

The DSR Network
The DSR Network
This podcast will take you on a smart, direct, sometimes scary, sometimes profane, sometimes hilarious tour of the inner workings of American power and of the impact of our leaders and their policies on our standing in the world. Hosted by noted author and commentator David Rothkopf and featuring regulars Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law School, Kori Schake of AEI, and Ed Luce of the Financial Times, the program will be the lively, smart dinner table conversation on the big issues of the day that you wish you were having...without the calories. Sometimes special guests will join the conversation and always the emphasis will be on providing the unvarnished perspectives others shy away from. Deep State Radio is the insider perspective on American national security and foreign policy that you can't find anywhere else.If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider becoming a member by visiting thedsrnetwork.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 17, 2025 • 19min
DSR Daily November 17: Trump Supports Vote on Release of Epstein Files?
On the DSR Daily for Monday, we discuss Trump now supporting a House vote on the release of the Epstein files, the intensifying fight between Marjorie Taylor Greene and the President, hundreds of National Guard troops withdrawing from Chicago and Portland, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 17, 2025 • 25min
The Daily Blast: Trump Explodes in Angriest Epstein Tirade Yet as Allies Visibly Panic
Anxiety is rising among President Trump’s staunchest allies that he’s politically lost his way. The New York Times reports that his advisers fear he’s alienating key voters in his own coalition. And CNN reports that some Republicans are openly warning the White House that the GOP is in trouble in the midterm elections. Meanwhile, Trump just erupted in a furious new tirade about the Jeffrey Epstein fiasco. In it, he ordered Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate Epstein’s ties to Democrats. Bondi immediately did his bidding. That Trump has now formally turned the Justice Department loose in this way shows his anger over Epstein has hit new highs. Some Republicans say all these things are related: Trump is so consumed with Epstein that he’s letting everything else go to hell. So we talked to analyst Michael Cohen, who has a good new piece on Trump’s doldrums on his Truth and Consequences Substack. He explains why Epstein is undoing Trump, how the MAGA coalition is fracturing, how deeper structural factors are working against him, and how it will all impact the midterms. Listen to this episode here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 16, 2025 • 52min
FTS: Is America Still the Bright, Shining City on the Hill?
Original air date: November 26, 2024
On today’s podcast, CIA veteran Ed Bogan joins Marc Polymeropoulos to ponder the US intelligence community in a Trump 2.0. How do we separate signal vs noise on the national security cabinet picks, and a potential bloodletting in the US IC? Will GOP national security-minded Senators drill down on DNI nominee Tulsi Gabbard’s controversial past? Will the Senate insist on FBI background checks? Will the CIA have trouble if Gabbard is confirmed to run both unilateral and liaison operations against tough targets like Russia and Syria? Does the IC need reform? Lots of questions, no answers just yet, but a plea from Ed to keep calm and carry as we see how the chips fall. A must-listen to episode with a true hero in the US intelligence community.
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Nov 15, 2025 • 43min
FTA: Can it Get Any Crazier Than This?
Rosa Brooks, a legal scholar and former senior Pentagon official, joins David Sanger, a veteran national security correspondent for The New York Times, and EJ Dionne, a political commentator for The Washington Post, to dissect alarming cabinet picks in a post-election Trump administration. They explore how unqualified nominees threaten democratic institutions, the implications of prioritizing loyalty over competence, and the resulting breakdown of governance. They also discuss potential GOP resistance and the alarming impact of these choices on public health and the military.

Nov 14, 2025 • 25min
The Daily Blast: Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Fresh Epstein Bombshell Should Terrify Trump
Yassamin Ansari, a Democratic Representative from Arizona and a key voice on the Epstein files, dives into the political turmoil surrounding Jeffrey Epstein's disclosures. She reveals Trump's growing anxiety as GOP members face pressures to support the release of critical information. Ansari discusses the implications of potential Republican defections and highlights the significant impact this could have on party unity. With Democrats poised to keep the pressure on, she outlines their strategies for further disclosures and the midterm election consequences for vulnerable Republicans.

Nov 14, 2025 • 39min
Words Matter: The Cruelty Is The Point
In this engaging discussion, Norm Ornstein, a seasoned political scholar, joins David Rothkopf to dissect the dire implications of Washington's dysfunction on everyday Americans. They delve into how elites evade accountability, spotlighting the Epstein case and its cascading effects. Ornstein critiques Republican healthcare strategies that exacerbate vulnerabilities, while emphasizing the intentional cruelty embedded in policy choices. Their insightful analysis challenges listeners to consider the real-world costs of political maneuvers and the urgent need for accountability.

Nov 13, 2025 • 20min
DSR Daily November 13: House to Vote on Epstein File Release
The hosts dive into the impending House vote on the release of Jeffrey Epstein's files, highlighting its potential implications. They discuss the recent end to a 43-day government shutdown and its political consequences. The conversation shifts to alarming reports of settler violence in the West Bank, sparking a debate over accountability. Additionally, they touch on a Supreme Court case regarding the removal of a Fed Governor and call for urgent action to curb arms supplies to conflict-stricken Sudan.

Nov 13, 2025 • 24min
The Daily Blast: Trump Press Sec’s Epstein Spin Implodes as New Info Rattles Him Deeply
Nicole Hemmer, a historian specializing in the American right, dives into the recent revelations from the Epstein files that are shaking Trump's political foundation. She unpacks the growing tensions within MAGA, outlining how some figures are eyeing a post-Trump landscape. The discussion also highlights the White House's pressure on Republicans to suppress Epstein-related inquiries, revealing deep cognitive dissonance among MAGA supporters. Hemmer warns of potential radicalization and explores the implications for the future trajectory of the American right.

Nov 12, 2025 • 44min
Late-Stage Trump is Scarier Than Ever
The hosts dive into the latest Epstein email leaks and their implications for Trump and the MAGA movement. They explore why flawed leaders get re-elected, questioning the cognitive dissonance among supporters. The discussion touches on the rising influence of Marjorie Taylor Greene and potential political consequences for Trump’s declining influence. They also consider how domestic scandals might distract from foreign policy issues and ponder if the Epstein files can truly shift public perception. Humor and anecdotes add levity to their serious analysis.

Nov 12, 2025 • 15min
DSR Daily November 12: HUGE Trump/Epstein Revelations
New revelations suggest Trump may have known about Epstein's abuses, stirring up outrage. The hosts debate Trump's proposed $2,000 tariff dividend, questioning its legality and feasibility. They analyze a Supreme Court ruling impacting SNAP benefits amid government shutdown fears. Trump’s controversial $1 billion lawsuit against the BBC is also discussed, highlighting his ongoing media clashes. Additionally, proposals for ending the shutdown and debates on phone record protections round out the conversation.


