The “Anniversary Hot Take Takedown” Edition

<p>This week, Alan, Quinta, and Scott were joined by co-host emeriti Ben Wittes and Shane Harris for a very special anniversary edition of Rational Security that pits their national security hot takes up against each other.</p><p>Which of the following takes will the team find to be "too hot," which "undercooked," and which "just right"?</p><ul><li>Americans (and especially progressives) will regret reviving the prospect of disqualifying people under section 3 of the 14th Amendment.</li><li>Over the next year, there will be a windfall of information regarding unidentified aerial phenomena, including some pointing to possible extraterrestrial origin.</li><li>A President Ron Desantis won't be as dangerous as President Donald Trump.</li><li>Russia's terminal decline presents one of the greatest threats to global security.</li><li>American democracy will be saved by social conservative minorities voting for the Republican Party.&nbsp;</li></ul><p>For object lessons, Alan endorsed his favorite children's book about affectionate penguins (of many), "<a href="https://www.marymurphy.ie/books/board-books/i-like-it-when" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">I Like it When</a>" by Mary Murphy. Quinta recommended Garret Graff's new eponymous book on Watergate,&nbsp;"<a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Watergate/Garrett-M-Graff/9781982139162" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Watergate</a>." Scott urged D.C. area residents to visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wheatlandspring.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Wheatland Spring Farm and Brewery</a>&nbsp;on their next trip out to Purcellville, VA, and try their "Land + Waters" farmhouse ale for a true taste of Virginia.&nbsp;Ben thanked Scott for supporting him through his crippling dog shirt addiction, even though that support has now reached its limits. And Shane recommended a non-spy book by "the American LeCarre" Charles McCarry, entitled "<a href="https://www.abebooks.com/9780099569107/Bride-Wilderness-McCarry-Charles-0099569108/plp" rel=