Days after President Trump’s meeting with Vladimir Putin, questions remain: what was gained, what was conceded, and what does it mean for Ukraine? In Part 1 of this two-part episode, Elisa is joined by Rob Dannenberg—former CIA officer and two-time Moscow Station Chief—to examine the dynamics of the Alaska summit. They discuss Putin’s shifting demands, Trump’s rejection of a ceasefire in favor of a permanent peace, and the risks of negotiating with one of the world’s most seasoned strongmen.

Robert Dannenberg worked in the Central Intelligence Agency for 24 years, including as Chief of Operations for the Counter Terrorism Center, Chief of the Central Eurasia Division and Chief of the CIA’s Information Operations Center. He then served as the head of the Office of Global Security for Goldman Sachs.

References:

Dannenberg, Rob. “It’s Time to Show Putin that the U.S. Is Serious.” The Cipher Brief, 24 August 2025. The Cipher Brief.

Dannenberg, Rob.A Spy Walked into a Bar: A Practitioner’s Guide to Cocktail Tradecraft.Ci4 Publishing, 21 June 2025

Sanctioning Russia Act of 2025

In the wake of President Trump and Vladimir Putin’s summit in Alaska, we turn our focus back to the nation that remains central to their agenda—Ukraine. Since the sixth century, Ukraine has been the site of many incursions from the east and west, from Ghengis Khan, to the Ottomans, Swedes, Poles, and more. This week, host Elisa is joined by Russia and Eurasia expert Eugene Rumer to review Ukraine's history of upheaval, what Ukraine's future may hold, and how Putin is shaping its present.

Eugene Rumer is Director and Senior Fellow of the Russia and Eurasia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

References:

Senate Hearing: "Disinformation: A Primer in Russian Active Measures and Influence Campaigns, Panel 1" March 30, 2017

Eugene Rumer on Active Measures, Senate Testimony. C-SPAN. May 9, 2020

In Myanmar’s remote Kachin State, a rebel militia now controls one of the world’s most strategic mineral frontiers. In Part 2 of this two-part episode, Elisa and journalist Timothy McLaughlin explore the realities of rare earth mining in the region—from environmental damage and unsafe labor conditions to the steady flow of minerals into China. Together, they unpack how this supply chain is shaping regional power dynamics—and what it reveals about the global race for critical resources.

Timothy McLaughlin is a contributing writer at The Atlantic

References:

McLaughlin, Timothy. “A Rebel Army Is Building a Rare-Earth Empire on China’s Doorstep: Myanmar Rebels Gain Control of Mines as U.S. and China Feud over Rare Earths.” Bloomberg, 18 July 2025

In Myanmar’s remote Kachin State, a rebel militia now controls one of the world’s most strategic mineral frontiers. In Part 1 of this two-part episode, Elisa speaks with journalist Timothy McLaughlin about the Kachin Independence Army’s takeover of the Pangwa region—rich in rare earth minerals vital to wind turbines, electric vehicles, and advanced military systems. Bordering China, this contested territory sits at the intersection of global demand, regional politics, and the fight for control over critical resources.

Timothy McLaughlin is a contributing writer at The Atlantic

References:

McLaughlin, Timothy. “A Rebel Army Is Building a Rare-Earth Empire on China’s Doorstep: Myanmar Rebels Gain Control of Mines as U.S. and China Feud over Rare Earths.” Bloomberg, 18 July 2025,

In Part 2 of this two-part episode, Elisa continues her conversation with Tyler O’Connor, Partner at Crowell & Moring and former Energy Counsel to the House Energy & Commerce Committee, to explore the evolving role of the National Defense Authorization Act. Together, they break down how the NDAA is expanding the Department of Energy’s reach, creating new incentives for industrial decarbonization, and strengthening the ties between federal policy and America’s industrial base.

Tyler O’Connor is an energy litigator and public policy leader in Crowell & Moring’s Washington, D.C. office

References:

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (Introduced)

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

IRA: Section 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit

Clean Energy Investment Tax Credit Clean Electricity Production Credit

Zero-Emission Nuclear Power Production Credit

CHIPS and Science Act The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 The Federal Power Act, Section 202c

A new wave of energy legislation is changing the incentives–and the direction–of U.S. energy policy. In Part 1 of this two-part episode, Elisa sits down with Tyler O’Connor, Partner at Crowell & Moring and former Energy Counsel to the House Energy & Commerce Committee, to unpack the recently passed “One Big Beautiful Bill.” They discuss how the legislation rolls back key clean energy tax credits, prioritizes traditional energy infrastructure, and could push the private sector to rethink its approach to energy planning, investment, and long-term sustainability.

Tyler O’Connor is an energy litigator and public policy leader in Crowell & Moring’s Washington, D.C. office

References:

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (Introduced)

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

IRA: Section 45X Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit

Clean Energy Investment Tax Credit Clean Electricity Production Credit

Zero-Emission Nuclear Power Production Credit

CHIPS and Science Act

This week, Elisa is joined by John A. Lauder—former CIA official, arms control negotiator, and current Senior Fellow at the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control—to examine the tension between nuclear innovation and nonproliferation. From the postwar promise of Atoms for Peace to today’s AI-fueled energy demands, they unpack the rising interest in small reactors, mounting concerns within the nonproliferation community, and the difficult policy decisions facing U.S. leaders in the years ahead.

John A. Lauder is a Senior Fellow at the Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control and is a cofounder of the James A. Garfield Center for Public Leadership at Hiram College.

References:

Atoms for Peace

In the race for critical minerals, legal frameworks are becoming as important as supply chains. This week, Elisa is joined by Brian Egan, Partner at Skadden and former Legal Adviser at the State Department and National Security Council, to unpack the legal complexities behind securing minerals from foreign—and often unfriendly—nations. From sanctions and treaty negotiations to private sector deals and foreign investment, they explore how lawyers across government and industry are navigating national security risks in today’s resource-driven economy.

Brian Egan is Partner in National Security, CFIUS, and International Trade at Skadden

References:

H.R.1042 - Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act

Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977

NSLT Ep. 205, "Seabed Mining as a National Security Threat: The Laws of the Sea with Matt Gianni (Part 1)

In Part 2 of their two-part discussion, Elisa and Dr. Koroush Shirvan of MIT’s Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering explore how small-scale reactors compare to other green alternatives, why the U.S. continues to trail global leaders, and what policy and infrastructure gaps must be addressed to move forward. They also discuss rising energy costs at home—and what it will take to keep nuclear power affordable as demand grows.

Dr. Koroush Shirvan is the Atlantic Richfield Career Development Professor in Energy Studies

References:

VIDEO: “How Does Nuclear Energy Work? – Presentation by Professor Koroush Shirvan (MIT).” YouTube, uploaded by the Australian Nuclear Association, 2024.

Project Pele Overview

As pressure mounts to modernize America’s energy systems, nuclear power is back on the table. In Part 1 of this two-part episode, Elisa is joined by Dr. Koroush Shirvan, nuclear expert and professor in MIT’s Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, to break down the fundamentals of nuclear energy and its potential role in national security. Together, they explore what powers today’s nuclear plants, how they compare to coal, and the infrastructure, training, and regulation required to bring new facilities online.

Dr. Koroush Shirvan is the Atlantic Richfield Career Development Professor in Energy Studies

References:

VIDEO: “How Does Nuclear Energy Work? – Presentation by Professor Koroush Shirvan (MIT).” YouTube, uploaded by the Australian Nuclear Association, 2024.