The Burn Bag Podcast

In this episode, A’ndre welcomes Professor Marlene Laruelle [https://marlene-laruelle.com/], a leading expert on Russian politics and nationalism, for a deep dive into the evolution of far-right politics in Russia. The discussion begins with a foundational exploration of fascism—how it is defined, how it differs from broader far-right politics, and whether Russia’s current trajectory aligns with historical fascist movements. Professor Laruelle traces the development of Russian far-right ideology from the Soviet collapse to the present day, analyzing its intersections with Soviet-era communism and Tsarist-era nationalism. She examines how elements of Stalinism persist in Putinism and how Russian nationalism has evolved under Putin’s leadership. The conversation also expands beyond Russia, addressing Moscow’s role in exporting far-right ideology to Eastern Europe and the broader rise of far-right politics across the continent. Professor Laruelle considers whether these trends reflect a broader rejection of the global liberal order or if they are driven by country-specific dynamics. A’ndre and Professor Laruelle then discuss whether growing illiberalism in Europe could signal a deeper shift towards authoritarianism. Finally, they explore whether the rise of far-right politics in the United States mirrors trends in Europe and Russia, or if these movements are shaped by unique national contexts. NOTE: This episode was recorded on December 17, 2024.

On this week's What in the World, A’ndre chatted with Tahra Jirari, Director of Economic Analysis at the Chamber of Progress, on the devastating 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles and the urgent need for systemic reform. A'ndre and Tahra talked about the unprecedented scale of destruction caused by the wildfires, and why Tahra believes they have been exacerbated by regulatory hurdles, housing policies, and insufficient wildfire prevention efforts. Tahra explained how frameworks like the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and other regulations have inadvertently slowed crucial wildfire prevention projects, contributing to the crisis.  Tahra outlined some of her policy recommendations, emphasizing the need for reforms to CEQA, fire-resistant construction mandates, and proactive wildfire prevention programs to address the growing risks. She also explored why urban neighborhoods tend to be more fire-resistant than suburban areas, the role of housing policy in pushing development into high-risk zones, and the implications of Proposition 103 for California’s insurance market. Tahra advocated for an Operation Warp Speed-style initiative to tackle the wildfire crisis in Los Angeles, integrating innovative solutions and regulatory reforms to build long-term resilience. You can read Tahra's Medium op-ed, where she outlines her recommendations, here [https://medium.com/chamber-of-progress/los-angeles-needs-its-own-operation-warp-speed-8d4ee464d446].

This episode is the second in a two-parter in collaboration with the Climate Migration Council, to highlight the Council's recent position statement [https://www.climatemigrationcouncil.org/press-releases/new-climate-migration-council-brings-together-national-security-leaders-to-highlight-security-implications-of-climate-migration-calls-for-proactive-action] on the linkages between security, climate change, and human migration. In December, A’ndre hosted Erin Sikorsky, Director of the Center for Climate and Security and a former Deputy Director on the National Intelligence Council, for a discussion on the national security implications of climate migration. The conversation centered on a new statement from the Climate Migration Council, co-authored by Sikorsky and prominent figures such as Leon Panetta, Michael Chertoff, Michael Morell, and Sharon Burke. The statement outlines urgent recommendations to address the security risks of climate change-driven displacement, including expanding the definition of security, investing in resilience, adopting anticipatory migration policies, and integrating climate migration into risk assessments. You can listen to A'ndre's conversation last week with Secretary Michael Chertoff on climate migration here [https://burnbag.buzzsprout.com/1225250/episodes/16468489-fmr-homeland-security-secretary-michael-chertoff-on-the-los-angeles-fires-climate-disasters-and-climate-migration].

This episode is the first in a two-parter in collaboration with the Climate Migration Council, to highlight the Council's recent position statement [https://www.climatemigrationcouncil.org/press-releases/new-climate-migration-council-brings-together-national-security-leaders-to-highlight-security-implications-of-climate-migration-calls-for-proactive-action] on the linkages between security, climate change, and human migration. This week, A’ndre welcomed former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to discuss the intersection of climate change, human migration, and national security. Reflecting on his experiences during the federal response to the 2007 California wildfires, Secretary Chertoff compared them to the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires, highlighting surprises from the current crisis and offering insights on preventing similar disasters in the future. He also explored how human migration is manifesting in the context of the fires and could do so in similar scenarios. The conversation delved into the DHS’s role in managing natural disasters, immigration, and countering threats like arson and terrorism exacerbated by climate change. Secretary Chertoff emphasized the need for bipartisan support to address climate risks, enhance community resilience, and adopt a holistic approach to these interconnected challenges. You can listen to A'ndre's 2023 conversation with Secretary Chertoff on climate migration here [https://burnbag.buzzsprout.com/1225250/episodes/13320118-former-secretary-of-homeland-security-michael-chertoff-climate-change-as-a-security-risk-and-why-climate-driven-migration-matters].

RE-RELEASE: This episode was originally released in April 2024. The TikTok ban took effect late Saturday night, but may be revoked by President-elect Trump. This week, A'ndre is joined by Lindsay Gorman, the Managing Director & Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund’s GMF Tech, to delve into the controversies surrounding TikTok and its implications for national security. Lindsay sheds light on ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, and discusses the concerns surrounding its data storage practices. A'ndre and Lindsay explore the concept of data sovereignty and discuss whether China can access ByteDance's data at will, and why it's different from how the U.S. Government engages with U.S.-based social media companies. Lindsay outlines the types of user data TikTok gathers, and touches upon how China can exploit this collected data. The conversation extends to China's history of leveraging social media platforms for targeting dissenters and the workings of TikTok's algorithms in content recommendation -- particularly with regards to misinformation and polarization. Lindsay offers insights into the likelihood of a TikTok divestiture (and why it's not a ban), legal challenges it might face, and the possibility of a U.S.-based firm acquiring TikTok. The discussion concludes with an examination of China's reaction to the scrutiny, and what Lindsay sees as the biggest myths surrounding TikTok. CORRECTION: A'ndre referenced a dispute between the FBI and Apple, incorrectly attributing it to the Boston Bombing investigation, when in actuality it was the 2015 San Bernardino Terror Attack