National Security This Week: Recent Episodes
Jon Olson | KYMN News
Host Jon Olson, US Navy (Ret.) Interviews different experts to learn about current and historical events with a focus on national security. Topic's include: the economy, climate change, cyber security, nuclear weapons, intelligence operations, and more. New episodes released Wednesdays.
Host Jon Olson and Professor Rajan Menon discuss the critical importance of the Global South, and the rise of a new “non-aligned movement” around the world.
This week, host Jon Olson talks with Dr. Ryan Berg, who heads the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). They discuss an American Grand Strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean.
Host Jon Olson and Professor Anthony Lott from the Department of Political Science at the College of St. Olaf discuss current crisis areas around the world.
Host Jon Olson talks with James Borton, Senior Fellow at the Foreign Policy Institute at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) about environmental security in the South China Sea.
Host Jon Olson and Mark Cozad from the RAND Corporation discuss two major studies RAND completed on the People’s Liberation Army, and on China’s foreign policy calculations inside the Great Power Competition framework.
Host Jon Olson and Steve Andreasen from the Humphrey School at the University of Minnesota discuss the ongoing humanitarian crisis and civil war in Ethiopia.
Host Jon Olson talks with Professor Michael Kimmage from Catholic University about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and what to make of current Russian political leadership.
Host Jon Olson talks with Star Tribune editorial writer and columnist John Rash about journalism and national security.
Host Jon Olson talks with retired US Army General Joseph Votel, who commanded both US Special Operations Command and US Central Command. He now leads Business Executives for National Security (BENS). They discuss a variety of national security challenges and opportunities, including how BENS helps drive better national security decision-making and defense acquisition efforts.
Host Jon Olson talks with Esfandyar Batmanghelidj, founder of the economic think tank Bourse and Bazaar Foundation, about Iran and broader relations across the Middle East and Central Asia.
Host Jon Olson talks with Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne Bass. As the senior enlisted leader in the US Air Force, she advises the Secretary of the US Air Force, and the Chief of Staff of the US Air Force on all matters related to the 600,000 Airmen who serve the United States.
Host Jon Olson's guest is retired US Army Colonel Chris Costa, Executive Director of the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. They discuss the spy museum, his career in the field of Human Intelligence, and current events.
Host Jon Olson talks with Dr. Marina Miron from King’s College London. They discuss the use of unmanned platforms for both domestic and international operations, and the implications of proliferation and expanded capabilities in this rapidly advancing technology area.
Host Jon Olson talks with Fidel Amakye Owusu live from Accra, Ghana and they discuss Salafi Jihadist terrorism in the Sahel.
This week, Jon Olson's guest is Professor Christopher Tounsel from the University of Washington and they discuss the ongoing crisis and civil war in Sudan.
Host Jon Olson discusses new intelligence collection, processing, and analytical capabilities, with Dr. Catherine Marsh, the Director of the US Intelligence Community’s cutting edge organization the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity.
Host Jon Olson talks with former Department of State Foreign Service Officer Elizabeth Shackelford about the militarization of American foreign policy.
Host Jon Olson talks with Paul Szymanski about space operations and modern space warfare tactics.
This week, Jon Olson’s guest is US Army Colonel Matt Sousa from the George C. Marshall Center for European Security Studies. Using his expertise on African affairs, they discuss southern Africa.
Host Jon Olson talks with Dr. Moises Naim about challenges to the liberal democracies around the world from rising authoritarian political movements.
Host Jon Olson's guest this week is Fahad Nazer, spokesperson for the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. They discuss politics, economics, and security interests for Saudi Arabia.
Host Jon Olson talks with US Navy Vice Admiral Frank “Trey” Whitworth, Director of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA), and they discuss NGA’s role in the US Intelligence Community and support for American national security.
Host Jon Olson’s guest is James Fanell, CAPT, USN (ret.) from the Geneva Center for Security Policy in Geneva, Switzerland. They discuss China, the People’s Liberation Army, and American national security challenges in the Indo-Pacific Theater.
