Rational Security

A weekly discussion of national security and foreign policy matters hosted by Shane Harris of the Washington Post and featuring Brookings senior fellows Susan Hennessey, Tamara Cofman Wittes, and Benjamin Wittes.

The "Collusion Was Not an Illusion" Edition 04/21/2021

The "Collusion Was Not an Illusion" Edition The Treasury Department says an associate of disgraced Trump ally Paul Manafort gave campaign data to “Russian Intelligence,” leading us to ask, why are we only hearing this now? A former senior Trump aide was up to even more shenanigans than we knew. And top intelligence officials testify about global threats. /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/18814064

"The Longest War is Ending" Edition 04/14/2021

"The Longest War is Ending" Edition President Biden announces that all U.S. military forces will be out of Afghanistan by Sept. 11. A blackout at an Iranian nuclear facility is widely attributed to Israeli sabotage, complicating negotiations over a new nuclear deal. And we finally know the company that helped the FBI hack a notorious shooter’s phone. /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/18729449

The "Scoop d’etat" Edition 04/07/2021

The "Scoop d’etat" Edition Jordanian authorities mount arrests and detain a member of the royal family in what authorities called a threat to “security and stability” in the country, a key U.S. ally. An attack on the Capitol in Washington raises more questions about long-term security of that building. And the Biden administration seeks a way back to the negotiating table with Iran. /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/18642704

The "Vaccines are the New Masks" Edition 03/31/2021

The "Vaccines are the New Masks" Edition The debate heats up over “vaccine passports.” Google exposes a hacking operation that turns out to have been a government counterterrorism mission. And the World Health Organization's director says his agency needs to further investigate whether the coronavirus outbreak originated with a lab in China. /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/18558833

The "Chilly in Alaska" Edition 03/24/2021

The "Chilly in Alaska" Edition U.S. and Chinese officials clash during tense meetings in Alaska. The race to vaccinate the world is becoming a geopolitical problem. And Benjamin Netanyahu’s political future is uncertain after his party fails to win an outright majority in Israel’s parliamentary elections. /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/18457988

The "It Was Always Russia" Edition 03/17/2021

The "It Was Always Russia" Edition The intelligence community issues a new report on foreign interference in the 2020 election. Does the U.S. risk a strategic error in portraying China as more powerful than it is? And the Biden administration struggles with security at the southern border. /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/18369923

The “Happy Birthday, Remote Jungle Studio” Edition 03/10/2021

The “Happy Birthday, Remote Jungle Studio” Edition The Biden administration is reviewing the policy on drone strikes. At the same time, it grapples with how to respond to aggressive cyber threats from Russia and China. And one year after much of the United States went into a virtual lockdown, the origins of the coronavirus remain unknown. /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/18275762

The “Did I Say ‘Pariah?’” Edition 03/03/2021

The “Did I Say ‘Pariah?’” Edition A newly released intelligence report officially blames Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. FBI Director Chris Wray says domestic extremism is a “metastasizing” threat. And President Biden launches airstrikes in Syria. /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/18180989

The "Confirm and Deny" Edition 02/24/2021

The "Confirm and Deny" Edition President Biden’s nominees for attorney general and CIA director mostly sail through their confirmation hearings. The administration kickstarts policy on Iran, with an eye towards salvaging a nuclear deal. And the Supreme Court rules that a New York grand jury can see Donald Trump’s tax returns. /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/18083276

The "Not Guilty but Sort of Guilty" Edition 02/17/2021

The "Not Guilty but Sort of Guilty" Edition It's our 300th episode! The Senate acquits Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial. Rolling blackouts in Texas offer a glimpse of climate insecurity to come. And the Pentagon delayed promoting two female generals to four-star commands over fears of Trump’s reaction. /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/17990672

"The Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer Does Impeachment" Edition 02/10/2021

"The Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer Does Impeachment" Edition President Trump’s impeachment trial begins in the Senate as a prosecutor in Georgia investigates efforts to overturn the election. President Biden sets out to “revitalize” national security and foreign policy in his administration. And the U.S. is (cautiously) rejoining world bodies it left under Donald Trump. /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/17904206

The "Impeachment: Part Two" Edition 02/03/2021

The "Impeachment: Part Two" Edition The Senate prepares to try former President Trump on charges of inciting a riot at the Capitol. A military coup in Myanmar deals a potentially crushing blow to democracy. And how do you solve a problem like Marjorie Taylor Greene? /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/17812307

The "Domestic in the Extreme" Edition 01/27/2021

The "Domestic in the Extreme" Edition The storming of the Capitol on January 6 has exposed the long-simmering threat of domestic extremism in the United States. How will the Biden administration combat it? Protests break out across Russia as a prominent dissident returns home. And can we just skip impeachment and get to the 14th Amendment? /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/17717720

The "Let’s Never Do That Again" Edition 01/21/2021

The "Let’s Never Do That Again" Edition Joe Biden takes the oath of office to become the 46th President of the United States. We’ll look at how Donald Trump spent his last day in office and how Biden is spending his first. /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/17629139

The "So Not-Nice They Impeached Him Twice" Edition 01/13/2021

The "So Not-Nice They Impeached Him Twice" Edition The House impeaches President Trump—again—for his role in stoking an attack on the Capitol. President-elect Biden announces more national security appointments, including his nominee to lead the CIA. And Mike Pompeo breaks some diplomatic furniture on the way out the door. /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/17540252

