CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
174 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 days ago - ★★★★★ - 17 ratingsCNA’s experts understand today’s complex and dynamic national security environments. On CNA Talks, you’ll find analysis of globe-shaping conflicts, foreign policy and shifting alliances, regional breakdowns, pandemics and other health crises, environmental disasters, homeland security concerns, and the future of strategic competition. Follow CNA Talks to go behind the headlines and learn from data-driven, objective, discussions on the factors shaping today’s national security landscape.
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Episodes
Conventional Missiles in the Ukraine War
April 10, 2024 19:16 - 35 minutes - 49.2 MBThe Russia‑Ukraine war marks the first large‑scale deployment and use of conventional ballistic and cruise missile technology. Because of this, the theater has become a test bed for missile technology and strategy and has revealed the strengths and weaknesses of contemporary missile forces and doctrines. In this episode, Fabien Hoffman and Gabriela Rosa Hernandez join the show to discuss how both sides have used conventional weapons during the Ukraine War and the war's impact on strateg...
Department of the Navy Deputy Principal Cyber Advisor Joshua Reiter on the Department's Cyber Strategy
March 27, 2024 14:49 - 26 minutes - 35.8 MBMilitary operations in the physical domains all depend on the cyber domain. To ensure the success of traditional naval capabilities, the Navy and Marine Corps must project power in and through cyberspace while defending their systems and assets from adversary cyber capabilities. The side that most effectively sequences and synchronizes cyber effects will have a decisive advantage. Department of the Navy (DON) Deputy Principal Cyber Advisor Joshua Reiter and CNA’s Ariel Michelman-Ribeir...
Zero Trust: Modernizing in a Classified Environment
March 13, 2024 18:01 - 23 minutes - 32.5 MBIn an age when the risks of cyberattacks are increasingly clear, the Zero Trust security model, built on the principle of “never trust, always verify,” is the new standard for cyber security. Like many organizations, CNA is working to implement the model throughout our organization. Rizwan Jan, CNA’s Chief Information Officer, and cybersecurity expert Adam Monsalve join the show to discuss CNA’s journey to implement Zero Trust, how we can use that experience, and how we have leveraged thi...
Civilian Harm Mitigation is a Moral Imperative and a Strategic Priority
February 28, 2024 19:04 - 36 minutes - 49.5 MBThe DOD Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan (CHMR-AP) represents a significant step forward for global efforts to reduce civilian harm. The plan recognizes that reducing civilian harm is not just a moral imperative but a strategic priority. It lays out concrete steps that the Department of Defense can take to mitigate civilian harm caused by its operations. Larry Lewis, Marla Keenan, and Sabrina Verleysen join John Stimpson in this episode. They discuss the CHMR-AP and the ...
How Can Emergency Managers Best Utilize Social Media?
February 14, 2024 17:27 - 24 minutes - 34.2 MBClimate Change is increasing both the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Because of this, it is more important than ever that emergency management officials utilize every tool available to them to communicate effectively and clearly with the public. Jamie Biglow and Heather Marshall from CNA's Center for Emergency Management Operations join John Stimpson. They discuss how state and local officials can use social media before, during, and after a crisis to build trust with ...
A New Tool to Protect First Responders
January 31, 2024 18:25 - 15 minutes - 21.7 MBAs cities across the country become more networked and connected with smart sensors, more data is available to first responders than ever before. But how can this data be interpreted efficiently in emergencies where every second counts? In this episode, John Crissman and Shaelynn Hales from CNA and Godfrey Nolan, founder and CEO of RIIS LLC, join the show. We discuss their award-winning First Responder Awareness Monitoring during Emergencies (FRAME) System, which takes in data from these s...
Tomorrow's Technology in the Ukraine War
January 17, 2024 16:07 - 40 minutes - 55 MBThe role of AI and autonomous systems in the war in Ukraine has attracted much attention in the media and from analysts tracking the use of new technologies in warfare. But what impact has it had on the battlefield? In this episode, Margarita Konaev and Samuel Bendett join the show to discuss how these technologies impact the situation on the ground, the private sector’s role in the conflict, and what this means for the future of warfare. Biographies Samuel Bendett is an Advisor with...
