This week features Patrick Cronin, an Asia-Pacific Security expert, Michael Herson from a key lobbying firm, Kathleen McInnis, a leader in women's defense initiatives, and Dov Zakheim, a former Pentagon comptroller. They dive into Trump’s stalled cabinet transition and its implications, the fallout from Ukraine's missile strikes on Russia, and rising nuclear rhetoric from Moscow. The discussion highlights China's provocative undersea actions and India's hypersonic missile advancements, revealing the intricate web of global defense dynamics.

Joining the discussion are Patrick Cronin, an Asia-Pacific security expert at the Hudson Institute; Michael Herson from American Defense International, a lobbying powerhouse; Kathleen McInnis, who leads the Smart Women, Smart Power Initiative; and retired Navy commander Chris Servello. They dive into the swift actions expected in defense legislation post-election and the complexities of U.S. military responses in Israel and Yemen. They also examine North Korea's troop deployment to Ukraine and the strengthening Indo-Pacific ties within NATO. Political strategies surrounding these issues further enrich the conversation.

Kathleen McInnis, a senior fellow at CSIS, discusses NATO's importance and future amid Trump's comments. The podcast also covers Fani Willis' testimony, the impact of the Freedman's Bank failure on Black Americans, and the cultural significance of cash. Plus, they explore a former NASA astronaut's views on space travel.