Deep Background with Noah Feldman

Did January’s pro-Navalny protests have a lasting impact in Russia? Russian investigative reporter Diana Kachalova, editor-in-chief of the St. Petersburg bureau of Novaya Gazeta, an independent Russian newspaper, joins us to discuss covering the aftermath of Alexei Navalny’s case and the status of investigative journalism in Putin’s Russia. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alice Hill, former Special Assistant to President Obama and Senior Director for Resilience Policy on the National Security Council, explains what Texas’ electrical grid collapse means for our country’s infrastructure at large. She also makes recommendations on how we can start preparing infrastructure now for extreme weather events. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Carl Hart, neuroscientist and author of the provocative new book “Drug Use for Grown Ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear” questions the way we understand, regulate, and police drugs in America. Dr. Hart argues that most drugs are safer than we realize, and the negative effects of drugs are overstated and misunderstood. His research raises larger questions about policing, race, poverty, and mental health.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Noah Feldman interviews Eugene B. Meyer, President of the Federalist Society, discussing the organization's goals, funding, and operations. They also talk about Noah's audiobook 'Takeover: How a Conservative Student Club Captured the Supreme Court' and its implications. Learn about the influence of politics on law school and clerkship opportunities, varying opinions within the Federalist Society, funding and donations, and the success of the organization compared to others on the left.

Why are presidential impeachments happening more often? Are impeachments futile if they don't end in a conviction? What did Hamilton and Madison overlook about the impeachment and the transition of power? To discuss these questions, political journalist and CEO of Pushkin Industries Jacob Weisberg joins the conversation. Jacob and Noah were two of the early voices on impeachment, starting in 2017 when they co-authored an article laying out Trump’s early possible impeachable offenses for The New York Review of Books. Noah would later testify at President Trump’s first impeachment trial. Today, Jacob and Noah bookend the conversation on impeachment. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Monika Bickert, Vice President of Content Policy at Facebook, takes us inside the decision to indefinitely suspend former President Donald Trump’s account. Host Noah Feldman details what this move means for free expression in the United States and what it tells us about Trump’s second impeachment trial. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A deep dive into the current impeachment trial reveals its legal and political nuances. The discussion highlights historical precedents like William Belknap, offering insights into how past cases influence today's debates. There's a riveting exploration of the constitutionality of impeaching a former president, tackling whether a private citizen can face such a process. The legal framework and strategies used in the trial are analyzed, particularly regarding First Amendment rights, all while sprinkling in some summer anecdotes to lighten the mood.

Former Wall Street analyst and policy expert Alexis Goldstein discusses the GameStop saga, revealing underlying conditions and alternative ways to regulate the markets. Topics covered include the rise of retail trading, concerns about wealth inequality, stakeholder programs, and the impact on smaller investors. The host also mentions the upcoming impeachment trial and expresses gratitude to the podcast team.

The podcast explores the concerns surrounding new variants of COVID-19, including the UK and South African variants. It discusses the potential impact on vaccine efficacy and natural immunity, as well as the challenges of pulling back control measures and reopening schools. The speaker emphasizes the need for high vaccine uptake and highlights the uncertainties surrounding the new variants and their impact on returning to normalcy.

Presidential historian Douglas Brinkley shares his predictions and warnings for writing historical narratives about the end of the Trump presidency. He also discusses Trump’s decision to not attend the inauguration and how we should apply the 25th Amendment in the 21st century. This is the first installment in a new Deep Background series focusing on power in different fields and forms.  Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.