CNAS Podcasts: Recent Episodes
Center for a New American Security
From serving as a counterterrorism analyst for the Pentagon in Afghanistan to working on security issues at Facebook, Kara Frederick has spent her entire career confronting America's most dangerous national security challenges. Now a Fellow with the CNAS Technology and National Security Program, Frederick joins Ilan Goldenberg to discuss how terrorists and bad actors have used digital technology, how governments and private companies have responded, and what digital security challenges lie ahead.
How have China's global ambitions sharpened under President Xi Jinping, and how should the United States respond? Dr. Kurt M. Campbell served in the Obama administration as the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, where he helped lead the administration's "Pivot to Asia." Now Chairman and CEO of The Asia Group, Campbell joins Ilan Goldenberg to discuss his front row seat to President Xi's rise to power, the future of U.S.-China relations, and more.
As a woman serving on the front lines in Iraq, Kayla Williams faced not only the perils of combat, but the ordeals of sexism and harassment. Some of her greatest challenges, however, lay at home—learning to care for a spouse with a traumatic brain injury, overcoming PTSD, and fighting for VA reform. Kayla, now Director of the CNAS Military, Veterans, and Society Program, joins Ilan Goldenberg to discuss her time serving as an Arabic linguist in the U.S. Army and the human costs of armed conflict.
When American diplomats travel abroad and meet with foreign leaders, who works behind the scenes to make sure everything runs smoothly? What negotiations go into preparing for a state dinner with Kim Jong-il, and how is the pageantry of a diplomatic visit used to further U.S. policy objectives? Price Floyd, a veteran State Department public affairs official and former Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, speaks with Ilan Goldenberg about his most remarkable—and bizarre—experiences abroad on diplomatic advance teams.
What do the Pentagon's decisions about military spending say about our priorities as a nation? What goes into the DoD's $700 billion budget each year? Former Pentagon official Susanna V. Blume, now Director of the CNAS Defense Program, joins Ilan Goldenberg to discuss what the composition and size of the defense budget reveals about America’s national security priorities.
Richard Fontaine spent years advising leading figures in American foreign policy, but working for the late Sen. John McCain was unlike anything he had experienced before. Now Chief Executive Officer of the Center for a New American Security, Fontaine sits down with Ilan Goldenberg to discuss Senator McCain's legacy, detail stories from his time working on Capitol Hill and the 2008 McCain presidential campaign, and recount lessons learned from a storied American statesman.
Now more than ever, Americans are interested in the people working behind the scenes on consequential national security decisions. In Season Two of Stories from the Backchannel, host Ilan Goldenberg sits down with experts from across the U.S. foreign policy landscape to discuss their experiences and roles on the front row of history. From working on major presidential campaigns to crafting the world's largest budget, this season's guests will shed light on the places where key national security decisions happen.
Emma Moore joins the CNAS Women in National Security podcast mini-series on human capital to discuss changing the requirements for national service.
Maggie Feldman-Piltch joins the CNAS Women in National Security podcast mini-series on human capital to discuss the gaps she sees in launching and advancing careers in national security. Maggie is the Managing Director of Unicorn Strategies and Founder of #NatSecGirlSquad.
Sina Beaghley joins the CNAS Women in National Security podcast mini-series on human capital to discuss security clearance reform. Sina is a senior international/defense policy researcher at the RAND Corporation. She focuses her research on national security policy issues including counterterrorism, counterintelligence, cyber strategy, security clearance reform, and surveillance policy and privacy. Beaghley came to RAND after more than a decade of service in the federal government developing and implementing national security policies.
Dr. Laura Junor joins the CNAS Women in National Security podcast mini-series on human capital to discuss how the government must change its personnel systems to bring in the right talent at the right time. She is Director, Research and Strategic Support at the National Defense University, Institute for National Strategic Studies. Prior to her arrival at NDU, Dr. Junor was confirmed as the Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. Dr. Junor previously served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Readiness, the Chief of Staff for Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, and as a deputy team leader for readiness at the Center for Naval Analyses (CNA).
On May 15, President Trump issued an executive order designed to protect the United States from security vulnerabilities in the global communications technology supply chain. What took so long? Does the order go too far—or not far enough—in addressing threats to America's 5G security? Paul Scharre and Elsa B. Kania join Megan Lamberth to discuss what the order means, how it might affect U.S. partners in Europe and companies like Huawei, and more.
Nicholas A. Heras asks three notable experts on U.S. national security decision making—Frances Z. Brown, Melissa Dalton, and Loren DeJonge Schulman—whether the United States should remain committed to maintaining a presence in Syria, and if President Trump is right that all that remains for the U.S. in Syria is "sand and death."
