The National Security Law Podcast

Episode 146: What’s In Your Wallet? A Subpoena!

04 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to the National Security Law Podcast!  Tune in as Professors Vladeck and Chesney debate and discuss the week's national security law new...

Episode 145: The Meh-mometer Is Stuck at Meh

26 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Happy Thanksgiving to all!  If you are stuck in an airport or on a long drive this week, we've got you covered for at least one hour, as Professors C...

Episode 144: Lawful But Awful

20 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 144 is here! It was no easy task to sort out which topics to discuss this week, but in the end the Trumplandia segment prevailed over almost a...

Episode 143: We won an award?!?

13 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When you are done watching the impeachment hearings and just can't take it anymore, it's time to open up a can of ... National Security Law Podcast! ...

Episode 142: We’ve Got Company!

09 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

What fun!  We recorded this one in front of a large live audience at the Annual Review of the Field conference run by the ABA Standing Committee on L...

Episode 141: The House Has Voted to Authorize This Podcast

30 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Granted, it's not Days of Future Past, but our episode 141 is still pretty good!  This week, Professors Vladeck and Chesney discuss and debate: ...

Episode 140: We Almost Tried Hard!

23 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We've got a short one this week, but also we didn't plan or prep much, so we have that going for us! Tune in as Professors Vladeck and Chesney disc...

Episode 139: Hello from Austin…Hall?

17 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We recorded today before a live audience in Austin! Austin Hall, that is, on the campus of Harvard Law School!  Special thanks to Matt Morris and the...

Episode 138: “That’s Nobody’s Business But the Turks”

09 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In addition to quoting They Might Be Giants lyrics, this week's episode features cohosts Bobby Chesney and Steve Vladeck taking on three big issues: ...

Episode 137: Do Us a Favor Though Because This Podcast Has Been Through a Lot

26 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

So, you'll never guess what we're going to talk about in this week's episode. [Editor's note: Guys, you can't just say that and then put in no furt...

Episode 136: This Podcast Needs a Reboot!

18 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

And we're back, with a lot of news to cover!  Tune in for discussion and (respectful) debate with our cohosts, Professors Vladeck and Chesney, as the...

Episode 135: Do You Hear the Podcast Sing

11 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Tune in to the latest episode of the National Security Law Podcast as your co-hosts Professors Chesney and Vladeck discuss and debate: On the 18t...

Episode 134: A Very Brady Episode

04 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

And we are back with more discussion and debate of the latest national security legal news! Tune in for cohosts Steve Vladeck and Bobby Chesney as the...

Episode 133: You Are “Hereby Ordered” To Listen To This Podcast

28 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Well, that's not quite what the President said.  It was something about American companies and trade with China, not you and your podcast app.  An...

Episode 132: On the Way to Greenland!

20 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

And we are back with more debate and discussion concerning the latest national security and law news!  In this week's episode, co-hosts Bobby Chesney...

Episode 131: El Paso and Domestic Terrorism

06 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week's episode features an extended discussion of domestic terrorism as a legal category and as a policy category, in light of the attack in El P...

Episode 130: In Case of Vacancy, Who Becomes Our Acting Podcast Host?

31 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

And we're back with a new episode, with co-hosts Steve Vladeck and Bobby Chesney discussing and debating the latest national security law news (and, l...

Episode 129: This Is Quite the War Powers Podcast

24 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the National Security Law Podcast, with co-hosts Bobby Chesney and Steve Vladeck: War Powers: Congressional testimony from the Stat...

Episode 128: Now Witness the Power of this Fully Armed and Operational [PCLOB]!

17 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

For our latest episode, we offer you NSL Podcast Mad Libs in lieu of show notes! We're back after a __ [number]-week break, and there have been som...

Episode 127: It’s Bobby Bonilla Day!

01 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to the National Security Law Podcast, where co-hosts Bobby Chesney and Steve Vladeck cross-swords with courtesy and nerdistry while revie...

