On Foreign Entanglements, Rob and Dan take a deep dive into the relationship between the Iraq War and the study of international politics. Dan argues that the Bush started the war because executive power has been unbridled since World War II, not because of the September 11 attacks. After Iraq, will the world question American power and resolve? They speculate how a President Gore would have waged a War on Terror, and, going further into this alternate history, whether a McCain victory in 2004 would have unmade the international liberal order.

On Foreign Entanglements, Gil talks about his experience at the AIPAC policy conference, where a single perspective of the Mideast conflict is decidedly on view. Matt criticizes the impact of AIPAC’s one-sided approach. Matt and Gil debate efforts in Congress to support an Israeli strike on Iran, and Matt notes that North Korea presents a great example of the disincentives for Iran to go nuclear. They both condemn Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan’s harsh remarks on Zionism. Plus: What can we expect from Obama’s upcoming trip to Israel?

On Foreign Entanglements, Rob talks to Nate about his efforts to pressure US intelligence agencies to release classified documents. They consider the impact of Wikileaks. Nate offers some horror stories about FOIA requests, and also describes his research on Able Archer, the 1983 incident that nearly triggered a nuclear war. They discuss the new show The Americans, which both Rob and Nate prefer to Homeland. Rob and Nate then discuss Argo and Zero Dark Thirty, the two “national security” entrants in this year’s Academy Awards, and reflect on the difficulties of getting historical films right. Finally, a brief conversation about Seth MacFarlane‘s turn as Oscar host.

On Foreign Entanglements, James explains the Atlantic Council’s shadowy supporters, which may or may not include “friends of Hamas.” Matt wonders whether Hagel’s critics really are this stupid, or just think their audience is. James describes the DC think tank landscape. Did Rand Paul’s foreign policy speech mark a return of GOP realism? Matt argues that, by now, we know who John McCain really is. James sees parallels between Obama’s foreign policy and Reagan’s. Plus: Is Sen. Ted Cruz just a jerk?

On Foreign Entanglements, Rob talks to Peter about the latter’s recent edited volume, Hybrid Warfare. Pete explains the reasoning behind his chapter selections, leading to discussions about warfare in Ancient Rome, the American Civil War, and the Second Sino-Japanese War. Rob asks Pete about the changes that technology has wrought in the practice of hybrid war, and Pete and Rob then discuss the upcoming sequester and the future of the American military establishment.

On Foreign Entanglements, Matt talks to Yousef about Obama’s upcoming trip to Israel, which will be his first as president. Matt wonders how the trip will affect Obama and Netanyahu’s tense relationship. Yousef worries that the Israeli public doesn’t actually support a two-state solution. How could the existence of a Palestinian state advance the interests of the US? And how did the Chuck Hagel hearings affect international opinion of America? Finally, Yousef and Matt consider how strongly the American public supports Israel.

On Foreign Entanglements, Laura gives an overview of how the ongoing crisis in Mali developed, and of where we stand now that France has intervened in the conflict. Laura notes that the destruction of ancient cultural sites in Mali may be a war crime. Could instability spread from Mali to countries like Mauritania and Niger? Rob asks Laura how it feels to be an “Africa pundit,” and Laura explains how journalists could do a better job of covering Africa. Finally, the not-so-simple question of whether there was just an attempted coup in Eritrea.

On Foreign Entanglements, Matt and Gil discuss the surprising success of the Yesh Atid party in Israel’s elections. Matt is struck by how little attention was paid to the peace process. Did Netanyahu’s meddling in the US presidential election hurt him at home? How will the new coalition affect relations with the Palestinians? Gil describes his most optimistic scenario for a two-state solution, and argues that rhetorical delegitimization of Israel is damaging the peace process. Matt counters that in the US, neoconservatives are blurring the line between criticism and delegitimization in their attacks on Chuck Hagel.

On Foreign Entanglements, Rob and Justin discuss Justin’s article on the US pivot to East Asia. What is the foundational American interest in the Pacific Rim? Rob asks whether Justin is selling international institutions short. Can China make the international system work in its interest? What are the implications of retrenchment for defense spending? Finally, Rob and Justin discuss the importance of navies to the global balance of power.

On Foreign Entanglements, Rob and Matt run down the most important events of 2012. Matt reviews Egypt’s uneven transition to democracy. Is Egypt the center of gravity for the Arab Awakening, or should we be paying more attention to Qatar? Rob pivots to the Obama administration’s Asia pivot. Why have foreign policy liberals embraced the possible nomination of Chuck Hagel for Secretary of Defense? Plus: Rob and Matt debate their favorite movies of 2012 and Matt describes his favorite music of the year.