A New Approach to Preventing Suicide in the Army
January 03, 2024 18:17 - 22 minutes - 30.8 MBIn recent years, there has been a rise in suicide attempts among army personnel and while there have been a lot of attempts to tackle this problem, it is not clear if what has been done to date is working. In this episode, Heather Wolters and Lauren Malone join John to discuss a new holistic approach to address the problem at a systemic level. Guest Biographies Dr. Heather Wolters is a Principal Research Scientist with CNA’s Marine Corps and Defense Workforce Program. Dr. Lauren ...
Russian Military Logistics in the Ukraine War
December 20, 2023 17:19 - 29 minutes - 39.8 MBIn the early days of the Ukraine war, the Russian army experienced a massive breakdown of its logistics operations. Frontline troops were going without basic supplies like food and fuel. What caused this breakdown, and has Russia been able to stabilize supply lines as the war progressed? Paul Schwartz joins the show to discuss his report on Russian Military Logistics in the Ukraine War. Biographies Paul Schwartz is a Research Scientist with CNA’s Russia Studies Program. Further Read...
The Navy and Strategic Competition with China
December 06, 2023 14:54 - 30 minutes - 41.9 MBThe Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Navy asked CNA for recommendations on how the Navy can better position itself for such competition, that is, below the threshold of armed conflict. In this episode, three experts from across CNA join the show to discuss their specific recommendations and what the future fleet needs to look like to implement them. Guest Biographies David M. Finkelstein is vice president and director of CNA's China and Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Division. A...
The Benefits of Body-worn Cameras in a Local Jail Setting
November 08, 2023 16:37 - 24 minutes - 34 MBOver the past decade, police departments across the United States have adopted body-worn cameras, and evidence suggests that they can help reduce complaints and use of force incidents. This raises the question of whether they could serve a similar purpose in jails and prisons. In this episode, John Stimpson sits down with Brittany Cunningham and Bryce Peterson to discuss their research into the impact of body-worn cameras at the Loudoun County adult detention center. Guest biographies ...
How Special Operations Forces Can Help Address IUU Fishing
October 25, 2023 16:24 - 21 minutes - 29 MBThe People's Republic of China is the most significant contributor to the global problem of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. Its distant water fishing fleet is the largest in the world and operates everywhere, from the Pacific Island Countries to the Atlantic Coast of Africa. In this episode, Heidi Holz and Cornell Overfield join John Stimpson to discuss how US Special Operations Forces can help counter the problem of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing by serving as ...
Rebroadcast: Better Metrics for Better Analyses
October 11, 2023 20:31 - 25 minutes - 35.2 MBWhat do search engine optimization, airline schedules and standardized testing have in common? They are all vulnerable to Goodhart’s law, the idea that when a metric becomes a target, it ceases to be a good metric. In this episode, Michael Stumborg and Timothy Blasius join John to discuss their report, “Goodhart’s Law: Recognizing and Mitigating the Manipulation of Measures in Analysis.” Michael Stumborg is a Principal Research Scientist with CNA’s Strike and Air Warfare Program. ...
Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong and the future of Russia-North Korea relations
September 27, 2023 14:39 - 29 minutes - 40.1 MBOn September 13, North Korean Leader Kim Jong met with Russian President Vladmir Putin at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia’s most advanced space launch site. The meeting sparked concern in the West that Kim could supply Russia with weapons and munitions for its war in Ukraine and speculation about what North Korea would receive in return. In this episode, Ken Gause and Paul Schwartz discuss the significance of the meeting and its implications for US policy makers. Ken Gause is an expert ...
Large Scale Exercise 2023
September 13, 2023 16:39 - 24 minutes - 34.1 MBLast month, the Navy and the Marine Corps held Large Scale Exercise 2023. The exercise integrates six Navy and Marine Corps component commands and seven numbered fleets across the globe. More than 10,000 Sailors and Marines across 22 time zones participated in the exercise. 48 CNA analysts supported this exercise, including 14 aboard ships in all 7 Numbered Fleets. In this episode, Josh Tallis and Mallory Ladd, who deployed during the exercise, join the podcast to discuss their experience ...
DePoy Award Winner: Jerry Meyerle
August 30, 2023 17:25 - 22 minutes - 30.4 MBCNA’s Phil E. DePoy Award recognizes analytic excellence, harmonious relations with colleagues and clients, and dedication to this organization. The ideal candidate produces consistently superb analysis, communicates effectively to expert and lay audiences alike, leads teams well, and influences the thinking and decisions of sponsors through their work. In this episode, this year’s winner, Jerry Meyerle, joins the podcast to discuss his deployment to Afghanistan, his work's impact, and adv...
