Leo and Joe break down Congress’ return to work this month, including the defense appropriations package (1:30) and the annual defense authorization bill (6:05). The pair also discuss President Donald Trump’s cancelled peace summit with Taliban leaders at Camp David (15:40) before fitting in some forced football/national defense talk.

Defense Nerds Podcast

The boys of summer have gone

Leo and Joe continue their month of fantasy draft nonsense with a contest to see who can create the best Joint Chiefs of Staff from popular television shows. Defense News Senior Pentagon Correspondent Aaron Mehta joins the hosts for the experiment, which quickly turns to conversations about space conquest and fictional war crimes.

Draft Showdown: TV Joint Chiefs

Leo and Joe continue their month of fantasy draft nonsense with a contest to see who can create the best fleet of American military aircraft. Defense News air warfare reporter Valerie Insinna, who rips apart all the mistakes they made and panders to the aviation geek crowd.

Draft Showdown: U.S. aircraft

Leo and Joe take a break from the news for a little summer fun, drafting a team of the best American military movie characters. They’re joined by producer Ben (Bob?) Murray as they take a trip through films like War Games and Independence Day as well as a few good ones.

Draft Showdown: Military movie characters

Leo and Joe get ready for the summer congressional recess with a wrap-up of lawmakers’ last-minute work before leaving town: finalizing the new budget deal (1:05), confirming a host of defense posts (6:10) and punting the controversial nomination of Gen. John Hyten until the fall (8:40). The pair also get you ready for National Presidential Joke Day (18:00).

Vacation, all I ever wanted

Leo and Joe look at the surprising two-year, $2.7 trillion budget deal (1:00) and whether it leaves House Republicans with regrets for their earlier opposition to the annual defense authorization bill (5:10). They also look at the rush of defense confirmations to end the congressional summer session (11:30) before discussing military culture mistakes in television (17:00).

Money for nothing

Leo and Joe break down Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s attack on Defense Secretary nominee Mark Esper (1:05) and what his likely confirmation means for Pentagon leadership vacancies (9:25). They also discuss Turkey’s fight with the White House over the F-35 (12:30) before worrying about the sound track for the Top Gun sequel (19:05).

Revvin' up your engine

Leo and Joe recap the fights to come following House passage of the annual defense authorization act (1:05) and the upcoming confirmation hearing for Defense Secretary nominee Mark Esper (8:00). They also discuss Leo’s recent interview with Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg (10:15) and end with possible new names for military bases with ties to the confederacy (17:20).

You say potato, I say Buttigieg

Previously known as The Political Fallout Shelter, Military Times Deputy Editor Leo Shane III and Defense News Capitol Hill Bureau Chief Joe Gould introduce listeners to the stories behind the latest military happenings on Capitol Hill. Each week, they’ll bring an insider’s perspective on what the biggest headlines are, why the public should care, and what’s coming next.

hubhopper

Defense Nerds Podcast

hubhopper