<p>For the podcast’s annual end-of-year episode, Scott sat down with co-host emeritus Benjamin Wittes, Senior Editor Anna Bower, and Managing Editor Tyler McBrien to talk over listener-submitted topics and object lessons, including:</p><ul><li>Which sphere of influence is Western Europe in today?</li><li>What should we make of President Trump's lawsuit against BBC?</li><li>After nearly a year of the Trump Administration, how do you view the record of Attorney General Merrick Garland?</li><li>What does the military campaign against alleged narcotics traffickers tell us about checks and balances within the U.S. system around the use of military force (or lack thereof)?</li><li>With the escalating rhetoric in the Caribbean, what lessons should we be keeping in mind from the lead-up to the Iraq War?</li><li>What can be done to reverse Americans' tolerance for the slide towards illiberal democracy?</li><li>And importantly, is Ben's martial arts challenge to Putin still on?</li></ul><p>For object lessons, our listeners really came through! Blake recommends a couple of coffee table books right up Tyler’s alley: “<a href="https://alastairphilipwiper.com/shop/building-stories" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Building Stories</a>” by Alastair Philip Wiper and "<a href="https://www.closurewaterfordbook.com/shop/p/closurebook" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Closure: The Final Days of the Waterford Bicycle Factory</a>" by Tucker and Anna Schwinn. Keenan points out a good companion listen to this podcast in NPR’s <a href="https://www.npr.org/podcasts/g-s1-84651/sources-and-methods" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sources and Methods</a>. Liz really embraces the variety show that is “object lessons,” introducing us to Danylo Yavhusishyn—a.k.a., <a href="https://youtu.be/3AuN5f1zscY?si=yJQ0d7oVKDBGOknp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Aonishiki</a>—a Ukrainian-born sumo wrestler, hyping <a href="https://youtu.be/LAQZfeETFbg?si=3shGTdk2JdF8FKQy" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Clair Obscur: Expedition 33</a> as her Game of the Year, waxing poetic about <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/SE1/sun-eater/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Sun Eater</a> book series, and log-rolling her work on the <a href="https://fftcg.square-enix-games.com/na" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Final Fantasy TCG</a>. Speaking of variety shows, Lisa spotlights the <a href="https://www.hrc.utexas.edu/exhibitions/2025/live-from-new-york-the-lorne-michaels-collection/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Live from New York: The Lorne Michaels Collection</a> exhibition at UT Austin’s Harry Ransom Center. And Riley asks the crew about their top fiction recommendations for 2026. Tune in to find out what they are!</p><p>And thank goodness, that’s it for 2025! But don’t worry, <em>Rational Security</em> and the whole&nbsp;<em>Lawfare</em>&nbsp;team will be back with you in the new year to help make sense of what’s to come in national security in 2026!</p><p>To receive ad-free podcasts, become a&nbsp;<em>Lawfare&nbsp;</em>Material Supporter at&nbsp;<a href="http://www.patreon.com/lawfare" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.patreon.com/lawfare</a>. You can also support&nbsp;<em>Lawfare&nbsp;</em>by making a one-time donation at&nbsp;<a href="https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute</a>.</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>