Moving at the Speed of Innovation — Regulating Package Delivery Drones
August 16, 2023 18:33 - 35 minutes - 48.2 MBCompanies, including Amazon, UPS, and Domino's are all investing in package delivery drones. These systems represent a significant paradigm shift from the current air traffic control model. With the private sector moving at the speed of innovation, the government will need new tools to regulate this new airspace. In this episode, we discuss CNA’s new agent-based model, UAS Cooperative Airspace Traffic Simulation (UCATS), and how it can help the FAA and local stakeholders fairly regulate p...
Alliance Wedge Strategies: Russia
August 02, 2023 15:48 - 32 minutes - 44.3 MBIn great power strategic competition, states deploy wedge strategies to divide, weaken, and prevent opposing alliances. In part two of a two-part series on the topic, host David Wallsh moderates a discussion on Russia's wedge strategies in the Global South and how the United States can address this challenge. Dmitry Gorenburg is a Senior Research Scientist with CNA’s Russia Studies program. He is an expert on security issues in the former Soviet Union, the Russian military, Russian foreign...
Alliance Wedge Strategies: China
July 19, 2023 17:41 - 34 minutes - 47.6 MBIn great power strategic competition, states deploy wedge strategies to divide, weaken, and prevent opposing alliances. In part one of a two-part series on the topic, host David Wallsh moderates a discussion on Chinese wedge strategies in the Indo-Pacific and how the United States can address this challenge. Biographies David Wallsh is a Senior Research Scientist in CNA’s Strategy, Policy, Plans, and Programs Division. Dr. Wallsh is an expert in alliance politics, Middle East security, ...
National Security Seminar: Artificial Intelligence in Nuclear Operations
July 05, 2023 17:31 - 1 hour - 112 MBOn April 20, 2023, CNA’s National Security Seminar (NSS) series hosted a virtual panel discussion on the challenges, opportunities, and risks of incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) into nuclear operations. The event was centered on a recently released CNA report, Artificial Intelligence in Nuclear Operations. Guest Biographies Mallory Stewart, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Arms Control, Verification, and Compliance, US Department of State Paul Scharre, Vice President...
Cheap Commercial Drones and the War in Ukraine
June 21, 2023 13:00 - 30 minutes - 42.4 MBHigh-end, long-range combat drones like the MQ-1 Predator can fly for thousands of miles and strike adversaries from far away. They are also extremely expensive—one MQ1 costs $20 million—and manufacturing takes time. Such drones are in short supply in Russia, creating a gap in Russian military capabilities. But Russia has adapted. This episode examines Russian use of cheap commercial and foreign-made drones in Ukraine—how this impacts dynamics on the ground and what this may reveal abou...
Not Just Nuclear Weapons: How China Views Strategic Deterrence
June 07, 2023 17:34 - 25 minutes - 34.9 MBFor decades, competition between the United States and Russia has defined strategic deterrence. But as China emerges as the greatest rival to the United States, it is worth examining how Beijing views the concept. In this episode we examine how China’s military and civilian analysts are writing about strategic deterrence, and how new technologies and domains impact their perception. Guest Biographies Brian Waidelich is a Research Scientist with CNA’s Indo-Pacific Security Affairs divis...
Why Hasn’t Russia Established Air Superiority?
May 24, 2023 15:58 - 32 minutes - 44.7 MBOne of the defining features of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has been the inability of the much larger and more advanced Russian Aerospace Forces to establish air superiority in the conflict. This surprised analysts and prompted a widespread reconsideration of the services’ capabilities as well as the potential threat it poses to NATO countries. In this episode CNA’s Julian Waller and RUSI’s Justin Bronk join John Stimpson, to examine Russian air operations during the Ukraine War and ask ...
How Can Jurisdictions Secure Their Elections?
May 10, 2023 19:44 - 29 minutes - 41.1 MBFree and fair elections are an essential of the democratic process, but in recent years foreign inference and disinformation have shaken voters trust in the electoral system. In this episode, guest host Sabrina Verleysen, sits down with CNA’s Dawn Thomas and former Elections Assistance Commissioner Matt Masterson. They discuss how jurisdictions can secure their elections, what resources are available to them and how to ensure their voters are confident in the results. Guests Matt Mast...
