The Burn Bag Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Dr. Anthony Fauci on Pandemics, Public Health, and a Lifetime in Public Service Feb 17, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Dr. Anthony Fauci joins A'ndre for an in-depth conversation about his decades-long career in public health and his experiences leading the U.S. response to some of the world’s most pressing infectious disease challenges. Dr. Fauci reflects on his early work during the HIV/AIDS crisis, the evolution of treatments that saved millions of lives, and his role in launching PEPFAR, one of the most significant global health initiatives in history. He discusses his leadership at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), navigating crises such as Ebola, Zika, H1N1, anthrax, and COVID-19, while working alongside multiple U.S. presidents to shape national and global health policies.

Beyond his career in government, Dr. Fauci shares his thoughts on the intersection of public health and national security, the growing challenges of vaccine skepticism and misinformation, and the vital role of institutions like the NIH and CDC in protecting public health. He also highlights the major health threats that remain overlooked in mainstream discourse. Now a professor at Georgetown University, Dr. Fauci reflects on his transition to academia and the importance of training the next generation of medical leaders in an era of evolving global health challenges.

You can purchase his recent memoir, On Call, here.

U.S.-India Under Trump: Previewing the Relationship as Modi Heads to Washington with Dr. Tanvi Madan, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution Feb 10, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, A’ndre chats with his old boss Dr. Tanvi Madan, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, to examine the evolving landscape of India’s foreign policy and its relationship with the United States under a second Trump administration. Dr. Madan unpacks how India balances strategic autonomy with deepening alignments, particularly within the Indo-Pacific and the Quad. She reflects on the historical trajectory of U.S.-India ties, from India’s independence to the Modi era, highlighting key shifts in security and economic cooperation. The discussion delves into trade tensions, dissecting Trump’s renewed criticism of Indian tariffs and whether they will become a key friction point over the next four years.

On the security front, Dr. Madan assesses the rapid growth of U.S.-India defense and technological collaboration while also addressing whether India’s longstanding relationship with Russia has hindered deeper engagement with Washington. The conversation further examines India’s recalibration of its approach to China, as New Delhi and Beijing take steps toward “normalization” following the 2020 border clashes. With Prime Minister Modi set to meet President Trump on February 13, Dr. Madan offers insights into what to expect from the summit and whether the second Trump administration is likely to deepen or complicate the U.S.-India partnership.

Is Russia Fascist? Putinism, the Russian Far-Right, and the Global Illiberal Trend with Professor Marlene Laruelle Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, A’ndre welcomes Professor Marlene Laruelle, a leading expert on Russian politics and nationalism, for a deep dive into the evolution of far-right politics in Russia. The discussion begins with a foundational exploration of fascism—how it is defined, how it differs from broader far-right politics, and whether Russia’s current trajectory aligns with historical fascist movements. Professor Laruelle traces the development of Russian far-right ideology from the Soviet collapse to the present day, analyzing its intersections with Soviet-era communism and Tsarist-era nationalism. She examines how elements of Stalinism persist in Putinism and how Russian nationalism has evolved under Putin’s leadership.

The conversation also expands beyond Russia, addressing Moscow’s role in exporting far-right ideology to Eastern Europe and the broader rise of far-right politics across the continent. Professor Laruelle considers whether these trends reflect a broader rejection of the global liberal order or if they are driven by country-specific dynamics. A’ndre and Professor Laruelle then discuss whether growing illiberalism in Europe could signal a deeper shift towards authoritarianism. Finally, they explore whether the rise of far-right politics in the United States mirrors trends in Europe and Russia, or if these movements are shaped by unique national contexts.

NOTE: This episode was recorded on December 17, 2024.

