Running the Traps

Policy is complex, but you don't have all the time in the world. On Running the Traps, we find the best experts to help policymakers, students, and the informed voter, get up to speed quickly. We go deeper than the headlines, and the media back and forth will go, and we don't care which side of the aisle you're on. We just want to provide solid info.

The Taliban Kills a Terrorist 05/02/2023

The Taliban Kills a Terrorist South Asia expert Michael Kugelman joins us to discuss the recent killing of the Kabul airport bomber by the Taliban and this gives us the chance to catch up on how Taliban rule has been proceeding in Afghanistan. /episode/index/show/9a45484f-4588-4be7-a4e9-0cabeaf612fd/id/26717553

Bomb Mexico? 04/11/2023

Bomb Mexico? Some have started floating the idea that bombing Mexican territory where cartels run rampant is a way to deal with the flow of fentanyl into the United States. We talk to Mexico watcher Andrew Rudman on what this would entail, as well as what the reality is on the ground for the Mexican government. /episode/index/show/9a45484f-4588-4be7-a4e9-0cabeaf612fd/id/26502432

Getting Things Done in the UK 03/17/2023

Getting Things Done in the UK The new PM in the UK has had a lot on his plate, and he's getting a lot done. We chat with Michelle Egan to sort out the deal with the EU regarding trade and Northern Ireland, as well as how the new PM is faring politically. /episode/index/show/9a45484f-4588-4be7-a4e9-0cabeaf612fd/id/26264424

Be Ready For Bilateral Bingo! 03/01/2023

Be Ready For Bilateral Bingo! Why care about Canada? Scotty Greenwood of the Canadian American Business Council AND co-host of the excellent Canusa Street podcast tells us why. And there is a bilateral meeting coming up so we need to get ready and see what to watch for. Take a listen to the Canusa Street podcast for an even better understanding of this "most important relationship": And check out the book we mentioned in the show "With Faith and Goodwill": /episode/index/show/9a45484f-4588-4be7-a4e9-0cabeaf612fd/id/26089650

Putin's Mind - One Year In 02/22/2023

Putin's Mind - One Year In It's been a bloody year since Russia further invaded Ukraine. What is Putin thinking? That's a question that has cost billions of dollars and many lives. But Yuval Weber from the Bush School comes on the show to help us understand. /episode/index/show/9a45484f-4588-4be7-a4e9-0cabeaf612fd/id/26008791

China's White Balloon 02/09/2023

China's White Balloon We bring back china expert Robert Daly to discuss China's balloon. Trial balloon? A mistake? And what are the implications for US policy towards China now that the threat isn't on the horizon, but literally over missile silos? /episode/index/show/9a45484f-4588-4be7-a4e9-0cabeaf612fd/id/25877451

Netanyahu Gets Another Turn 02/01/2023

Netanyahu Gets Another Turn In Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu began another term as Prime Minister in December. Meanwhile, violence has broken out in the Palestinian territories, and US Secretary of State Blinken has made a trip to Jerusalem. To help us Run The Traps, Aaron David Miller of the Carnegie Endowment For International Peace gives us his take on the long search for peace in the region. /episode/index/show/9a45484f-4588-4be7-a4e9-0cabeaf612fd/id/25793148

Protests In Peru 01/27/2023

Protests In Peru Protests continue to roil Peru following political moves by the President and Congress in December. We speak with Cynthia McClintock, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at the George Washington University, about what this means for democracy in Peru and what to watch going forward. /episode/index/show/9a45484f-4588-4be7-a4e9-0cabeaf612fd/id/25748922

Rumors of Bipartisanship's Death Have Been Exaggerated 01/23/2023

Rumors of Bipartisanship's Death Have Been Exaggerated Running the Traps has a conversation with John Sullivan, the Executive Director of Partnership for a Secure America. While everyone always talks about how bipartisanship is dead and everyone is at eachother's throats on Capitol Hill, John has seen otherwise, and actively works to cultivate the collegiality that does exist in the national security space. /episode/index/show/9a45484f-4588-4be7-a4e9-0cabeaf612fd/id/25699311

The Great and Terrible Xi 01/17/2023

The Great and Terrible Xi 2022 was a year of highs and lows for Chinese president Xi Jinping. As usual, there are rumors that China is on the brink of some revolution following protests over COVID lockdowns. Could 2023 be a year where we see change in China? We talk to Robert Daly of the Kissinger Institute at the Wilson Center about this. /episode/index/show/9a45484f-4588-4be7-a4e9-0cabeaf612fd/id/25627386

Treat Your Data Like Cash 01/09/2023

Treat Your Data Like Cash Welcome to our first episode! Here we talk to Aynne Kokas of the Miller Center at the University of Virginia about her new book "Trafficking Data:" How China is Winning the Battle for Digital Sovereignty." It's a sobering discussion. And one which helps you run the traps on what the US can do to combat this advance in Chinese technology policy. You can check out Aynne's new book here: And if you are looking for help on your podcast, check out /episode/index/show/9a45484f-4588-4be7-a4e9-0cabeaf612fd/id/25548405

Running the Traps

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