The Burn Bag Podcast

Latest Episodes:

What in the World?: All Eyes on Ukraine, Olympic Boycotts, and a Tribute to Bob Dole (12/10/21) Dec 10, 2021

Show notes

In this week's episode, A'ndre and Ryan talk about a potential Russian invasion of Ukraine, Biden's democracy summit, and increasing diplomatic boycotts of the Winter Olympics. They also discuss nuclear negotiations with Iran and are joined by Ronald Marks, former CIA official and Congressional staffer, who discusses his personal and work relationships with the late Bob Dole.

Postlude to Afghanistan: Former Biden Deputy Homeland Security Advisor Russ Travers on Counterterrorism, SIVs, and Future Threats Dec 06, 2021

Show notes

This week, A'ndre and Ryan speak with Russ Travers, former Deputy Homeland Security Advisor to President Biden, about the Afghanistan withdrawal, the Special Immigrant Visa program, and future counterterrorism challenges. Russ, who also served as Acting Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, provides his take on the nature of the terror threat today, and how we have to think through the evolution of terrorism today. We also discuss the national security community's "whole of government deficit" -- highlighting how we can address emerging threats that transcend responsibilities of multiple agencies within the government. We then turn to Afghanistan, where Russ responds to criticisms levied against the Biden Administration's handling of the situation, stating that there "were no good options," and why even though he initially supported staying in he acknowledges the dangers of a maintained troop presence there. We spend time discussing the Special Immigrant Visa program with Russ, a program he oversaw as it pertained to the Afghan evacuation, and how resettlement has proceeded. The conversation closes out with Russ' thoughts on greatest future threats -- particularly threats from within.

What in the World?: Omicron Variant, China's Repression of a Tennis Star, and Sanctions Hit Belarus(12/03/21) Dec 03, 2021

Show notes

In this week's episode, A'ndre and Ryan discuss the Omicron COVID variant and Germany's restrictions, INTERPOL's new head, and situation in Belarus. They also talk about an op-ed written by the Russian and Chinese Ambassadors to the US, China's political repressions, and Representative Boebert's comments about Representative Omar.
BBC interview with Bealrus's Lukashenka.

Losing Our Edge? Michèle Flournoy Talks U.S.-China, Taiwan, and Efficient Defense Nov 29, 2021

Show notes

In this week's episode, A'ndre and Ryan speak with Michèle Flournoy, former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy during the Obama Administration, on U.S.-China strategic competition, the Taiwan question, and enhancing defense capabilities without a budget increase. We get Michèle's take on the state of the Biden Administration's defense policy, asking her whether the Afghanistan withdrawal and the AUKUS submarine deal has dented U.S. credibility at a perilous time in great power competition. Michèle then discusses U.S.-China competition, assessing Indo-Pacific strategy, the Quad, and Xi Jinping's own leadership style. We spend a great deal of the conversation focusing in on Taiwan -- the realities of China's approach towards Taiwan, whether strategic ambiguity is ending, the state of U.S. military support for Taiwan, and why the U.S. risks losing its edge to China in tech capabilities. Michèle, who co-founded WestExec Advisors and the Center for a New American Security, closes out the conversation with a discussion on defense innovation and fostering technological advances in our security capabilities -- and why we can do that without another defense budget increase.

What in the World? Biden's Summit of Democracy, Ethiopia's War on Tigray, and the Fate of Ukraine (11/26/21) Nov 26, 2021

Show notes

In this week's episode, A'ndre and Ryan discuss the Biden Administration's Summit of Democracy, German Chancellor-designate Olaf Scholz and what changes may be afoot, and the tapping of strategic oil reserves. They also talk about the increasing threat of a Russian invasion of Ukraine's and the civil conflict in Ethiopia.

Risk: General Stanley McChrystal Applies the Guidebook to Afghanistan Nov 22, 2021

Show notes

In this week's episode, A'ndre and Ryan speak to retired Four Star General Stanley McChrystal about his new book Risk: A User's Guide, applying the principles of risk management to the War in Afghanistan -- a situation the General is very familiar with. We ask General McChrystal to discuss what he defines as the 'Risk Immune System', and to explain the 'Risk Control Factors' that he outlines in the book. General McChrystal, famed for creating a comprehensive counterinsurgency strategy in Afghanistan, applies those Risk Control Factors to the situation in Afghanistan, talking about how factors such as narrative, bias, leadership, why we shouldn't fall for the 'Myth of Helplessness' in assessing our performance and failures in Afghanistan. General McChrystal also touches on the issue of diversity -- not necessarily simply diversity in identity, but rather diversity of thought, experience, perspectives, skillsets, and expertise -- and why the U.S. Government and U.S. military were not using diversity on the battlefield. The retired General is also candid about his own successes and failures during his service in Afghanistan, while also offering thoughts on solutions for better risk management -- and whether it was ever too late to apply these solutions to Afghanistan.
You can check out General McChrystal's new book Risk: A User's Guide here.

What in the World?: China's Secret Port, Putin and Lukashenka Create a Border Crisis, and a Cover Up Comes to Light (11/20/21) Nov 20, 2021

Show notes

In this week's episode, A'ndre and Ryan discuss the Biden-Xi meeting, the construction of China's secret port in the UAE, and Indian President Modi's decision to repeal the farm laws. They also talk about the " migrant crisis" at the Poland-Belarus and a recently uncovered U.S. strike in Syria.

Winning the Ideological War: Farah Pandith, Former Special Rep. to Muslim Communities, on Countering Violent Extremism Nov 15, 2021

Show notes

This week, A'ndre and Ryan speak with Farah Pandith, the first-ever Special Representative to Muslim Communities for the State Department, on countering violent extremism. Farah, who has served under three U.S. Presidents, discusses her engagement with Muslim communities around the world during her time at both the National Security Council and the State Department. She emphasizes the importance of soft power in thwarting the incubation of ideological extremism and terrorism, and identifies her approach with Muslim communities in Western Europe during the early-to-mid 2000s in the aftermath of the Danish Cartoon Scandal. Farah outlines why questions around "identity" were so important in understanding how Muslims were perceiving themselves in their countries, and is candid about how she saw and currently sees the U.S. Government's outreach to the global Muslim community since 9/11. Lastly, Farah offers her honest thoughts on how she sees diversity in U.S. national security circles, reflecting on issues she faced throughout her career, and stating that the U.S. has a long way to go.
Farah is the author of How We Win: How Cutting-Edge Entrepreneurs, Political Visionaries, Enlightened Business Leaders, and Social Media Mavens Can Defeat the Extremist Threat.

What in the World?: Bolsonaro is a "Liberal", Russian Provocations, and Iraq's PM Survives an Assassination Attempt Nov 12, 2021

Show notes

In this week's episode, A'ndre and Ryan talk about Russian troop movements on the Ukraine border, the civil conflict in Ethiopia, and the assassination attempt against the Iraqi PM. They also discuss COVID waves, COP26, and Xi Jinping's cementing of power.

Former CIA Director General David Petraeus on the Fall of Afghanistan Nov 08, 2021

Show notes

This week, A'ndre and Ryan speak with former CIA Director General (Ret.) David Petraeus about his thoughts on the Fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban, as the retired general reflects on the mistakes made during the withdrawal and throughout the broader 20 year war. General Petraeus, who famously served as Commander of U.S. Forces in Afghanistan, outlines why Afghanistan is and will become a 'humanitarian catastrophe' under Taliban rule. Criticizing the idea that the Afghan Army was not 'willing' to fight, Petraeus asserts that the pull-out of contractors, reliance on U.S.-based materials and equipment, and the simultaneous Taliban attacks country-wide led to a psychological collapse of the Afghan Army. Petraeus, who served as CIA Director in the early 2010s, discusses how the U.S. 'overbuilt' Afghan security forces, and whether the U.S. Armed Forces were attuned with the cultural and societal intricacies of Afghanistan. We close out the conversation with the General's thoughts on public opinion towards the Afghanistan War, ending 'endless' wars, and how we can help the Afghans who helped us.
Check out No One Left Behind and their important work here: https://nooneleft.org/

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