The Burn Bag Podcast

Former U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton dives deep into the complexities of Donald Trump's foreign policy for a potential second term. He discusses how Trump's unpredictability and personal preferences shape major U.S. decisions, especially regarding China, NATO, and the Ukraine conflict. Bolton candidly critiques the chaotic decision-making process and the impact of Trump's tariffs on global trade. He also shares insights on Trump's intriguing interest in Greenland, emphasizing its significance for national security amid rising global tensions.

This week on the podcast, A’ndre is joined by renowned national security attorney Mark Zaid to unpack the rapidly unfolding scandal now known as Signalgate — a controversy sparked when a The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg was accidentally added to a Signal group chat among senior Trump officials. The chat revealed detailed U.S. military strike plans against Houthi targets in Yemen just hours before the operation, raising alarm bells across Washington about operational security, the handling of sensitive information, and basic judgment at the highest levels of government.In this conversation, A'ndre asks:What laws were likely broken — and do they apply to former Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and others in the chat?Is the Trump administration’s defense that the info was “unclassified” legally sound — or dangerously misleading?Could a journalist face legal exposure for publishing the leaked Signal thread?What would’ve happened to a junior officer who made the same mistake?Are we in uncharted territory, legally and institutionally, as executive power is increasingly stretched?Plus, A'ndre and Mark dig into the broader crackdown on law firms and legal professionals seen as critical of the Trump administration, and what it means for checks and balances in the years ahead.Mark brings his decades of experience — representing whistleblowers, intelligence officers, and journalists — to help us break down the legal implications, national security risks, and systemic dangers of a White House seemingly operating outside the lines.

In this episode, A’ndre Gonawela sits down with historian and University of Utah professor Peter Roady to explore how the definition of national security has evolved over the 20th and 21st centuries. They examine how U.S. presidents have shaped national security priorities, focusing on Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s vision in the 1930s—one that included economic security as a core pillar. Roady unpacks the conservative opposition to FDR’s expansive view of national security and how this ideological struggle shaped modern policy debates. The conversation also considers how the concept of national security has expanded beyond military threats to include issues like gun violence, public health, climate change, and political extremism. Peter and A'ndre analyze whether we are seeing a return to a broader, more holistic understanding of security — similar to FDR’s vision — or if national security remains narrowly defined by foreign policy and defense concerns.

In this episode, A’ndre Gonawela sits down with Dr. Jaime Yassif, Vice President of Global Biological Policy and Programs at NTI | bio, to explore the evolving landscape of biosecurity and pandemic preparedness. They discuss key lessons from COVID-19, the ongoing Bird Flu, the growing threats posed by zoonotic spillover, bioweapons, and AI-driven bio-risks, as well as the urgent need for stronger governance frameworks. Dr. Yassif shares insights from her recent engagements at the Paris AI Action Summit and the Munich Security Conference, highlighting global efforts to regulate biotechnology and AI’s intersection with biosecurity. The conversation also examines historical lessons from the Asilomar Conference on bioscience, the balance between innovation and safety, and NTI’s work on preventing biological risks before they materialize. 

NOTE: This episode was recorded several hours before the announcement that President Trump was pausing all U.S. military aid to Ukraine.In this episode, A’ndre Gonawela sits down with Ambassador Steven Pifer, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine and a leading expert on U.S.-Russia relations, to dissect the fallout from President Zelenskyy’s recent visit to Washington and its impact on U.S.-Ukraine relations. They explore the broader geopolitical ramifications of Zelenskyy’s contentious meeting with President Trump, including Europe’s reaction and the shifting balance of U.S. global leadership. Ambassador Pifer provides insights into the current state of the Russia-Ukraine war, the feasibility of a ceasefire, and Ukraine’s urgent push for security guarantees. The discussion also delves into the historical context of U.S. policy on Ukraine, the evolution of military aid, and mistakes made by past administrations. Ambassador Pifer provides his candid criticisms of President Trump's approach towards Ukraine and Russia, ponders why President Trump is conciliatory towards Russia, and provides his perspective on why the U.S. should continue to aid Ukraine as it fends off the Russian invasion.

