Hard National Security Choices
Support Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Menu
Topics

Rational Security

Janet Lindenmuth (background)

Rational Security is a weekly roundtable podcast featuring Shane Harris of the Wall Street Journal, Susan Hennessey and Benjamin Wittes of Lawfare and the Brookings Institution, and Tamara Cofman Wittes, who directs the Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings. It's a lively and irreverent discussion of news, ideas, foreign policy, and law. There's always a laugh. Often, there are guests. Sometimes there's even Scotch. A production of Spaghetti on the Wall Productions. You can subscribe here or on iTunes. 

See All Topics

Latest in Rational Security

Podcasts

Rational Security: The 'Fire and Fury' Edition

Benjamin Wittes   Thu, Aug 10, 2017, 7:00 AM

President Trump warns North Korea not to “make any more threats to the United States” with its pursuit of a nuclear weapon. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announces a new crackdown on press leaks. And the Russia investigation heats up with a grand jury and a pre-dawn raid. Plus, a big thank-you to our listeners for their Twitter love last week. Check out our Twitter moment of your fabulous cocktail suggestions! And we give out some mugs.

Podcasts

Rational Security: The "Send in the Adults" Edition

Benjamin Wittes   Wed, Aug 2, 2017, 4:28 PM

Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly takes charge at the White House. Republican senators come to the defense of Attorney General Jeff Sessions. And President Trump finds himself personally entangled in the controversy over a meeting with Russians in Trump Tower. Plus, #BabyCannon has a new sibling. And Tamara is giving away mugs.

Podcasts

Rational Security: The "Beleaguered" Edition

Benjamin Wittes   Wed, Jul 26, 2017, 7:00 AM

President Trump attacks Attorney General Jeff Sessions over Hillary Clinton and Russia. Jared Kushner talks to congressional investigators about his meetings with Russians. And Shane and Tamara bring back trip reports from Jordan and the Aspen Security Forum. Plus, Tamara got good swag in Jordan. And Susan is the bomb(shell)—and I make my pitch to integrate the all-female Bombshell podcast.

Podcasts

Rational Security: The "Looks Like I Picked the Wrong Week to Quit Sniffing Glue" Edition

Benjamin Wittes   Thu, Jul 13, 2017, 6:29 AM

President Trump’s eldest son met with a Kremlin-connected lawyer to get Russian government dirt on Hillary Clinton. Iraqi forces liberate the city of Mosul from ISIS. And Trump and Putin sit down for their first face-to-face meeting. Plus, I read the best Hamilton quotation ever. And Susan finds the secret Comey tapes!

Podcasts

Rational Security: The "Guns and Smoke" Edition

Benjamin Wittes   Thu, Jul 6, 2017, 10:46 AM

The first signs of potential collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia emerge. State Department employees say they’re uncertain about the future of their work under the Trump administration. And the president is facing a crisis in North Korea as he prepares to meet with world leaders, including Vladimir Putin. Plus,Shane thinks the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court can solve all kinds of problems. And I draw up a target list for #BabyCannon.

Podcasts

Rational Security: The "Russian Chokehold" Edition

Benjamin Wittes   Thu, Jun 29, 2017, 3:01 PM

The gang is back after a week off for foreign travel. Barack Obama may not have responded forcefully enough to Russian meddling, but is President Trump responding at all? A diplomatic crisis in the Gulf is the first major test for Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. And the Supreme Court agrees to take up Trump’s travel ban. Plus, Susan has found the Italian loophole in aviation security, and it’s delicious. I have found a new source of power. And Tamara has a video you should watch.

Podcasts

Rational Security: Jeff Sessions Testifies

Benjamin Wittes   Thu, Jun 15, 2017, 5:22 AM

Attorney General Jeff Sessions testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee about his contacts with Russia. New information shows that thirty-nine states were targeted by Russian hackers during the 2016 election. And President Trump gives the military authority to ramp the number of troops in Afghanistan. Plus, my long-time alter ego, Benjamin Sittes, makes an appearance on the show. And the gang says thanks to our super fans.

Podcasts

Rational Security: The "Door By the Grandfather Clock" Edition

Benjamin Wittes   Thu, Jun 8, 2017, 6:09 AM

It’s been a huge two days for news on the Trump/Russia/Comey front. We round it up. There’s a new crisis in the Persian Gulf.  And just when you thought it was safe to go back to the polls, there are new revelations of Russia targeting the elections system. Plus, Trump has nominated a new FBI director. Who knew? And the gang thanks our many loyal listeners for their boozy generosity.

Subscribe to Lawfare

Email • RSS • Kindle