What in the World? The Los Angeles Fires: Does California’s Wildfire Prevention and Resilience Require an Operation Warp Speed? feat. Tahra Jirari Jan 30, 2025

Show notes

On this week's What in the World, A’ndre chatted with Tahra Jirari, Director of Economic Analysis at the Chamber of Progress, on the devastating 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles and the urgent need for systemic reform. A'ndre and Tahra talked about the unprecedented scale of destruction caused by the wildfires, and why Tahra believes they have been exacerbated by regulatory hurdles, housing policies, and insufficient wildfire prevention efforts. Tahra explained how frameworks like the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and other regulations have inadvertently slowed crucial wildfire prevention projects, contributing to the crisis.

Tahra outlined some of her policy recommendations, emphasizing the need for reforms to CEQA, fire-resistant construction mandates, and proactive wildfire prevention programs to address the growing risks. She also explored why urban neighborhoods tend to be more fire-resistant than suburban areas, the role of housing policy in pushing development into high-risk zones, and the implications of Proposition 103 for California’s insurance market. Tahra advocated for an Operation Warp Speed-style initiative to tackle the wildfire crisis in Los Angeles, integrating innovative solutions and regulatory reforms to build long-term resilience.
You can read Tahra's Medium op-ed, where she outlines her recommendations, here.

Climate Migration: Why it's a National Security Issue and What We Can Do to Solve It with Erin Sikorsky, Director of The Center for Climate and Security Jan 28, 2025

Show notes

This episode is the second in a two-parter in collaboration with the Climate Migration Council, to highlight the Council's recent position statement on the linkages between security, climate change, and human migration.
In December, A’ndre hosted Erin Sikorsky, Director of the Center for Climate and Security and a former Deputy Director on the National Intelligence Council, for a discussion on the national security implications of climate migration. The conversation centered on a new statement from the Climate Migration Council, co-authored by Sikorsky and prominent figures such as Leon Panetta, Michael Chertoff, Michael Morell, and Sharon Burke. The statement outlines urgent recommendations to address the security risks of climate change-driven displacement, including expanding the definition of security, investing in resilience, adopting anticipatory migration policies, and integrating climate migration into risk assessments.
You can listen to A'ndre's conversation last week with Secretary Michael Chertoff on climate migration here.

Fmr. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff on the Los Angeles Fires, Climate Disasters, and Climate Migration Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

This episode is the first in a two-parter in collaboration with the Climate Migration Council, to highlight the Council's recent position statement on the linkages between security, climate change, and human migration.
This week, A’ndre welcomed former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to discuss the intersection of climate change, human migration, and national security. Reflecting on his experiences during the federal response to the 2007 California wildfires, Secretary Chertoff compared them to the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires, highlighting surprises from the current crisis and offering insights on preventing similar disasters in the future. He also explored how human migration is manifesting in the context of the fires and could do so in similar scenarios. The conversation delved into the DHS’s role in managing natural disasters, immigration, and countering threats like arson and terrorism exacerbated by climate change. Secretary Chertoff emphasized the need for bipartisan support to address climate risks, enhance community resilience, and adopt a holistic approach to these interconnected challenges.
You can listen to A'ndre's 2023 conversation with Secretary Chertoff on climate migration here.

BEST OF: Is TikTok a Threat? Data Sovereignty, Algorithmic Influence, and the China Factor with Lindsay Gorman, Senior Fellow at GMF Tech Jan 19, 2025

Show notes

RE-RELEASE: This episode was originally released in April 2024. The TikTok ban took effect late Saturday night, but may be revoked by President-elect Trump.
This week, A'ndre is joined by Lindsay Gorman, the Managing Director & Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund’s GMF Tech, to delve into the controversies surrounding TikTok and its implications for national security. Lindsay sheds light on ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, and discusses the concerns surrounding its data storage practices. A'ndre and Lindsay explore the concept of data sovereignty and discuss whether China can access ByteDance's data at will, and why it's different from how the U.S. Government engages with U.S.-based social media companies. Lindsay outlines the types of user data TikTok gathers, and touches upon how China can exploit this collected data. The conversation extends to China's history of leveraging social media platforms for targeting dissenters and the workings of TikTok's algorithms in content recommendation -- particularly with regards to misinformation and polarization. Lindsay offers insights into the likelihood of a TikTok divestiture (and why it's not a ban), legal challenges it might face, and the possibility of a U.S.-based firm acquiring TikTok. The discussion concludes with an examination of China's reaction to the scrutiny, and what Lindsay sees as the biggest myths surrounding TikTok.
CORRECTION: A'ndre referenced a dispute between the FBI and Apple, incorrectly attributing it to the Boston Bombing investigation, when in actuality it was the 2015 San Bernardino Terror Attack

