Deep State Radio

Last week, the Biden Administration released the official conclusion that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was behind the brutal murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. It also detailed a host of measures to penalize the Saudis. Critics were unhappy there were no direct penalties for MBS. But the administration made it clear to the Saudis that the free ride they were getting with Donald Trump was over. Importantly, it all appeared to be part of a well-thought out broader Middle East policy that has regional analysts commenting that not only is Biden no Trump, he's also learned the lessons of the Obama years and is approaching things differently--in a good way. We discuss with Kim Ghattas, author of Black Wave: Saudi Arabia, Iran and the Forty-Year Rivalry That Unraveled Culture, Religion and Collective Memory in the Middle East, Kori Schake of the American Enterprise Institute and David Sanger of the NY Times. Join us. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/deepstateradio. See acast.

When the 9/11 Commission was formed in the wake of the Al Qaeda attacks on the US, the current was united in grief and anger but politically polarized and it was very difficult to find a path forward that would be credible and an effective driver of reform. But the divisions of the early 2000s were nothing compared to what we have today and the problem is compounded by the active culpability one political party has in both of the issues that demand investigation. So, how do we get to accountability today? We discuss this question with former 9/11 Commissioner, former Indiana congressman Tim Roemer as well as Ryan Goodman of NYU Law School and "Just Security" and Dr. Kavita Patel of the Brookings Institution and former senior Obama White House staffer. Join us. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/deepstateradio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The US has seen its influence plummet during the past four years as our president made everything including foreign policy about himself. That changed in an instant when Joe Biden was elected president, but now we must come to grips with the fact that in many areas our international and national security policies are woefully out of step with the times. Where should we go next on cyber policy, on nuclear policy, with China, with Russia, with our relations with the emerging world? We discuss with one of the most thoughtful and intelligent members of the United States Congress, Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut. Don't miss his wide-ranging and insightful perspectives. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/deepstateradio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Donald Trump introduced the truth-optional, bring your own dysfunction era to American politics and it made for good ratings. Now, he has been replaced by a president who rejects Trump's approaches, his use of social media, his melodrama, his lies and his criming. So, is that a good thing or will it afford Trump to outshine the bully pulpit of the presidency by continuing to often the media the catnip of his bullshit pulpit? We discuss with Politico White House correspondent Natasha Bertrand and NYU Journalism professor Jay Rosen. This is one of our weekly special "Ask the Blob" episodes in which our members get to pose the questions our experts answer. Please join us for this...by becoming a member at thedsrnetwork.com.  Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/deepstateradio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Craig Unger's new book American Kompromat details the KGB recruitment of Donald Trump and how a man like Trump can become a valued Russian asset. It can all be legal. It can all be more or less out in the open. And in the end, it can compromise US national interests in profound ways...as it did. It's a fascinating look at the back story of the greatest traitor in American history. Don't miss it. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/deepstateradio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Biden foreign policy and national security teams arrived to choruses of praise for the experience of the members and their general positions. That said a van full of orangutans would have been greeted as an improvement to Trump & his motley crew. But what are the potential areas in which they will face challenges? And what does the world have in store for them that may change the calculus whether they want it to or not? We try to answer these questions on an episode featuring Harvard University's Steve Walt, Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University Law School and author of the new book "Tangled Up in Blue," Kori Schake of the American Enterprise Institute and David Sanger of the New York Times. Don't miss it. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/deepstateradio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This is our first episode of Deep Thoughts with David Rothkopf, our new weekly feature available exclusively to our members. This week, David discusses the grim milestone of 500K deaths from Covid. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/deepstateradio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

While Trumpists may have celebrated that the disgraced former president was not convicted by the Senate and the Senators who voted to convict have been attacked for their show of conscience, the reality is that Trump's legal prospects are not good. Mitch McConnell, his one time ally, called for his prosecution. Multiple cases in which he is a target are under way--in NY, Atlanta, and Washington DC. A commission is being called to investigate the January 6th insurgency. We discuss where these may lead and how the GOP may handle the consequences with former Trump Admin senior staffer Olivia Troye and Ryan Goodman of NYU Law School and "Just Security." Don't miss it. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/deepstateradio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the latest in our "Ask the Blob" series (see links below for more about the name), host David Rothkopf is joined by Juliette Kayyem and Clint Watts (Bios Below). They discuss the rise of domestic terrorism and what can be done to combat it. They also answer the audience's questions on the subject. A very informative discussion not to be missed. Note: This podcast is available in its entirety exclusively for our members. To become a member, please visit The DSR Network. Juliette Kayyem Juliette Kayyem has spent the last two decades in both state and federal government managing complex policy initiatives and organizing government responses to major crises. She is a professor at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, where she is faculty chair of the Homeland Security and Security and Global Health Projects and a CNN National Security analyst. Previously, she served as President Obama's Assistant Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, where she played a pivotal role in major operations responding

