Power Problems

In a special live recording of the podcast, we explore the President’s relationship with the military, the defense budget, and what the Pentagon wants for Christmas with our guest Aaron Mehta.Show NotesGuest Bio: Aaron MehtaAaron Mehta, “One hand tied behind your back: Why DoD’s empty policy chair matters.” Aaron Mehta, “America’s Nuclear Weapons will cost $1.2 Trillion Over the next 30 Years.”Chris Preble, “Senate Passes a Pentagon Budget, but a BCA Trainwreck Looms.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Syria’s use of chemical weapons calls into question the utility of international norms. We discuss those norms and how to enforce them with Greg Koblentz.Show Notes:Guest Bio: Greg KoblentzGreg Koblentz, “Syria’s Chemical Weapons Kill Chain”Richard Price, “After Syria, Is There Still a Taboo against the Use of Chemical Weapons?””Saskia Popescu, “Antimicrobial Resistance: An Underrated Biological Threat”” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We chat with Brian Katulis from the Center for American Progress about ongoing chaos in the Middle East, the regional security environment, and the options for America’s future role in the region.Show NotesGuest bio: Brian KatulisBrian Katulis, “Leveraging U.S. Power in the Middle East”Andrew Bacevich, “Endless War in the Middle East” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We talk Trump and the future of the Iran nuclear deal with Colin Kahl, former national security adviser to Vice President Joe Biden.Show Notes:Guest Bio: Colin KahlColin Kahl, “The Myth of a ‘Better’ Iran Deal”Emma Ashford and John Glaser, “Unforced Error: The Risks of Confrontation with Iran” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Show NotesGuest Bio: Alexander DownesTargeting Civilians in War“Rohingya Account Atrocities,” New York Times Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Show Notes:Guest Bio: Ariane Tabatabai“Preserving the Nuclear Deal”“Regime Change in Iran Wouldn’t Work” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tensions are rising on the Korean peninsula, between North Korea’s nuclear and missile tests and Trump’s inflammatory tweets. We discuss the situation with Joshua Pollack. Show notes:Guest Bio: Joshua PollackWhat Does the Timing of North Korea’s Missile Tests Mean?Is Ballistic Missile Defense the Answer? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today we talk about Trump’s new Afghanistan strategy with Sameer Lalwani. Is there anything new here?Show notes:Guest Bio: Sameer LalwaniTrump’s Televised Speech on Afghanistan Strategy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we ask John Glaser: why does the U.S. have so many military bases around the world? Show notes:Guest Bio: John GlaserJohn Glaser, “Withdrawing from Overseas Bases: Why a Forward‐​Deployed Military Posture Is Unnecessary, Outdated, and Dangerous” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christopher Preble joins us to discuss what restraint in foreign policy means and what it would look like in practice.Show notes: Guest Bio: Christopher PrebleBarry Posen, Restraint: A New Foundation for U.S. Grand StrategyCato Institute, “Our Foreign Policy Choices: Rethinking America’s Global Role” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.