DeepSummary
The episode begins with a discussion about a terrorist attack in Moscow by the Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K), an Afghan branch of ISIS. The guests analyze the motives behind ISIS-K's attack on Russia, the potential intelligence failures that allowed it to happen, and how Russia might respond. They also explore the broader implications of the attack and ISIS-K's growing ambitions.
The conversation then shifts to the criminal cases against Donald Trump, particularly the upcoming trial over hush money payments scheduled for April 15th. The panel examines the legal strategies of both sides, the impact of the New York appeals court reducing Trump's bond, and the potential political fallout if Trump is convicted. They also assess the significance of this case compared to Trump's other legal battles.
The final segment focuses on Judge Aileen Cannon's controversial rulings in the classified documents case against Trump. The guests criticize Cannon's puzzling orders, such as instructing parties to draft jury instructions on interpreting the Presidential Records Act in relation to the Espionage Act. They discuss Cannon's perceived bias towards Trump, her questionable legal reasoning, and how the special counsel might respond to her unconventional approach.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The Islamic State Khorasan (ISIS-K) carried out a deadly terrorist attack in Moscow, potentially signaling its growing ambitions beyond regional targets.
- Russia faced a significant intelligence failure in not preventing the attack, despite apparent warnings from the US.
- Donald Trump's hush money trial is scheduled to begin on April 15th, marking the first of his criminal cases to go to trial.
- A New York appeals court reduced Trump's bond in the civil fraud case from $500 million to $175 million, potentially aiding his legal defense.
- Judge Aileen Cannon's controversial rulings and perceived bias towards Trump in the classified documents case have overshadowed the substantive legal issues.
- Cannon's puzzling orders, such as instructing parties to draft jury instructions on interpreting the Presidential Records Act, have drawn widespread criticism from legal experts.
- The panel questions Cannon's competence as a judge and suggests she may be overwhelmed by the high-profile case against Trump.
- Special Counsel Jack Smith may need to take stronger action, such as appealing to the 11th Circuit, to counter Cannon's unconventional approach.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “It does seem to be a pretty striking failure. And I actually like the term security failure because I think that's broader and covers a lot.“ by Daniel Byman
- “She's just doing weird stuff. Which leads me to feel that, a, she is not very good at her job. For whatever reason, she can't write. Also, that's another thing. Like, the order, it is incomprehensible. She cannot write a sentence. She's just not very good at her job, and I think is. Yeah, like, scared of Trump, wants to help him out, is bending over backward for whatever reason.“ by Quinta Jurecic
- “Part of why the Moscow attack is of such concern is not only the horrific death count in Russia itself, but also because it may suggest that this group is going beyond a local regional threat to a much broader one, possibly including Europe, possibly even including the United States.“ by Daniel Byman
Entities
Person
Company
Location
Organization
Product
Episode Information
Rational Security
The Lawfare Institute
3/28/24
This week, Alan and Quinta were joined again by Lawfare Managing Editor Tyler McBrien and Lawfare Foreign Policy Editor Daniel Byman—also of Georgetown University and the Center for Strategic and International Studies— to talk over the week’s national security news, including:
- “Terror in Moscow.” On Friday, March 22, a group of gunmen unleashed an attack on a concert hall outside Moscow that killed over 130 people, shooting into a crowd of concertgoers before setting the hall on fire. The Islamic State in Khorasan, the Afghanistan branch of ISIS known as ISIS-K, quickly claimed credit for the attack, and Russian authorities have arrested four suspects. The Kremlin, without evidence, has also continued to hint that Ukraine is somehow responsible. What does the attack tell us about ISIS-K, and what does it mean for the Russian government?
- “April, Come She Will.” After a brief delay, Donald Trump’s hush money trial in Manhattan has been scheduled to begin on April 15—the first of Trump’s criminal cases to go to trial. Meanwhile, a New York appeals court threw Trump a lifeline, reducing his appeal bond in the civil fraud case against him from half a billion dollars to $175 million. Will ol’ Donny Trump be able to wriggle out of this jam once again?
- “Come On, Aileen.” Judge Aileen Cannon is at it again down in Fort Pierce, Florida. As she presides over Trump’s classified documents case, motions are piling up on her desk without any sign of a ruling, and she issued a strange, convoluted order instructing both parties to “engage with” potential jury instructions reflecting unusual readings of the Presidential Records Act in relation to the Espionage Act. Just what is Judge Cannon doing? And how, if at all, can Jack Smith respond?
For object lessons, Alan endorsed the podcast “Next Year in Moscow,” on Russians living in exile who departed their country after the beginning of Putin’s war with Ukraine. Tyler sang the praises of Waxahatchee’s new album “Tigers Blood.” And Quinta recommended a reflection on Baltimore’s collapsed Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.