On a special Olympics edition of Foreign Entanglements, Rob speaks with Nick about the 1980 US Olympic boycott, and how Reagan cleverly used the boycott against Carter. Rob explains why the Cold War-era Olympics were so much better than they are now. Rob and Nick next talk “Medalball,” where national teams try to game the medal system. Is China soon to be the dominant Olympic power? Given the impetus toward national glory, Rob wonders why some nations limit women’s participation. They chastely examine the free-for-all sex orgy known as the Olympic Village. Finally, Nick and Rob advocate for some recognition of the Israeli athletes slain during the 1972 Olympics.

On Foreign Entanglements, Matt and Jamie discuss the assassinations in Syria, and whether Obama should have done more. Matt points out that “safe zones” sound nice and easy, but they entail military intervention. Matt and Jamie discuss Assad’s relationship with Hezbollah, and how their fortunes have changed since 2006. Does the bombing in Bulgaria indicate a new phase of “shadow war” with Iran? And is it “within international norms” to assassinate Iranian scientists? Finally, Matt and Jamie debate the best way to change Iranian behavior.

On Foreign Entanglements, Rob speak with Commander Chris van Avery about the current tensions in the South China Sea. Why does America care what happens in Southeast Asia, anyway? Chris and Rob talk about how India and Japan have reacted to the developments, and Rob tries to figure out how the United States Navy matters for this scenario. Rob and Chris talk a bit about Air-Sea Battle (not the video game), and conclude by discussing the fate of the world’s most advanced fighter jet, the F-35.

On Foreign Entanglements, Matt and Zack discuss new evidence that Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat, who died in 2004, may have been poisoned. Why would Israel have assassinated Arafat at the same time it was preparing to withdraw from Gaza? And how might the renewed debate over Arafat’s death affect the Israeli-Palestinian conflict going forward? Matt brings up the recent talks on Iran’s nuclear program in Moscow, where Zack is skeptical that any progress was made. Should the US have intervened directly to support Iran’s Green Movement in 2009? Finally, they discuss what Mitt Romney has to gain by traveling to Israel during an election year.

On Foreign Entanglements, Rob and Bernard discuss the implications of the downing of a Turkish fighter jet by Syrian air defenses. Bernard sketches out a case for intervention in Syria, and Rob weighs the pros and cons. They compare the situation in Syria to foreign policy challenges in Iran, Libya, and the Balkans, and speculate on how an intervention might work in practice.  Finally, Rob and Bernard discuss the enduring allure of air power.

On Foreign Entanglements, Matt and Hussein discuss the state of play in Egypt. Hussein addresses the alleged “informal agreement” between the Muslim Brotherhood and the ruling military SCAF. Matt suggests that Egyptians have expressed a desire for normalcy, and Hussein describes some of the factors behind the strong showing for former prime minister Shafiq. Is Islamism compatible with democracy? Will Egypt follow the older Turkish model, in which the military helped build a stable government, or the more dysfunctional model of Pakistan? And should the US have behaved any differently over the last year?

On Foreign Entanglements, Rob speaks with Sean about the recent Greek election. Rob asks Sean how the conservative New Democratic Party managed to put together a winning message on austerity, and Sean points out that Greece’s leverage over the EU may be on the decline. Rob wonders whether the European Central Bank is simply trying to break the southern European social democratic model. Finally, Rob and Sean discuss whether the United States can enjoy the luxury of a dysfunctional political system for the foreseeable future. Rob concludes by acknowledging the existence of a blue whale.

On Foreign Entanglements, Matt and Eric discuss the surprising results of Egypt’s recent elections. Eric is skeptical that Islamist parties offer a way forward for Egyptian democracy. Matt asks whether the Muslim Brotherhood is a typical religious right party, and Eric argues that they’re something far more dangerous. Matt pushes back, and Eric suggests that Egypt’s future will be one of perpetual instability between the Brotherhood and the military. The two discuss the options facing US foreign policymakers regarding Egypt going forward. Finally, they debate whether it’s possible to regard the new Egypt as a true democracy.

On Foreign Entanglements, Rob and journalist David Axe discuss the controversy over David’s recent story about US Special Forces operating in North Korea. David describes his harrowing experience in the policy journalism grinder, faced with skeptics and official denials. Rob and David then talk about what Special Forces would do in North Korea. They also address the role South Korean forces might play, and the response in Seoul to David’s story. Rob wonders whether the growing power of the Special Forces is beginning to affect heretofore conventional defense debates. Finally, David talks about some lessons that he’s drawn from the experience.

On this week’s Foreign Entanglements, Robert of House Farley and Matthew of House Duss report on the Game of Thrones taking place in the world of Westeros. Matthew scoffs at the notion that that the situation in King’s Landing is out of King Joffrey’s control, while Rob wonders how the Imp, Tyrion Lannister, could have come to power despite the wishes of his sister Cersei, the Queen Regent. Rob reports on the situation in Dragonstone, and Matt accuses Rob of betraying the Crown by revering the traitorous Robb Stark. Rob and Matt attempt to debunk rumors about threats beyond the Wall, dragons, and the parentage of Joffrey Baratheon. (Warning: Spoilers for the first two books/seasons abound!)