Bombshell

In the tradition of British dramas, Erin, Loren, and Radha reunite for a special holiday episode. The ladies flip the script, answering a range of questions from the first ever Manniversary guest Kai Ryssdal. They then return to some of their greatest hits including transition process, civ-mil issues, and personnel policy replete with process details and holiday movie analogies. Stay through the end to hear pop culture recommendations and special appearances from many former guests with answers to their favorite Bombshell questions.

For their 100th episode, Erin, Loren and Radha discuss new issues, like the escalating conflict at the Ethiopia-Eritrea border, old issues, like HVT targeting of al-Qaeda leadership, and, of course, continuing trade issues with China. They then turn to a discussion of all the White House mayhem (Ok, not all! No one has that kind of time), including lack of legal authority for Department of Homeland Security leadership to make decisions about DACA, the Defense Department “purge,” and the complicated, not-quite-yet-started transition of the Biden administration. The team ties a bow on this episode with a discussion of holiday movies and other pop culture … and that's a wrap! Links Ethiopia’s Tigray Leader Confirms Firing Missiles at EritreaAP NewsEthiopia Tigray Crisis: Rockets Hit Outskirts of Eritrea CapitalBBC NewsEthiopia’s Tigray Conflict Sparks Spread of MisinformationBBC NewsJudge: DHS Head Didn’t Have Authority to Suspend DACAAP News

Loren, Erin, and Radha are joined by their most frequent guest (Kori Schake) and a new guest (Katrina Mulligan) to discuss foreign policy issues we'll need to worry about regardless of the election outcome! After a lively discussion, the ladies go over foreign policy issues that have been over-discussed, under-discussed, and the processes that will always be their valentines. They wrap up with pop culture, self-care, and indulgences to help get you through election day and beyond!

Loren, Radha, and Erin reconvene to explore many of Bombshell's greatest hits - Brexit, troop levels in Afghanistan, and arms control. With a dash of ethnic conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh thrown in for flavor. The ladies then drop a Bombshell of their own: this fair podcast will be wrapping up in 2020. It's the final countdown!

Erin, Radha and Loren use COVID-19 as a frame to ask what this crazy time has brought to our attention, what it’s distracted is from, what it’s possibly helped, and how it’s shaped our own skills and interests. And shopping. Links Covid-19 and No-Deal Brexit Could Cost UK $174 Billion a YearReuters,No-Deal Brexit Risks Violence in Norhtern Ireland, MPs Warn MI5The GuardianCovid-19 Response Sparks Efforts to Strengthen Supply ChainUS Department of Defense,

This week, Mira Rapp-Hooper and Rebecca Lissner return to the show to discuss American grand strategy, female partnerships, and their fabulous new book, An Open World: How America Can Win the Contest for Twenty-First Century Order. The ladies then revisit the administration’s foreign policy in the Middle East - with notes on the UAE-Israel accord and Iran sanctions drama. Also, Tiktok! Soothing pop-culture ties a bow on it.

Loren, Radha, and Erin invite Camille Stewart, non-resident fellow at Harvard's Belfer Center, to discuss all the cyber threats and how individual behavior uniquely connects with our ability to mitigate or respond to them. In keeping up foreign relations, we provide short updates on Alexei Navalny, Belarus, and Brexit alongside a brief farewell to Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe. We'd like to remind you all that Syria, Afghanistan, and Iraq are still a thing, and after all the takes have been shared on Trump's views on service members, we talk about the role of the press in this story.

Radha, Erin, and Loren host Nina Jancowicz, disinformation fellow at the Wilson Center and author of How to Lose the Information War, to talk about the ongoing protests in Belarus and what we should read into the alleged poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. In keeping up foreign relations, the ladies explore the latest U.S. attempt to use the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA or “Iran nuclear deal”) — an agreement the United States ghosted on — to reinstate sanctions on Iran, and in White House mayhem they assess how the recent Senate Select Committee on Intelligence report on the 2016 election. Plus, process is our Valentine, but process can be used for evil ends, as we learned about the 2018 process to pursue family separation as an official U.S. policy. Unsurprisingly, we need a lot of pop culture to handle all this news.

