This week, Alan, Quinta, and Scott got together for another early morning session to hash through the week's big national security news, including: 

• “Stuck in the Middle (East) with You.” As President Biden ends his trip to the Middle East having re-engaged the Gulf countries and recommitted to preventing Iran from securing a nuclear weapon—including by force, if necessary—Russian President Vladimir Putin is kicking off his own visit to deepen ties with Tehran and negotiate with Turkey. What does this mean for regional security, the lagging Iran nuclear talks, and the U.S. pivot to Asia?
• “Qualified Incredulity.” The Justice Department has finally weighed in on former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows’s arguments that executive privilege prevents the Jan. 6 committee from compelling his testimony. And while it didn’t back his position, it was more friendly to his general position than one might expect. What should we make of its approach?
• “Georgia on My ASS.” Prosecutors from the Peach State are proving a lot less cautious about investigating misconduct following the 2020 elections than the Justice Department, to the point that they may soon begin indicting associates of President Trump. What explains this different approach and where might it lead? 

As for object lessons, Alan recommended a New Yorker article on "The Haves and the Have Yachts." Quinta endorsed a recent episode of Radiolab on the fascinating human story behind the famous Daubert legal standard. And Scott encouraged independent film fans to check out the work of his friends at The Sac Chich Project, an independent film collective, and consider lending them some support.

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