"The Peaceless Transition of Power" Edition 01/06/2021

"The Peaceless Transition of Power" Edition A normally procedural session of Congress dissolves as protestors descend on Washington and occupy the Capitol. A new crackdown on pro-democracy forces in Hong Kong will complicate the incoming Biden administration’s approach to China. And how will a (barely) Democrat-controlled Senate affect Biden’s national security agenda? /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/17451449

The "F--- This Year" Edition 12/31/2020

The "F--- This Year" Edition President Trump issues another round of pardons, raising expectations that his family members and maybe Trump himself will be next. As 2020 comes to a merciful close, we’ll take a look back at the big national security stories that didn’t get enough attention. And we’ll talk about what we’ve got our eyes on for 2021, besides a triumphant return to the actual Jungle Studio. /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/17375840

The "Disbarred" Edition 12/17/2020

The "Disbarred" Edition Attorney General Bill Barr exits the stage. Did he leave before Trump could fire him? A massive computer hack attributed to Russian intelligence may have exposed dozens of companies and government agencies. And in the face of that and other Russian threats, how is a Biden administration likely to change U.S. policy towards Moscow? /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/17227688

The "Stocking the Cabinet" Edition 12/10/2020

The "Stocking the Cabinet" Edition President-elect Biden continues building his Cabinet, but his pick for defense secretary leaves some supporters cold. Administration officials drag their feet on the transition as Trump’s lawyers mount increasingly absurd and dangerous efforts to overturn the election. And the White House tries to rally support for a controversial weapons sale to the United Arab Emirates as the Gulf Arab states look ahead to a Biden administration that may be more skeptical of close ties. /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/17134667

The "You Get a Pardon and You Get a Pardon!” Edition 12/03/2020

The "You Get a Pardon and You Get a Pardon!” Edition A top Iranian nuclear scientist is assassinated. Everyone gets pardons this Christmas! And the attorney general takes steps to ensure the investigation of the Russia probe continues in the Biden administration. Plus, the gang welcomes special guest Noah Efron of "The Promised Podcast." /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/17043524

"The First Day of the Rest of Our Lives (Revisited)" Edition 11/25/2020

"The First Day of the Rest of Our Lives (Revisited)" Edition We're off this week for Thanksgiving, but we're bringing you back four years ago to reflect on the day after the 2016 election. What national security themes drove Donald Trump's supporters? What challenges did we anticipate Trump would face in forming a government? And what did we get right? /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/16946708

"The Firings Will Continue Until Morale Improves" Edition 11/18/2020

"The Firings Will Continue Until Morale Improves" Edition President Trump fires the country’s top election security official because he won’t go along with his lies about a stolen election. Promising news about coronavirus vaccines raises important questions about who should get it first, and where. And President Trump prepares to draw down troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/16867760

The "Peaceful(ish) Transfer of Power" Edition 11/12/2020

The "Peaceful(ish) Transfer of Power" Edition Joe Biden is elected president, but Donald Trump refuses to concede, and the transition to a new administration is rocky. Attorney General Bill Barr authorizes federal prosecutors to investigate potential voter fraud. And the gang takes questions from our live audience! /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/16777883

The "Still Counting" Edition 11/04/2020

The "Still Counting" Edition President Trump falsely declares victory and asserts the election was fraudulent. What havoc could he raise as states continue to count ballots? Some of the most dreaded threats of foreign interference didn’t materialize, but other danger may lie ahead. And Trump may be defeated, but Trumpism may be alive and kicking. /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/16687877

The “Buckle Your Seatbelts” Edition 10/28/2020

The “Buckle Your Seatbelts” Edition Americans head to the polls in the face of a virus and potential disruptions at polling places and beyond. Whoever wins next Tuesday, the period between Election Day and the inauguration is bound to be rocky. And we’ll take a big picture look at the national security challenges that the next president will face, whoever he is. /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/16590992

The “That’s Rudy!” Edition 10/21/2020

The “That’s Rudy!” Edition Rudy Giuliani finds himself at the center of a misbegotten effort to interfere in the 2020 election. American diplomats and intelligence officers complain they’re being left in the cold after mysterious attacks. And the Trump administration sends an unusual envoy to Syria to discuss U.S. hostages. /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/16497386

The "Unmasked at Last" Edition 10/14/2020

The "Unmasked at Last" Edition A Justice Department investigation into whether Obama-era officials improperly requested the identities of individuals from intelligence reports ends with a whimper. An investigation into the shooting of a protestor in Portland raises questions about the federal government’s use of force. And CyberCommand takes down a Russian botnet. /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/16408235

The “Don’t Let it Dominate You” Edition 10/07/2020

The “Don’t Let it Dominate You” Edition President Trump tests positive for the coronavirus and the White House becomes a hot zone. Justice Department officials were “a driving force” behind an immigration policy that separated families at the border with Mexico. And two ISIS militants are charged in the murder of American hostages. /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/16316078

The "Sh*t Show" Edition 09/30/2020

The "Sh*t Show" Edition Trump tells a white nationalist group to “stand by” as he further tries to erode confidence in the November elections, this time from the presidential debate stage. Election officials are bracing for a wave of litigation and shenanigans when Americans head for the polls. And new information about Trump’s taxes reveal he’s massively in debt, adding to long-standing fears that his finances make him vulnerable to manipulation. /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/16225322

The “Could Have Done More” Edition 09/23/2020

The “Could Have Done More” Edition A top member of the Mueller team says the special counsel “could have done more” to hold Trump accountable. A career government official accuses the White House of improperly trying to stop John Bolton from publishing his memoir. And the CIA is clamping down on intelligence about Russia, according to a new report. /episode/index/show/rationalsecurity/id/16134056

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