Host Jon Olson talks with world-renowned oceanographer Professor John Englander about climate change and the national security ramifications of sea level rise
Host Jon Olson talks with The Honorable Mr. Ronald Moultrie, Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security about the Department of Defense intelligence enterprise and America’s national security challenges
This week, host Jon Olson talks with Jill Sanborn, the former Executive Assistant Director leading the National Security Branch of the FBI. They discuss the ways the FBI investigates a wide variety of national security threats.
This week, host Jon Olson talks with Jill Sanborn, the former Executive Assistant Director leading the National Security Branch of the FBI. They discuss the ways the FBI investigates a wide variety of national security threats.
This week, host Jon Olson's guest is Beth Sanner, former Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Mission Integration. They discuss the US Intelligence Community and cyber threats to American national security.
Host Jon Olson talks with Daniel Rice from the Brute Krulak Center for Innovation and Future Warfare at Marine Corps University. They cover the People’s Liberation Army aviation technology advancements, capabilities, and combat potential.
Host Jon Olson talks with Jon Darby, the recently retired Director of Operations for the National Security Agency (NSA). They discuss all aspects of NSA’s SIGINT operations in support of American national security.
Host Jon Olson’s guest this week is Professor Tun Myint from Carleton College and they follow-up on the situation in Myanmar. Additionally, Eileen Manning announces a Cyber Security Summit scheduled in Minneapolis and online for October 24-26.
This week Jon Olson's guest is US Army Lieutenant General Scott Berrier, the Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. They discuss the missions DIA performs in support of US military operations, and how DIA fits into the overall US Intelligence Community.
This week, host Jon Olson talks with Professor Mark Deets from The American University in Cairo about the strategic importance of the Nile River basin.
This week, host Jon Olson talks with Professor Mark Deets from The American University in Cairo about the strategic importance of the Nile River basin.
Host Jon Olson talks with Jim Hamblet, the Editor-in-Chief of Proceedings, a publication of the US Naval Institute, on a host of topics related to the US Navy from challenges with China to the ongoing redesign of the US Marine Corps, and the ways the US Navy might re-make itself as well.
Host Jon Olson discusses a variety of international and American security issues with Professor Anthony Lott of St. Olaf College and Professor Greg Marfleet of Carleton College.
This week, host Jon Olson's guest is Colonel Matthew Cantore of the US Space Force, Space Operations Command.
This week host Jon Olson discusses the use and effectiveness of international economic sanctions with Dr. Menevis Cilizoglu.
This week host Jon Olson talks with Charly Salonius-Pasternak from the Finnish Institute of International Affairs about Finland and Sweden’s application to the NATO Alliance.
Host Jon Olson discusses the development of the United States Space Force, the Guardians who serve within, and the Space Force Systems Command
Host Jon Olson and Dr. Kathryn Sikkink from Harvard’s Kennedy School discuss human rights, refugees and asylum seekers.
This week, host Jon Olson talks with Nick Hayen, who leads The Orientalist Express podcast. They discuss various American national security challenges and opportunities.
Host Jon Olson discusses a wide array of international topics with Professor Anthony Becker of St. Olaf College, including the continuing impact of Covid-19 on international supply chains, the effects of Russia's war in Ukraine on oil prices, and the decision by many countries to end food exports.
Host Jon Olson talks with Mark Ritchie, the president of Global Minnesota, about how organizations like his can open global markets and improve foreign relations across the globe.
Host Jon Olson is joined this week by Lieutenant General David Deptula, USAF (ret.) as they discuss lessons being learned from the air campaign in Ukraine.
Host Jon Olson discusses Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including the consequences should Russia use tactical nuclear weapons, with Dr. Ron Krebs of the University of Minnesota.
This week, Jon Olson talks with U.S.-educated Uyghur-American lawyer, foreign policy expert, and noted human rights advocate Nury Turkel about Chinese human rights violations and related topics.
This week host Jon Olson talks with Ayana Dootalieva and Nick Cohen, editors of a new anthology, European Integration and Disintegration.
This week Host Jon Olson talks with Dr. Devashree Gupta about the recent elections in Western Europe, and how the political climate around the Western World.
Hot Jon Olson talks with Dr. Katey Walter Anthony and Janelle Sharp about the dangers of methane seepage and melting permafrost in the Arctic.
