The Secure Line

David and Xander discuss how impeachment proceedings have demonstrated the importance of independent civil service at the State Department. California burns as the President makes moves to pull the US out of the Paris climate accord. And a deep dive into the long reach of China’s influence over free speech, US companies, and even Hollywood.

Dave and Xander discuss election happenings around the world, the quiet withdrawal from Afghanistan, and give a primer the security implications of climate change.

NOTE: Our apologies for last week’s episode being download-able for a few days; it was a technical mishap on Dave’s end. Fixing it pushed the release of this episode by a few days as well.

Dave and Alex Bell touch on Syria, Ukraine, the Open Skies Treaty, the Democratic presidential debate, and why Kim Jung Un riding a white horse might be a problem.

Dave, Alex, and Matt catch up on Ukraine, personalizing state power, impact on US credibility and the Sopranos. The People’s Republic of China celebrates its 70th Anniversary. And North Korea tests missiles.

Mentioned: Sex and Death in the Rational World of Defense Intellectuals by Carol Cohn. https://www.jstor.org/stable/3174209?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents

NOTE: This episode was recorded the day before we learned that the president sought a foreign state’s intervention in the 2020 election. So… yeah. Sigh.

Dave, Matt, and Caitlin discuss drones and why Saudi Arabia’s military has issues, the fact that John Bolton never did the job he was supposed to do, and then dive into the Marine Commandant’s service reform goals.

Reading:

Ongoing protests in Hong Kong offer insight into the future of protest and organizing in information dominant surveillance states. The Amazon is on fire and it’s not a mistake. A fight over intel sharing between South Korea and Japan sparks a deep dive into the security structure of the Asia-Pacific. And Becky has a new job.

Recommended reading: If you’re interested in the question of why there isn’t an Asian NATO, Victor Cha’s very approachable article Powerplay: Origins of the U.S. Alliance System in Asia is probably your best introduction to the issue. https://www.jstor.org/stable/40389236

Dave and Xander catch up on the ongoing protests in Hong Kong, the role of the US, and the importance of human rights to American interests. Also, TPP. Then: Russia’s crazy nuclear-powered missile engine blew up. And the President wants to buy Greenland.

Political violence in the US: How it affects views of America overseas and how we can use an international affairs analyst mindset to better understand ourselves. Dems candidates talk nuclear policy at the last debate. And dive into China’s statement of military policy. 

Yes, this episode is a week late. Yes, Dave is sorry.

The UK gets a new PM who wants to make England Great Again. The WHO declares an emergency over Ebola. And the President suggests nuking Afghanistan.

Mentioned:

The team reviews the Secretary of Defense nomination hearings, the US cuts Turkey off from the F35, the INF sits at death’s door, and Dave manages to offend Montenegro.