DeepSummary
In this episode of Rational Security, Scott R. Anderson, Quinta Jurecic, and Tyler McBrien discuss the complexities surrounding U.S. foreign policy assistance to allies, including weapons and intelligence sharing. They examine the controversies related to arms transfers and intelligence cooperation with Israel in its conflict with Gaza, and compare it to the situation with Ukraine.
The hosts also analyze the move by Special Counsel Jack Smith to bring former President Trump's appeal of the denial of his claim of absolute presidential immunity directly to the Supreme Court through the "rocket docket". They discuss the implications of this move and the likelihood of Smith's success in the case.
Additionally, the episode covers President Biden's comments suggesting that Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu should be replaced if Israel is to retain international support. The hosts explore the potential shift in Biden's stance towards Netanyahu and the implications for the conflict in Gaza.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The U.S. foreign policy assistance to allies, including arms transfers and intelligence sharing, is complicated and involves weighing strategic considerations against potential human rights concerns and adherence to international law.
- The Biden administration's strategy of embracing Israel to temper its actions in the Gaza conflict has faced challenges, potentially due to Netanyahu's political motivations and reluctance to be influenced by U.S. pressure.
- Special Counsel Jack Smith's move to bring Trump's immunity claim directly to the Supreme Court through the "rocket docket" is a significant legal strategy that could potentially expedite the resolution of this issue.
- President Biden's comments suggesting that Netanyahu should be replaced if Israel is to retain international support may signal a potential shift in the U.S. stance towards the Israeli Prime Minister and his handling of the Gaza conflict.
- The diminishing global support for Israel's actions in Gaza could influence the Biden administration's approach towards Israel and its relationship with the Israeli government.
- The U.S. has various tools at its disposal, including economic sanctions and visa restrictions, to exert pressure on Israel, but the administration appears uncertain about the extent and timeline of implementing more severe measures.
- The complexities surrounding U.S. foreign policy assistance to allies involve balancing strategic considerations, human rights concerns, international law, and domestic political factors.
- The ongoing conflict in Gaza and the role of allies like Israel and Ukraine in U.S. foreign policy highlight the challenges and complications faced by the Biden administration in navigating these relationships.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “So if you were betting on that, you didn't get there with that strategy, maybe that's a BB specific problem. I wouldn't be surprised if it is. Again, the guy sharp elbowed and I fully suspect he likes having a us adversary. He likes being able to say, hey, I've put it to this liberal democratic official in Washington, DC, they're not going to get to boss Israel around just because they're our close ally. We're going to do what we have to do.“ by Scott R. Anderson
- “I think this might be Biden signaling to the Israelis or to others, hey, look, he's a problem. And maybe this accountability can't wait to the end of this operation.“ by Scott R. Anderson
- “The reason why, the fact that the most damning thing we've seen about West bank settler violence so far is visa restrictions, which is a very milquetoast Tobaro Tyler's phrase, restriction, not a meaningless one by any means, but it's not economic sanctions, it's not a million other things you could deploy. It's a sign that this is a lot of threats right now, but the real concrete implementation, they don't know exactly what they're going to do and it's going to come down the road and it's going to be a little while before it gets really severe.“ by Scott R. Anderson
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Episode Information
Rational Security
The Lawfare Institute
12/14/23
This week, Quinta and Scott were joined by Lawfare Managing Editor Tyler McBrien to talk through the week’s big national security news, including:
- “You’ll Shoot Your Five Eyes Out with a Bibi Gun.” From Ukraine to Gaza, some of the biggest controversies surrounding U.S. foreign policy hinge on the assistance—including weapons and intelligence—that the United States provides to its allies. What makes these relationships so complicated?
- “The Sock-It Docket.” Late last week, Special Counsel Jack Smith executed a power move, bringing former President Trump’s appeal of the denial of his claim of absolute presidential immunity directly to the Supreme Court—through what is often called the “rocket docket”—and citing precedents from the Nixon era suggesting the Supreme Court should resolve the issue within weeks. What does this move tell us—and how likely is Smith to win his case?
- “Netanya-who?” President Biden’s bear hug of the Israeli prime minister may be loosening, as he has reportedly told donors that Netanyahu must go if Israel is to retain international support. How serious a move is this? And what might it mean for the conflict in Gaza?
For object lessons, Quinta continued to show off her bookshelf by recommending Jeff Horwitz’s “Broken Code.” Scott flagged for listeners that “White Christmas” is, in fact, the best holiday movie and no one should try to argue otherwise. And Tyler endorsed Julie Byrne’s album from earlier this year, “The Greater Wings.”
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