This week Erin and Radha regroup while Loren takes a much-deserved vacation. They do a quick review on COVID-19 with the good (100 days no new cases in New Zealand), the bad (cases in Brazil, India, and the United States continue to grow), and the ugly (long-term economic consequences in the United States, India, and Brazil). They also dig into the recent explosion and protests in Lebanon and then go deep on the recent executive order impacting TikTok and WeChat. After reminding us that Afghanistan is still a thing, they talk about the lack of accurate and comprehensive briefings for POTUS and the mayhem that ensues, including quotes (and misquotes) by Robert O'brien (yes, he's the national security advisor!). To calm us all down, they then talk about pop culture from baseball movies (The Rookie, Bull Durham) to Arthurian legend-ish TV shows (Cursed). Links Protesters in Beirut, Still Reeling from Massive Explosion, Cash with PoliceNBC NewsHow to Help Lebanon After Beirut ExplosionNew York TimesMassive Explosion Rocks Beirut: Before and After Images Show Extensive DamageUSA TodayNew Zealand Marks 100 Day with No New Reported Cases of CoronavirusABC7NYUS Coronavirus Infections Surpass 5 MillionWashington PostCoronavirus: Brazil Passes 100,000 Deaths as Outbreak Shows No Sign of EasingBBCRecord 64,399 New Covid-19 Cases; 861 Deaths in IndiaTimes of IndiaDrugmakers Race to Build Covid-19 Vaccine Supply ChainsWall Street JournalEurope Sees Rise in Covid-19 After ReopeningHealthlineIndia to Halt 101 Military Imports in Push for Defense Self-Reliance: MinisterReutersEsper Says US Troop Levels in Afghanistan to Go Below 5,000 by End of NovemberCNNEsper: US Will Cut Troop Levels in Afghanistan to Less Than 5,000ReutersTrump Advisers Hesitated to Give Military Options and Warned Adversaries Over Fears He Might Start a WarCNNTrump Advisers Were Wary of Talking Military Options Over Fears He’d Accidentally Start WarThe HillTrump Actually Doesn’t Appear to Understand How Bad the Pandemic IsWashington PostWhy is the Trump Administration Banning TikTok and WeChat?BrookingsBanning TikTok and WeChat: Another PrimerLawfareApple’s Chinese Business Could be Devastated by Trump’s WeChat Ban,The VergeTrump Targets WeChat and TikTok, in Sharp Escalation with ChinaNew York Times

This week the band is back together with Loren, Radha, and Erin once again all in the same time zone. They dive into Mike Pompeo's China speech, global COVID trends, and the world-famous Missile Technology Control Regime. Also, Congress approved the NDAA, and they have lots of thoughts on DHS "troops" engaging protesters in Portland. Stick around for pop-culture dissection of the Guinevere Deception! Links Communist China and the Free World’s FutureUS Department of StatePompeo’s Surreal Speech on ChinaAtlanticWhat Mike Pompeo Doesn’t Understand about China, Richard Nixon and U.S. Foreign PolicyWashington PostThe Missile Technology Control Regime at a GlanceArms Control AssociationTrump Admin Officially Makes It Easier to Export Military DronesDefense OneTrump Allows Defense Contractors to Sell More Armed Droned to Foreign MilitariesCNBCHouse, Senate Approve Defense Authorization BillsAir Force Magazine,Senate Clears Bill Removing Confederate Names from Military Bases, Setting Up Clash with TrumpPoliticoWith a Potential Iran-China Deal, Time for Israel to Reassess its PolicyNewsweekHas Trump Driven China and Iran Together?War on the RocksCoronavirus World Map: Which Countries Have the Most Covid-19 Cases and Deaths?GuardianRevealed: Data Shows 10 Countries Risking Coronavirus Second Wave as Lockdown RelaxedGuardianGlobal Coronavirus Cases Surge, Stinging Even Places That Seemed to Have ControlNew York Times

With Radha and Erin on the road, Loren invites Ashely Feng of the Center for a New American Security, Kaleigh Thomas of CNAS, Kara Frederick of CNAS, Hijab Shah of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and Meghan McGee of Georgetown University for a Bombshell takeover to discuss foreign policy issues with big generational shifts.

In this episode of Bombshell, the ladies welcome Madelyn Creedon, former deputy administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration, to discuss the state of arms control today. The crew also discusses other foreign relations goings on: North Korea won’t call South Korea on their cell phone, late at night, or otherwise; India-China drama continues; and there’s much ado in Venezuela. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering full withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan before November and you may have noticed something’s up in civil-military relations.

In this week’s episode, while Loren cleans out her office, Radha and Erin dig into an array of China-related topics: Huawei! India! Hong Kong! And last, but certainly not least, the World Health Organization. The ladies then turn to White House/American mayhem and try to be analytical while lamenting ongoing violence against black Americans and the potential deployment of U.S. troops in American cities. And finally, an awkward transition to a discussion of pop-culture yields some gems. Links Huawei Huawei’s Terrible WeekTechThe Latest US Blow to China’s Huawei Could Knock Out Its Global 5G PlansNPR India Border China and India at 14,000 Feet Along the BorderNew York Times Hong Kong Trump Announces New Sanctions On Chinese Officials, But Won’t Scrap Phase One Trade DealForbesTrump Targets China Over Hong Kong Security LawBBC NewsImaging Hong Kong Without Its US Special Status DealForbesThe US-China Mini Deal (That Never Was?)CSIS WHO Trump Announces US Withdrawal from the World Health OrganizationPoliticoCoronavirus: Backlash After Trump Signals US Exit from WHOBBC News, Protests in US Trump Administration Offers Active-Duty Military Forces and Intelligence to Help Quell Minnesota UnrestWashington PostTweetTweetTweet Paul Mayor Says Earlier Comments About Arrested Protesters Being Out of State Were Not CorrectCBS News,Pentagon Puts Military Police on Alert to Go to MinneapolisCNBC George Floyd George Floy Left a Gospel Legacy in HoustonChrsitanity Today

This week Erin, Loren, and Radha regroup for a "what did I miss" session to discuss the events of the last few weeks. Starting with the bizarre coup that wasn't in Venezuela, the ladies go on to talk about the Iran not-so-snap-back sanctions — including the Babysitter's Club analogy that you’ll need in order to understand why everyone is so annoyed — and the potentially pending restart of the China trade war. They then turn to the dwindling number of inspector generals and remind everyone why process is their valentine. They close out this episode with a discussion of books that will help you to learn if you feel like, cope when you need help, and escape when you want to.