Nicholas A. Heras asks three notable experts on Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah in the Syrian conflict—Anna Borshchevskaya, Hanin Ghaddar, and Brian Katz—how the United States can engage with Russia to manage the situation with Israel and the Assad regime to prevent Iran and its Hezbollah network from launching a war against Israel from Syria that could have region-shattering consequences for the Middle East.
Nicholas A. Heras asks three notable experts on Salafist-jihadist organizations and the Syrian conflict — Jennifer Cafarella, Hassan Hassan, and Sasha Ghosh Siminoff — about how Syria became the largest recruiting ground for Salafist-jihadist groups in modern history and how the United States should approach its counter-terrorism policy in Syria to meet this challenge.
The Assad regime has been in power in Syria since 1970. For many analysts, the Syrian state could not exist without the regime, and the regime could not exist without the leadership of the Assad family. However, there still is a debate whether an alternative power to the Assad family could run the Syrian state, in a hypothetical transition period from Bashar al-Assad's rule.
Alexander Bick, Research Scholar at the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs, Faysal Itani, a nonresident senior fellow with the Middle East programs at the Atlantic Council, and Kaleigh Thomas, the Research Associate for the Middle East Security Program at CNAS, join Nicholas Heras to discuss.
A new set of technological tools—some of them now maturing, others poised to emerge over the coming decade—seem destined to wind up in the hands of autocrats around the world. They will allow strongmen and police states to bolster their internal grip, undermine basic rights and spread illiberal practices beyond their own borders. Paul Scharre hosts a discussion with Richard Fontaine and Kara Frederick on their recent article in The Wall Street Journal on these illiberal practices: “The Autocrat's New Tool Kit."
The U.S. Army recently announced its new Advanced Targeting & Lethality Automated System, or ATLAS program. The announcement generated concern and media headlines about the level of autonomy in ATLAS. Paul Scharre, Kara Frederick, and Megan Lamberth discuss the Army's rollout of the program, the language used in the announcement, and how the DoD responded.
Michael Kratsios and Dr. Lynne Parker from the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy visited CNAS last week to discuss the Trump administration's American AI Initiative. Paul Scharre, Kara Frederick, and Megan Lamberth sit down to discuss the event and the American AI Initiative, as well as share their reactions to the Department of Defense's newly released strategy on AI.
On Thursday, February 28, Michael Kratsios, Deputy Assistant to the President for Technology Policy, visited CNAS to discuss the President's Executive Order on Maintaining American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence.
China is positioning itself as a powerhouse in quantum science, posing a challenge to U.S. national security and innovation leadership. Elsa B. Kania, an Adjunct Fellow at CNAS, and John Costello, former Co-Founder and Director Emeritus of the China Cyber and Intelligence Studies Institute, join Paul Scharre for a discussion on China's ambitions in quantum development and their recent report, "Quantum Hegemony."
Ambassador Wendy Sherman discusses her unlikely career, which began as an advocate for women's issues. Then, she went into politics, and eventually wound up at the State Department, where she was the lead negotiator for the Iran nuclear deal.
In her new book, “Not for the Faint of Heart: Lessons in Courage, Power, and Persistence,” Sherman writes about long hours of work and having to persevere through tough negotiations with the North Koreans and later the Iranians.
In this final episode of the first season of Stories from the Backchannel, Sherman speaks with host Ilan Goldenberg, Senior Fellow and Director of the Middle East Security Program at the Center for A New American Security. She talks about what it was like to be sitting next to the late North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and the challenges of negotiating with Iran.
Sherman's story is a candid portrayal of what it's like to be a diplomat and how challenges can sometimes be turned into opportunities.
What happens when a Predator drone has as much autonomy as a Google car? Or when a weapon that can hunt its own targets is hacked? Although it sounds like science fiction, the technology already exists to create weapons that can attack targets without human input.
One person who has taken a deep look into autonomous weapons is Paul Scharre, Director of the Technology and National Security Program at CNAS and former Army Ranger. In this episode, Scharre talks with host Ilan Goldenberg about how far weapons have evolved and how the world reconcile with the moral implications of these advancements. Scharre is also author of the book Army of None: Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War.
When Bill Clinton took over as President in 1992, his then Middle East advisor Martin Indyk told him he has a chance to partner with Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin to secure peace treaties with Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and the Palestinians.
In this episode of Stories From The Backchannel, Indyk talks with host Ilan Goldenberg, Director of the Middle East Security Program at the Center for A New American Security, about Indyk's journey from Australia to becoming the US Ambassador to Israel, and his quest to bring peace between Israel and its neighbors.
Indyk recounts triumphs such as bringing PLO Chairman Yasir Arafat and Rabin to the White House for a historic summit. He also recalls heartbreaking setbacks such what it was like to being in the hospital with Rabin's family on the night the Prime Minister was assassinated. During the Obama administration Goldenberg and Indyk would wind up working together under Secretary of State John Kerry as the United States made another attempt to broker peace.
