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
Jan 2, 2026 • 34min
FTA: The Latest from the Decline of US Civilization
Ed Luce, a Financial Times columnist with expertise in geopolitics, joins David Rothkopf to unpack pressing issues in the U.S. They delve into the troubling militarization of law enforcement and its implications for civil liberties. Luce highlights the alarming ICE quotas under Stephen Miller, broadening the targeting of migrants. They compare the current political landscape to authoritarian regimes and discuss the critical role of governors like Gavin Newsom in pushing back against federal overreach. The conversation also critiques Trump's trade dealings with China and their potential global repercussions.
Jan 2, 2026 • 28min
Best of the Daily Blast: Paul Krugman Brutally Wrecks Trump’s Europe Deal: “Scam on His Voters”
Paul Krugman, a Nobel Prize-winning economist and New York Times columnist, dives deep into the recent U.S.–EU trade deal touted by President Trump. He dismantles the narrative of a big win, revealing that the deal is laden with illusory concessions that chiefly burden lower-income consumers. Krugman argues it’s a scam targeting Trump's own supporters, highlighting how the structure of tariffs could harm U.S. manufacturing. He critiques media portrayal of the deal and underscores the unrealistic $600 billion investment promises.
Jan 1, 2026 • 53min
FTA: Unconventional Wisdom About the Iran Crisis and the NATO Summit
In a captivating discussion, Georgetown law professor Rosa Brooks, foreign policy expert Kori Schake, former NATO ambassador Gen. Doug Lute, and ex-CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos analyze the tangled narratives of U.S. strikes on Iran and the recent NATO summit. They delve into NATO's evolving spending dynamics, the implications of U.S. diplomacy, and the risks behind revealing sensitive military details. The conversation pivots on whether military action can replace negotiations, with insights into Israel's motivations and Iran's potential responses, highlighting a complex web of global security.
Jan 1, 2026 • 24min
Best of the Daily Blast: Trump Explodes in Rage at Journos as Shock Poll Exposes a Key Weakness
Political commentator Paul Waldman joins to discuss President Trump's escalating fury towards the media, highlighted by a bizarre lawsuit against The New York Times filled with his furious rants. Waldman analyzes a peculiar threat Trump made to an Australian reporter and how his confrontations mix theatrical dominance with genuine indignation. They delve into new polling revealing Trump’s dwindling support among independents and explore the limits of his persuasive powers in the face of harsh economic realities.
Dec 31, 2025 • 47min
FTA: A Richness of Embarrassments
Rosa Brooks, a law professor and foreign policy expert, teams up with Ed Luce, a journalist at the Financial Times, to tackle America’s growing police state and the erosion of democratic institutions. They discuss how recent tariff policies may lead to economic backlash and the complexities of public dissatisfaction. Rosa raises concerns over censorship and the targeting of universities, while Ed emphasizes the global fallout of America’s unpredictability. Together, they paint a stark picture of a world where trust in U.S. leadership is waning.
Dec 31, 2025 • 20min
Best of the Daily Blast: MAGA Rage at “No Kings” Boils Over—and It Quickly Backfires on Trump
Jill Lawrence, a political writer and commentator known for her insightful analyses on American politics, joins to discuss the recent MAGA backlash against the upcoming “No Kings” protests. She explains how coordinated GOP smears of protesters as terrorists reflect a deep-seated fear of public dissent. The conversation dives into the dangers of militarizing political responses and highlights how undermining legitimate protests often backfires, galvanizing support for causes. Lawrence emphasizes that these demonizations can actually inspire greater turnout, making a powerful case for activism.
Dec 30, 2025 • 41min
FTA: Former Generals React to Trump-Hegseth Quantico Speeches
Join former U.S. Army Lieutenant Generals Mark Hertling and Doug Lute as they weigh in on Trump and Hegseth’s Quantico rally. Hertling critiques the unprofessional tone while Lute compares the rhetoric to a military pep talk. The conversation dives into the dangers of recent training proposals and the potential militarization of domestic policy. They warn against a narrow focus on national defense, stressing the importance of maintaining civil-military norms to uphold democratic accountability.
Dec 30, 2025 • 27min
Best of the Daily Blast: Fox News Accidentally Makes RFK Fiasco at Hearing Even Worse for Trump
In this discussion, Matt Gertz, a Senior Media Analyst at Media Matters, delves into the chaotic fallout from Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s recent Senate hearing. Gertz highlights how Fox News twisted RFK Jr.’s anti-vaccine stance, attempting to paint him as pro-vaccine amidst bipartisan criticism. He analyzes the fractures within the Republican Party over public health and predicts that RFK Jr.'s controversial claims could lead to a significant political reckoning. Gertz dissects Fox's struggle to balance MAGA loyalty with broader public health needs.
Dec 29, 2025 • 55min
FTA: Stop Waiting for Us to Become an Autocracy. We're Already There
Miles Taylor, former Chief of Staff at the Department of Homeland Security and outspoken critic of the Trump administration, shares his alarming insights on the normalization of domestic military deployments. He discusses Trump's deployment of the National Guard to Los Angeles as a troubling signal of authoritarianism. Taylor warns of the misuse of emergency powers and the chilling effects on democracy, urging for mass peaceful protests to counteract these trends. He illustrates the dangers posed by figures like Stephen Miller and outlines strategies to combat the shift towards autocracy.
Dec 29, 2025 • 25min
Best of the Daily Blast: Trump Explodes in Angriest Epstein Tirade Yet as Allies Visibly Panic
Political analyst Michael Cohen, author of Truth and Consequences, delves into the troubling dynamics of Trump's leadership. He discusses rising GOP anxiety over Trump's alienation of key voters, the risky diversion of his focus to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, and how this could fracture the MAGA coalition. Cohen highlights the economic dissatisfaction plaguing young and Hispanic voters, the implications for midterm elections, and the political fallout from Trump's infamous tirade, showing the unique risks posed to his base.
