The Pentagon and the Press: interview with Valerie Insinna

Yes - it's a mouthful of acronyms! And yes, it's hard to focus on anything besides the new national security strategy, but Sirens manages to open with our favorite holiday reads, merry and bright and dark and twisty. For dumpster fires, we explore the tragic shooting of two WV National Guardsmen through the lens of the evacuation of several thousand Afghans in 2021 and the complex and often limited support system they met in the US. Also, we reluctantly return to counter drug strikes in the Caribbean and exactly what we should expect of the military when it comes to unlawful orders. Finally; what holiday movie would you pitch to Hallmark?

Were you left wanting more economist talk after last week's Sirens? Joint Loren and Radha for the full, uncut interview with the Optimist Economy's Kathryn Edwards helps us navigate where we are (or not) on the highway to recession and what the government should be doing about it.

Everyone's negotiating these days, with the Ukraine deal, recent AI deals, and the near final Schedule F (er Schedule Policy/Career) closing up (or not) as the year wraps up and the holiday party circuit in DC kicks off. In dumpster fires, we take a good hard look at the recent MBS visit to DC and just whose strategy this strategic partnership is operating under, as well as tying threads across recent news in the James Comey, Jeffrey Epstein, and Mark Kelly investigations. Optimist Economy's Kathryn Edwards helps us navigate where we are (or not) on the highway to recession and what the government should be doing about it. And to close: what is your favorite absurd holiday treat?

Are you equal parts terrified and fascinated by recent mentions of restarting nuclear testing? The ladies of bombshell are here to help! Join us for the full-length interview with PONI Director Heather Williams as we discuss nuclear testing and nuclear weapons, how it relates to the international world order.

Sirens starts with favorite bake-off challenges and runs the cocktail circuit with the latest Supreme Court validation that tariffs are taxes, what the latest elections mean (or don't, apparently), and the trend of general officer removals. We dig into the sexiest dumpster fires: acquisition reform and where the death of direct file fits in the flow of tax reform in US history. PONI Director Heather Williams joined for a delightfully disturbing warning signs on nuclear testing and getting nuclear weapons into public consciousness. And finally, importantly: when is too early to put up Christmas decorations?

Breaking Defense reporter and longtime Pentagon press corps member Valerie Insinna details the work of the media in DOD, what the department owes Americans in terms of transparency, and the implications of Hegseth's new press guidelines.

Now that the Louvre jewel thieves have been caught, Sirens asks, what museum would you plan a heist for? On the cocktail circuit, we're chatting Tomahawks, no, sanctions yes on Russia-Ukraine, the new Japanese PM, and Trump's Asia trip. In Dumpster Fires, there's thousands unleashed across the US as the shutdown continues; plus, there is some strange strange stuff going on in Southcom. In warning signs, Breaking Defense reporter Valerie Insinna joins us for a discussion of what makes the Pentagon press corps unique amid Hegseth's recent actions against the media. Finally, what inflatable protest creature are you?

If you're wondering what happens when as the foundations of separtion of power shift in real time, then this mini-episode is for you! Join the ladies of Bombshell for the fasinating, full length interview with Laura Dickinson of GWU Law School. We get an expert view on recent Supreme Court rulings, what executive power really means, and where we go from here.

Admit it; do you set google alerts for yourself, your partner's doppleganger, or pedandtic civ-mil terms? Sirens debates and drills through shutdown RIFs, the emerging hostage deal, and tariffs + hemlines predictions. In Dumpster Fires, we ask, IS there a new phase in Russian combat operations or are we just paying attention (with more or less the same question on recent increase in cyber attacks). In Warning Signs, GWU Law Professor Laura Dickinson joins for a fascinating discussion on separation of powers. Then help us remember our favorite Diane Keaton moments as we reminsce on a truly amazing career.

On this mini-episode, we talk with Erin Sikorsky about her new book "Climate Change on the Battlefield." Listen in as we discuss how climate change affects military operations and military readiness, which countries are doing things right, and how the US could address systemic risks differently.