More on nuclear testing with Heather Williams
Sirens: A Bombshell production
Are you equal parts terrified and fascinated by recent mentions of restarting nuclear testing? The ladies of bombshell are here to help! Join us for the full-length interview with PONI Director Heather Williams as we discuss nuclear testing and nuclear weapons, how it relates to the international world order.
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Trade Taxes, Acquisition Reform, and Nuclear Testing
Sirens: A Bombshell production
Sirens starts with favorite bake-off challenges and runs the cocktail circuit with the latest Supreme Court validation that tariffs are taxes, what the latest elections mean (or don’t, apparently), and the trend of general officer removals. We dig into the sexiest dumpster fires: acquisition reform and where the death of direct file fits in the flow of tax reform in US history. PONI Director Heather Williams joined for a delightfully disturbing warning signs on nuclear testing and getting nuclear weapons into public consciousness. And finally, importantly: when is...
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The Pentagon and the Press: interview with Valerie Insinna
Sirens: A Bombshell production
Breaking Defense reporter and longtime Pentagon press corps member Valerie Insinna details the work of the media in DOD, what the department owes Americans in terms of transparency, and the implications of Hegseth’s new press guidelines.
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Shutdown, Southcom, and Pentagon Press
Sirens: A Bombshell production
Now that the Louvre jewel thieves have been caught, Sirens asks, what museum would you plan a heist for? On the cocktail circuit, we’re chatting Tomahawks, no, sanctions yes on Russia-Ukraine, the new Japanese PM, and Trump’s Asia trip. In Dumpster Fires, there’s thousands unleashed across the US as the shutdown continues; plus, there is some strange strange stuff going on in Southcom. In warning signs, Breaking Defense reporter Valerie Insinna joins us for a discussion of what makes the Pentagon press corps unique amid Hegseth’s recent actions against the media. Finally, what...
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More on the unitary executive with Laura Dickinson
Sirens: A Bombshell production
If you're wondering what happens when as the foundations of separtion of power shift in real time, then this mini-episode is for you! Join the ladies of Bombshell for the fasinating, full length interview with Laura Dickinson of GWU Law School. We get an expert view on recent Supreme Court rulings, what executive power really means, and where we go from here.
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Hostage Deal, Cyber gangs, and Unitary Executive
Sirens: A Bombshell production
Admit it; do you set google alerts for yourself, your partner's doppleganger, or pedandtic civ-mil terms? Sirens debates and drills through shutdown RIFs, the emerging hostage deal, and tariffs + hemlines predictions. In Dumpster Fires, we ask, IS there a new phase in Russian combat operations or are we just paying attention (with more or less the same question on recent increase in cyber attacks). In Warning Signs, GWU Law Professor Laura Dickinson joins for a fascinating discussion on separation of powers. Then help us remember our favorite Diane Keaton moments as we reminsce on a...
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Climate Change on the Battlefield
Sirens: A Bombshell production
On this mini-episode, we talk with Erin Sikorsky about her new book “Climate Change on the Battlefield.” Listen in as we discuss how climate change affects military operations and military readiness, which countries are doing things right, and how the US could address systemic risks differently.
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UNGA, Advise & Consent, Democratic Data
Sirens: A Bombshell production
Sirens (should Sirens just be a book pod?) starts with the best question: if you could only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be? On the cocktail party circuit, we had to discuss the Great Gathering of Gobsmacked GOFOs, plus how the US gave up AI norms at UNGA and changes to social security. Amid Dumpster Fires aplenty, we dig into chaotic reforms to H1B visa and the consequences to the economy and national security, as well as the nuclear change to senate nominations process. In Warning Signs, we welcome former US Chief Data Scientist Denice Ross for a wonderful...
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Sirens at Climate Week Live!
Sirens: A Bombshell production
Americans want a government that is agile, responsive, and able to deliver basic services while also solving complex challenges like climate change. Yet the climate community tends to over-focus on questions of climate policy design rather than questions of climate policy implementation — resulting in ambitious efforts like the Inflation Reduction Act that held great promise on paper but ran into roadblocks in the real world. In this live taping, host Loren DeJonge Schulman is joined by special guests Carol Browner, former U.S. EPA Administrator, Jordan Diamond,...
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AI Skills, Appropriations, Armed Conflict Law
Sirens: A Bombshell production
On the Sirens cocktail circuit this week is (no surprise) renaming the Department of Defense, the deporting US industrial strategy (Korean workers), and two-steps-back, one-step forward White House announcements on AI skills while cutting education funds. Among the week's dumpster fires: does the US even have an appropriations process anymore? and, how to talk about what we're seeing in political violence? Finally, events in in Venezuela and Qatar raise questions on if the law of war is just law of personalist performances. Also: Katabasis!
info_outlineThis week Loren, Erin, and Radha are joined by the peerless Mira Rapp-Hooper. Taking a break from stalking her perfect oat milk, Mira walks the ladies through alliances and shifting demands with Japan and Korea. The ladies do a whirlwind review of Hong Kong, Bolivia, auto tariffs, and pardons. After 5 words (plus margin of error) on impeachment stories of note, Erin and Radha (yup Radha) discuss the new Star Wars series where to Loren's dismay Radha declares her love of Star Wars puppets (especially those teddy bears).
Links
- Mira Rapp-Hooper, Shields of the Republic: The Triumph and Peril of America's Alliances, (Harvard University Press, 2020)
Asia
- Simon Denyer and Min Joo Kim, "In South Korea, Military Cost Dispute and Trump's Moves in Syria Fuel Doubts Over US Commitment," Washington Post, November 4, 2019
- Phil Stewart and Joyce Lee, "Pentagon's Esper Says it is Crucial South Korea Pays More for US Troops," Reuters, November 15, 209=19
- Maggie Shum, "Hong Kong's District Council Elections Take Place on Nov. 24 Or Not," Washington Post, November 14, 2019
- Anna Kam, Casey Quackenbush, and Ryan Ho Kilpatrick, "Day of Rage Plunges Hong Kong Into Turmoil After Police Shoot Protester," Washington Post, November 11, 2019
Bolivia
- "Bolivia Crisis: What's Next After Evo Morales' Resignation?" BBC, November 13, 2019
- Natasha Bennett, "Bolivian Protesters Unseated a President. So Why Are They Still in the Streets?" Washington Post, November 15, 2019
- Santiago Anria and Jennifer Cyr, "Is Bolivia's Democracy in Danger? Here's What's Behind the Disputed Presidential Election," Washington Post, October 30, 2019
Trade
- Ben White and Doug Palmer, "Trump Expected to Delay Auto Tariff Decision for 6 More Months," Politico, November 11, 2019
- David Shepardson, "Automakers Around World Await Trump Tariff Decision," Reuters, November 15, 2019
- Camila Domonoske and Avie Schneider, "Trump Delays Auto Tariffs for 6 Months," NPR, May 17, 2019
- Reuters, "Trump Expected to Delay European Auto Tariff Decision: EU Officials," New York Times, November 11, 2019
Pardons
- Dave Philipps, "Trump's Pardons for Servicemen Raise Fears That Law of War Are History," New York Times, November 16, 2019