The “Doorstepped” Edition

<p>This week, Quinta and Scott co-hosted sans Alan, but were joined by the co-hosts of the Carnegie Council's <a href="https://www.carnegiecouncil.org/media/series/the-doorstep" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Doorstep Podcast</a>, Nikolas Gvosdev and Tatiania Serafin! They talked through the week's big national security news, including:</p><ul><li>“Paper Rocks Censors.” China has erupted in protests against Xi Jinping’s draconian zero-COVID policies, with thousands of Chinese citizens holding up a blank white sheet of paper as a sign of their discontent. Will these “white paper” protests make a difference in China? How should the United States respond?</li><li>“A Cheney Might Shoot You in the Face, But They’d Never Stab You in the Back.” Last week, the Washington Post<em> </em>reported that more than a dozen current and past staffers on the Jan. 6 committee are angry with co-chair Liz Cheney for decisions to focus the committee’s final report on conduct related to former President Trump. Is there merit to these complaints or do they seem overblown?</li><li>“Much Guaido About Nothing?” The Biden administration is easing sanctions on Venezuela, as talks loom between the incumbent Maduro regime and recognized government-in-exile of opposition leader Juan Guaido. Does this signal a major shift in U.S. policy towards Venezuela? Or are those condemning the move overblowing the situation?</li></ul><p>As for object lessons, Quinta engaged in a bit of self-promotion over her&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2022/11/moore-v-harper-scotus-elections-amicus-brief/672281/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">recent&nbsp;Atlantic<em>&nbsp;</em>piece</a>&nbsp;on the forthcoming Supreme Court case&nbsp;<em>Moore v. Harper</em>. Scott indulged in a Werner Herzog impression to recommend a new documentary directed by his son, "<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Last-Exit-Space-Season-1/dp/B09KHK7XRQ" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Last Exit: Space</a>." Nikolas urged listeners to c