The DSR Network

It's not our fault. The month before DSR started Comey got fired, Mueller got hired, and we were off to the races with the Greatest Witch Hunt in History. Many witches later...and 200 podcasts later...we look back to ask: What has changed the most in America since we launched? Join Rosa Brooks of Georgetown Law Center, Kori Schake of IISS, Christine Wormuth of the Rand Corporation and Ed Luce of t...

As part of our celebration of 200th episode, we had a special conversation with Lawrence O'Donnell, host of MSNBC's "The Last Word" and one of the keenest, most candid observers of Washington anywhere. We discuss with him how this moment is different from all others, the critical mistakes we may be making and why nonetheless, there may be reason for hope. Following that we then turn to former U.S....

When the special relationship starts coming apart at the seams because of an unfortunate outbreak of stating the obvious, who you gonna call? Ivanka! From the DMZ to world leader photo ops to Brexit, America's crown princess is at the helm. And if she's not available, her second in command, Jared, is always standing by. So, have a nice time at the beach folks. What could go wrong? Our friendly dee...

Yes, our Constitution is not exactly working as planned. Yes, checks and balances are not checking or balancing. Yes, the president and his family are behaving like royals on the world stage. Yes, this July 4th might be seen to celebrate not the revolution to break away from one mad king but the ascension of another. But surely there are things to celebrate about America today, right? Ed Luce of t...

President Trump became the first American president to enter North Korea. That's the good news. He also seems to be heading for a deal with North Korea that may freeze their nuclear arsenal at 20-60 warheads. That's not so good. It's not good because we will then reward Kim Jong Un for building that arsenal by lifting sanctions, we will get only nominal gains, like the shutdown of perhaps one agin...

So, there was this war with Iran, remember? Then there wasn't. Then there were cyberattacks. But what did they do? And were they legal? And why did we do them? And isn't all this making another war in the Middle East more likely--whether Trump wants it or not? We start our conversation on this issues with a first-rate panel featuring Sharon Weinberger of Yahoo News, Ed Luce of the FT, David Sanger...

From one perspective, this is not a particularly auspicious moment for women at the top ranks of the US government. There are fewer women in leadership roles in the Trump Administration and then, of course, there's the fact the president has been credibly accused of being a rapist. More than once. That said, there are also some very promising signs and one of the most exciting is a new initiative...

There's a lot we don't know about cyberwar. But that doesn't mean we can stop progress from happening while we figure it out. So, Russia attacks us, we attack back, escalation occurs and who knows, our officials may or may not tell the president because, you know, his fondness for Russia and his problems with polysyllabic words and so forth. That could be a problem, no? We discuss with Kori Schake...

It is conventional wisdom that Americans want nothing to do with the world save for cheap imports and K-Pop music. Even New York Times columnists say so. But, the reality is far different. In fact, polling suggests the opposite is true. America's welcome foreign engagement and support our allies and alliances. We discuss what's true and what this may mean in the 2020 elections with Ivo Daalder, Pr...

In 1780 John Adams wrote "For as in absolute governments the King is law, so in free countries the law ought to be king; and there ought to be no other." It was in the Massachusetts Constitution that he was trying to enshrine the idea that the new U.S. would be "a nation of laws not men." It was a nice idea while it lasted. This week, as we discuss with Ben Wittes of Lawfare, Ryan Goodman of Just...

Anna Fifield, Beijing Bureau Chief of the Washington Post, has written an extraordinary new book providing never before available insights into North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un. Deep State Radio regular's Kori Schake of IISS and David Sanger of the New York Times, join Anna for a discussion of the book, of Kim, of the current fragile state of U.S.-N.K. relations (and why a deal may yet happen befo...

Impeachment has become a charged word in our national political debate. But the framers of our Constitution saw it as an essential tool in protecting the integrity of our government and the interests of the American people. Professor Lawrence Tribe, of Harvard Law School, is one of the country's leading constitutional scholars and he has recently written of a path forward the House of Representati...

The disinformation war of the President, AG Barr and their associates is unlike any we have ever seen in US history...and this is a country that knows a thing or two about bullshit. But not only is the Team Trump effort more sweeping, but thanks to Barr, the administration is now trying to translate their alternative reality into an institutional outcome, blunting the efforts of the Congress to do...

With his new book, "China's New Red Guard: The Return of Radicalism and the Rebirth of Mao Zedong" author Jude Blanchette describes vividly a shift in the politics of China that has profound implications for that country and the world. In this episode, he discusses the book and with Rosa Brooks and Evelyn Farkas discusses China's changing role in the world, it's new assertiveness, and where we are...

Much as the barrage balloons that used to float above London during the blitz were ominous reminders of dire impending threats, so too does the large inflatable Baby Trump that floats over London when the American president visits convey a foreboding message. Trump's trip, despite the pomp offered up by the Royal Family, has come with protests and much the same is expected when he arrives in Irela...

Nada Bakos was a CIA targeter during the height of the War on Terror. She has just completed a compelling new book on her experiences on the ground in the Middle East, at the Agency and coping with the White House and other political leaders in Washington. It is not only a great read but it offers valuable insights that are relevant today re: Iran, terrorism, and how we view intelligence in the wa...

From the potential for abuse associated with indictments like those handed down in the case of Julian Assange to the potential for abuse in not handing down such indictments, from the president's continued bullying of his adversaries and those who might testify against him to the ever-growing list of court cases involving Donald Trump and his team, our system is being tested as never before. But t...

Deep Staters love to...drink box wine. But sometimes, when they are sober, they also love to read. Sometimes they read when they're drunk, too. But what do they read? And does it help? On this, our annual and much beloved summer reading episode we answer the questions about what you should be reading and who you should be avoiding at all costs. It'll make your summer worthwhile and it'll make you...

Nigel Farage, who got one, certainly does? But who else does? Who might deserve a pumpkin pie? And, while we're at it, do you think that will stop the spread of right wing nuts like Farage? The news suggests no. So what's to be done? And...what about the other horrifying things that are going on around the world--wars, near-wars, unending-wars, trade wars? We discuss it all with a classic Deep Sta...

Trump talks tough. But like most bullies, he shies away from any real fight. The problem is talking tough increases tensions and that raises the risk of accidental war (made more possible by the fact our National Security Advisor is a pyromaniac with a box of matches). But scary as all that is, more dangerous is what is happening at home--both in terms of the GOP war on our democracy, on women, on...

As one of our guests on this week's episode, Max Bergmann of the Center for American Progress pointed out, the Trump Administration presents the so-called "Zebra Problem." Zebra's stripes might not appear great camouflage against green or ground plains, but they are a very effective aid in helping individual zebras blend in against the backdrop of the herd, providing good protection against lions....

The Speaker of the House and Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee have declared we are in a Constitutional Crisis. The White House has adopted a policy of "total stonewalling" denying any documents to any House committee to enable mandated oversight. The GOP is playing hardball knowing that whether they delay outcomes or prevent them outright they win. It's a war of attrition and if it gets t...

Where do we start? Trump renews his video bromance with Vladimir Putin and Putin smiles. Then they collude to agree they didn't collude. 800 prosecutors say Trump should be charged with multiple felony counts for obstruction and while they're at it, seem to suggest that Attorney General Bill Barr is a partisan hack. Trump is above the law and there may not be anything we can do about it. Crisis? Y...

It has long been a foundational belief of political smarties everywhere that the average American does not give a hoot about foreign policy. But that, according to a new study from the Center for American Progress, is just not true. Maybe 20 percent don't give a hoot. And about 30 percent are nutty nationalists. But 50 percent are more in the internationalist vein which could have big implications...

You've seen him in Scandal, Private Practice & Grey's Anatomy..so basically ever single Shonda Rhimes show that you're obsessed with Paul Adelstein has been in. Paul and Emily bonded over their Midwest roots talking theater, politics and everything in between. Paul and Emily hypothetically cast the Trump White House movie and you'll never guess what roles they each would like to play. Support this...