The DSR Network

Truth is often stranger than fiction, but for a CIA analyst turned author, the line between the two is blurred. David McCloskey joins David and Marc to discuss his latest book and how he learned more about the CIA through writing than during his time at the agency. 

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The three-hundred seventy-fourth episode of the DSR Daily Brief.

Stories Cited in this episode:

Donald Trump says he will be in courtroom for New York trial scrutinizing his business practices

Biden vows to stand by Ukraine, despite budget fiasco

Laphonza Butler to fill Dianne Feinstein’s vacant Senate seat, Newsom office says

EU foreign ministers arrive in Kyiv to talk weapons

Leaked doc shows Biden admin is more worried about Ukraine corruption than it says publicly

Taiwan investigating accusation submarine program details leaked

Emotional support alligator barred from attending Phillies game

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Original Air Date: July 23, 2022

This week features University of Michigan law professor, co-host of the #SistersinLaw podcast and MSNBC legal analysis royalty, Barbara McQuade. Marissa and Barbara go deep on the January 6 commission’s prime-time hearing, from Josh Hawley’s gazelle-like leaps to the stunning revelation that the vice-president’s Secret Service detail was afraid they would be killed protecting him. Barbara also shares evidence that could prove Trump committed involuntary manslaughter and explains how to get a recalcitrant witness to talk. (Yoo-hoo, Mark Meadows!) Meanwhile, Marissa bakes chocolate-chocolate-chocolate chip cookies.

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Original Air Date: June 14, 2022

President Biden is headed to Saudi Arabia and will meet with Mohammed bin Salman. Is this the end for the "Democracy vs. Autocracy" framing of America's foreign policy. David Rothkopf talks with Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University, David Sanger of the New York Times, and Ed Luce of the Financial Times about this and other foreign policy issues facing the Biden Administration. Should Biden be having this meeting at all? Will it do anything to tame gas prices ahead of the midterm? Is there any way to keep the moral clarity of Biden's "Democracy vs. Autocracy" framing while working in a messy world? The answer to these and other vital questions facing the Biden Administration during this far-ranging episode. Join us! 

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It turns out that peace in the Middle East is harder than it sounds. Between the elusive peace deal between Saudi Arabia and Israel and the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran, the Biden administration has its work cut out for it. Thankfully, David and Jon are joined by Alon Pinkas and Barbara Slavin to remind us that while things may not be as bad as they seem, they can always get worse.

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The Republican Party is falling apart before our very eyes. Between the anarchic second presidential debate and the impending threat of a destructive government shutdown, it’s clear that the party is not going quietly. David Rothkopf and Norm discuss all this and more.

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The three-hundred seventy-third episode of the DSR Daily Brief.

Stories Cited in this episode:

Pakistan: At least 50 killed, dozens injured in Mastung blast

Putin discusses Ukraine war with top Wagner commander Troshev

The far right has been feuding with McCarthy for weeks. Here’s how it’s spiraling into a shutdown.

Ukraine makes clear it won’t accept second-class EU membership

Blinken meeting Indian counterpart amid fallout over Sikh leader’s killing

Biden delivers unusually sharp rebuke of Trump on democracy

Australian strongman pulls 44,753-pound hydraulic crane

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The Democrats just keep winning. But why aren’t more people talking about it? Tara McGowan and Simon Rosenberg join us to remind everyone that while Biden’s Democratic Party is on a hot streak, it’s going to take some work to keep the momentum going into 2024. 

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The three-hundred seventy-second episode of the DSR Daily Brief.

Stories Cited in this episode:

Second Republican debate: The biggest moments from debate stage

Partial US government shutdown just four days away as congressional standoff continues

North Korea changes constitution to boost nuclear arsenal growth

France isolated on post-Brexit electric vehicle tariffs

Iraq’s Nineveh buries its dead as families seek answers after wedding fire

US soldier who fled to North Korea in July lands at Texas military base

'Shrek's Swamp' listed for a weekend stay on Airbnb

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The first episode in our series leading up to the COP28 summit in November will be distributed in two parts. This episode, called the Road to COP28, features the second half of a roundtable conversation hosted by Rachel Kyte, Dean Emerita of the Fletcher School at Tufts University. Senator Ben Cardin from Maryland also joins the conversation to share his insight on the COP event and efforts to address climate issues in the US Senate. Our panel of experts includes Professor at the University College London Mark Maslin, Interim Chair of the IUCN Climate Crisis Commission Manuel Pulgar-Vidal, Director of the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies Gavin Schmidt, Chief of Government Relations at the Woodwell Climate Research Center David McGlinchey, and Co-Founding Dean Emerita of the Columbia Climate School Ruth DeFries. Their conversation sets the stage for what needs to be done at the upcoming COP 28 conference, and foreshadows what real policy changes, if any, may come as a result. Join us for this extremely critical discussion.

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