Episode 126: Sometimes, “Nothing” Is Important

26 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We are back with the latest in national security legal developments, with Professors Chesney and Vladeck agreeing where they can and arguing respectfu...

Episode 125: Worst of Both Worlds

18 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We are back with the latest national security law news, with your co-hosts Steve Vladeck and Bobby Chesney explaining, debating, and--let's face it--g...

Episode 124: Who’s Ron Swanson?!?

13 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

And we are back, after a one-week hiatus, with loads of national security law debate and discussion, not to mention some Grade B frivolity! On tap ...

Episode 123: Our Gym Was Named for the Espionage Act Guy???

28 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In a final episode before taking a one-week travel break, co-hosts Bobby Chesney and Steve Vladeck discuss and debate an array of recent national secu...

Episode 122: That Didn’t Fly for Buchanan…

21 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, Professors Vladeck and Chesney discuss and debate: The district court ruling in Trump v. Committee on Oversight, in whic...

Episode 121: The Persian Gulf of Tonkin

15 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, Steve Vladeck and Bobby Chesney debate and discuss the latest national security legal news, including: Iran - The prospec...

Episode 120: Bran, Bron, What’s the Difference?

07 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

And we're back!  Tune in as Professors Chesney and Vladeck discuss and debate the latest national security legal news, including: The legal fram...

Episode 119: This Podcast Is Dark and Full of Spoilers

30 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

After a one-week hiatus, the NSL Podcast is back!  Tune in for debate and discussion as Professors Vladeck and Chesney talk about: The Mueller R...

Episode 118: Steve Targaryen, First of His Name

17 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we debate three timely topics: Al Nashiri Part 7,146: the D.C. Circuit has issued a unanimous ruling slamming former Judge Spath for fa...

Episode 117: Y’all Got Designated

13 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Live episode!  We recorded this morning before a live audience at the University of Texas School of Law reunion weekend.  It was a packed house of t...

Episode 116: This Podcast Can Only Be Detained for Six Months

02 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Join us as Professors Vladeck and Chesney discuss and debate the latest national security law news!  This week we've got: The Adham Hassoun case...

Episode 115: This Podcast Does Not Have a Grandparent Born in Ireland

25 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We are back after a spring break hiatus, and we do not lack for things to discuss and debate in the wide world of national security law.  Tune in for...

Episode 114: Manafortnite

13 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week's show features debate and discussion between co-hosts Professors Steve Vladeck and Bobby Chesney regarding: Paul Manafort: comparing h...

Episode 113 – 702 : Madison :: 215 : Hamilton

06 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

So much to debate, so little time! Tune in as Steve Vladeck and Bobby Chesney plow through a host of recent (and not-so-recent) events in the world of...

Episode 112: And the Oscar Goes To…NSL Podcast!

26 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Oscars may not have a host, but we do!  Tune in to our latest episode as co-hosts Steve Vladeck and Bobby Chesney debate a wide range of national...

Episode 111: This National Emergency Podcast Requires the Use of the Armed Forces

19 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ready to dive deep, way deep, into the president's national emergency declaration and the resulting lawsuits?  We've got you covered.  Tune in as Pr...

Episode 110: This Podcast Is Not Subject to Military Jurisdiction

12 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Your favorite weekly show combining serious debate about the latest national security legal developments with a healthy dose of frivolity is back! [ed...

Episode 109: The State of the Podcast Is Strong!

06 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the National Security Law Podcast, we've got: A heavy pace of airstrikes against al Shabaab targets in Somalia Ruminations on dec...

Episode 108: Is It Arnold Palmer or Iced Tea-Lemonade?

30 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Unlike Rent Live, all of our personnel participated in this week's show!  We've got: The Venezuela Crisis: International Law complications with ...

Episode 107: Clearly Right, Once Again

22 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to the National Security Law Podcast!  Where else can you get both a preview of a looming surveillance law debate *and* a fine-grained d...