Through the lens of Indyk's decades long career trying to bring peace, listeners will be able to gain a broad sense of the challenges facing all sides and what the prospects are for the future.
Stories from the Backchannel is a new CNAS podcast program that examines the stories behind some of America's most important national security moments. Hosted by CNAS Middle East Program Director, Ilan Goldenberg, the podcast invites listeners into the room as government officials, and world leaders put aside niceties in favor of candid discussions, and hard-nosed negotiations. In our first episode, Unavoidable Russia, CNAS CEO Victoria Nuland recounts her time as one of America's leading diplomats on Russia.
Each story is told from the perspective of officials who were part of some of our nation's most captivating and historic moments.
Paul Scharre, Director and Senior Fellow of the Technology and National Security program at CNAS, hosts a discussion with Technology and National Security Adjunct Fellow Elsa Kania on her new report about the basics of quantum technology, China’s related efforts, and what the United States should do to maintain its technological leadership.
Kara Frederick hosts a session with Paul Scharre and Gregory C. Allen on the third report of CNAS’ AI and International Security series, “Strategic Competition in an Era of Artificial Intelligence.”
Kara Frederick, from the Technology and National Security program at CNAS, hosts a discussion on the basics of artificial intelligence and its impact on national security with Paul Scharre, Gregory C. Allen and Edoardo Saravalle. The experts also discuss the release of the CNAS AI report series, Artificial Intelligence and International Security.
Stories from the Backchannel is a new CNAS podcast program that examines the stories behind some of America's most important national security moments. Hosted by CNAS Middle East Program Director, Ilan Goldenberg, the podcast invites listeners into the room as government officials, and world leaders put aside niceties in favor of candid discussions, and hard-nosed negotiations. In our first episode, Unavoidable Russia, CNAS CEO Victoria Nuland recounts her time as one of America's leading diplomats on Russia.
Each story is told from the perspective of officials who were part of some of our nation's most captivating and historic moments.
Join Kara Frederick from the CNAS Technology and National Security Program in a discussion with Paul Scharre on the national security implications of robotics, autonomy, and artificial intelligence in “Army of None.”
Neil Bhatiya, Research Associate in the Energy, Economics, and Security Program, leads a discussion on China's use of coercive economic measures and how the United States can respond with Elizabeth Rosenberg, Senior Fellow and Director of the EES Program, Peter Harrell, Adjunct Senior Fellow in the EES Program, and Edoardo Saravalle, Researcher in the EES Program. The discussants draw on the findings from their upcoming report on Chinese economic coercion and cover topics including: past examples of Chinese coercive measures, how Beijing chooses its targets, how its coercion differs from the U.S. measures, and how Washington can counter this threat.
Join Kara Frederick, from the Technology and National Security program at CNAS, in a discussion with Mary Wareham, Paul Scharre, and Elsa B. Kania on the key takeaways of the fifth meeting of the UN GGE for the CCW in Geneva.
Paul Scharre, Senior Fellow and Director of the Technology and National Security program at CNAS, discusses the Trump Administration’s recent Drone Export Policy and its relationship to the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) with CNAS Adjunct Senior Fellow Dr. Michael Horowitz.
Anthony Cho interviews Harry Krejsa on Harry's new report, "Under Pressure," which examines how China is influencing rivals and competitors overseas through subversion and other means.
Join Paul Scharre, Senior Fellow and Director of the Technology and National Security program at CNAS, in a discussion with Amir Husain about the ethical implications of artificial intelligence on human existentialism, the future of work and war, and technological risk.
Join Paul Scharre, Senior Fellow and Director of the Technology and National Security program at CNAS, in a discussion with Bob Work and Amir Husain on the launch of the Artificial Intelligence Task Force, an important cross-sector collaboration to discuss societal, economic, and security implications of this emerging technology.
As part of the Zak Grand Strategy lecture series, CNAS welcomes Rebecca Friedman Lissner of Perry World House at the University of Pennsylvania and Mira Rapp-Hooper of the Paul Tsai China Center at Yale Law School to discuss their new essay, "The Day After Trump: American Strategy for a New International Order," in the latest Washington Quarterly. In it they examine the fraying of the post World War II order over the last several decades, but encourage foreign policy thinkers to think seriously about what's next.
Samantha Vinograd and Morgan Ortagus join the CNAS Women in National Security podcast to discuss their careers in national security, the private sector, and media, their evolving understanding of the concept of security, and how their long (and bipartisan!) friendship has shaped their lives.
Launching the second chapter in the Women in National Security podcast series, Fox News national security correspondent Jennifer Griffin talks with CNAS Senior Fellow Loren DeJonge Schulman about her career as a journalist, how she views being a woman in this field, and the "last word" she'd want to have on the topic of women in national security.