Representative Ted Deutch (D-Florida) is chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Subcommittee on the Middle East, North Africa and Global Counterterrorism. He joined the podcast to discuss the promising first moves of the Biden foreign policy team with regard to international alliances, support for the international system, communication at home and abroad and with respect to the biggest issues in the Middle East from Iran to Israel, Saudi Arabia to Yemen. Don't miss this insightful discussion with one of Capitol Hill's foreign policy leaders on the big changes currently taking place in America's relationships with the world. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/deepstateradio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For the second time in as many years, Donald Trump was acquitted by the Senate, this time for inciting insurrection. Even with the overwhelming evidence the impeachment managers brought forth, just 7 Republican Senators voted for conviction. Where does this leave us as a country? Is the U.S. strengthened or weakened in the eyes of our allies? We discuss this, the state of policing in America and more with guest host, Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law School, Kori Schake of the American Enterprise Institute and David Sanger of the New York Times, calling in from his snow shoe excursion in Vermont. Don't miss this wide-ranging discussion. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/deepstateradio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The House Impeachment managers proved beyond any reasonable doubt that Donald Trump incited an insurrection against the US government that resulted in six deaths over 140 injuries and profound damage to our democracy. Good as they were, we have to admit, it wasn't that tough to do because we all saw the events unfold. So, ensuring justice will be done should be easy, right? Not so fast. The Senate Kangaroo court you will remember from a year ago is back in session and most of the GOP simply do not care about facts or the law or the Constitution or the judgment of history. Which is why Trump will be acquitted. But...what then? What does it mean? Can other prosecutions follow? We discuss with former US Attorney Barb McQuade, NYU Law's Ryan Goodman and Dr. Kavita Patel of the Brookings Institution. We also include an update on a bunch of breaking COVID news with Kavita. So...don't miss this episode. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/deepstateradio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out inform

The House Impeachment managers are meticulously making an irrefutable case against former President Trump and they are meeting very little resistance from Trump's almost comically inept defense team. But what then? What if the vast majority of GOP Senators vote to acquit? (As they will.) Where does the party go from here? What will the influence of the small but noticeable Sanity Caucus be going forward? We discuss with two noted, brilliant commentators, Max Boot of the Washington Post and David Frum of the Atlantic. They answer questions from host David Rothkopf and from an audience that joined the discussion as part of our new, weekly, "Ask the Blob" Webinar Series. Join us. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/deepstateradio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Undoing the policies of our disgraced former president are the low hanging fruit for Biden foreign and national security policy. Allies can be prioritized, executive orders can be reversed, kow towing to foreign dictators can stop. But, what then? What will the Biden team attempt that is complicated or difficult or both? A new deal with iran? A coherent China policy? Pentagon reform? We discuss with David Sanger of the New York Times, Kori Schake of the American Enterprise Institute and Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law and author of the new book, "Tangled Up in Blue: Policing the American City." Don't miss it. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/deepstateradio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

MSNBC legal analyst Joyce Vance joins the podcast this week, and we discuss highly unrelated topics such as pet chickens and how necessary judicial reforms can create a more equitable legal system. Vance’s straight talk on the future of the Department of Justice and how current laws can handle domestic terrorism offers hope for the future. Cake helps, and Joyce and Marissa make a British Bake-Off-worthy coffee-pecan layer cake with praline topping. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/deepstateradio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Has the GOP lost its mind? Or is its embrace and defense of lunatics, violent extremists, traitors, sex offenders, racists and the highly corrupt a shrewd, carefully considered political strategy? How should Democrats respond? How do they get accountability for abuses when the GOP absolutely refuses to go along? How do they achieve progress on healing our wounds when the other party actively wants to deepen them? And what kind of role will President Biden play in all this? What has he already shown us? We discuss with Dr. Kavita Patel, former top health advisor in the Obama White House, Rosa Brooks, professor at Georgetown Law School and Ryan Goodman, co-editor of "Just Security" and professor at NYU Law School. It's a great wide ranging conversation that you won't want to miss. Join us. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/deepstateradio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This is a complex moment for America and for the world. It is a far cry from the euphoria of the immediate post-Cold War, tech boom era. But there were foreshadowings we would grapple with today's problems and three-time Pulitzer Prize Winner, NY Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman identified them more than two decades ago in his book "The Lexus and the Olive Tree." We talk with Tom about how we got from then to now and where potential answers to the challenges we face may lie...including why Joe Biden may be precisely the man the world and the US need in the Oval Office right now. It's a must-listen conversation. Join us. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/deepstateradio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

"The FBI Way" is a terrific new book from 25 year FBI veteran and MSNBC contributor Frank Figliuzzi. It details the values within the FBI that have enabled it to succeed so frequently in the past as well as discussing where mistakes have been made and how they have been remedied. The book is rich with stories many of which intersect with the headlines of the past few years. We discuss the book with Frank but also explore his views on the insurrection on Capitol Hill, on accountability, and on America's urgent need to pass a domestic terrorism law. It's a riveting discussion. Don't miss it. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/deepstateradio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Imagine: A coup attempt in which the coup leaders justify taking power because of massive voter fraud. Or imagine a government using force against thousands of peaceful demonstrators. Now imagine that those things were not taking place in the US on behalf of America's disgraced former president but were instead happening in Myanmar and Russia. Suddenly, the new administration faces its first international challenges and if they are not precisely the same as threats posed recently in the US by the last administration, they rhyme. What to do? We discuss with Chicago Council on Global Affairs CEO Amb. Ivo Daalder, the American Enterprise Institute's Kori Schake and David Sanger of the New York Times. Join us. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/deepstateradio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today’s episode features Kavita Patel, practicing physician and former health and economics policy advisor in the Obama Administration. We talk pro-cookie baking tips and Covid, including the pros and cons of the available vaccines, the reality of our shared grief and what to say to someone who’s not wearing a mask. We also talk about more pleasant things, including that most pleasant thing of all: chocolate. Plus: We make whole-wheat oatmeal chocolate chip cookies that are packed with enough chocolate you won't know they're full of nutritious whole wheat flour. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/deepstateradio. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.