The “This Edition is Too Damn Early” Edition

<p>This week, Alan, Quinta, and Scott got together for another early morning session to hash&nbsp;through the week's big national security news,&nbsp;including:&nbsp;</p><ul><li>“Stuck in the Middle (East) with You.” As President Biden <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/16/politics/biden-last-day-middle-east-trip/index.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ends his trip to the Middle East</a> having re-engaged the Gulf countries and recommitted to preventing Iran from securing a nuclear weapon—including by force, if necessary—Russian President Vladimir Putin is kicking off his own visit to deepen ties with Tehran and negotiate with Turkey. What does this mean for regional security, the lagging Iran nuclear talks, and the U.S. pivot to Asia?</li><li>“Qualified Incredulity.” The Justice Department has <a href="https://www.politico.com/news/2022/07/15/justice-dept-jan-6-subpoena-meadows-00046193" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">finally weighed in</a> on former Chief of Staff Mark Meadows’s arguments that executive privilege prevents the Jan. 6 committee from compelling his testimony. And while it didn’t back his position, it was more friendly to his general position than one might expect. What should we make of its approach?</li><li>“Georgia on My ASS.” Prosecutors from the Peach State are proving a lot less cautious about <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/us/grand-jury-subpoenas-us-lawmaker-georgia-election-probe-2022-07-18/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">investigating misconduct following the 2020 elections</a> than the Justice Department, to the point that they may soon begin indicting associates of President Trump. What explains this different approach and where might it lead?&nbsp;</li></ul><p>As for object lessons, Alan recommended a&nbsp;New Yorker<em>&nbsp;</em>article on "<a href="https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2022/07/25/the-haves-and-the-have-yachts" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Haves and the Have Yachts</a>." Quinta endorsed a&nbsp;<a href="http