Jung Pak, senior fellow at the Brookings Institute, joins Bombshell to discuss her fascinating and timely new book: Becoming Kim Jong Un. Radha, Erin, and Loren remind listeners that Afghanistan is still a thing even if the U.S. government would prefer it not to be. Also, did you know it’s possible to restart a trade war amid the pandemic? Or that the United States is a participant in the JCPOA? Neither did we. Plus, pop culture!

This week the ladies are back with a normal-ish episode, complete with special guest Nora Bensahel! She helps them dive deep on COVID-19 impacts on the defense budget. From there, they explore possible changes to the “global order,” Loren offers a tutorial on Hungary and Israel, and Radha schools us on trade issues. The ladies wrap up with a discussion of the most pressing issue of the day - haircuts. And issue a heartfelt socially distant hug to the Iyengar family. Links Coronavirus: Iran and the US Trade Blame Over SanctionsBBCThe US is Halting funding to the WHO. What Does This Actually Mean?CNNCoronavirus is a Wake-Up Call for Supply Chain ManagementHarvard Business ReviewAfter the Pandemic: America and National Security in a Changed WorldWar on the RocksStretching the International Order to Its Breaking PointAtlanticThe Most Counterintuitive Prediction About World Politics and the CoronavirusWashington PostIf Biden Wins, He’ll Have to Put the World Back TogetherAtlantic

This week Loren and Erin talk their way through all the coronavirus feelings: fear, hope, gratitude, some minor policy questions, and the pop culture that's giving us life. Stay home, be safe, wash your hands.

Kathleen Hicks, director of the International Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and all-around superhero, joins Loren, Radha, and Erin for an all-COVID-19 episode, starting with potential contributions by the Department of Defense to addressing this crisis. The ladies explore different angles of the global pandemic, including how it's impacting other ongoing international events, the economy, and domestic politics. Thanks be they also spend a lot of time on pop culture to soothe the soul.

This week Erin, Loren, and Radha reunite after a midwinter break to talk pandemics. They then turn to the Afghanistan “peace” deal, Israeli elections (third time’s the charm?), and recent developments in Syria. As always, there’s plenty of White House mayhem with a new chief of staff, and vacancies as far as the eye can see in Pentagon civilian leadership. Thankfully, Hilary Mantel books and Love is Blind provide a pop culture escape to soothe (or at least distract) the soul. Links Coronavirus Susan Desmond-Hellmann: The Coronavirus is Alarming. Here’s Why You Should Not PanicStatCovid-19 is Now In 50 Countries, and Things Will Get WorseTheEconomist Afghanistan US, Afghanistan and Taliban Announce 7-Day Reduction in ViolenceNPR Morning EditionWill the Ghani-Abdullah Rivalry Undermine Afghan Peace Process?AljazeeraThe US Once Wanted Peace in AfghanistanAtlanticA Secret Accord With the Taliban: When and How the US Would Leave AfghanistanNew York TimesThrown Under the Bus: Some Afghans View US-Taliban Peace Deal with Mix of Disbelief and AngerWashington PostUS Has Persuasive Intel Taliban Do Not Intend to Abide by Terms of Peal Deal, Officials SayNBC NewReading Between the Lines of Afghan AgreementLawfare Pop Culture And the Band Played OnWolf HallPBS Syria Turkey and Russia Reached a Ceasefire in Syria. Will it Hold?VoxWater Cannon and Tear Gas at Turkish-Greek BorderBBC OSD Civilian Vacancies at Trump’s Pentagon Hit New HighPolitico

This week the ladies return to regular programming and try to catch up after one of the more crazy weeks in recent political memory. They start off with the Coronavirus crisis before returning to an old-standby, Brexit. They also provide some color commentary on the recent Irish elections. And how could they forget the new Middle East Peace Plan! That’s before they get to impeachment, NSC firings, and White House Mayhem. Stick around and hear them gush about Little Women. Links Coronavirus Deaths in China Surpass Toll From SARSNew York TimesWhy Did the Government Mandate a Coronavirus Quarantine?Los Angeles Times Brexit Brexit Divorce: Five Key Things the UK Must NavigateBBCBrexit: All You Need to Know About the UK Leaving the EUBBC Irish Elections Ireland General Election: Sinn Féin Surges to 22% in Exit PollGuardian Middle East Peace Trump’s Middle East Peace Plan: Key Points at a GlanceGuardian Irish Election Irish Election Yields a Three-Way Near Tie and a Sinn Féin SurgeVoxSinn Féin is the Most Popular Party Among All Age Groups up to 65Journal Travel Ban Trump Travel Ban, Part IIWall Street JournalTrump Administration Adds Six Countries to Travel BanNew York Times Pop Culture Marlon and Jake Read Dead PeoplePodcast