DSR: Foreign Policy and National Security
by The DSR Network
Every week David Rothkopf and regular guests like Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University, Kori Schake of the American Enterprise Institute, Ed Luce of the Financial Times, and David Sanger of the New York Times talk about the most important foreign policy and national security issues facing America and its allies.
Episodes
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Will Israel's Pager Attack Trigger a War or Political Consequences in the US?
The pager explosions throughout Lebanon shocked the region and the world. As more details come to light, it’s clear that the attack was the result of an extensive and unprecedented Israeli intelligence operation. So how did they do it, and what comes next? Former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos…
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Eating Dogs and Our Misinformation Moment
Election misinformation reached a new low with Donald Trump peddling a fake story that immigrants are eating pets in Ohio on the debate stage. But how does this kind of fake news come about? How much can we attribute to foreign interference, and how much is homegrown bullshit? Social media...
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If US Gaza Policy So Far Has Been Feckless, How Can It Become Feckful or Fully Fecked?
To put it plainly, the Biden administration’s Israel policy hasn’t been bold. As we near the anniversary of the October 7th attacks, Israel continues to pound Gaza with little pushback from the administration. Alon Pinkas, Kori Schake, and Rosa Brooks join David Rothkopf for a discussion on how…
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How Will Foreign and National Security Policy Figure in the Homestretch of Campaign 2024?
Foreign policy and national security featured heavily in the final day of the DNC. So how much of a role can we really expect them to play in the final stretch of the election. Rosa Brooks, Ed Luce, and David Sanger join David Rothkopf to break down how Harris can distinguish herself from Biden’s...
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Watching and Waiting: Israel, Iran, War and Ceasefire
All eyes have been on Iran as the world waits a potential retaliatory strike on Israel. But what form will the strike take, and will it even happen? Regional experts Aaron David Miller and Barbara Slavin join Kori Schake and David Rothkopf to analyze the potential fallout of an Israeli/Iranian...
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What to Expect from a Harris/Walz White House
Now that Governor Walz has joined the Democratic ticket, the race for the White House is set. What does the inclusion of Walz foretell about the policies of a Harris administration? Rosa Brooks and Kori Schake are joined by a former Homeland Security Advisor to VP Pence and current Republicans…
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What Do We Do When a New Trump Administration Starts to Dismantle Democracy?
While the presidential race has changed dramatically in recent weeks, it still pays to be prepared for the worst. Rosa Brooks, Pete Strzok, Kori Schake, and Ed Luce join the show to discuss recent simulations hosted by The Brennan Center that gamed out the havoc an authoritarian presidency would...
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The GOP Cheers a War Criminal
Netanyahu’s much dreaded speech before Congress has come and gone. So what happened? Rosa Brooks, Alon Pinkas, David Sanger, and Ed Luce join David Rothkopf to discuss the key takeaways from the speech and why a Harris presidency could shake-up the US/Israel relationship.
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Who's to Blame for the Trump Cult?
With the Republican National Convention in full-swing, all eyes are on Donald Trump and running mate JD Vance. What do the decadent celebrations of the RNC tell us about Trump’s appeal? How will a pro-Putin running mate in JD Vance affect Trump’s foreign policy? David Rothkopf is joined by Rosa...
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What Do NATO’s Leaders Fear the Most?
All eyes are on the NATO summit in Washington DC. What decisions will the alliance make with regards to Ukraine? How will President Biden perform? Former NATO ambassadors Ivo Daalder and Gen. Doug Lute join Kori Schake, Ed Luce, Rosa Brooks, and David Rothkopf to analyze what NATO’s leaders are...
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What They're Not Telling You About Israel's "Next War"
All eyes have been on Gaza for months, but trouble is brewing on Israel’s northern border. Tensions with Hezbollah and other militant groups are heating up and fears are mounting of a broader regional conflict. Alon Pinkas, Rosa Brooks, and David Sanger join David Rothkopf to break down the...
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Special Episode: A World in Transition
With consequential elections coming up in Britain, France, and the US, monumental change is on the horizon . In a special two-part episode, Clive Priddle and Ed Luce join David Rothkopf to forecast the upcoming elections while members will hear from Kori Schake and Rosa Brooks on the most…
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Ukraine at a Turning Point: Will the US & the West Do What is Needed to Win?
The western world hailed President Zelenskyy as a protector of democracy at the 80th anniversary of Normandy. But will we give Ukraine the support it needs to defend itself? Ivo Daalder, Nate Mook, and Kori Schake join David Rothkopf to illustrate why were are at a critical moment in Ukraine and...
