This week, Elisa highlights a few of the latest national security headlines, and sets the stage for our upcoming series on the energy grid and the critical minerals essential for AI development.

References

Check out the Standing Committee on Law and National Security’s latest video series, Strengthening Democracy: A Civics Education Series for Military Members

With the confirmations process well underway, we're taking a fresh look at how it all works. Revisiting a conversation from this past December, Elisa sits down with retired Marine Corps Major General Arnold Punaro, a veteran of Capitol Hill and author of If Confirmed: An Insider’s View of the National Security Process. Together, they explore the three phases of confirmation, the role of the Federal Vacancies Act, and the complexities of vetting nominees for positions like Secretary of Defense.

Arnold L. Punaro is a retired United States Marine Corps Major General, and CEO of The Punaro Group and IronArch Technology

References:

NSLT, Ep. 350, If Confirmed: Arnold Punaro on the Intricacies of Senate Confirmations (Part 2)

Punaro, Arnold L. If Confirmed: An Insider’s View of the National Security Confirmation Process. Fortis Adducent, Inc, 2024.

S. 2176 - Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998

As 2025 unfolds, the new administration faces its first major national security challenges: preserving a fragile ceasefire in the Middle East and addressing the contentious TikTok legal battle. In this week’s double episode, Elisa first speaks with Brian Egan, former Legal Adviser at the Department of State, to unpack the Gaza ceasefire, the role of international negotiations, and its potential for fostering regional stability. Next, Glenn Gerstell, former General Counsel of the NSA, returns to examine the Supreme Court opinion against TikTok, exploring how ByteDance’s refusal to divest has heightened national security concerns and why the Court’s decision could reshape data privacy laws in the U.S.

Please note, both discussions were recorded just prior to President Trump’s inauguration and may contain information that has since evolved.

Brian Egan is a partner at Skadden Arps

Glenn Gerstell is a Non-resident Senior Advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

References:

The Algiers Accords

The Geneva Conventions

Leahy Laws Overview

Supreme Court Per Curiam Opinion on TikTok v Garland

E.O. 13942, Addressing the Threat Posed by TikTok, and Taking Additional Steps To Address the National Emergency With Respect to the Information and Communications Technology and Services Supply Chain

The Pentagon Papers