Canada, Ukraine, and South Sudan, plus Nick Thompson on Undersea Cable Attacks

Interview with Nick Thompson on Undersea Cables - 22:20

This week is our second episode with Kelly's new co-host, Tristen Naylor, a non-resident fellow at ISD. Read more about Tristen on our website: https://isd.georgetown.edu/profile/tristen-naylor/

Kelly and Tristen analyze the recent conflict in South Sudan and Canadian politics, as well as the latest developments in Ukraine. Kelly then turns to Nick Thompson for an update on threats to undersea cables, including recent sabotage incidents in the Baltic Sea. They discuss how nations are strengthening their naval defenses and the challenges of attributing attacks to specific actors.

Nick Thompson is a former CIA Paramilitary Case Officer and Naval Special Warfare Development Group operator. With over 20 years of experience in the national security space, Nick has conducted countless clandestine operations and combat deployments with a primary focus on the Middle East and Asia. He now works in Washington, D.C. at Anduril Industries, a leading defense technology company, seeking to bring cutting-edge capability to intelligence and defense professionals.

The opinions expressed in this conversation are strictly those of the participants and do not represent the views of Georgetown University or any government entity.

Produced by Theo Malhotra and Freddie Mallinson. 

Recorded on March 17, 2025. Diplomatic Immunity, a podcast from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy at Georgetown University, brings you frank and candid conversations with experts on the issues facing diplomats and national security decision-makers around the world.

Funding support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

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