Episode 106: Schools Out For Summer

14 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the National Security Law Podcast, co-hosts Bobby Chesney and Steve Vladeck are joined by Michel Paradis (lead counsel for the defense in...

Episode 105: That Doesn’t Mean You Do It Stupid!

07 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

If your New Year's Resolution involves finding a podcast exploring the legal aspects of major national security events and institutions, we are here t...

Episode 104: This Podcast Is a State Secret

18 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Deep-dive alert! That's right, we are closing out 2018 with a deep-dive episode on the State Secrets Privilege. From Totten to Reynolds and on t...

Episode 103: This Podcast Should Be Dis-BARRed

11 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Interested in the views of Once and Future Attorney General Bill Barr on questions like the power of the president to initiate a war, remove officials...

Episode 102: This Podcast Is Bowl-Eligible

05 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Or at least it's the most wonderful time of the week, for we've just posted the latest episode of National S...

Episode 101: “To me, [this podcast] is perfect”

27 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

And we're back, full of turkey and much else besides!  We hope you all had a restful and grateful Thanksgiving (or, for our non-American listeners, t...

Episode 100! Trumplandia: If I Did It…

14 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

It finally happened: a live episode, on the occasion of our 100th episode! Today we recorded at American University Washington College of Law thanks t...

Episode 99: The Deepest Dive: Surveillance, Section 702, and Section 215

06 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week we've got the concluding episode in our trilogy of deep dives exploring the history and evolution of our foreign-intelligence collection leg...

Episode 98: That’s What Leadership Looks Like

30 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode we take a break from our deep-dive series on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act in order to reengage with the weekly inflow ...

Episode 97: FISA Part Deux (A Deeper Dive)

26 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Aaaaand we're back!  Yesterday we posted the first in a series of Deep Dive episodes on the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, covering the origi...

Episode 96: A Deep Dive into…the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act

25 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to part 1 of a 2-part deep-dive series concerning FISA!  In this episode, Professors Chesney and Vladeck begin with the history and context l...

Episode 95: Not Everybody Be DPH’ing!

16 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the latest episode of the National Security Law Podcast!  We're back with our usual mix of discussion and debate about the most-interestin...

Episode 94: The Enemy of My Friend Is My Enemy

11 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

It's a late-night, mid-week episode of the National Security Law Podcast! We've got: Senator Kaine's letter to DOD raising questions about the th...

Episode 93: Is This a Buddy Podcast?

02 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Spotted: A rare episode of the National Security Law Podcast clocking in at under one hour!  And yet there was much to discuss, including: T-S...

Episode 92: Have Fun Storming the Castle!

26 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

And we're back!  Tonight's episode features: SCOTUS preview: though many have missed it, SCOTUS is in fact back in session very soon, and we hav...

Episode 91: A Deep Dive Into the History of Military Commissions

18 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

There's no shortage of news this week, but comparatively little of it is national security law news, and so we are back with a fresh deep dive episode...

Episode 90: What’d I Miss?

13 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Well, would you look at that: your hosts are back in town at the same time at last, and they've got a fresh episode covering some of the major nationa...

Episode 89: A Deep Dive into the Steel Seizure Case (Youngstown Sheet & Tube v. Sawyer)

04 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

And we are back...with a second-consecutive deep-dive episode.  This week, Professors Chesney and Vladeck explore the iconic 1952 decision of the Sup...

Episode 88: A Deep Dive into the Anwar al-Awlaki Case(s)

28 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We are back this week with a new "deep dive" episode, this time focused on the issues raised by the U.S. government's use of lethal force against Anwa...

Episode 87: The D.C. Circuit Ain’t Inquorate

21 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

And we're back, with much to discuss in the wacky world of national security law.  Join Professors Steve Vladeck and Bobby Chesney as they wrestle wi...

Episode 86: This Episode Was Not Recorded in the Situation Room!