Join Paul Scharre, Senior Fellow and Director of the Technology and National Security Program at CNAS, in a discussion with Brendan McCord and Gregory C. Allen about the challenges and opportunities facing the United States’ private sector and national security community in harnessing the potential of artificial intelligence.
As part of our Michael J. Zak Grand Strategy Lecture series, Senior Fellow Loren DeJonge Schulman hosts four experts to discuss some fundamentals of grand strategy that are too easily glossed over: definitions, audiences, perceptions, diversity, and implementation. Guests: Kelly Magsamen (CAP), Susanna Blume (CNAS), Emma Ashford (Cato Institute), and Julie Smith (CNAS).
Elizabeth Rosenberg, Senior Fellow and Director of the Energy, Economics, and Security Program leads a discussion on new strategies and tools to counter terrorist financing. Since 9/11, the nature of terrorist threat has changed, requiring a new approach by government authorities and the financial sector. She is joined by Tom Keatinge from the Royal United Services Institute, Joshua Geltzer from Georgetown Law School, David Murray from the Financial Integrity Network, and Kris Doucette from Chainalysis.
Join Paul Scharre, Senior Fellow and Director of the Technology and National Security program at CNAS, in a discussion with Capt Michael Kanaan about how artificial intelligence and machine learning is being incorporated into the United States Air Force (USAF) and how these technologies are affecting the USAF’s missions and priorities.
Paul Scharre, Senior Fellow and Director, Technology and National Security interviews Dr. Andrew Moore, Dean of the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University on the most important progress being made in Artificial Intelligence.
In his new report, Heartland Security, Bacevich Fellow, Harry Krejsa, argues foreign policy pays off for the middle class when domestic policy makes it pay off -- and national security professionals took their eye off the ball. He and CNAS expert Rachel Rizzo discuss the latest.
Join Paul Scharre, Senior Fellow and Director of the Technology and National Security program at CNAS in a discussion with Helen Toner, Senior Research Analyst, Open Philanthropy Project and Jack Clark, Strategy and Communications Director, OpenAI about the most significant benefits and risks that artificial intelligence technology poses to national security.
Nicole Pilkus, Deputy Director of the Maritime Safety Office National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency talks with Julie smith about her career in the defense industry, experiences that have shaped her career so far, and advice she'd give to young women entering this field today.
CNAS expert Ilan Goldenberg breaks down the past week of protest in Iran and its global implications, with a focus on its impact on the future of the Iran nuclear deal. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Amanda Sloat of the Brookings Institution shares what it's like working as a woman in national security.
CNAS Deputy Director of Studies dives into the Trump administration's National Security Strategy, talking strategy development, messaging, and implementation with CNAS experts Jerry Hendrix, Ilan Goldenberg, and Dan Kliman.
Laura Rosenberger, former foreign policy advisor for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 Presidential Campaign, discusses the misconceptions women have about working in national security.
Emma Ashford, a research fellow with expertise in international security and the politics of energy, shares her experiences working as a woman in national security.
Mara Karlin, a nonresident senior fellow in the Center for 21st Century Security and Intelligence in the Foreign Policy program at Brookings, discusses the roadblocks that keep women from working in the national security field.
Eric Fanning, former Secretary of the Army, and CNAS fellow Susanna Blume talk about the NDAA, DoD budget, and acquisition reform.
Alina Polyakova, the David Rubenstein Fellow for foreign policy at the Brookings Institution, discusses the options available to women who want to work in national security.
This week, countries discuss lethal autonomous weapons at the United Nations, while Stephen Hawking warns of the dangers of artificial intelligence.
CNAS experts Kate Kidder, Julie Smith, and Loren DeJonge Schulman discuss why they launched the women in national security project, what they've learned, and their personal struggles in how to talk about women in national security as a serious national security issue.
CNAS Adjunct Senior Fellow Alice Friend Hunt speaks on the importance of self-confidence and the ways in which men can help women succeed in national security.
CNAS experts Patrick Cronin and Harry Krejsa discuss the major recent and upcoming events in the Asia-Pacific. With the Chinese Communist Party concluding its 19th Party Congress, President Xi Jinping seems to be solidifying his grip on power -- with significant implications for U.S. interests. And as President Trump prepares for a major two-week trip to Asia, Dr. Cronin and Mr. Krejsa discuss what issues are at stake and what results we might expect.
CNAS expert Ilan Goldenberg and Karim Sadjadpour, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, discuss a joint report, titled "Contain, Enforce, and Engage: An Integrated U.S. Strategy to Address Iran’s Nuclear and Regional Challenges," outlining a comprehensive way forward on Iran. Moderated by Neal Urwitz.
