The Week That Was: All of Lawfare in One Post

Benjamin Wittes told us that the “going dark” debate is not going away even though the FBI found a way into the San Bernardino iPhone. Paul Rosenzweig followed up, stating that the FBI vs. Apple respite was non-existent.

He bet that the FBI will not disclose on it cracked the San Bernadino iPhone because the bug is almost certainly not going to remain secret very long given the intense media scrutiny of the question. He also linked to his discussion on the broader implications of the Apple vs. FBI dispute at the George Washington University.

Susan Hennessey, by contast, predicted that the FBI will tell Apple how it accessed the phone for reasons unrelated to the Vulnerabilities Equities Process.

Benjamin Wittes invited us to a lively debate entitled, “Using Data to Secure Networks: Optimizing Individual Privacy While Achieving Strong Security” hosted by Lawfare, the Center for Democracy and Technology, Intel Security, and the Hoover Institution.

Cody Poplin shared the latest edition of the Lawfare Podcast featuring Amy Zegart and Stephen Krasner speaking on their new national security strategy called “Pragmatic Engagement Amidst Global Uncertainty.”

Charlie Winter explored the Islamic State’s offline propaganda strategy.

Elizabeth McElvein analyzed what the Syrian refugee crisis means for the 2016 presidential election.

Bruce Riedel told us that Saudi Arabia has turned up the heat against Hezbollah.

Paul Rosenzweig agreed that Donald Trump is, in fact, a national security threat and blamed the media for his creation.

Jeremy Ravinsky commented on crossing red lines and the United States’ credibility asked about our human rights rules.

Laura Dean released the latest edition of her series Syria Displaced, Dispatch #12: Returning Kurds to Turkey?.

Douglas Cantwell commented on the Expeditionary Targeting Force and the legality of the U.S. intervention in Syria under international law.

Matthew Wein argued that in the 21st century, borders are not walls.

Steve Slick reviewed General Michael Hayden’s new book, Playing to the Edge: American Intelligence in the Age of Terror.

Katherine Davis commented on the Marshall Islands’ self-titled “Nuclear Zero Lawsuits” against each of the nine nuclear weapons states before the International Court of Justice.

Chris Mirasola shared the latest edition of Water Wars, highlighting Malaysia as the newest country to take issue with Chinese fishermen.

Jack Goldsmith asked if the U.S. indictments for the Iranian cyberattacks are hypocritical.

Jack Goldsmith and Benjamin Wittes provided a friendly reminder of the latest Hoover Book Soiree featuring Adam Segal and his new book, The Hacked World Order.

Stewart Baker shared the latest edition of the Steptoe Cyberlaw Podcast, featuring a debate with Nuala O’Connor.

Benjamin Wittes released the latest Rational Security, the “hackers and hyperbole” edition.

Paul Rosenzweig instructed us to run, not walk, to the nearest movie theatre to see Eye in the Sky.

Benjamin Wittes announced some important changes to the Lawfare masthead.

And yesterday, on April 1, Benjamin Wittes and Susan Hennessey summarized the new “Going Dark Early Intervention Initiative” by the FBI. And Paul Rosenzweig flagged a new report that the Brookings Institution and the Heritage Foundation were merging to form “Brookitage.”

And that was the week that was.