This week, A’ndre examines former President Trump’s decision to fire General CQ Brown as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, exploring the implications for U.S. military leadership, civil-military relations, and his potential replacement, LTG Dan Caine. He then turns to the U.S.-Ukraine critical minerals agreement, analyzing its potential to reshape the war effort while deepening U.S. strategic investment in the region. Lastly, he discusses the latest developments within the FBI under new Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino, viewed as political loyalists who may upend dynamics within the bureau. Also covered: North Korea’s expanded troop deployment to Ukraine, Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan’s call for the PKK to disband, and Thailand's deportation of Uyghurs.

In this week’s edition of What in the World?, A’ndre discusses the recent political turmoil in South Korea with his colleagues Alex Eid and Choong Hong, both experts on Korean affairs. Alex and Choong break down President Yoon Suk Yeol’s short-lived declaration of martial law in December, his subsequent impeachment, arrest, and ongoing criminal case. They also provide historical context on South Korea’s tumultuous political landscape, tracing the country’s transition to democracy since the Korean War and examining the controversies that have plagued multiple presidents.

The Burn Bag is launching a new weekly series: "The World According to A'ndre." Every Friday, A'ndre will break down some of the biggest foreign policy stories he's been tracking, offering his insights and making them accessible to you, our audience.This week, A'ndre unpacks the latest developments in U.S.-Russia negotiations and the rising tensions between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy—highlighting why they mark a significant shift from U.S. policy since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He also examines the impact of DOGE cuts on key federal agencies essential to national security and foreign policy, including those overseeing the U.S. nuclear stockpile, cybersecurity, and institutions like the CDC, NIH, and USAID.Additionally, A'ndre breaks down President Trump’s latest tariff announcements since taking office on January 20 and delves into the indictment of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro over an alleged coup plot—along with shocking claims of a plot to poison incumbent President Lula.

In this episode, Dr. Anthony Fauci joins A'ndre for an in-depth conversation about his decades-long career in public health and his experiences leading the U.S. response to some of the world’s most pressing infectious disease challenges. Dr. Fauci reflects on his early work during the HIV/AIDS crisis, the evolution of treatments that saved millions of lives, and his role in launching PEPFAR, one of the most significant global health initiatives in history. He  discusses his leadership at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), navigating crises such as Ebola, Zika, H1N1, anthrax, and COVID-19, while working alongside multiple U.S. presidents to shape national and global health policies.Beyond his career in government, Dr. Fauci shares his thoughts on the intersection of public health and national security, the growing challenges of vaccine skepticism and misinformation, and the vital role of institutions like the NIH and CDC in protecting public health. He also highlights the major health threats that remain overlooked in mainstream discourse. Now a professor at Georgetown University, Dr. Fauci reflects on his transition to academia and the importance of training the next generation of medical leaders in an era of evolving global health challenges.You can purchase his recent memoir, On Call, here.

In this episode, A’ndre chats with his old boss Dr. Tanvi Madan, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, to examine the evolving landscape of India’s foreign policy and its relationship with the United States under a second Trump administration. Dr. Madan unpacks how India balances strategic autonomy with deepening alignments, particularly within the Indo-Pacific and the Quad. She reflects on the historical trajectory of U.S.-India ties, from India’s independence to the Modi era, highlighting key shifts in security and economic cooperation. The discussion delves into trade tensions, dissecting Trump’s renewed criticism of Indian tariffs and whether they will become a key friction point over the next four years. On the security front, Dr. Madan assesses the rapid growth of U.S.-India defense and technological collaboration while also addressing whether India’s longstanding relationship with Russia has hindered deeper engagement with Washington. The conversation further examines India’s recalibration of its approach to China, as New Delhi and Beijing take steps toward “normalization” following the 2020 border clashes. With Prime Minister Modi set to meet President Trump on February 13, Dr. Madan offers insights into what to expect from the summit and whether the second Trump administration is likely to deepen or complicate the U.S.-India partnership.