Host Jon Olson discuses hybrid warfare and its role in the current war in Ukraine and other conflicts with Professors Sean Costigan and Michael Hennessy
This week Jon has two guests, Dr. Namrata Goswami an expert on space policy and Air Force Lt. Col Peter Garretson, who has worked with several research groups on space issues.
Jon Olson’s guest this week is Air Force Brigadier General E. John Teichert, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs.
This week, host Jon Olson talks with Dr. Mark Deets from The American University in Cairo about the many recent coup d’etats in Africa.
Host Jon Olson talks with guest Ross Wilson who has previously served as the Chargé d'Affaires of the United States to Afghanistan (2020-21) and as the Ambassador to Turkey (2005-08). Together they discuses the important of Turkey in global affairs.
This week, Jon Olson's guests are Brian Eyler and Alan Basist from the Stimson Center. They discuss the strategic importance of the Mekong River in southeast Asia.
Host Jon Olson talks with retired State Department Foreign Service Officer Alan Carlson about nuclear treaties, arms negotiations, and related topics.
This week Jon's guest is Dr. Thomasm Mahnken who is thepresi dent and chief executive officer of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments and a senior research professor The Johns Hopkins University’s, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). Together the two discuses Dr. Mahnken's plan for deterring China.
Host Jon Olson discusses the Russian invasion of Ukraine with former commander of US Army European forces with guest Lt General Ben Hodges (Ret.)
Dr. James Densley from Metropolitan State University and host Jon Olson discuss the role gangs play in transnational organized crime.
Host Jon Olson talks with retired Foreign Service Officer Margo Squire about Public Diplomacy and its role in foreign affairs.
Host Jon Olson discusses the impact of illicit drugs, international drug cartels, and career opportunities in the Drug Enforcement Administration with Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Angela von Trytek from the Minneapolis Office of the DEA.
Host Jon Olson talks with Mark Jorgensen who worked previously with the CIA and State Department. Jorgensen's most recent assignment was to the U.S. Embassy in Minsk, Belarus. Together the two discuss about the economic and security situation in Belarus and its role in Eastern Europe.
Host jon Olson talks about the intersection of economics and national security with author, columnist with the Financial Times, Rana Foroohar.
Host Jon Olson talks with Dr. David Burbach from the US Naval War College about space policy, the US Space Force, and related topics.
Host Jon Olson's guest is Ambassador Ross Wilson, who served as Charge d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan during the final year of America’s involvement in that nation.
Jon discusses the Chinese interests in the South China Sea with Dr. Raymond Kuo of the RAND Corporation.
Jon discusses the tumultuous political past and present of the Balkans region with retired Foreign Service Officer Alan Carlson.
Host Jon Olson talks with retired Foreign Service Officer Mark Canning, and retired CIA officer David Sauer about the increasing tensions over Taiwan.
Host Jon Olson talks with Dr. Stephen Walt from Harvard’s Kennedy School and Dr. Ron Krebs from the University of Minnesota. They discuss whether or not America should have a grand strategy.
Host Jon Olson and Dr. David Cooper from the US Naval War College discuss nuclear deterrence and nuclear treaties for a modern era.
Host Jon Olson talks with Juan Zarate who is the former deputy national security advisor for combating terrorism during the George W. Bush administration.
Host Jon Olson talks with retired US Army Colonel Steve Miska about bringing interpreters who have served American forces in combat zones to safety.
Host Jon Olson discusses the role of the defense attaché offices in American embassies around the world, and the role of Foreign Area Officers with his guests US Air Force Colonel Brett Seiling and US Navy Commander Andrew Kotila.
Host Jon Olson talks with Jonah Simonds, Nicole Nipper, and Micalie Hunt, who earned undergraduate degrees in International Relations, about how their choice of major in college has impacted their professional lives.
Host Jon Olson discusses Poland’s critical role in European affairs with Dr. Mary Curtin from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.
Host Jon Olson talks with retired US Air Force Major General Rick Devereaux and retired US Air Force Major Bruce Morlan about the nexus of climate change and US national security.
This episode originally aired on November 3rd 2021.
Host Jon Olson talks with LTG Robert Ashley, US Army (Retired), the former Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. They discuss the US Intelligence Community’s role in supporting American national security.
This episode originally aired on October 27th 2021.
Host Jon Olson talks with Professor Ron Krebs from the University of Minnesota about civil/military relations and the importance of those relations on American national security.
This episode originally aired on Oct. 10th 2021.
Host Jon Olson talks with Dr. Fiona Hill and they discuss both Vladimir Putin and Russia, and her new book, There is Nothing for You Here: Opportunity in the 21st Century, which launched on October 6th, 2021.
This episode originally aired on Oct. 13th 2021.
Host Jon Olson talks with retired US Navy Rear Admiral Danelle Barrett about her time as Director of Operations at US Cyber Command. They tap into her expertise in cyber security.
This episode originally aired on Oct. 6th 2021
Host Jon Olson talks with Professor Michael Goldman from the University of Minnesota. They focus on India on this show, covering politics, economics, and defense issues.
This episode originally aired on Sept. 29th 2021.
Host Jon Olson talks with Carleton College Professor Devashree Gupta, an expert on Western European affairs, about the United Kingdom, Ireland, Brexit, and related security issues.
This episode originally aired on Sept. 22nd 2021.
Host Jon Olson talks with retired US Army Lieutenant General Joseph DiSalvo, the former Deputy Commander of U.S. Southern Command. They discuss the current state of affairs for SOUTHCOM, regional challenges, and opportunities in the region in support of American national security interests.
This episode originally aired on Sept. 15th 2021.
Host Jon Olson talks with Mark Shaw, Director of the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, about how his organization is working end international criminal enterprises.
This episode originally aired on Sept. 8th 2021.
Host Jon Olson talks with Chip Laingen, Executive Director of the Defense Alliance, a collaboration of Upper Midwest businesses in the defense and national high technology industries.
This episode originally aired on September 1st 2021.
Host Jon Olson talks with University of Minnesota Professor Mark Bell. They continue their discussion on advanced nuclear delivery capabilities and their impact on nuclear deterrence.
This originally aired on August 15th 2021.
This week, host Jon Olson discusses the events of the past week in Afghanistan with with retired State Department Foreign Service Officers Tom Hanson and Bill Davnie.
This episode originally aired on August 18th 2021.
Host Jon Olson talks with Professor Federico Varese from Oxford University in the United Kingdom about the national security ramifications of transnational organized crime syndicates.
This episode originally aired on August 11th 2021.
Host Jon Olson talks with noted crime thriller author and former CIA intelligence officer Carmen Amato about intelligence operations, the Western hemisphere, and her crime thriller novels.
This episode originally aired on August 4th 2021.
Host Jon Olson talks with retired CIA case officer David Sauer about Human Intelligence (HUMINT) operations.
This episode originally aired on July 28th 2021.
Host Jon Olson talks with Dr. Michael Osterholm about the national security implications of infectious diseases.
This episode originally aired on July 21st 2021.
Host Jon Olson talks with retired FBI Special Agent E.K. Wilson, who led the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force investigating young Americans who joined the al-Shabab terrorist group and their supporters.
This episode originally aired on July 14th 2021.
Host Jon Olson talks with Todd Lefko, a business leader who has been doing business in Russia for 32 years, about Russian politics and the Russian economy.
This episode originally aired on July 7th 2021.
Host Jon Olson talks with John Patterson, who serves with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and they discuss humanitarian assistance and disaster relief as an element of American national security.
This episode originally aired on June 30th 2021.
Host Jon Olson talks with Art delaCruz, who leads the military veteran-centric disaster relief non-profit Team Rubicon.
This episode originally aired on June 23rd 2021.
Host Jon Olson talks with Heather Conley, a senior leader at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, about European security challenges.
This episode originally aired on June 16th 2021.
Host Jon Olson talks with Professor Summer Forester from Carleton College about her research into the role women play in conflict zones.
This episode originally aired on June 9th 2021
Host Jon Olson interviews Rear Admiral Mike Studeman, Director of Intelligence for the US Indo-Pacific Command.
This episode originally aired on June 2nd 2021
Host Jon Olson talks with Charly Salonius-Pasternak with the Finnish Institute of International Affairs about Finnish, EU, and NATO defense policies.
This episode originally aired on May 26th 2021.
Host Jon Olson talks with retired US Navy Captain Steve “Baron” Beck von Peccoz about US Navy carrier aviation and the Pacific Theater.
