The “Edgelord Putin” Edition

<p>This week, Alan, Quinta and Scott were joined once again by <em>Lawfare</em> executive editor Natalie Orpett! They talked through some of the week's biggest national security news, including:</p><ul><li>“Maybe He Has Border Recognition Disorder.” Despite reported reservations among his advisors, Putin is <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/18/us/politics/putin-ukraine.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">moving forward</a> with an at least partial invasion of Ukraine, having recognized the breakaway Ukrainian territories of Donetsk and Lugansk as independent countries and deployed troops to “aid in their defense.” Is Putin acting rationally? Or are there reasons to be concerned about his mental state?</li><li>“Your Presidential Immunity…Has Just Been REVOKED.” The district court overseeing civil lawsuits against former President Trump and associates for the Jan. 6 insurrection has dismissed claims against several of Trump’s associates, but <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/02/18/jan6-trump-lawsuit" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">allowed some suits against Trump to continue</a>, despite his claims of immunity. Does this mean Trump is likely to be held accountable for his actions?</li><li>“Laws Don’t Kill Guns. Lawsuits Kill Guns.” The families of the Sandy Hook shooting victims have <a href="https://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/the-sandy-hook-settlement-with-remington-and-the-road-ahead-on-gun-violence" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">secured a settlement</a> from Remington Arms, the company that made and marketed the gun used in the shooting. Meanwhile, California is <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2022/02/18/california-moves-forward-with-gun-control-bill-that-mimics-structure-of-texas-abortion-ban/?sh=3327743c7897" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">considering a law</a> that would allow individuals to use private lawsuits to enforce gun restrictions, modeled on Texas’s S.B. 8 anti-abortion law. Are private lawsuits the