Topic: Deconfliction

Associate Executive Producers are thanked for their contributions, including Travis Mercer and Noah Wattenmacher. Wattenmacher proposes a radical idea to replace police with "unarmed local beat lawyers" and "moms armed with infinite shoes" for deconfliction. The hosts also puzzle over a "2020 Bat Quarter" mentioned by a donor from Colorado.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov denied that the Syrian government was responsible for a chemical attack in Douma, calling the Western response "reckless behavior." Lavrov noted that the U.S. and its allies launched strikes just as OPCW inspectors were prepared to enter the site. He emphasized the continued use of "deconfliction channels" between the Russian and U.S. militaries to prevent direct confrontation despite the diplomatic crisis.

NBC's Richard Engel reported that U.S. aircraft had to be diverted to avoid Russian planes over Syria. Adam Curry clarifies that the "planes" involved were actually unmanned drones rather than piloted fighter jets. The segment also highlights the tension caused by Russia allegedly recording and broadcasting secret military deconfliction meetings.

The Pentagon acknowledged a "close encounter" between a US aircraft and a Russian jet over Syria, though the aircraft remained 20 miles apart. The hosts mock the media's portrayal of the event, noting that 20 miles is not a "close" distance in aviation terms. The incident highlights the lack of a formal deconfliction agreement between the two militaries as they operate in the same airspace.