President Jimmy Carter: What was his Foreign Policy Legacy? Featuring Presidential Historian Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky Jan 13, 2025

Show notes

On Friday, A’ndre chatted with Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky, a presidential historian and Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library, to explore President Jimmy Carter’s presidential and post-presidential foreign policy legacy following his passing at age 100. The discussion began by addressing public reactions to Carter’s death and why the dichotomy of a “failed presidency but outstanding post-presidency” is misleading. Dr. Chervinsky highlighted Carter’s foreign policy achievements, including the Camp David Accords, normalization of relations with China, handling of the Cold War, and the Panama Canal Treaty, as well as Carter's difficulties in dealing with the Iranian Hostage Crisis and inflation.

They examined Carter’s presidency in the context of the geopolitical landscape of the late 1970s and his approach to diplomacy, contrasting his administration with the subsequent Reagan era. The conversation also touched on Carter’s post-presidential influence on foreign policy through the Carter Center and drew parallels between his legacy redefinition and that of John Quincy Adams.

Fmr. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper: A Cold Peace and Hot Wars — Threat Forecasting 2025 Jan 06, 2025

Show notes

On January 2nd, A'ndre sat down with former U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper (2019-2020) to discuss key security challenges facing the United States in 2025 and the Department of Defense's preparedness in addressing them. They began their conversation with a focus on the Middle East, analyzing the aftermath of Assad's ouster and the HTS takeover in Syria, exploring the potential regional consequences of these developments. Secretary Esper also shared his insights on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and explained why he believes Iran is weaker than previously thought.

The discussion then shifted to U.S.-China relations, with Secretary Esper offering his assessment on why the U.S. must do more to deter China in both security and economic spheres. A'ndre and Secretary Esper also delved into the state of innovation within the Department of Defense, examining the effectiveness of innovation initiatives in the U.S. Armed Forces. Secretary Esper reflected on his experience establishing Army Futures Command during his time as Secretary of the Army and discussed the challenges facing the U.S. defense industrial base, including potential munitions shortages related to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The conversation concluded with A'ndre asking Secretary Esper about Ukraine's struggles on the battlefield against Russia, why a negotiated settlement appears increasingly likely, and some of the overlooked threats facing the incoming Trump administration.
You can find Secretary Esper's auto-biography, A Sacred Oath, here.

Fmr. CIA Director Gen. David Petraeus on the Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine and Gaza Oct 30, 2024

Show notes

A'ndre sat down with former CIA Director General (Ret.) David Petraeus to discuss the evolution of warfare since 1945, covering conflicts from World War II to Vietnam and the current wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. General Petraeus examines how warfare considerations shifted after World War II and explores the "wars of decolonization" that followed. Drawing on his experience commanding U.S.-led coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, he reflects on what went right and wrong in those operations, disputing comparisons to the Vietnam War, which he describes as unsustainable. He also shares insights on why the War in Ukraine is unique, highlighting both its World War II-era tactics and the use of emerging technologies like unmanned vehicles. The conversation extends to the ongoing War in Gaza and the broader Middle East, where Petraeus offers his perspective on the nature of Israel's warfighting. A'ndre and General Petraeus conclude with a discussion on how he would advise the next President on national security, emphasizing the importance of the Indo-Pacific region.
You can purchase the newest edition of General Petraeus' book Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Gaza here.

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