The Sidebar

Marvin Ammori talks disruptive transportation technology and how the FTC can foster competition. Neil Harbisson, cyborg activist, explains why we should all want to be cyborgs. Adam Sneed hosts.

Reniqua Allen and Hannah Emple explain how and why America's racial wealth gap became a gulf. Tara Maller reveals what makes sanctions a success - or failure - and what she expects from the ones targeting North Korea and Iran. Elizabeth Weingarten hosts.

Ali Gharib unravels the mystery of Israel’s Prisoner X and Jason Delisle explains what impact the sequester might—and might not—have on the federal education budget. Elizabeth Weingarten hosts.

Konstantin Kakaes and Dan Sarewitz explain how - theoretically - we could avert an asteroid impact, and how the asteroid tracking industry has evolved. John Williams, former meteorite-hunter, tells us why the meteorite market is so murky legally. Sarewitz and Kakaes critique the president's State of the Union science and technology proposals. Elizabeth Weingarten hosts.

Rosa Brooks scrutinizes the leaked Justice Department memo that aims to provide legal rationale for the administration's drone program. Brigid Schulte introduces us to surprising research on how to be happier, healthier and more productive. Elizabeth Weingarten hosts.

Sascha Meinrath gives us a reality check on the FCC's reported new national public wifi proposal. Barry Lynn tells us what's threatening the price - and variety - of beers. Elizabeth Weingarten hosts.

Steve Coll discusses what the mounting evidence of player brain damage caused by violence on the football field could mean for the future of the sport. Christopher Leonard quells fears of a chicken wing shortage, and tells us a few things we didn't know about traditional Super Bowl party fare. Elizabeth Weingarten hosts.

Daniel Levy discusses the results and implications of Israel's election this week and Patrick Doherty outlines his proposal for America's next grand strategy. Elizabeth Weingarten hosts.

Barak Barfi reports on the real state of the Syrian Civil War after returning from a recent trip to the country, and Charles Kenny explains why mixing public health campaigns with covert operations is disastrous. Elizabeth Weingarten hosts.

Emily Parker, Colonel Thomas Lynch, and Brian Fishman weigh in on Obama's picks for top national security and foreign policy posts. Elizabeth Weingarten hosts.

Marc Goldwein explains how Congress brokered the fiscal cliff deal, and warned of rocky terrain still ahead as legislators tackle across-the-board spending cuts and the debt ceiling. Danielle Kehl discusses the real reason that broadband providers implement data caps, and why anyone with a mobile device should care. Elizabeth Weingarten hosts.

Robert Wright weighs in on whether the horrific shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School will spur a gun control policy change. Kayla Pope and Hank Greely discuss the developing field of using brain science in the courtroom. Elizabeth Weingarten hosts.

Peter Bergen discusses how the new movie "Zero Dark Thirty" stacks up to the real account of how Osama bin Laden was captured and killed. Rebecca MacKinnon provides post-game analysis of the Internet governance summit in Dubai that wrapped up this week. Elizabeth Weingarten hosts.

Louie Palu gives a photojournalist's perspective on the controversial NY Post cover photo and Lorelei Kelly explains how budget cuts in the 90s gave us the partisan Congress we have now. Elizabeth Weingarten hosts.

Tara Maller explains why the next CIA director should be a woman and Jonathan Guyer joins from Cairo to discuss what's really going on in Egypt. Elizabeth Weingarten hosts.