The DSR Network

Aaron David Miller, a seasoned U.S. State Department analyst, and Barbara Slavin, an expert on Iran and Middle East policy, dissect the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel. They explore the implications of a potential Iranian retaliation and speculate on the outcomes of ongoing Doha ceasefire talks. Miller highlights U.S. leverage over Israel, while Slavin discusses the intricate dynamics of U.S. politics influencing Israeli decisions. Both provide intriguing predictions on the likelihood of a ceasefire or military action in the near future.

Russell Brandom, AI editor at TechCrunch, joins David Rothkopf to untangle the AI hype surrounding Washington. They discuss why framing AI as a national security issue is misguided, and how treating AI as a monolithic challenge ignores its diverse applications. Russell sheds light on the impact of open-source models on U.S. competitiveness and the complicated relationship between big tech and politics. He warns about over-reliance on AI in critical areas, raising important questions about the future of human-machine interaction.

Suzanne Nossel, former CEO of PEN America and author of 'Dare to Speak', dives into the alarming state of free speech in America. She discusses the significance of incidents like Jimmy Kimmel's suspension and the historical patterns of censorship. Nossel emphasizes the unique targeting of comedians by autocrats and warns of a dangerous authoritarian playbook that is emerging in the U.S. She advocates for strong coalitions and legal strategies to combat these threats while examining the dual nature of new media in the fight for free expression.

David Kurtz, Editor-at-large at Talking Points Memo, dives into the controversial indictment push against James Comey by Trump's DOJ. He reveals that career prosecutors found no evidence for such an indictment, highlighting the political motivations behind this maneuver. The conversation covers Trump's public comments that indicate pressure on the DOJ, the chilling effects of politicized prosecutions on civic discourse, and the necessary reframing of journalistic coverage to address the corruption intertwined with these actions.

Norm Ornstein, a renowned congressional scholar, joins David Rothkopf to dissect the looming government shutdown influenced by the Trump administration. They explore the implications of the OMB firing memo and debate whether Democrats will effectively counter GOP maneuvers. Ornstein highlights the erosion of Congress's budget authority, defining the situation as a constitutional crisis. They also discuss the media's failure to cover corruption and the dangers of national security decisions intertwined with political profit motives, amplifying the urgent need for accountability.

The discussion dives into the looming threat of a government shutdown, with agencies preparing for potential mass layoffs. There’s also a focus on Israel's closure of the Allenby Bridge, affecting Palestinian movement. The hosts analyze a court ruling that blocks conditional disaster aid linked to immigration enforcement. Additionally, speculation surrounds the possible indictment of former FBI director James Comey, raising questions about timing and evidence. The podcast is packed with insights into critical global and political issues.

Mona Charen, a columnist at The Bulwark, shares insights into the authoritarian pressures on media in light of Trump’s volatile reaction to Jimmy Kimmel's return. They discuss how Trump’s threats inadvertently expose the validity of Kimmel's civic message about free speech. Charen draws historical parallels between Trump's tactics and those of dictators, warning about the erosion of norms against speech suppression. Ultimately, they highlight the cultural pushback against Trump's narrative and the optimism surrounding civil society's response.

Now, more than ever, there is significant public criticism of Israel in their war against Palestine. Israel has continued to act with little regard for international norms, and President Trump’s unpredictable foreign policy has done little to stop the humanitarian crisis. What is the future of the US-Israel relationship? How is our foreign policy failing to stop Israel’s genocide and where do we go from here? Tune in as Rula Jebreal and Shibley Telhami join Rosa Brooks and David Rothkopf to discuss all this and more. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the DSR Daily for Wednesday, we break down President Trump’s speech to the UN General Assembly, Trump’s extraordinary shift on Ukraine, Brendan Carr’s plans to go after media, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump gave a speech to the United Nations on Tuesday that was a geopolitical and psychological dumpster fire. In addition to signaling absolute contempt for our allies and for global institutions, he slipped into angry and solipsistic grievance. He boasted about his polling, seethed that he deserves a Nobel Peace Prize, threatened to unshackle the U.S. military from international law, sent convoluted signals about NATO, lied endlessly about his domestic achievements, and bizarrely commanded other nations to cease combatting climate change. Many observers expressed alarm. We got to thinking: What if the self-obsessed craziness is itself the message the world receives about the United States? So we talked to international relations professor Nicholas Grossman, one of our favorite commentators on global affairs. He suggests other nations will conclude that Trump is “really crazy” and that the U.S. is an unreliable actor for the foreseeable future, explores why this could be so damaging, and explains why the prospects for a future president repairing this fiasco are grim. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices