On today's Lawfare Daily, Lawfare contributors look back on the national security news events of the year and their coverage of it. In this episode, you’ll hear from @nkorpett.bsky.social, @annabower.bsky.social, @rparloff.bsky.social, @mollyroberts.bsky.social,

Days after Ghislaine Maxwell asked a judge to immediately free her from a 20-year prison sentence, the public release of grand jury transcripts from her sex trafficking case returned the spotlight to victims whose allegations helped land her behind bars.

Beijing imposed sanctions on Friday against 20 U.S. defense-related companies and 10 executives, a week after Washington announced large-scale arms sales to Taiwan. https://to.pbs.org/3NgUXMO

It’s the final collection of new books and ARCs for 2025, and this one is a double decker! What here is something you would want to take with you into the new year?

8 BIG STORIES - 2025 Story 2 - “Political Retribution”; cases collapse ====> youtube.com/shorts/-fbtf...

#Florida has scrubbed nearly 80% of the references to Hope Florida — Gov. Ron DeSastrous' scandal-plagued program that torpedoed his wife's political career — from its Medicaid managed care contract. Gee, I wonder why... www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/12/26/s... via @sundogwriter.bsky.social

Thousands of Surfing Santas congregate on #Florida beach for Christmas charity fundraiser. www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/12/24/p... via @orlandosentinel.com

I will always repost teachers as my wife is a 30 year public school teacher who has been buying supplies out of her own paycheck since 1994. It is a financial burden on young teachers, and it's wrong.

A man tried to create a "women's safety" app called Tea. Then, images and more than a million private conversations, including some about cheating partners and abortions, were compromised in two separate security breaches. One of our top stories this year:

The U.S. airstrikes targeting militants affiliated with the Islamic State group in northwestern Nigeria are widely seen by experts as crucial help for the country's security forces, which are often overstretched and outgunned as they fight multiple crises across different regions.

Cat Clinging To Side Of Christmas Tree Admits That Was Extent Of Plan https://theonion.com/cat-clinging-to-side-of-christmas-tree-admits-that-was-1849899567/

Marco Rubio Is Not the Adult in the Room. He’s the Warmonger. Every single senator eagerly confirmed their former colleague to be secretary of state, but he is not at all the moderating force that they thought he’d be.

Surprise, surprise

Karma knows your address.

Another one of these? Felon must be bored.

#BlueBeats 🎸 @quickbear.bsky.social @oowooooo.bsky.social @digtialbootleg.bsky.social @closetotheedge.bsky.social @hungryforsound.bsky.social @soledad104.bsky.social @chrismo.bsky.social @aldorado.bsky.social @ilikeguitars.bsky.social @spiderfrommars.bsky.social @dindin6.bsky.social

Did everyone “enjoy what may be their last Christmas”? The angry angry hippo really out did himself 🤦🏻‍♀️

East Hampton, Connecticut was once “Belltown USA” — home to more than twenty bell companies. Now there’s just one: Bevin Bells, the last bell manufacturer in the entire United States.

Tell us: As the U.S. prepares to observe its 250th anniversary, what does being an American mean to you right now? https://bit.ly/3YCG6Pf

Here's what's open and closed on New Year's Day in Massachusetts, including details on the MBTA's expanded service on New Year's Eve.

*TASKMASTER: CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS 4 OUTTAKE 4* youtube.com/shorts/4XT8B... @gregdaviescomedian.bsky.social #gregdavies

With the conclusion of the holiday season, many Americans face the task of disposing of their Christmas tree. A Massachusetts farm has devised an unusual method of eliminating the old trees: 19 hungry goats. (from 2019) https://to.pbs.org/3W0dNYk

They'll use the 25th after he has been in office for 2 years. That way, JD can serve the final 2 and still be eligible for 2 full terms as his successor. That's their game plan, book it.

The Unredacted DOJ post actually reads:

The Pentagon is hoarding critical minerals that could power the clean energy transition [via @grist.org]

These should be mass produced!

A country that had begun to make progress in believing women is regressing. In this environment, it becomes more and more difficult for victims to come forward, which means that the people committing crimes against them are going to get away with it. Again. open.substack.com/pub/joycevan...

Picking up my 3-year-old from daycare and another 3-year-old said, "Boo!" I asked if he was trying to scare me, and a 5-year+old girl said, "He's not saying Boo! to scare you. He's booing your outfit."

I don't think I'd be that difficult to babysit. I finish my snacks, I'm potty trained (mostly), and I never put up a fight at naptime! 😁

tech bros trying to convince everyone epstein is cool is so telling and interesting

Amanda Seyfried is up for a Golden Globe for her performance in The Testament of Ann Lee, a movie musical about the leader of the Shakers, the 18th-century religious movement that preached celibacy, gender and racial equality, and pacifism. n.pr/4jkc5gW

Excellent point.

This. This right here 👇

I wasn't a great cook anyway...

Today is the anniversary of the collapse of the Soviet Union. Let’s hope history repeats itself with its successor.

Merry Christmas right back at you: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMm7...

COMING TOMORROW

South Korea prosecutor seeks 10-year jail term for ex-President Yoon, Yonhap says reut.rs/3YJUVzz

💚🙏💚

In an "alternative" message to the king's annual Christmas speech, Kimmel told British viewers that "from a fascism perspective, this has been a really great year," for the United States. n.pr/4q2rPru

Jailed former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was found guilty of abuse of power in the biggest trial yet in the multibillion-dollar 1MDB scandal, a ruling that could have significant political repercussions reut.rs/4pg2s4f

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

The director of Minnesota’s Driver and Vehicle Services is warning U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents that they’re violating state law and could be cited if they switch out or remove license plates on their unmarked vehicles.

The past year wasn't all doom and gloom; there was plenty to smile about, too.