Kate Bateman is a Visiting Fellow at the Center for a New American Security, and a Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellow. Bateman was the lead author on a report for the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, identifying lessons learned from the U.S. experience with corruption in Afghanistan. Bateman has served in policy and intelligence positions at the State Department in Washington, and at embassies in Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. She also worked in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, and was a Boren Fellow in India studying Sunni-Shia relations.
Former CNAS Executive Intern Yasmin Faruki shares her thoughts on beginning a career in national security as a woman of color and the importance of seeking out challenges.
Dr. Nora Bensahel is a distinguished scholar in residence at the School of International Service at American University. She was most recently a senior fellow and codirector of the responsible defense program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), where she previously served as deputy director of studies.
Last year, the United Kingdom passed the Investigatory Powers Bill, which codifies the British government's domestic surveillance authorities. The bill requires that surveillance orders be authorized and overseen by a group of "judicial commissioners," headed by an Investigatory Powers Commissioner. This marks the first time that judges will be involved in authorizing national-security surveillance in the UK.
In March, Prime Minister Theresa May appointed Lord Justice Adrian Fulford, the first Investigatory Powers Commissioner. Listen to audio of Sir Fulford delivering his address at the CNAS office on October 6.
Kimberly Jackson, a senior policy analyst at the RAND Corporation, shares her advice on seizing opportunities and the importance of self-advocating in military environments. Hosted by Katherine Kidder, Fellow with the CNAS Military, Veterans, and Society Program.
Dr. Tamara Cofman Wittes, senior fellow at the Brookings Institute, talks about the impacts of female leadership in foreign diplomacy and overcoming personal doubts and fears.
CNAS experts Ilan Goldenberg and Elizabeth Rosenberg discuss the regional and global implications of the Iran nuclear deal. The discussion focuses on what happens if President Trump begins unraveling the nuclear agreement by not certifying Iranian compliance to Congress. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Vladimir Putin recently said that whoever leads in artificial intelligence "will be ruler of the world." Elon Musk has warned that national competition in AI is the "most likely cause of WW3." Are we at risk of an AI arms race?
Pentagon Under Secretary of Defense Comptroller David Norquist and former Comptroller Robert Hale sit down to discuss continuing resolutions and the defense budget. Hosted by CNAS Defense Strategies and Assessments Program Fellow Susanna Blume.
RAND Corporation Policy Researcher Rebecca Zimmerman discusses her experiences in the defense community and navigating expectations in the field.
Susanna Blume, fellow with the CNAS Defense Strategies and Assessments Program, discusses the new push for Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC). Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Dr. David Gordon, Divya Reddy, and Elizabeth Rosenberg are the authors of the report, "After Paris: A Climate Agenda that Serves U.S. Interests." In this episode, the authors discuss foreign policy implications for the United States withdrawing from the 2015 agreement. Hosted by JaRel Clay.
Nayyera Haq, CEO of Avicenna Strategy, talks about the power of women owning their femininity and authenticity in a field full of men. Hosted by Loren DeJonge Schulman, Deputy Director of Studies at CNAS.
Christine Wormuth, director of the Center for Resilience at the Atlantic Council, shares her thoughts on the importance of diversity in the national security community and self-confidence for professional women. Hosted by Julianne Smith, Senior Fellow and Director of the CNAS Transatlantic Security Program.
CNAS Co-Founder and CEO Michèle Flournoy discusses working in a male-dominated environment and shares advice for overcoming obstacles and making career decisions. Hosted by Rachel Rizzo, Research Associate with the CNAS Transatlantic Security Program.
Jeremy Hsu, a science and tech journalist in New York, joins CNAS experts Paul Scharre and Alexandra Sander to discuss military and non-state actor uses of commercial drones.
Christian Beam and Justin Wright are two members of Cyber Dawgs, the champions from this year's National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition. Beam and Wright stopped by to discuss the competition and importance of recruiting rising stars in cyber security for public service. Hosted by Amy Schafer.
Paul Scharre, senior fellow and director of the CNAS Technology and National Security Program, discusses an open letter warning of the dangers of autonomous weapons. While some have interpreted the letter calling for a ban, Scharre doesn't believe it's that clear cut. Hosted by JaRel Clay.
Dr. Daniel Kliman, a senior fellow with the CNAS Asia-Pacific Security Program, discusses the growing threat posed by North Korea's nuclear weapons program and the implications for the United States. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Stephen Tankel, an Adjunct Senior Fellow with CNAS, discusses what "winning" looks like in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Paul Scharre, senior fellow and director of the CNAS Technology and National Security Program, weighs in on news that Facebook shut down its artificial intelligence program after it invented its own language. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Dr. Jerry Hendrix, senior fellow and director of the CNAS Defense Strategies and Assessments Program, discusses Trump's executive order on the Defense Industrial Base. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Lauren Fish, research associate with the CNAS Defense Strategies and Assessments Program, discusses new challenges and opportunities with the National Defense Authorization Act. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
In this episode of the Drones Podcast Series, CNAS experts Michael Horowitz, Alexandra Sander, and Paul Scharre discuss the Missile Technology Control Regime.
As Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg publicly debate the future of artificial intelligence, CNAS Technology and National Security Program Director Paul Scharre sits down with Neal Urwitz to discuss new developments and challenges with AI and global security.
Gregory Allen, a new adjunct fellow with the CNAS Technology and National Security Program, discusses a report that he recently co-authored a report on artificial intelligence and national security. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
On this episode, Michael Horowitz, Dan Gettinger, and Alexandra Sander join Paul Scharre to discuss U.S. policy changes on unmanned aircraft exports in recent years.
Lauren Fish, research associate with the CNAS Defense Strategies and Assessments Program, explains the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Paul Scharre, the new director of the CNAS Technology and National Security Program, discusses what he calls a new industrial revolution powered by artificial intelligence due to recent advances in AI technology. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Admiral Gary Roughead and Amy Schafer discuss the rise of the 'warrior caste' - the propensity of youth from military families to serve in the armed forces - and the all-volunteer force. Schafer recently authored a report on the topic, which is available at cnas.org. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Luke Hartig, a fellow in New America's International Security program, and Loren DeJonge Schulman, a senior fellow at CNAS, discuss transparency on the U.S. use of drones. Hosted by Paul Scharre.
Rachel Stohl, a senior associate with Stimson Center's Managing Across Boundaries Initiative, joins CNAS' Paul Scharre and Alexandra Sander to discuss emerging norms for drones as they proliferate.
Dan Gettinger of the Center for the Study of the Drone, UPenn Professor Mike Horowitz, and CNAS Research Associate Alexandra Sander join Paul Scharre to discuss patterns of drone proliferation.
Drone experts Dan Gettinger and Alexandra Sander discuss a new report laying out the extent of drone proliferation, providing recommendations to help the Trump administration adapt to an increasingly drone-saturated world. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Middle East experts Dr. Colin Kahl, Ilan Goldenberg, and Nicholas Heras discuss their report on a strategy for ending the Syrian Civil War. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
CNAS Middle East Security Program Director Ilan Goldenberg discusses Saudi Arabia and Israel's impression of President Trump. Having recently visited the region, Ilan shares his thoughts from reactions he received on the ground in Israel. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Loren DeJonge Schulman, the CNAS Leon E. Panetta Senior Fellow, discusses President Trump's first international trip to Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Europe. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Norwegian Minister of Defence Ine Marie Eriksen Søreide discusses the NATO defense landscape and Norway's role and investment in readiness. Hosted by Jim Townsend.
Swedish Minister of Defense Peter Hultqvist joins Julie Smith and Jim Townsend to discuss Sweden's worldview, the current state of transatlantic alliances, Stockholm's relationship with Moscow, and President Trump's upcoming visit to the region.
With China investing heavily in a blue-water navy capable of operating across open oceans and deep waters, the CNAS Asia-Pacific Security Program released a new report on the topic. Dr. Patrick Cronin and Dr. Mira Rapp-Hooper discuss the new report with Neal Urwitz.
With the launch of the new Transatlantic Security Program, Julianne Smith, senior fellow and director of the program, sits down with Jim Townsend to discuss the program's focus on Europe, NATO, and the EU.
Transatlantic Security experts Julianne Smith and Rachel Rizzo discuss President-elect Emmanuel Macron's victory in the French election. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
CNAS experts Elizabeth Rosenberg and Zachary Goldman stop by to discuss their new report on terrorist use of virtual currencies. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Middle East Security Program Director Ilan Goldenberg discusses what Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's meeting with President Trump could mean for middle east policy. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Alexander Velez-Green, research associate with the CNAS Defense Strategies and Assessments Program, discusses his report on Russia's strategic debate on a doctrine of pre-emption. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
As President Trump closes in on his first 100 days, CNAS President Richard Fontaine and Executive Vice President Shawn Brimley provide recommendations for what the administration can do to achieve its national security objectives. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
With round one of the French election completed, Transatlantic Security expert Rachel Rizzo discusses the outcome of the election results and what a victory for Emmanuel Macron or Marine Le Pen could mean for the future of France, NATO, and the European Union. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
CNAS Asia experts Dr. Patrick Cronin and Anthony Cho discuss a new report, "Averting Disengagement: A Geoeconomic Strategy for the Trump Administration in Southeast Asia." Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
After a successful meeting in Washington with President Trump, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg sits down with CNAS' Transatlantic Security team. Hosted by Jim Townsend and Rachel Rizzo.
