Steptoe Cyberlaw Podcast: The Second Annual Triple Entente Beer Summit

The Second Annual Triple Entente Beer Summit again filled the Washington Firehouse loft with an audience at least as knowledgeable as the panel, which consisted of Ben Wittes, Shane Harris, Stewart Baker, Tamara Cofman Wittes, and Alan Cohn. The Triple Entente Beer Summit brings together members of the Lawfare, Rational Security, and the Steptoe Cyberlaw podcasts.

The topic of the day was the confrontation between Apple and the Justice Department over gaining access to the iPhone used by one of the terrorists responsible for the mass killing in San Bernardino, California. Suffice it to say that the podcast was not sponsored by Apple, nor will it be any time prior to the heat death of the universe.

We also dig into the Nitro Zeus story, claiming that in 2009 the United States prepared a massive cyberattack on Iran as an alternative to kinetic action in the event that nuclear talks failed and Iran began a nuclear breakout.

Finally, the panel explores the administration’s rekindled enthusiasm for CVE – countering violent extremism. We provide a definitive answer to the question, “Do we need more GS-14s tweeting on terrorism?” And Tamara Wittes challenges us to find the difference between late Obama and late Bush in the messaging department.

Then the audience takes over, greatly raising the tone of the podcast with a series of thoughtful questions for the panel.

It was a fine evening, and we look forward to another reunion soon.

As always, send your questions and suggestions for interview candidates to CyberlawPodcast@steptoe.com or leave a message at +1 202 862 5785.

Download the 101^st episode (mp3).

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The views expressed in this podcast are those of the speakers and do not reflect the opinions of the