Net Assessment

Explore the 2024 Annual Threat Assessment focusing on major threats to the US. From fentanyl threat to China's space program ambitions, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities, the podcast debates implications of migration, classified briefings, and global terrorism concerns. Intriguing insights on China's influence, geopolitical tensions, and congressional actions add depth to the discussion.

Exploring neglected US-Latin America ties, competing with China, and addressing immigration effects. Discussing historic neglect, strategic investments, and countering China's influence. Highlighting global issues like Haiti crisis, TikTok saga, and European security disputes. Calling for a new Truman Commission to address war profiteering and analyzing budgetary challenges. Reflecting on conference participation and upcoming collaborations in East Asia.

The podcast discusses the concept of unbalanced multipolarity and explores the potential repercussions of the US pulling back from its leadership role in Europe. Topics include the formation of regional power blocks, lack of progress on funding agreements, criticisms of the New York Times decisions, and debates on defense industry shortfalls.

Discussion on the challenges and opportunities in the new National Defense Industrial Strategy, including workforce readiness and supply chain issues. Criticism on strategy's lack of specificity and alignment with budget. Debates on trade agreements, job opportunities in submarine building, and controversial remarks on NATO. Exploration of congressional departures and challenges in defense budget allocation.

Experts rank the leading threats to US national security, including domestic terrorism, conflicts in the Middle East, and migration issues. The hosts discuss concerns about political polarization, the use of AI, and China's actions in the region. They also address grievances with US Middle East policy and celebrate reaching 1 million listens.

Melanie, Chris, and Zack debate whether the international order is fraying and if so, what to do about it. They focus in particular on the recent Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, and discuss how the United States should respond. Melanie questions Liz Truss's support of expedited defense exports to China and Chris laments the lack of communication around Lloyd Austin's delegation of authority while Zack makes Chris a job offer he can refuse.

Chris, Zack, and Melanie ring in the new year with a discussion on whether or not "The U.S. Needs More Foreign Entanglements," as writer Andreas Kluth argues. What, exactly, is an entangling alliance? How should the United States manage relationships with some of our more tricky partners? Is it politically possible to extricate ourselves from relationships that no longer serve American interests?   Besides giving the usual grievances and attaboys, the gang looks ahead in 2024. Chris would like to see more coverage of the positive aspects of AI, Melanie is keeping eyes on the new Argentine President Milei as he sets about trying to reform the economic and political systems, and Zack is pessimistic about the upcoming presidential election.   This episode's reading.

On this show, Chris, Melanie, and Zack discuss the so-called “new Washington Consensus” – a reaction to decades of trade liberalization and free market economics that, some warn, has undermined national security and left the United States and others vulnerable to economic coercion. In a recent article, Henry Farrell and Abraham Newman spell out the rationale behind new restrictions on foreign trade and investment and warn that “nothing less than a transformation of the U.S. government” is necessary to ensure that measures taken to protect our security don’t also weaken the global economy. Grievances for the impenetrable National Defense Authorization Act, Venezuela’s land grab, and Sen. Rick Scott’s ploy to designate garlic -- yes, garlic -- as vital to U.S. national security. Attapeople in this holiday season to those who deliver our packages, to Congress for delivering the National Defense Authorization Act, and to Finland for promising to deliver more munitions in 2024.   This episode's reading.

Net Assessment is back! Chris, Melanie, and Zack return after a hiatus and start by debating a recent article entitled “The Dysfunctional Superpower” by Robert Gates. They agree that Washington is deeply dysfunctional, but disagree about what can be done to overcome political obstacles and the degree to which this dysfunction gives Russia and China an edge. Chris questions additional inflation adjustments for fixed price defense contracts, Melanie criticizes the United Nations' unwillingness to recognize sexual violence in Gaza, and Zack welcomes new colleague Todd Harrison to the American Enterprise Institute.   This episode's reading. 

Chris, Zack, and Melanie get together to discuss Ashley Tellis’s newest article, “America’s Bad Bet on India.” Tellis argues that if America thinks India will fight on its side in a conflict with China, “Washington’s expectations of India are misplaced….New Delhi will never involve itself in any U.S. confrontation with Beijing that does not directly threaten its own security.” Should the United States expect the world’s largest democracy to come to its aid if there is a conflict with China over Taiwan? What does New Delhi want out of its relationship with Washington? Will India’s democratic backsliding affect its relationship with the United States? Chris has a shoutout for Dr. Jennifer Lind for an article well done, Zack has complaints about the overreaction to news of Cuba possibly hosting a Chinese spy base, and Melanie congratulates War on the Rocks friend Will Inboden on his new post.   Episode Reading:  https://warontherocks.com/2023/06/is-washington-making-a-bad-bet-on-india