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Lessons of the Very Surprising Results from the World's Biggest Election
Modi has claimed victory in the Indian elections, but the reality isn’t so rosy for the BJP. For the first time in his tenure, Modi has failed to secure the majority. Journalist Rana Ayyub joins David Rothkopf alongside Rosa Brooks, Kori Schake, and Ed Luce to break down why this election could…
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A Session with the World's Worst Therapist
There is certainly no shortage of news to make us stressed, anxious, and depressed. Thankfully Rosa Brooks joins David Rothkopf for an episode that is sure to make us all feel better, right? Rosa and David break down the ever-looming threat posed by Trump, the current status of Ukraine, the...
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The Real Arithmetic of Israeli Politics and Peace in Gaza
With Israel’s operation in Rafah underway, the Benjamin Netanyahu continues to be at odds with the Biden administration. But what does the withholding of US bombs really mean for the souring relationship between the US and Israel? Noga Tarnopolsky, Alon Pinkas, and Kori Schake join David Rothkopf...
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Update on the GOP Circular Firing Squad
Speaker Johnson has finally done the right thing for Ukraine. In passing Ukraine aid, the self-destructive Republican Party has inflamed the war with itself. Ed Luce and David Rothkopf break down what the aid package really means for Ukraine and how the GOP’s circular firing squad will impact the...
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The World at a Turning Point: A Conversation with Senator Chris Coons
From the tumult in Israel and Ukraine to widespread challenges across Africa, the world is at a turning point. Senator Chris Coons, a leading voice in the US Senate on international affairs, joins David Rothkopf on a special episode of DSR to share his perspective on the most critical foreign...
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How Should Israel Respond to Iran’s (Failed) Attack?
It’s been several days since Iran’s failed attack on Israel, and the world is still waiting to see how Israel will respond. Rosa Brooks, Kori Schake, and David Rothkopf take up the unenviable task of putting themselves in Netanyahu’s shoes to chart the best path forward — both for Israel, and the...
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We Can’t Afford Passivity in the Face of Trump
Donald Trump presents an existential threat to the US. And Ukraine. And NATO. Should we go on? It’s time to get serious about defeating Trump in November, and there are a million reasons why. Ed Luce and Rosa Brooks join David Rothkopf to share a few of those reasons and the ways we can send MAGA...
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What Could Biden Do Differently with Israel and Gaza? What Should He Do Now?
Israel’s shocking strike on World Central Kitchen workers in Gaza has amplified calls for the Biden administration to step in. Yet a big question remains: What can President Biden actually do to stop the bloodshed? Noga Tarnopolsky, Rosa Brooks, and Ed Luce join David Rothkopf to analyze what the...
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The Ground Level Truth About the Morale of the People of Ukraine
Though US efforts to help Ukraine have been stymied by political infighting, thousands of individuals and organizations continue to provide much-needed aid. One such individual is Nate Mook, former CEO of World Central Kitchen and now active in several humanitarian initiatives in Ukraine since...
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A DSR Conversation About the World with Newly-Minted Media Mogul Mehdi Hasan
Mehdi Hasan, founder of the new media company Zeteo, joins Ed Luce, Kori Schake, and David Rothkopf to break down he ever-present threat of a global authoritarian-right alliance, continued destruction in Gaza and Ukraine, and the disturbingly real possibility of a Trump second term.
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Israel, Gaza, Ukraine and More Topics Sure to Come Up in the State of the Union
While the state of the union is ordinarily focused on domestic policy, nothing about this year has been ordinary. On the eve of the State of the Union address, Kori Schake, Ed Luce, and Alon Pinkas join David Rothkopf to predict how large of a role that foreign policy will play in President…
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America's Allies are Worried About Us
Friends don’t let friends drive drunk, and friends don’t let friends support Russia. The increasingly erratic Republican Party has the US’s allies in Europe worried, especially as Russia gains momentum in its assault on Ukraine and Election Day draws near. Rosa Brooks, David Sanger, and Ed Luce...
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Is Starvation the Next Horror Awaiting Gaza?
The unimaginable human cost of Israel’s invasion of Gaza may be about to rise to unprecedented levels. International organizations agree that a famine is looming as Israel continues to impede foreign aid from entering the area. President of Refugees International Jeremy Konyndyk joins David...
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“I Want to Grab Mike Johnson by the Lapels”
Mike Johnson and the MAGA Republicans are sacrificing Ukraine at the altar of Trump. The Republicans’ use of Ukraine aid as a political tool has worsened an already dire situation, with only Putin and MAGA standing to benefit. On the heels of his trip to Ukraine, Max Boot joins Rosa Brooks, Kori...
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Would Failing to Provide Ukraine Aid be the Beginning of the End of US Global Leadership?
Congressional Republicans are sacrificing Ukraine for the sake of sticking it to Biden. But failing to provide aid to a key ally would do more than just harm the Biden administration. Kori Schake, Ed Luce, and Rosa Brooks join David Rothkopf for a look at the cost of failure in Ukraine for US...
