This ONE TIME we huddled for an emergency podcast. Because the Secretary of Defense resigned in protest. That doesn’t happen everyday. At least we hope not. Enjoy!

This week Radha, Loren, and Erin sit down to try and figure out just what the hell happened in 2018. Storm clouds gather as the ladies discuss what NatSec stories we missed - and what we’ll still be talking about in 10 years. But Radha brings the sunshine as we discuss the most important events for the military services in 2018 (which sadly has not resulted in any Space Marines). We wrap up with a review of the Administration’s secret villains and heroes and put a bow on it with movie plot lines that best capture 2018. 

Links

This week Erin, Loren, and Radha read the G20 tea leaves, opine on continued chaos in Afghanistan, and remind you about all the White House mayhem from Saudi politics to a Moscow Trump Tower. Radha gets way too excited about USMCA (pronounced U-Smack-Ah) and all things trade before the ladies round some pop culture.

Keeping Up Foreign Relations

Afghanistan

• Rahim Faiez, "At Least 40 People Killed in Deadly 24 Hours Across Afghanistan," TIME
• John Bacon, "3 American service members killed in Afghanistan roadside bombing," USA Today
• Jessica Purkiss and Abigail Fielding-Smith, "Uptick in U.S. Air Strikes on Buildings in Afghanistan Raises Questions," Just Security 

Ukraine

• Andrew Higgins, "Ukraine, on a War Footing, Looks Westward for Help," New York Times
• Andrew Osborn, "Citing Russia threat, Ukraine boosts security at ports, power plants," Reuters
• Alex Ward, "Russia just openly attacked Ukraine. That could mean their war will get worse." Vox

It's Aghast
G20

• "US-China trade war: Deal agreed to suspend new trade tariffs," BBC
• Krishanadev Calamur, "The G20 Communique Bookends the George H.W. Bush Era," Atlantic
• "Perceptible improvement in India-China relations, say Modi and Xi on G20 sidelines," India Today

USMCA

• Jen Kirby, "USMCA, the new trade deal between the US, Canada, and Mexico, explained," Vox

White House Mayhem
Yemen 

• Jordan Tama, "Why is the Senate challenging Trump on Yemen? Here's what you need to know." Washington Post
• Scott R. Anderson, "Taking Stock of the Yemen Resolution," Lawfare

New START
Joe Gould, "US lawmakers tangle over nuclear arsenal, Russia treaties," Defense News

L'Affaire Russe

• John McLaughlin, Tweet
• Emma Loop, "The House Intelligence Committee Will Investigate Trump's Company's Plan To Give Putin A $50 Million Penthouse," BuzzFeed News
• Anthony Cormier and Jason Leopold, "The Definitive Story Of How Trump's Team Worked The Trump Moscow Deal During The Campaign," BuzzFeed News

Border

• Emily Kopp, "Immigration Experts: Tear Gas Has Been Used at the Border for Years, But Never on Children," Roll Call
• Government Shutdown
• Niv Elis, "Border wall bickering raises odds of shutdown," Hill
• Michael Collins, "Another government shutdown? Congress has a week to pass a spending bill to keep the lights on," USA Today

Pop Culture

• Orli Matlow, "Woman's fake viral pic with Michael B. Jordan turned into reality. Anything is possible!" Someecards
• Owen Gleiberman, "Film Review: 'The Favourite,'" Variety