{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/60518a52f69aa815d2dba41c/675a4d7a5bd860925237aaf0?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Rational Security: The “Tornado Kash” Edition","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/60518a52f69aa815d2dba41c/1733971175288-8c6d0c84-eaec-4f50-8a63-fa25d383d066.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>This week, Scott was joined by his<em> Lawfare</em> colleagues Benjamin Wittes, Eugenia Lostri, and Tyler McBrien to break down the week's big national security news, including:</p><ul><li>“The Long Road to Damascus.” Syria’s Assad regime collapsed suddenly last week in the face of a rebel offensive, ending thirteen years of revolution. What comes next, however, is anyone’s guess. How will this shift impact regional security? And how is the incoming Trump administration likely to respond?</li><li>“Pardonez-Moi.” President-elect Donald Trump’s decision to nominate unabashed loyalist Kash Patel—a person who has published a book listing political enemies he thinks should be prosecuted by the Justice Department—for the soon-to-be-vacant position of FBI Director has renewed concerns that the incoming Trump administration will use the Justice Department to prosecute his political enemies. President Biden may have responded in part by pardoning his son Hunter for a wide range of conduct—and some are arguing he should extend similar protections to others the Trump administration may target. How real is the threat of such targeted prosecution? And are preemptive pardons the right protection?</li><li>“Not in Kansas Anymore.” The Fifth Circuit recently issued what may prove to be a landmark sanctions decision, holding that certain Tornado Cash automated cryptocurrency contractual mechanisms sanctioned by the Treasury Department do not constitute “property” within the meaning of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and thus cannot be sanctioned. It’s also one of the first appellate court decisions to apply the Supreme Court’s recent <em>Loper Bright </em>decision, which ended <em>Chevron </em>deference to agency interpretations of ambiguous statutes, in the national security context. How persuasive is the court’s opinion? And what impact will it have on U.S. policy in this area?</li></ul><p>For object lessons, Ben endorsed(?)&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.dogshirtdaily.com/p/i-read-all-of-kash-patels-childrens\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Kash Patel's three childrens' books</a>&nbsp;as confirmation must-reads. Eugenia amped up everyones' holiday parties with a&nbsp;<a href=\"https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/maple-brown-sugar-cookies/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">surefire recipe for maple cookies</a>. Scott recommended the&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2NNClh94tQ\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Lion's Tail</a>&nbsp;as a surprisingly seasonal tiki-ish cocktail. And Tyler celebrated transition season with three recommended political profiles, specifically of&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2024/10/kash-patel-trump-national-security-council/679566/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Kash Patel</a>,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://thebaffler.com/salvos/the-sunshine-imperium-craven\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Ron Desantis</a>, and&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1997/05/19/trump-solo\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Donald Trump circa 1997</a>.</p><p>Also,&nbsp;<em>Rational Security </em>will be saying goodbye to 2024 in its traditional fashion: by discussing listener-submitted topics and object lessons! To submit yours, call in to (202) 743-5831 to leave a voicemail or email&nbsp;<a href=\"mailto:rationalsecurity@lawfaremedia.org\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">rationalsecurity@lawfaremedia.org</a>. Just do it by COB on December 18!</p><p>To receive ad-free podcasts, become a&nbsp;<em>Lawfare&nbsp;</em>Material Supporter at&nbsp;<a href=\"http://www.patreon.com/lawfare\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">www.patreon.com/lawfare</a>. You can also support&nbsp;<em>Lawfare&nbsp;</em>by making a one-time donation at&nbsp;<a href=\"https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute</a>.</p>","author_name":"The Lawfare Institute"}