Welcome back to the National Security Law Podcast! This week, Professors Vladeck and Chesney review the following recent developments:
A drone strike against AQIM targets in southwestern Libya: What if anything does this tell us about the Trump administration's legal and policy positions relating to the geographic and organizational scope of the post-9/11 armed conflict?
The firing of VA Secretary David Shulkin and nomination of Rear Admiral Ronny Jackson: Questions about the dual-office holding ban and the Vacancies Reform Act.
Attorney General Sessions and the decision not to appoint a second special counsel.
New details regarding the formal scope of the Mueller investigation.
The CLOUD Act: what exactly does it do in relation to (i) efforts by US investigators to compel production of data held by a US company overseas and (ii) efforts by foreign investigators to do the same thing in reverse with respect to US companies operating there but holding data here?
JASTA litigation: an update on the first district court rulings dealing with the impact of JASTA on the suit brought by 9/11-related families vs various Saudi defendants.
Oral argument preview: The DC Circuit on Thursday will hear argument in Doe v. Mattis (the US-Saudi dual-citizen held in US military custody in Iraq) regarding the detainee transfer issue.
Oh, and also: a happy review of the revival of Jesus Christ Superstar, which aired Sunday night, and a critical review of the officiating in the NCAA Women's Final Four!