14 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We are back with review and analysis of the latest national security law developments, hot on the heels of last week's deep-dive episode.  We'll have...

Episode 85: Party Like It’s June 28, 2004!

07 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

It had to happen sooner or later: an actual slow week for national security law!  Ugh!  Well, time to make lemonade from the lemons.  A slow week i...

Episode 84: Happily, We Found Someone Who Knows What They’re Talking About!

01 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We are very excited to have a special guest this week: the one and only Amy Jeffress!   Join us as Amy, Steve, and Bobby discuss: The cyber pro...

Episode 83: [Steve] Is the Kiss of Death

25 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the latest National Security Law Podcast episode.  Though Steve and Bobby both have been moonlighting (here is Steve on the Lawfare Podcas...

Episode 82: Helsinki…Sweden!

17 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Another busy week for the National Security Law Podcast!  Buckle up for: "The Press Conference" and its aftermath - Your co-hosts agree that it ...

Episode 81: The Road to 10,000

09 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We're back after a one-week layoff!  No SCOTUS announcement yet, alas, but we do have this to offer: Doe v. Mattis and the upcoming hearing on t...

Ep.80: SCOTUS-palooza

27 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Hot on the heels of the Kennedy retirement announcement, we've got our special Supreme Court finale episode!  This is the show for you if you would e...

Episode 79: It’s a Girl!

20 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Before getting into the run of this week's show: Congratulations to Steve and Karen on the birth of their daughter!!! Meanwhile, in the wild wacky ...

Episode 78: Live from Singapore, Malaysia (?!?)

12 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Ok, Steve and Bobby are not actually in Singapore (we sent Dennis Rodman instead). As usual, they're up on the 6th floor at Texas Law, bringing you th...

Episode 77: Pardon Me?

05 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Hello friends, and welcome back to the latest episode!  Last week was a bit quiet, but things are heating up.  This week we review and debate: ...

Episode 76: The Valley of Ignorance

30 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week on the show: Another big win for FBI & DOJ in a terrorism prosecution, as a Maryland man gets 35 years for going to Somalia and becomin...

Episode 75: I Hereby Demand, & Tomorrow Will Officially Order, That You Listen to This Podcast

22 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Never a slow week in this business... This week we've got breakdowns and debates over some familiar topics: Military Commissions: The convolut...

Episode 74: We’re Spending It On Barbecue!

15 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Spring classes may be over, but national security legal news hasn't slowed down one bit.  This week, Professors Chesney and Vladeck wrestle with the ...

Episode 73: The Penumbras of the Category

08 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to the National Security Law Podcast!  This week, Professors Vladeck and Chesney discuss and debate the following: Doe v. Mattis: T...

Episode 72: This Podcast Was Recorded Before, On, or After 9/11

01 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

No shortage of topics this week. Join us as Professors Chesney and Vladeck debate and discuss: United States v. al-Hawsawi, in which Judge Pohl r...

Episode 71: Everyone Knows It Is Saudi Arabia!!!

24 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We have much to discuss in the world of national security and law this week, including but not limited to the worst-kept secret in the world. And we h...

(Bonus Episode) Ep.70: The Corker-Kaine AUMF

17 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Well, we're back, 24 hours after dropping Episode 69. Why? 2018, that's why! Seriously, lot's to discuss: A deep-dive into the draft 2018 AUMF...

Episode 69: Friday Was Quite a Month

16 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In light of the amazing developments last Friday, we decided to move the show up to today.  Tune in for discussion of five things that happened just ...

Episode 68: This Podcast Is Not Protected by the Attorney-Client Privilege

10 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to episode 68!  On tap for this week: Tom Bossert is out, and Michael Cohen is in trouble.  We'll talk mostly about the latter, with an...

Episode 67: CTRL-F Redaction Fail

03 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back to the National Security Law Podcast!  This week, Professors Vladeck and Chesney review the following recent developments: A drone ...

Episode 66: Can You DIG It?

