 suits seeking to ban Trump from the 2024 ballot. Additionally, they explored the strategic implications of a stay in the DC circuit and discussed protecting personal information and ensuring digital privacy. Further topics included developments in Trump's legal cases, ongoing legal cases related to the election, and speculations around President Trump's immediate imprisonment and future actions.

The podcast discusses the failure of US and China to agree on autonomy in nuclear command systems, the debate on new international laws for autonomous weapons, the challenges of adapting laws of war to regulate these technologies, the importance of regulation and personal digital hygiene, the automation of surveillance in drone technology, and the question of accountability and liability in autonomous weapons.

Graham Allison, former student and colleague of Henry Kissinger, discusses Kissinger's legacy as a statesman, his engagement with history, and his brand of realism. They also explore Kissinger's accomplishments, failures, and concerns towards the end of his life. Topics include preventing great power wars, limiting nuclear weapons states, preventing destructive applications of AI, privacy risks, realism and idealism in international relations, and the rivalry between the US and China.

Historian and former intelligence officer Mark Stout discusses the development of modern American intelligence, early steps towards peacetime US military intelligence, intelligence impact during the Spanish-American War and the Philippine insurgency, intelligence advances during World War I, German sabotage in the United States, General John Pershing and the American Expeditionary Forces' use of intelligence, growth of domestic intelligence, 'The Inquiry,' and the lack of resonance of World War I with Americans today.