FEMA, NATO, GAO

FEMA, NATO, GAO

From Sirens: A Bombshell production by Loren DeJonge Schulman, Radha Iyengar Plumb, Erin Simpson

January 22, 2026 · 59 min · Season 2 · Episode 2

About this episode

The episode discusses US and allied relationships, the impact of US chaos on NATO, and current events in Iran, featuring guest Dr. Mara Karlin.

Sirens welcomes the tremendous Dr. Mara Karlin as a guest to first determine which current buzzwords we'd ban but more importantly to assess this moment of US and allied relationships: what allies should be planning, how US chaos shakes up more than just NATO meetings, and signals to watch. For dumpster fires, we talk through what's new and what's unfortunate de ja vu as the Trump Administration pressures the Iranian regime amid increasingly violent protest crackdowns, as well as what the transition at the GAO means for oversight (yes, we do the sexy topics!). Finally: what delights and baffles you about the Jane Austen-verse?

People in this episode

Hosts: Loren DeJonge Schulman, Radha Iyengar Plumb, Erin Simpson

Guest: Dr. Mara Karlin

Topics covered

  • US foreign relations
  • NATO
  • Iran protests
  • government oversight
  • Jane Austen

Keywords

  • FEMA
  • NATO
  • GAO
  • Iran protests
  • Trump Administration
  • US foreign policy
  • government oversight
  • Jane Austen

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: FEMA, NATO, GAO

Places: Iran

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