Eric Lofgren

William 'Balloon Guy' Kim, an expert on high-altitude balloons, joins analysts Eric Lofgren and Gerard Dipippo to discuss the fallout of Chinese balloons over U.S. airspace. They delve into the balloon's potential roles in intelligence gathering, comparing it to satellites. The conversation traverses historical contexts of balloons in warfare and the complexities of military responses. They even touch on the now-defunct Project Loon and ponder the future of balloon technology in modern surveillance. The episode wraps with a playful nod to the lighter side of balloons.

Michèle Flournoy, a prominent former Undersecretary of Defense for Policy and co-founder of CNAS, joins Eric Lofgren to delve into critical military strategies. They explore China's strategies in systems destruction warfare and the pressing need for the U.S. to modernize its defense investments by potentially divesting from legacy weapon systems. The conversation highlights the importance of AI and ML in reshaping military decision-making and advocates for a comprehensive 'Manhattan Project' approach to technology in defense, addressing the competitive landscape with China.

In this engaging discussion, Michael Brown, the Director of the Defense Innovation Unit, shares insights from his extensive experience in tech leadership. He highlights the rising threat of industrial espionage and the need for strategic collaboration in U.S.-China tech competition. Brown emphasizes the importance of advancing basic research and adapting military procurement to keep pace with innovation. The conversation also covers the nuances of research methodologies in both nations and the urgency for the U.S. to form solid strategies to maintain technological leadership amid rapid change.