National Security Law Today

China’s growing presence in African port development is shifting global power dynamics. This week, Elisa is joined by Paul Nantulya of the Africa Center for Strategic Studies to examine China’s growing influence across the continent’s maritime infrastructure. Drawing from his recent study, they discuss how port investments tie into China’s long-term economic and military ambitions, what it means for U.S. interests, and how African nations are navigating the pressure between opportunity and sovereignty.

Paul Nantulya is a Research Associate with the Africa Center for Strategic Studies

References:

Nantulya, Paul. "Mapping China’s Strategic Port Development in Africa." Africa Center for Strategic Studies, 10 Mar. 2025

The Africa Center The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation

As misinformation fuels mistrust, the challenge ahead is restoring shared civic ground. In Part 2 of their conversation, Elisa is joined by Barbara McQuade, Professor at the University of Michigan Law School and former U.S. Attorney, to examine the legal, cultural, and educational solutions that could help strengthen democratic stability. Drawing from Attack from Within, they explore the role of bots on social media, the importance of civic education in schools, the risks of executive overreach, and how lawyers can help lead a less partisan, more principled future.

Barbara McQuade is a Professor from Practice at Michigan Law

References:

McQuade, Barbara. Attack from Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America. Seven Stories Press, 2024.

#SistersinLaw Podcast

NSLT, Ep. 337, Power and Profit: How Lobbying Shaped Washington with Brody Mullins (Part 1)

Buckley v. Valeo

Citizens United v. FEC

Haidt, Jonathan. The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. Penguin Press, 2024.

Koh, Harold Hongju. The National Security Constitution in the Twenty-First Century. Yale University Press, 2024.

Changes in how we share and receive information are reshaping democratic stability. In Part 1 of this two-part episode, Elisa sits down with Barbara McQuade, Professor at the University of Michigan Law School and former U.S. Attorney, to examine how disinformation, digital echo chambers, and the decline of civic infrastructure are reshaping public trust. Drawing from her book, Attack from Within, Barbara explores the long-term effects of polarization, the influence of algorithms, and the role lawyers and lawmakers can play in defending democratic values.

Barbara McQuade is a Professor from Practice at Michigan Law

References:

McQuade, Barbara. Attack from Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America. Seven Stories Press, 2024.

#SistersinLaw Podcast

NSLT, Ep. 229, "Broken News and the Media Rage Machine with Chris Stirewalt"

Minow, Martha. Saving the News: Why the Constitution Calls for Government Action to Preserve Freedom of Speech. Oxford University Press, 2021.

Putnam, Robert D. Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. Touchstone Books by Simon & Schuster, 2001.

FISA Section 230

S.2972 - A bill to repeal section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934

A growing number of teenage boys in the U.S. are being targeted by large-scale financial sextortion schemes. This week, Elisa sits down with cybercrime expert Paul Raffile to uncover the scale and tactics behind this global blackmail operation, how social media platforms are enabling it, and what it means for the future of America’s workforce. From loneliness to digital manipulation, they explore how the vulnerabilities of young men today could shape national security readiness tomorrow.

Paul Raffile is a cyber intelligence analyst focused on global cyber threats and transnational organized crime.

References:

Financial Sextortion Backgrounder Raffile, Paul, et al. A Digital Pandemic: Uncovering the Role of ‘Yahoo Boys’ in the Surge of Social Media-Enabled Financial Sextortion Targeting Minors. Network Contagion Research Institute, Jan. 2024.

Haidt, Jonathan. The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. Penguin Press, 2024.

Reeves, Richard V. Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do about It. Brookings Institution Press, 2022.

New Sextortion Data, NCMEC

The Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act

The Take it Down Act

FISA Section 230

Tariffs have been shaping American policy since 1792, but the legal framework behind them is anything but settled. This week, Elisa is joined by Professor Kathleen Claussen of Georgetown Law to unpack the constitutional authority for imposing tariffs, how presidents have used emergency powers to reshape trade policy, and why legal challenges continue to surface. From historical precedent to national security declarations, they explore the shifting landscape of trade law—and what young lawyers should know before stepping into the field.

Kathleen Claussen is a professor of international and economic law at Georgetown University School of Law.

References:

Taussig, F. W. The Tariff History of the United States. Nabu Press, 1914.

