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"What is That?!" UFOs and National Security Jul 15, 2021

Show notes

On June 25, a much anticipated report from the U.S. government on UFOs was released to the public. The nine-page report examined 144 cases of unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP), or more commonly known as UFOs. Only one UAP case in the report was able to be identified with confidence, while the others remain unidentified. The report has captivated the public as well as government officials, who are taking the findings seriously from a national security standpoint.

Joining Doug is Washington Post reporter Shane Harris to unpack the findings in the UFO report and what it means for U.S. national security.

Guardian News. Pentagon officially releases 'UFO' videos [Video]. YouTube.
Preliminary Assessment: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena. Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
Roland Emmerich. Independence Day [Film]. 20th Century Fox.
Shane Harris and Missy Ryan. U.S. unable to explain more than 140 unidentified flying objects, but new report finds no evidence of alien life. The Washington Post.

Is Ethiopia Coming Apart? Jul 01, 2021

Show notes

On June 21, Ethiopia held a historic national election, but millions of Ethiopians couldn’t vote with the country in the midst of a civil war. Backed by Eritrean soldiers, Ethiopia’s military has been in conflict with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, a regional political party that broke off from Ethiopia last November. And just this week, Tigrayan forces have taken back the regional capital of Mekelle from the Ethiopian army. Both sides have been accused of violating human rights, and the war has forced thousands from their homes.

Joining Doug is Carnegie’s Africa Program director, Zainab Usman, to unpack what Ethiopia is facing after holding a national election.

Iran's Election With Masih Alinejad Jun 17, 2021

Show notes

Iranians head to the polls tomorrow to elect a new president. While Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has largely favored one candidate, calls for a boycott have taken root among many grassroots Iranian activists. Meanwhile, the United States and Iran continue to negotiate the revival of the Iran nuclear deal.

Iranian journalist and human rights activist Masih Alinejad joins Doug to unpack the Iranian elections and what they mean for the world.

Biden-Putin Summit: A Preview Jun 03, 2021

Show notes

President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin are set to meet in Geneva on June 16. Tensions between the United States and Russia are high in the aftermath of Russia’s involvement in Belarus’ hijacking of a commercial airliner and a string of devastating cyberattacks. Will the summit lead to progress, or will personal animosity and geopolitics continue to mire the bilateral relationship?

Joining Doug for his first episode as host are Andrew Weiss and Alex Gabuev. Bringing both American and Russian perspectives, Andrew and Alex unpack what to expect from the summit.

The Trouble with Governing Cyberspace May 20, 2021

Show notes

The recent Colonial Pipeline attack was yet another example of the escalating threats in cyberspace as many Americans experienced long lines at gas stations amid fears of shortages after a ransomware attack. This incident just comes months after the likely Russian government-sponsored SolarWinds hack that compromised thousands of government and company platforms. Meanwhile, the Facebook Oversight Board recently upheld its ban on former President Donald Trump.

With all these disruptions in the digital realm, the line between what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior online—and who should manage cyberspace—has never been blurrier. Companies are exercising their private authorities, paying off ransoms and managing challenging content moderation decisions. Have governments ceded too much ground to the private sector, and is there a way to build a more organized structure to make these groundbreaking decisions in cyberspace?

Jon Bateman, a fellow at Carnegie’s Cyber Policy Initiative, joins Laura to tackle the growing governance challenges in the technology sector.

Can Democracy Make a Comeback? May 06, 2021

Show notes

More the 100 days into his administration, President Biden has faced a fraught moment for democracy. Within the last year, protests for racial equity have underlined the challenge of systemic racism in the United States, while dubious claims of election fraud culminated in the shocking assault on the U.S. Capitol on January 6. Across the globe, the military’s grip in Myanmar holds firm after a coup, while the Kremlin put political dissident Alexei Navalny behind bars. With Biden making democracy promotion a key element in his address to Congress last week, can democracy make a comeback?

Ashley Quarcoo, a senior fellow at Carnegie, joins Laura to discuss the task of bolstering democracy at home in the United States and abroad.

Read Ashley's latest work:

"Can Biden Revive Democracy at Home and Abroad?"

"The Long-Term Impact of COVID-19 on U.S. Democracy"

"Reversing the Tide:Towards a New US Strategy to Support Democracy and Counter Authoritarianism"

The Road Back to the Iran Deal Apr 22, 2021

Show notes

While the Biden administration has signaled an openness to reviving the Iran nuclear deal, whether that is possible is far from certain. An alleged Israeli attack on the Natanz nuclear facility and Iran’s response pledging to enrich uranium at even higher levels have only raised the stakes for new talks in Vienna.

Cornelius Adebahr, a nonresident fellow with Carnegie Europe, sits down with Laura to unpack the complex negotiations, European leaders’ vital role to revive the JCPOA, and the prospects for a deal.

Read Cornelius' latest pieces:

Europe Is Late but Crucial in U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks

Where's Europe on the Iran Nuclear Deal?

Europe Under Pressure Apr 08, 2021

Show notes

Europe’s vaccine distribution has come under fire in recent weeks, jeopardizing the continent’s recovery and its relationships with important partners worldwide. Meanwhile, European leaders are reckoning with an emboldened China, while also welcoming the Biden administration’s new tone on the transatlantic alliance.

Rosa Balfour, the director of Carnegie Europe, joins Laura to discuss how Europe can manage the pressures of the moment.

Read Rosa's latest pieces:

"Against a European Civilization: Narratives About the European Union"

"European Leaders Are Facing Their Armageddon"

The Indo-Pacific’s Moment Mar 25, 2021

Show notes

As President Biden seeks to affirm America’s alliances and partnerships in Asia, countries in the region are jostling over maritime dominance in the Indo-Pacific. Marked by strategic choke points and vital shipping routes, the Indo-Pacific has long played a pivotal role in geopolitics and the flows of global trade.

Darshana Baruah, an associate fellow and the director of Carnegie’s Indian Ocean Initiative, joins Laura to discuss the future of the Indo-Pacific and the power politics at play in the region.

Beyond Arms Sales: Recalibrating US Security Assistance in the Gulf Mar 11, 2021

Show notes

Since his inauguration, President Joe Biden has put a hold on weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, sanctioned Saudi officials for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and pledged to end US support for Saudi-led offensive operations in Yemen. Taken together, these measures indicate that the administration is recalibrating the relationship between the US and its Gulf partners.

Frederic Wehrey, a senior fellow in Carnegie’s Middle East Program and former U.S. Air Force officer with tours across the Middle East, joins Laura to discuss a rethink of security assistance in the Persian Gulf. The two also discuss how Fred’s experiences on the ground in Libya and Iraq have shaped his outlook on US military support in the region.

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