The DSR Network

Norm Ornstein, a renowned expert in American politics, joins David Rothkopf to dissect the troubling state of U.S. political affairs. They discuss the alarming shift towards pro-Russia sentiments and the erosion of democratic norms under the current administration. The duo explores the implications of budget cuts and government transparency, advocating for more effective communication from leaders about the role of government. They also delve into strategies for upcoming elections, urging stronger Democratic leadership and grassroots engagement to combat misinformation.

The podcast dives into Trump's recent harsh critique of Ukrainian President Zelensky, labeling him a dictator. It also highlights the rising interest in foreign policy among the youth, triggered by global events. Additionally, the discussion tackles bizarre government budgeting practices, particularly regarding healthcare and Pentagon spending cuts. Concerns are raised about federal job cuts and their impacts on key agencies, hinting at the potential backlash from the public over transparency and safety issues.

In this discussion, Brian Beutler, author of Off Message, shares his sharp insights on the chaotic fallout from Trump's alarming rhetoric that labels Zelensky a "dictator". He explores how this statement has left Republicans scrambling for evasive responses while highlighting the opportunity it presents for Democrats to clarify their stance against Trumpism. Beutler examines the need for a unified Democratic strategy to uphold foreign alliances and critiques the GOP's complicity in Trump's dangerous narrative about the Ukraine crisis.

Is artificial intelligence going to put us all out of work? There have been a range of predictions about the economic impact of AI, ranging from the modest to the fantastical. Nobel Prize-winning MIT professor Daron Acemoglu joins David Rothkopf to get to bottom of what we can really expect out of the AI revolution. This material is distributed by TRG Advisory Services, LLC on behalf of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the U.S.. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, DC. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A knife to the back might be the best way to describe this administration’s foreign policy. The latest statements from the president and meetings between Russian and US officials suggest that the Trump regime is ready to throw Ukraine under the Russian bus. Rosa Brooks, Ed Luce, and Kori Schake join David Rothkopf to explain why this is so calamitous for Ukrainians and Americans alike, and why this is just another step on the pathway to calamity in the United States. 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 the latest executive orders from the administration, Musk’s scheme to send out DOGE rebates, efforts to rehire accidentally fired officials, 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 Tuesday, top White House adviser Stephen Miller unleashed a wild, angry rant on CNN after tough questioning from CNN’s anchor about Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency. This comes even as one of Musk’s silliest absurdities yet—the idea that DOGE found rampant fraud in Social Security—imploded spectacularly under basic scrutiny. There’s a through line here: The great illusion that Musk, Miller and President Trump are trying to push—that they’re rooting out immense amounts of governmental waste and fraud—is collapsing all around them. We talked to writer Jill Lawrence, who has a new piece for The Bulwark arguing that the Musk enterprise has been exposed as a sham, about the larger MAGA mythology about the “deep state,” and why it’s proving unsustainable. 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 Tuesday, we cover the SSA commissioner resigning over DOGE requests, US and Russian officials meeting, massive layoffs at NIH, 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

Our descent into authoritarian rule continues. Over the weekend, Elon Musk raged on Twitter that people at CBS News deserve a “long prison sentence” based on a fabricated rationale. Meanwhile, President Trump tweeted out a line saying straight out that his presidency is above the law. And Trump nominated a nominee for U.S. Attorney in D.C. who has elevated the idea that DOJ should have no independence from the president. According to scholars of authoritarianism, these are the things that happen when a country is sliding into authoritarian rule. We talked to one such scholar, Steven Levitsky, co-author of a great new piece that charts what the path to American autocracy looks like. He explains how Trump-Musk’s latest moves, show how far along on this slide we truly are.Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Daniel Hulme, Chief AI Officer of WPP and CEO of Satalia, dives into the pressing need for a fresh perspective on artificial intelligence. He emphasizes the importance of creative approaches and developing moral frameworks in AI. The conversation touches on the complexities of human cognition versus AI capabilities, advocating for diverse opinions in AI regulation to ensure safer use. Additionally, Hulme discusses the launch of the app moral.me, aimed at shaping ethical AI by crowdsourcing moral dilemmas. This insightful dialogue challenges listeners to rethink how we approach AI.