The “Rational Insecurity” Edition

Allison Kaplan Sommer, Don Futterman and Noah Efron discuss three topics of incomparable importance and end with an anecdote about something in Israel that made them smile this week.

Listen to the extra segment on Patreon

—An Irony Wrapped in a Prevarication Inside a Mendacity—

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants new elections but votes against them; Alternate Prime Minister Benny Gantz does not want new elections but votes for them. Is Israel heading back to the polls?

—Remember that Name, Fakhrizadeh—

Why does the assassination of the head of Iran’s nuclear weapons program seem like one thing in Jerusalem and something very different in Washington? (We are joined by special guest star, Tamara Cofman-Wittes of the socko Rational Security podcast)

—Arks & Sciences—

What are we to make of an archaeologist’s claim that King David was little more than the mediocre chieftain of a mediocre tribe?

—Celebrating Danny Sanderson’s 70th Birthday—

For our most unreasonably generous Patreon supporters, in our extra-special, special extra discussion, in honor of the 70th birthday of the great songwriter-rock-star-mensch Danny Sanderson, we play a few of our favorite songs from his astonishing, 50-year career.

All that and the our own celebration of uber-mensch, rock-star Danny Sanderson’s 70th birthday!