Exploring Drones as Tools for Public Safety
April 26, 2023 17:17 - 23 minutes - 31.7 MBDrones have become a ubiquitous part of our society, used by everyday people for fun or as part of their business. The potential of these tools seems limitless but one area that is less discussed is how they can be used by first responders and emergency managers to help keep the public safe. In this episode Addam Jordan and Marina Rozenblat join John Stimpson. To discuss how jurisdiction can successfully implement drones into their public safety and emergency response plans. Guest Biogra...
The Largest Protest Movement in Israel's History
April 12, 2023 18:51 - 24 minutes - 33 MBFor the past 3 months Israel has experienced the largest mass protest movement in its history. The demonstrators oppose judicial reforms which, if enacted, would give the government greater control over appointing Supreme Court judges and allow its parliament to overrule supreme court decisions. In this episode, Samuel Plapinger returns to the podcast to discuss the protests, why they have been so effective and what this portends for Prime Minster Netanyahu’s administration. Samuel Plapi...
Finland and Sweden's NATO Accession
March 29, 2023 19:25 - 30 minutes - 42.1 MBIn this episode, Dmirtry Gorenburg and Steve Wills join John Stimpson. They discuss Finland and Sweden’s NATO accession and what it means for the alliance and for Russia. Dmitry Gorenburg is a Senior Research Scientist with CNA’s Russia Studies program. He is an expert on security issues in the former Soviet Union, the Russian military, Russian foreign policy, and ethnic politics and identity. He is also an associate at the Davis center for Russian and Eurasian studies at Harvard universi...
NSS Event: Nuclear Cooperation with Strategic Competitors
March 23, 2023 16:28 - 1 hour - 115 MBIn this bonus episode of CNA Talks, we are bringing you the recording of CNA’s recent National Security Seminar, “Nuclear cooperation with strategic competitors,” which has held on March 21, 2023. The event featured panelists Timothy McDonnell and Rose Gottemoeller. McDonnell is the author of a recent CNA publication entitled, “Working with the Adversary: Great Power Cooperation and Nuclear Risk Management.” This report uses archival sources to examine three historical cases of great power n...
Virtual Reality for Naval Training
March 15, 2023 17:49 - 23 minutes - 32.8 MBThe Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center, in Panama City Florida, trains more than 1,200 military divers from across the services. These students are persuing certificates in everything from underwater construction to explosive ordnance disposal. In this episode, Neil Carey joins John Stimpson to discuss his research on the potential of extended reality technology (which includes virtual reality, augmented reality and mix/merged reality) as a tool for the training and assessment of t...
New Export Rules for Semiconductors
March 01, 2023 18:35 - 23 minutes - 32 MBIn this episode, we examine a new regulation from the Department of Commerce aimed at limiting China’s access to semiconductors and microchips, the impact it is having on China and how U.S. partner nations are responding. Guests April Herlevi is a Senior Research Scientist with CNA's Indo-Pacific Security Affairs program. She is an expert in China's foreign economic policy, special economic zones, and economic statecraft. Christopher Cairns is a Research Scientist with CNA's Indo-Pac...
A New Paradigm for the Middle East
February 15, 2023 19:06 - 34 minutes - 47.8 MBSince the end of the Cold War, the United States has been the predominant foreign power in the Middle East, influencing the economic, political and security affairs of the region. But in recent years other great powers have begun to chip away at this power, carving out their own spheres of influence in the region. In this episode, we explore the strategic objectives of China and Russia in the Middle East, the tools they are using to achieve them, and what this means for U.S. policymakers. ...
NATO's Maritime Future with Joshua Tallis (Sea Power)
February 01, 2023 18:45 - 45 minutes - 62.5 MBThis episode originally aired on CIMSEC's Sea Control Podcast. Special thanks to their team for allowing up to rebroadcast this episode. Dr. Joshua Tallis joins the program to discuss the evolution of NATO's maritime command and control and the future for the Standing Naval Force. Dr. Tallis is a naval analyst at the Center for Naval Analyses, where he is a senior research scientist in the Operations Evaluation Group. He has embedded as an analyst with Carrier Strike Group Eight and mo...
Better Metrics for Better Analyses
January 18, 2023 18:28 - 25 minutes - 34.7 MBWhat do search engine optimization, airline schedules and standardized testing have in common? They are all vulnerable to Goodhart’s law, the idea that when a metric becomes a target it ceases to be a good metric. In this episode Michael Stumborg and Timothy Blasius join John to discuss their report, “Goodhart’s Law: Recognizing and Mitigating the Manipulation of Measures in Analysis.” Michael Stumborg is a Principal Research Scientist with CNA’s Strike and Air Warfare Program. ...
