PODCAST · news
Assumed Rationality
by Bree Megivern
Dive into the week’s underreported stories with Assumed Rationality, the podcast that unpacks niche geopolitical developments, emerging conflicts, and critical human security issues. Hosted by a Security Studies Master’s graduate with a passion for global affairs, each episode delivers concise, insightful analysis to keep you informed about the stories shaping our world—stories that often fly under the radar.Tune in weekly for sharp insights, fresh perspectives, and a fun fact to cap off your geopolitical coffee break. Stay curious, stay informed, and assume rationality.
Episodes
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Mini Episode: The Fallout of the Chornobyl Strike
Kim Barker and Brendan Hoffman, “How a Cheap Drone Punctured Chernobyl’s 40,000-Ton Shield,” The New York Times, March 25, 2025, sec. World, https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/25/world/europe/drone-chernobyl-shield-ukraine-war.html; IAEA, “Frequently Asked Chernobyl Questions,” Text (IAEA, November…
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Blockade Rehearsal? Decoding China's Military Message
In this episode of Assumed Rationality, Bree Megivern unpacks China’s recent military exercises around Taiwan, analyzing them as both a possible rehearsal for a blockade and a strategic message to Taipei and Washington, DC. The episode touches on the historical relationship between China and…
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Maximum Pressure, Minimum Progress: Iran’s Nuclear Gamble
Want to request an episode topic? Go to https://assumedrationality.com/ Sources: Al Jazeera Staff, “Iran Responds to Trump Letter on Nuclear Talks, State Media Reports,” Al Jazeera, March 27, 2025,...
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The Shadow Fleet Fueling Russia's Economy
Request an episode topic at: https://assumedrationality.com/contact-assumed-rationality/ Sources: Anna Caprile and Gabija Leclerc, “Russia’s ‘Shadow Fleet’: Bringing the Threat to Light,” Briefing (European Parliament, November 2024...
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Sound Cannons in Serbia: How to Protest Safely
Want to learn more: AP, “Serbian Officials Deny Illegal Sonic Weapon Attack on Peaceful Protesters,” AP News, March 16, 2025, https://apnews.com/article/serbia-protest-sonic-weapon-8502587e5849997175a5ea02f98d2e19; Big Brother Watch Team, “A Guide to Facial Recognition at Protests — Big Brother...
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The Steel Porcupine: Europe's Strategy to Fortify Ukraine Against Aggression
Want to request an episode topic? Go to https://assumedrationality.com/ Sources: Al Jazeera, “EU Leaders Back New Defence Spending Plans,” Al Jazeera, March 6, 2024, https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/6/eu-leaders-hold-emergency-summit-to-bolster-support-for-ukraine; Directorate-General for...
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Welcome to Assumed Rationality
Assumed Rationality is a weekly podcast hosted by Bree Megivern.
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Icebreakers and ICBMs: Why the Arctic Matters More Than Ever
Want to learn more? Sources: Atomic Heritage Foundation, “Camp Century - Nuclear Museum,” https://ahf.nuclearmuseum.org/, July 19, 2018, https://ahf.nuclearmuseum.org/ahf/history/camp-century/; Ernie Regehr, “NORAD Renewal and a Team Canada Approach to Security,” The Simons Foundation Canada,...
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Tension in the Tasman Sea: Unpacking China's Naval Power Play
Sources: Craig Nigrelli, William Jackson, and Kaleb Gillespie, “3 Chinese Warships Conduct Military Drills off Australia, Forcing Flight Diversions,” Straight Arrow News, February 21, 2025,https://san.com/cc/3-chinese-warships-conduct-military-drills-off-australia-forcing-flight-diversions/; Maj...
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The Future of Gaza: Scrutinizing the Gaza 'Riviera' Proposal
Sources: Andrew Roth, “Trump Says Palestinians Will Have No Right of Return to Gaza under His Plan,” The Guardian, February 10, 2025, sec. US news, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/10/trump-buy-gaza-plan; BBC News, “US Gaza Latest: Trump Will ‘look at All Options’ for Gaza Takeover as...
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How the War in Ukraine Helps North Korea's Defense Industry
Thank you for your patience as I try to improve my audio! Sources: Andrew Yeo, “Expect to See More North Korean Weapons Reach Nonstate Armed Actors in 2024,” Brookings, accessed February 6, 2025,...
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Baltic Sentry: NATO's Latest Mission
Baltic Sentry: NATO’s Latest Mission Want to learn more? Christina Anderson and Amelia Nierenberg, “Sweden Suspects ‘Gross Sabotage’ After Damage to Cable Under Baltic Sea,” The New York Times, January 27, 2025, sec. World,...
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Democracy Manipulated: Belarus' Elections Under Lukashenko
Want to learn more? KOSTYA MANENKOV and DARIA LITVINOVA, “Belarus Poll Workers Describe Fraud in Aug. 9 Election,” AP News, September 1, 2020, https://apnews.com/article/international-news-ap-top-news-europe-72e43a8b9e4c56362d4c1d6393bd54fb; Pjotr Sauer, “‘A Ritual for a Dictator’: Lukashenko...
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Chlorine in Khartoum: Chemical Weapons in 2025
Explore the chilling resurgence of chemical weapons in Sudan’s ongoing conflict and the global implications of their use. From the trenches of World War I to Assad’s atrocities and today’s looming threat in Khartoum, this episode unpacks the history, impact, and unanswered questions surrounding...
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Why is it so hard to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay?
This episodes discusses torture, please listen with care. Looking for more information? Alice Cuddy, “US Moves 11 Guantanamo Bay Detainees to Oman,” BBC, January 8, 2024, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckg3k2v11k5o; S O’Mara, “Captive Brain: Torture and the Neuroscience of Humane Interrogation…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Dive into the week’s underreported stories with Assumed Rationality, the podcast that unpacks niche geopolitical developments, emerging conflicts, and critical human security issues. Hosted by a Security Studies Master’s graduate with a passion for global affairs, each episode delivers concise, insightful analysis to keep you informed about the stories shaping our world—stories that often fly under the radar.Tune in weekly for sharp insights, fresh perspectives, and a fun fact to cap off your geopolitical coffee break. Stay curious, stay informed, and assume rationality.
HOSTED BY
Bree Megivern
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Assumed Rationality have?
Assumed Rationality currently has 15 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Assumed Rationality about?
Dive into the week’s underreported stories with Assumed Rationality, the podcast that unpacks niche geopolitical developments, emerging conflicts, and critical human security issues. Hosted by a Security Studies Master’s graduate with a passion for global affairs, each episode delivers concise,...
How often does Assumed Rationality release new episodes?
Assumed Rationality has 15 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Assumed Rationality?
You can listen to Assumed Rationality on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Assumed Rationality?
Assumed Rationality is created and hosted by Bree Megivern.
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