"Alexander Hamilton’s Final Version of the Report on the Subject of Manufactures, [5 December 1791],” Founders Online, National Archives

U.S. Constitution, Article I Section 8

Section 301, The Trade Act of 1974

Section 232, The Trade Expansion Act of 1962

The International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)

The Trading with the Enemy Act

(Part 2 of 2) This week, Elisa and Mark Mills explore the growing energy demands of digital infrastructure, and why hydrocarbons remain central to global energy forecasts. They examine the intersection of technology, defense readiness, and long-term energy strategy in an era defined by rising demand and complex supply chains.

Mark Mills is founder and executive director of the National Center for Energy Analytics. Mark joins the conversation in his individual capacity, and not on behalf of any agency or organization.

References:

• Mills, Mark P. The Cloud Revolution: How the Convergence of New Technologies Will Unleash the Next Economic Boom and a Roaring 2020s. Encounter Books, 2021.
• Huber, Peter W., and Mark P. Mills. The Bottomless Well: The Twilight of Fuel, the Virtue of Waste, and Why We Will Never Run Out of Energy. Basic Books, 2005.
• Mark Mills PragerU Videos
• E.O. 14241, Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production
• “Energy and Commerce Leaders Unveil Bipartisan Draft Legislation to Sunset Section 230.” House Committee on Energy and Commerce, 11 Mar. 2024,

Behind every battery lies a complex web of minerals, mining, and global politics. In Part 1 of this two-part discussion, Elisa is joined by Mark Mills, founder and executive director of the National Center for Energy Analytics, to explore how—and why—America’s mining and processing capabilities have fallen behind. Together, they break down which minerals matter most, who controls the global supply chains, and whether the U.S. can rethink decades of regulation to catch up.

Mark Mills is founder and executive director of the National Center for Energy Analytics

References:

• Mills, Mark P. The Cloud Revolution: How the Convergence of New Technologies Will Unleash the Next Economic Boom and a Roaring 2020s. Encounter Books, 2021.
• Huber, Peter W., and Mark P. Mills. The Bottomless Well: The Twilight of Fuel, the Virtue of Waste, and Why We Will Never Run Out of Energy. Basic Books, 2005.
• Mark Mills PragerU Videos
• E.O. 14241, Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production
• “Energy and Commerce Leaders Unveil Bipartisan Draft Legislation to Sunset Section 230.” House Committee on Energy and Commerce, 11 Mar. 2024,

As energy needs skyrocket and climate pressure mounts, the conversation around nuclear is shifting—from fear to feasibility. In Part 2 of their discussion, Elisa and Dr. Jeff Waksman dive into the historical baggage, policy bottlenecks, and environmental considerations shaping nuclear’s future. They explore common misconceptions about reactor safety, how microreactors like Project Pele navigate regulatory hurdles, and why a new wave of interest—from data centers to climate advocates—is putting nuclear back on the table.

Dr. Jeff Waksman is a Program Manager at the Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO) where he leads Project Pele and Project TRISO

References:

Project Pele Overview

The CHIPS and Science Act

The Inflation Reduction Act

"China’s Demonstration HTR-PM Enters Commercial Operation” World Nuclear News, 6 Dec. 2023

Nuclear energy is back in the spotlight as policymakers and innovators look for faster, cleaner, and more reliable energy solutions. This week, Elisa is joined by Dr. Jeff Waksman, Program Manager at the Department of Defense’s Strategic Capabilities Office, to explore Project Pele—an initiative designed to fast-track the development of mobile nuclear reactors. They discuss the structural weaknesses of the U.S. grid, the slow adoption of new energy technologies, and how microreactors could provide a more flexible, resilient power source for the future.

Dr. Jeff Waksmanis a Program Manager at the Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO) where he leads Project Pele and Project TRISO

References:

The ADVANCE Act of 2024

Project Pele

As AI continues to evolve, what must be done to balance innovation with security and sustainability? In Part 2 of their discussion, Elisa and Dr. Vijay Janapa Reddi dive into the growing energy demands of AI systems, their role in national security, and the challenges of ensuring responsible development. They discuss how AI’s reliance on vast amounts of data impacts stability, the risks of limited access to training resources, and the concerns surrounding regulation.

Vijay Janapa Reddi is the John L. Loeb Associate Professor of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard University and Vice President and co-founder of MLCommons, a nonprofit organization committed to accelerating machine learning (ML) innovation for all.

References:

Dr. Janapa Reddi is author and editor of the open-source AI textbook, "Machine Learning Systems"

Dollar Street Project

Nominations Link for the Morris Leibman Awards – Nominate an individual who has demonstrated a sustained commitment and made exceptional contributions to the field of law and national security. Nominations deadline: March 14th

More information about the Morris Leibman Awards