Rebroadcast: Center for Naval Analyses Year in Review
January 04, 2023 18:14 - 27 minutes - 38.3 MBFor the past 80 years, the Center for Naval Analyses has been the Navy’s partner and an essential resource for agencies across the federal government. In this episode, Executive Vice President of the Center for Naval Analyses, Andrew Mara sits down to discuss the Center’s accomplishments over the past fiscal year and where the organization is headed in the coming one.
An Unprecedented Challenge to Xi Jinping
December 07, 2022 19:40 - 29 minutes - 41 MBOn November 28, thousands of people across China took to the streets to protest the country’s ‘zero-COVID policies and censorship and to call for democracy. These demonstrations were an unprecedented show of dissent against the government in the era of Xi Jinping. How has the government responded to these uprisings, and how will they affect Beijing’s COVID strategy going forward? To answer these questions Heidi Holz and Josiah Case, analysts from CNA’s China Studies Program, join the podca...
THE 20TH NATIONAL CONGRESS OF THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY: FOREIGN POLICY, TECHNOLOGY AND MILITARY DIMENSIONS
November 24, 2022 04:30 - 1 hour - 61.3 MBVideo Link to this Podcast: https://youtu.be/Aly90z-1-eI https://www.cna.org THE 20TH NATIONAL CONGRESS OF THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY: FOREIGN POLICY, TECHNOLOGY AND MILITARY DIMENSIONS A SITUATION SPOTLIGHT Part of CNA’s National Security Seminars series November 17, 2022 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. EST Featuring: Dr. David Finkelstein, Vice President, CNA and Director, China and Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Division, CNA (https://www.cna.org/about-us/leadership/center-for-naval-analyse...
The Iran Protests and Crackdown
November 09, 2022 17:25 - 41 minutes - 56.5 MBAnalysis of the impact of the women-led protests since the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the morality police. Is this a new Iranian Revolution led by women? Featuring: Dr. Michael Connell, Principal Research Scientist, Strategy, Policy, Plans, and Programs Division, CNA Nazee Moinian, Non-Resident Scholar, Iran Program, Middle East Institute Moderated by: Nilanthi Samaranayake, Director, Strategy and Policy Analysis Program, CNA With Introductions by: Halleh Seyson, Vice P...
China, the U.S. and the Pacific Islands
October 26, 2022 17:30 - 27 minutes - 38 MBThe Pacific Islands region is a massive and diverse region, and one with strategic value to both the United States and China. What challenges do the people of the Pacific Island Countries face and how can they navigate strategic competition between the great powers. April Herlevi and Chris Cairns from CNA’s Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Program, sit down to discuss the latest from the Pacific Islands, and how China and the United States are engaged in the region. Further Reading Army...
Brazil's Election: Bolsonaro vs. Lula
October 12, 2022 14:44 - 22 minutes - 30.5 MBBrazil is currently amid a contentious presidential election between incumbent Jair Bolsonaro and former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. President Bolsonaro has consistently claimed that Brazil's election system is vulnerable to fraud, sparking fears that the peaceful transition of power could be threatened. Ralph Espach, from CNA’s Strategy and Policy Analyses Program, joins the show to discuss the Brazilian election, the threat to democracy in the country and what this could mean f...
Center for Naval Analyses Year in Review
September 28, 2022 17:10 - 27 minutes - 38.3 MBFor the past 80 years, the Center for Naval Analyses has been the Navy’s partner and an essential resource for agencies across the federal government. In this episode, Executive Vice President of the Center for Naval Analyses, Andrew Mara sits down to discuss the Center’s accomplishments over the past fiscal year and where the organization is headed in the coming one.
Afghanistan: The Taliban, ISIS-K and Al Qaeda
September 14, 2022 16:52 - 39 minutes - 54.8 MBIt’s been just over a year since the Taliban seized control of Kabul and established themselves as the government of Afghanistan. What has changed in Afghanistan in that time and what is the status of the major factions in the country? CNA’s Jonathan Schroden is joined by three experts on militant groups in Afghanistan, they discuss the status of the Taliban, Al Qaeda and ISIS-K in Afghanistan and the relationships between these groups. Jonathan Schroden is the director of CNA’s Counte...
What's Next for Sri Lanka?