This episode originally aired on May 19th 2021.
Host Jon Olson talks with Professor Mark Bell from the University of Minnesota about nuclear deterrence and new nuclear challenges.
This episode originally aired on May 12th 2021.
Host Jon Olson talks with Professor Jeff Ondich, who chairs the Department of Computer Science at Carleton College, about the nexus of cyber and national security.
This episode originally aired on May 5th 2021.
Host Jon Olson and retired US Navy Captain Will Clarke discuss military logistics and the global supply chain.
This episode originally aired on April 28th 2021.
Host Jon Olson talks with Professor Tun Myint from the Carleton College Department of Political Science about the current situation in Myanmar.
This episode originally aired on April 21st 2021
Host Jon Olson talks with Mark Canning, a retired Foreign Service Officer with the State Department. They tap into his deep experience with the Korean peninsula and discuss both North and South Korea.
This episode originally aired on April 14th 2021
This week, host Jon Olson talks with University of Minnesota Professor Michael Goldman. They discuss the international financial institutions that led to the development of the modern global economy, as well as changes to these institutions in the current era.
This episode originally aired on April 7th 2021.
Host Jon Olson talks with Lea Gabrielle, a former US Special Envoy who led the State Department’s Global Engagement Center, about US government efforts to defeat foreign propaganda by nation states and non-state actors alike.
This originally aired on March 31st 2021
Host Jon Olson talks with retired Navy Commander turned author Rick Campbell. After his naval career, Campbell has found success as a military thriller author, penning such notable novels as The Trident Deception, Empire Rising, Ice Station Nautilus, Blackmail, Treason, and his latest release, Deep Strike.
This originally aired on March 24th 2021
Host Jon Olson talks with Professor Alfred Montero about the political, economic, and security situation in Central and South America, and consider what the Biden Administration might pursue regarding American foreign policy in the region.
This episode orginally aired on March 17th 2021
Host Jon Olson talks with Dr. Greg Marfleet, who holds the Dorothy H. and Edward C. Congdon Professor of Political Science chair at Carleton College. They discuss the first 50 days of the Biden Administration’s national security and foreign policy decision-making.
This episode originally aired on March 10th 2021
Host Jon Olson talks with Captain Brad Gawboy, US Navy (Retired), and Mr. David Bruns. Both men served aboard US Navy nuclear-powered submarines and they discussed the role of submarines in support of American national security.
This episode originally aired on March 3rd 2021.
Host Jon Olson talks with Lois Quam , President of Pathfinder International, about the role of health care for women in stabilizing societies in the developing world.
This episode originally aired on Feb. 24th 2021
Host Jon Olson talks with Bill James, President of the Minnesota Council of the Navy League of the United States. They discuss the role of the Navy League in supporting America’s four sea services—the US Navy, US Marine Corps, US Coast Guard, and the US-flagged Merchant Marine.
This episode originally aired on Feb. 17th 2021
Host Jon Olson talks with Minnesota’s Commissioner of Agriculture, Thom Petersen, about agriculture exports, international markets, and economic impacts on Minnesota.
This episode originally aired on Feb. 10th 2021
Host Jon Olson talks with Brigadier General Tim Kennedy, US Army (Ret.), who served as a senior officer in the Minnesota National Guard. They discuss how the National Guard is led, organized, and trained, and what missions service members perform both at home and abroad.
This episode originally aired on Feb. 3rd 2021
Host Jon Olson talks with Bethany May, a former US Army Battalion Intelligence Officer with the 5th Special Forces Group who was deployed into northern Syria during the height of the counterinsurgency fight against the Islamic State.
This originally aired on Jan. 27th 2021
Host Jon Olson talks with retired US Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Bruce Morlan. They discuss American nuclear deterrence, the nuclear triad, and developments in nuclear weapons, policy, and strategy.
This originally aired on Jan. 1st 2021
Today I talked with Mark Canning, a retired career diplomat in the US Department of State. Mark’s 40 years of experience with China allowed us to consider serious issues of foreign policy engagement for the incoming Biden Administration. We focused heavily on trade while also discussing the more serious strategic implications of our strong reliance on China as a partner in capitalism.
This episode originally aired on January 13th 2021