National Security Law Today

Recently, the United States has witnessed a notable surge in immigrants entering the country, resulting in a visible strain to outdated immigration policies and procedures. With no forward-thinking bi-partisan solution in sight, is massive immigration a rising national security concern? This week, host Elisa is joined by Elaine Duke, former Deputy Secretary of the DHS. Together they dissect the in...

Part 2 of 2 – Formed in response to the Rwandan and former Yugoslavian genocides in the early 1990s, the International Criminal Court (ICC) was established with a crucial mission: to bring to justice those accountable for the most heinous crimes of global significance. In this two-part episode, host Elisa is accompanied by Cora True-Frost of Syracuse University's College of Law, to uncover the inn...

Formed in response to the Rwandan and former Yugoslavian genocides in the early 1990s, the International Criminal Court (ICC) was established with a crucial mission: to bring to justice those accountable for the most heinous crimes of global significance. In this two-part episode, host Elisa is accompanied by Cora True-Frost of Syracuse University's College of Law, to uncover the inner workings of...

After weeks of back and forth, a new debt ceiling deal is inching its way through Congress. This week, host Elisa is joined by David Wessel, economic expert at the Brookings Institution, to discuss how economic and debt policies can strengthen or weaken national security. What is the national security impact if Congress fails to reach an agreement? And are the repeated battles over the debt ceilin...

On May 11, the Standing Committee on Law and National Security co-sponsored a bipartisan luncheon titled “Over-classification: How Bad Is It, What’s the Fix?” in person at U.S. Capitol Visitors Center cosponsored by the Nonproliferation Policy Education Center. Opening Remarks were given by Harvey Rishikof, Counselor, American Bar Association Standing Committee on Law and National Security, and He...

A recent report out of the National Center for Education Statistics has revealed that America's 8th graders are scoring lower on civics education today than they have been in the last 20 years. This week's episode is a recast of an excellent conversation on civics, featuring former U.S. Secretary of Defense Bob Gates, Suzanne Spaulding of CSIS, with opening remarks by Dr. John Hamre of CSIS. To me...

As the war in Ukraine continues, we are transitioning to tell the stories of those who have been on the ground during the conflict, and the legal challenges they face in the region. This week, host Elisa welcomes back Yevgeny Vindman, currently serving as an expert consultant with the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group. Yevgeny has visited numerous war crimes sites across Ukraine, and has worked with...

The Wagner Group, a private military contractor with close ties to Russia, has been linked to countless human rights abuses and destabilizing efforts across the globe. The group is now raising speculation in Sudan as they acquire resources to aid Russia's efforts in the war in Ukraine. This week, friend-of-the-cast Adam Pearlman steps in to host John Dermody and Arthur Traldi in discussing how the...

Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is set to expire this year unless reauthorized by Congress. This week, we're airing our latest live discussion featuring special guest April Doss, General Counsel at the National Security Agency. April addresses the arguments for supporting 702, where its pitfalls may lie, and how critical this framework is to national security. April Doss i...

China is an engine for economic growth, and within the past few decades has expanded rapidly, lifting millions out of poverty and creating new opportunities for businesses around the world. As U.S.-China relations become more strained, does the potential for competition outweigh the benefits of cooperation? This week, host Elisa is joined by David Dollar, Senior Fellow and host of the "Dollar & Se...

The average Chinese family size is shrinking. For every 100 Chinese females there are roughly 105 Chinese males, a disparity that amounts to about 32 million more men on a countrywide scale. This shift in gender balance and family structures is the unavoidable consequence of China's declining fertility rates, and the strict One-Child Policy enacted in 1979. This week, host Elisa is joined by Ashto...

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, evidence has emerged that Russia has been relocating and reeducating thousands of Ukrainian children – actions that constitute war crimes, and may give evidence to genocide. This week, host Elisa is joined by friend-of-the-cast Judge Jamie Baker to discuss the latest ICC war crime charges against Putin, and what this could mean for the conflict going forward....