Transatlantic Security experts Julie Smith and Jim Townsend sit down with Former PM of Sweden Carl Bildt to talk about the future of Europe and why every country in the transatlantic partnership, even the smallest like Malta, matters.
Nicholas Heras, Bacevich Fellow at CNAS, discusses the U.S. military role in Libya and local partner forces in the fight against ISIS. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
CNAS Asia experts Harry Krejsa and Hannah Suh discuss their new report, "Phishing in Troubled Waters: Confronting Cyber Espionage Across the Pacific and the Strait of Taiwan." Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
CNAS Middle East experts Ilan Goldenberg and Nicholas Heras discuss U.S. missiles strikes on Syria and its implications.
The national security sector is increasingly looking at how it can retain the best talent and build more effective teams by examining parity in the sector. In this episode, Kate Kidder and Phil Carter explore challenges and opportunities with retention and discuss their latest report, "From College to Cabinet: Women in National Security." Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Harry Krejsa and Hannah Suh, experts with our Asia-Pacific Security program, preview this week's meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Lauren Fish, research associate with the CNAS Defense Strategies and Assessments Program, discusses the use of exosuits in the U.S. military and their advantages and opportunities on the battlefield. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Transatlantic Security experts Jim Townsend and Julie Smith discuss this week's NATO Ministerial and why NATO is like a potluck dinner.
Dr. Jerry Hendrix, senior fellow and director of the Defense Strategies and Assessments Program, discusses President Donald Trump's plan for the U.S. Navy. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Defense Strategy and Assessments experts Lauren Fish and Adam Routh discuss Trump's $54 billion proposed budget for the Department of Defense and what it means for readiness and modernization. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
State Secretary Tillerson will host 68 foreign ministers and senior leaders of the Global Coalition, the first meeting of the global coalition working to defeat ISIS. Meanwhile, President Trump recently announced plans to slash the State Department's budget. CNAS Middle East policy experts Ilan Goldenberg and Nicholas Heras explore how the United States should continue the fight against ISIS and ensure long-term stability in the region. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Adam Klein, senior fellow and surveillance expert at CNAS, provides an overview of the investigations into Russian active measures during the 2016 election campaign and President Donald Trump's wiretapping claims. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Asia experts Dr. Mira Rapp-Hooper and Harry Krejsa discuss Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's recent trip to the Asia-Pacific and what it means for American diplomacy. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Julianne Smith, senior fellow and director of the Strategy and Statecraft program, discusses German Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to the United States. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Julianne Smith, senior fellow and director of the CNAS Strategy and Statecraft Program discusses the Dutch election outcome and Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Harry Krejsa, research associate for the CNAS Asia-Pacific Security Program, discusses challenges and opportunities for U.S.-China Relations under the Trump Administration. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
CNAS Adjunct Senior Fellow Christopher Kolenda discusses his new report, "Focused Engagement: How the United States Should Modify Its Strategy Afghanistan." Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Technology and national security experts Ben FitzGerald and Alexandra Sander discuss a new report recommending the DoD leverage organizational reforms to drive military-technical innovation and better match defense investment priorities and acquisition methods with the threats the United States faces. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Rachel Rizzo, research associate for the CNAS Strategy and Statecraft Program, discusses a report on the future of the transatlantic security relationship. Hosted by JaRel Clay.
In a press briefing, CNAS CEO Michèle Flournoy and Middle East Security Program Director Ilan Goldenberg discuss the upcoming summit between President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Dr. Patrick Cronin, Senior Adviser and Senior Director of CNAS' Asia-Pacific Security Program, discusses what to expect from Friday's meeting. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Kate Bateman, a visiting fellow at the Center for a New American Security, discusses President Trump's plans to repeal a Securities and Exchange Commission rule that is critical to preventing corruption in the extractive sector. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Ilan Goldenberg, senior fellow and director of CNAS' Middle East Security Program, provides his forecast on a number of topics including President Trump's plans to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's forthcoming visit to the United States, and the U.S.-Israel alliance. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
CNAS senior fellows Ben FitzGerald and Paul Scharre were joined by Dan Gettinger, founder and co-director of the Center for the Study of the Drone at Bard College, to discuss a new database that provides information for drone use around the world. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Paul Scharre, senior fellow and director of the CNAS Future of Warfare Initiative, discusses automation and the Patriot Air and Missile Defense System. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
CNAS Asia experts Dr. Mira Rapp-Hooper and Harry Krejsa discuss Congress' role in Asia policy during the Trump presidency. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
Julianne Smith, senior fellow and director of the CNAS Strategy and Statecraft Program, forecasts the relationship between the United States and Russia during the Trump Administration. Hosted by Neal Urwitz.
CNAS Bacevich Fellow Nicholas Heras discusses a new report, authored by a group of rising experts, on combating Al-Qaeda in Syria. Hosted by JaRel Clay.