27 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome back for another episode of the National Security Law Podcast, with Professors Steve Vladeck and Bobby Chesney.  It has been another not-at-a...

Episode 65: Caging a Tiger

21 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

With apologies for short shownotes, here are the headlines for this week's NSL Podcast: The McCabe firing The prospect of legislation permitti...

Episode 64: Beware the Ides of CFIUS!

15 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

So there you are on the beach for spring break, drink in hand and headphones on.  Time for some...National Security Law Podcast!  We're back with a ...

Episode 63: Mueller Is the Only Vulcan in the Room

12 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Out on spring break but still listening to the podcast?  We love it!  Actually, your hosts Professors Chesney and Vladeck are out on spring break to...

Episode 62: Wait–We Have to Talk About GATT?!?

05 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

It's not every week on this show that we get to talk about the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade!  And if t...

Episode 61: Judge Pohl Says: “Hold My Beer”

27 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

No shortage of topics this week, but then again there was no shortage last week, or before that, or...ever.  So, what's on tap?  Tune in to hear Pro...

Episode 60: TL;DL – This Is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things

21 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

An over-long episode with a short title to reflect a very busy--and somewhat bizarre--eight day stretch in the wide world of national security law.  ...

Episode 59: Share the Cookies

13 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We don't lack for topics this week!  In today's episode, Professors Vladeck and Chesney eat a number of cookies while talking about the following: ...

Episode 58: Is It Treason Not to Clap For This Podcast?

06 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Sorry that football season is over?  Lucky for you, the National Security Law Podcast has no offseason!  And lucky for your co-hosts, the world keep...

Episode 57: About that #Mehmo (Special Edition on the Nunes Memo Release)

02 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

President Trump has declassified the Nunes Memo and it now is available to the public.  Your hosts--Professors Bobby Chesney and Steve Vladeck--give ...

Episode 56: The State of the Uniom Is…ExStravagant!

30 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

You might not want to watch the State of the Union tonight, but don't miss this episode of the podcast! This week we cover: The missing Russia s...

Episode 55: #ReleaseThePodcast

23 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Happy anniversary, y'all!  It's been one full year since we launched this podcast, and we are very grateful for all our listeners.  Here's hoping th...

Ep. 54: Family Ties or Family Matters?

17 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

And we're back, with another weekly dose of national security legal news and analysis.  Fresh off the stove this week we have: Dalmazzi - Steve ...

Episode 53: Tanks, Bombs, Bombs, and Guns

09 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, Professors Chesney and Vladeck take on three sets of issues under the national security law heading: ACLU v. Mattis (the ...

Episode 52: Trump Derangement Syndrome or a Distraction from the Forever War?

03 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Merry New Year! 2018 is underway, but in today's episode we are looking back at 2017.  More specifically, we are looking back to predictions made ...

Episode 51: Temporary, Immediate, and Unmonitored Access to this Podcast

27 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Well, 2017 is almost done.  No doubt there are a few more kicks-in-the-pants on the way before it's all said and done, but hey, we can at least offer...

Episode 50: The Big Chill

19 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

Are your other podcasts letting you down by taking a holiday break?  Never fear, National Security Law Podcast is here! With two host who would much ...

Episode 49: Around the Horn With Interrogation, Detention, Prosecution, and Targeting

12 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, Professors Steve Vladeck and Bobby Chesney pick up the thread on a handful of familiar issues, and introduce a few new ones as...

Episode 48: The Logan Act: Not Just Another Hugh Jackman Movie

05 Dec 2017

Contributed by Lukas

In this week's episode, Professors Chesney and Vladeck catch up with a number of 2017's most-persistent national security law sagas. For starters, ...

Episode 47: Donuts and Depth Charges

28 Nov 2017

Contributed by Lukas

And...they're back!  Fresh off of Thanksgiving, Professors Chesney and Vladeck are (all too) fired up to discuss the latest national security law new...