This week, host Elisa runs through the latest national security headlines, covering Xi Jinping's visit to Moscow, political turmoil in Israel, the International Criminal Court's recent charges against Russia, and more. References: The Rome Statute and associated articles: https://www.icc-cpi.int/sites/default/files/RS-Eng.pdf Egozi, Arie. “Improved Saudi-Iran Relationship Has Israel Nervous - abou...

This week, host Elisa is joined by Joshua Kurlantzick, Senior Fellow for Southeast Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations. Together they discuss China's most recent attempts at soft power influence, most notably through the nations media presence across the globe. How successful have China's efforts been at influencing politics in foreign countries? What exactly do these efforts look like? And h...

This week, host Elisa welcomes on Jude Blanchette, China expert at The Center for Strategic and International Studies. With a background in China's political history and the influence of the CCP, Jude unpacks China's latest political moves, how we got to the present dynamic, and what we might expect from China in the future. Beginning with Taiwan, why is the island so important to both China and t...

Tik Tok, the Chinese-owned social media platform, has taken the U.S. by storm with nearly two thirds of American teenagers currently active on the app. Through a national security lens, Tik Tok is a giant red flag – Congress is advancing legislation to enable a nationwide ban over growing data-privacy concerns. But would a flat ban actually hurt more than it helps? This week, host Elisa welcomes G...

In the absence of regulation, we are ultimately at the mercy of social media platforms and their algorithms. This week, host Elisa welcomes Joshua Tucker, Professor of Politics at NYU, to discuss his extensive research on American elections, including voter influence through social media and how broad public opinions are formed on and off these platforms. How do you go about accessing this kind of...

At times of real and perceived national security threats, policymakers and decision-makers sometimes consider “law” an impediment rather than an asset. In this week's episode, an expert panel addresses the question - does law matter - and other ethical questions, like how to make the case for law in times of crisis, and why the good faith application of law is a national security value. Lauren Hob...

As Ukraine ramps up its defenses with the help of allied nations, it appears there is no end in sight for the War in Ukraine. This week, host Elisa is joined by committee member David Graham to discuss the ins and outs of the Law of Armed Conflict, and how the framework applies to the situation in Ukraine. What should Russia be held accountable for? How do we foresee this conflict playing out? And...

In Ukraine and around the world, satellites have become increasingly essential for military operations. Over 7,000 active satellites are currently in orbit, but how vulnerable are they to targeting and attack? This week host Elisa is joined by Dr. Brian Weeden of the Secure World Foundation to discuss the role satellites have played in Ukraine, in past conflicts, and how they've evolved to become...

NATO, the world's strongest and most powerful military alliance, represents 50% of the worlds economic power and 50% of its military power. As we head into another year of war in Ukraine, several NATO allies have recently agreed to step up their military aid, raising tensions with the Kremlin. This week, host Elisa is joined by George Washington University Professor and NATO expert, Dr. Erwan Laga...

The scale of Russia's criminal conduct in Ukraine is astounding. Since Russia invaded Ukraine almost one year ago, Ukrainian authorities have opened over 50,000 investigations into alleged war crimes committed by Russia. As we approach the one year anniversary of the invasion, we welcome back Judge James Baker to revisit the laws and treaties that apply to Russia and this conflict. Hon. James E Ba...

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...

What does the new year have in store for national security law and policy? This week host Elisa is joined by fellow committee members Bill Banks, Harvey Rishikof and Mary DeRosa to run through the big issues for the year ahead. Will this be a landmark year in the crackdown on tech? Will crypto policy steal the spotlight? What will happen with Title 42 and immigration law? Bill Banks is Chair of th...

To celebrate another year of National Security Law Today, host Elisa brings you some of her favorite highlights from 2022. Browse our entire collection of episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher and Soundcloud. Subscribe to the podcast and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/national-security-law-today/id1276946676 Follow to the podcast and leave us a r...