Neill Sciarrone, Senior Director of Strategy and Planning at BAE Systems, discusses how the defense industry can adapt to better collaborate with, and generate value from, startups.
Jackie Space, Partner at BMNT Partners, explores DOD’s current focus on Silicon Valley and national security startups and offers advice to entrepreneurs in the domain.
Niloofar Razi Howe, Chief Strategy Officer at RSA, explores the potential and challenges for national security startups from her varied experiences as a management consultant, venture capitalist, startup executive and tech company strategist.
Jim Perkins, an active duty Army officer and the Director of the Defense Entrepreneurs Forum, discusses DEF, the ways in which it supports defense entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs and the challenges of pushing for change in the DOD.
Ben Riley, former Principal Deputy Secretary of Defense for the Rapid Fielding Directorate, describes his experiences funding and working with startups from inside the Pentagon and offers advice for startups seeking to work with the Department of Defense.
Dr. Erin Simpson, former CEO of analytics firm Caerus Associates, describes management techniques for defense startups, differences between services and product businesses and bootstrapping a national security startup.
Steve Nordlund, Vice President, Strategy for Boeing Defense, Space and Security, tells the story of Insitu, the startup responsible for the ScanEagle drone, it’s collaboration with and eventual acquisition by Boeing.
Ted Schlein, Partner at venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caulfield & Byers, talks cybersecurity, his experience collaborating with the DoD, and differences in valuations between national security and commercial startups.
Nate Fick, CEO of cybersecurity company Endgame and former CEO at CNAS, discusses the cybersecurity market, running a venture backed startup, and ways in which the DoD provide value to startups.
Raj Shah, managing partner at Defense Innovation Unit Experimental (DIUx), explains why the DoD is focused on partnering with startups, challenges for collaboration, and how the DIUx will achieve its mission.
Narushige Michishita, Japan Scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Center’s Asia Program, discusses with Dr. Patrick Cronin how the United States and its allies cope with military modernization.
Hideshi Tokuchi, Former Vice Minister of Defense discusses with CNAS Asia-Pacific Security Program Director Patrick Cronin Japan's changing roles, missions, and capabilities.
Associate Fellow Kelley Sayler, author of the new CNAS report, "Red Alert: The Growing Threat to U.S. Aircraft Carriers," discusses the the short-, medium-, and long-range threats to the military's largest ship.
CNAS Executive Vice President Shawn Brimley argues that the U.S. military edge – particularly in regards to technology – is rapidly eroding. Mr. Brimley makes concrete recommendations for how to rebuild America’s military advantage.
CNAS Bacevich Fellow Katherine Kidder discusses Defense Secretary Ashton Carter's announcement on expanding the roles of women in the military.
Grant Newsham, Executive Director, Corporate Security Morgan Stanley Japan, discusses how to improve amphibious capabilities with U.S. allies and partners.
Asia-Pacific Security team experts Dr. Patrick Cronin and Harry Krejsa discuss the future of the U.S. rebalance to Asia.
Ilan Goldenberg, senior fellow and director of the Middle East Security Program, discusses what to expect from the upcoming Netanyahu-Obama Summit.
Nicholas Heras, research associate with the Middle East Security Program, discusses U.S. troops in Syria.
Experts from the Asia-Pacific Security Program at CNAS launch the Alliance Requirements Roadmap podcast series. Weekly episodes will feature analysts discussing how the United States, together with its allies and partners, counter anti-access and area-denial (A2/AD) challenges in the Indo-Pacific in the short-term and long-term.
Senior Fellow and Director of the 20YY Warfare Initiative Paul Scharre discusses a new CNAS project on The Future of the Ground Forces.
Harry Krejsa, research associate in the Asia-Pacific Security Program, discusses the rise of China's GDP and what it could mean for the future of its economy.
Dr. Mira Rapp-Hooper, senior fellow with the Asia-Pacific Security Program, discusses the FONOP in the South China Sea.
Ilan Goldenberg, Senior Fellow and Director of the CNAS Middle East Security Program, discusses with Neal Urwitz U.S. strategy after the Iran deal.
CNAS Robert M. Gates Senior Fellow Elbridge Colby and Director of External Relations Neal Urwitz discuss Russia modernizing its conventional military forces.
On his latest podcast, CNAS President Richard Fontaine discusses a new report, co-authored with CEO Michèle Flournoy, on combatting ISIS.
CNAS Researcher Nick Heras discusses why U.S. policymakers and the international community should not underestimate the ability of the Assad regime to prolong the Syrian civil war.
Many high-profile scientists and academics, including Stephen Hawking and Elon Musk, have signed an open letter warning of the dangers of autonomous weapons. CNAS Senior Fellow Paul Scharre discusses.