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Xi Scores Points in Moscow, Putin, Not So Much
Chinese President Xi Jinping made a historic visit to Moscow this week to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin. David sat down with Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University, Kori Schake of the American Enterprise Institute, and Angela Stent of the Brookings Institution to discuss what this…
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The China Question
America's politicians have become more hawkish on China but is that the only path forward? David Rothkopf debates this issue with Dmitri Alperovitch of the Silverado Policy Accelerator and Josh Rogin of the Washington Post. Is China willing to compete and cooperate? How does Taiwan play into all…
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Preparing for the Next Security Challenges: From AUKUS to Moldova
There are a panoply of threats facing the United States and our allies from around the globe. In this episode, we focus on two of them. In the first segment, David talks with Charles Edel of CSIS about AUKUS and broad U.S.-Australia issues. What actually is the AUKUS deal? Will it have an impact…
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Iran-Saudi Deal Shows It's Not Your Father's Middle East...But Is It Now China's?
There is never a dull period for the Middle East. David and Rosa are joined by Alon Pinkus of Haaretz to discuss Iran and Saudi Arabia resuming diplomatic ties and the ongoing crisis in Israel. Do we anticipate big changes in the Middle East following this announcement? What does this say about...
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The Truth Putin Doesn't Want You to Hear About Russia's Floundering Economy
Sanctions and the cost of the war in Ukraine have had a major impact on the Russian economy. David, Rosa, and Ed are joined by Jeff Sonnenfeld of Yale to discuss his research and how bad the Russian economy really is. How much money is Russia losing on oil? Why is the IMF a bad actor when it…
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It's 2023 on the Planet Earth, What Could Go Wrong?
The United States faces a wide variety of foreign policy challenges two months into 2023. David is joined by DSR regulars Ed Luce, David Sanger, and Kori Schake to discuss these threats and how the United States should respond. Is the U.S.-Israeli relationship broken? Will Iran get a nuclear...
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Russia Pulling Out of the New START Treaty Is the Second Worst Nuclear News of the Week
Russia has suspended their participation in New START but are we actually at a greater risk of nuclear war? David discusses with Jon Wolfsthal of Global Zero and Dr. Emma Belcher of the Ploughshares Fund. Is nuclear war imminent? Does the U.S. still have visibility on Russia's nukes? What comes...
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A Tale of Two Underestimated Presidents
Biden made a surprise trip to Kyiv and the war in Ukraine grinds on. David is joined by DSR regulars Rosa Brooks and Ed Luce to discuss what is going on in Europe. What should we make of Biden's speech in Kyiv? Is Poland becoming the political center of Europe? Why is the far left meeting the far...
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One Year Later in Ukraine We Are, Dare We Say It, Cautiously Optimistic
The war in Ukraine is almost a year old but continues to hold surprises. David talks about what has shocked the experts most with Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University, Joe Cirincione, and Kori Schake of the American Enterprise Institute. Are nuclear weapons more likely to be used now? Will the...
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Balloonacy: The US Military Triggers a Deflationary Spiral
Uncover the truth behind the Balloon Madness that has taken the nation by storm! David sits down with with Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University, David Sanger of the New York Times, and Kori Schake of the American Enterprise Institute to discuss the national security risks posed by the balloon…
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"Greetings from Israel, Wish I Weren't Here": The Awkward Subtext of Blinken's Visit with Bibi
Secretary of State Antony Blinken traveled to a very different Israel than one might have expected a year ago. Benjamin Netanyahu is back in power with a more hard right government and an Israeli raid in the West Bank and a shooting in Jerusalem have raised the the temperature of…
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Is China Changing the Tone of its Foreign Policy?
If you don't understand what is happening in Asia, you are missing some of the most impactful stories of the century. For this episode, David is joined by Anna Fifield of the Washington Post and Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University to talk about the major stories and trends going on in Asia. Why...
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Which U.S. Allies Aren't Really Allies?
Davos may attract some of the world's wealthiest people but DSR continues to attract the best foreign policy and national security thinkers and analysis. David Rothkopf talks with David Sanger of the New York Times and Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University about Kissinger's remarks at Davos and...
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Global Risks in the Time of Speaker McCarthy
While there is chaos in the U.S. House of Representatives, there are real threats looming in the background. David Rothkopf talks about those threats with Max Boot of the Washington Post and Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University. How should the U.S. support Taiwan in the coming months? Is China...
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2023 Outlook: The Predictions You'll Hear Nowhere Else
For the first episode of the new year, David Rothkopf sits down with Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University, David Sanger of the New York Times, and Kori Schake to discuss their foreign policy and national security predictions for 2023. Will Ukraine retake Crimea? What will President Biden spend…
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About this show
Every week David Rothkopf and regular guests like Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University, Kori Schake of the American Enterprise Institute, Ed Luce of the Financial Times, and David Sanger of the New York Times talk about the most important foreign policy and national security issues facing America and its allies.
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