August 31, 2022 18:27 - 20 minutes - 28.5 MBIn July, the eyes of the world were fixed on Sri Lanka, when protesters stormed the Presidential Palace, demanding the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. But while the headlines have since faded, the story is far from over. In this episode of CNA Talks, Nilanthi Samaranayake stops by to fill us in on what has happened in Sri Lanka since the protests and how the new President can address the crisis. Nilanthi Samaranayake (@nilanthis) directs CNA's Strategy and Policy Analysis P...
The Race for Autonomy: David Broyles on Getting Autonomy to Work for Defense
August 18, 2022 20:46 - 47 minutes - 64.9 MBThis content was originally published on BMNT's YouTube Channel. You can find the original video here. In this follow-up conversation to BMNT’s June panel "The Race for Autonomy: Navigating a New Battlefield," A'ndre Gonawela talks to Dr. David Broyles, Research Program Director at the Center for Naval Analysis and co-host of "AI with AI", on the challenges facing the Department of Defense when it comes to developing and leveraging autonomous systems and capabilities. Dr. Broyles digs into...
CNA Talks Delayed
August 17, 2022 19:05Hi Listeners, Due to technical difficulties, CNA Talks will be released tomorrow, August 18. Thank you all for your patience.
New Tools for a New Navy
August 03, 2022 18:08 - 20 minutes - 28.1 MBAs the Navy transitions to the new Detailing Marketplace Assignment Policy increased demand will be placed on its detailers. In today’s episode, we discuss a new tool from CNA which could help expedite the assignment process and help detailers execute their mission. Biographies Warren Sutton is a Senior Research Scientist in CNA’s Navy Human Resources Program. Further Reading Navy Enlisted Detailing Marketplace Assignment Algorithm
The Most Challenging Recruiting Year on Record?
July 20, 2022 16:50 - 28 minutes - 39.3 MBEvery branch of the military is struggling to meet its fiscal year 2022 recruiting goals. Marine General David Ottignon recently told Congress that 2022 is “arguably the most challenging recruiting year since the inception of the all-volunteer force.” In this episode, we explore what is driving these challenges and how the military can adapt its recruiting strategizes to the modern media environment. Guests Elizabeth Clelan is a Principal Research Scientist in CNA’s Marine Corps and D...
Rebroadcast: Getting Disaster Aid Where It’s Needed Most
July 06, 2022 16:03 - 30 minutes - 42.1 MBThis week we are bringing you a rebroadcast of Episode 108, to coincide with CNA's recent case study on the same topic. As climate change increases the frequency and impact of natural disasters, the consequences of these events are not felt evenly. While disasters are devastating for everyone, they are exponentially worse for already vulnerable populations. In this episode of CNA Talks, CNA’s Angie De Groot sits down with Jason Biermann and Jody Ferguson, emergency management professio...
Nuclear Policy After the War in Ukraine
June 22, 2022 18:11 - 28 minutes - 42.6 MBSince the end of the Cold War, the threat of nuclear weapons has largely faded from popular consciousness. However, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and President Vladimir Putin’s nuclear threats have brought the issue back into focus. In this episode of CNA Talks, we are discussing nuclear policy and strategy, and how things have shifted since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Experts Timothy McDonnell is a research analyst in CNA's Strategy and Policy Analysis program, where he studies nucl...
A New Vision for Special Operations Forces
June 08, 2022 17:23 - 43 minutes - 60.2 MBSince the start of the global war on terror in 2001, U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) have been laser-focused on counterterrorism. But as the Department of Defense shifts its priorities to great-power competition Special Operations Command (SOCOM), is adapting to fit this new mission. In this episode of CNA Talks, experts on Special Operations Forces sit down to discuss the Special Operations Command’s Vision and Strategy document. Biographies Jonathan Schroden is the Director of C...
Left of Boom Podcast: Meet the Real Charlie from 'Top Gun' (rebroadcast)
June 03, 2022 22:01 - 33 minutes - 46 MBThis episode originally aired on September 3, 2020. Sometimes truth is more interesting than fiction. Christine Fox was a CNA analyst working at the Navy's legendary fighter school in Miramar, California when a Hollywood producer decided she'd be the perfect inspiration for Tom Cruise's love interest in the 1986 blockbuster "Top Gun." But that was just the start of Fox's incredible career -- she'd go on to become the most senior woman at the Pentagon, serving under multiple defense secret...