Experts from across CNA join the show to discuss their research on challenges the industrial base faces in meeting U.S. government demands.  Guest Biographies  Dr. Charles A. Cartier is a research scientist in CNA’s Gaming and Integration Program. He was a lead analyst and co-designer of the CAMOLAND wargame on Clothing and Textiles for the Defense Logistics Agency.  Dawn Thomas is a co-director of the Center for Emergency Management and Operations and director of the Center for Critical Incident Analysis. She is an expert in large-scale incident planning and response. April Cho is a research scientist in CNA’s Data Science Predictive Analytics Program. She has worked on various projects supporting the Navy, including the munitions industrial base study for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition.    Further Reading CNA Report: Camoland Clothing and Textile Industrial Base Wargame Report The Blue Book Project Registration Link: Blue Book TV Hosts: Planning for National Security Emergencies

This episode covers the fall of the Assad regime and what it means for Syria, Russia, Iran, and Turkey.  Guest Biographies Michael Connell is a specialist in Russia and the Middle East in CNA’s Russia Studies Program. His primary area of expertise is the armed forces of Iran and Russia, and he has published extensively on these topics both inside and outside of CNA. Jeffrey Edmonds is an expert on Russia and Eurasia in CNA’s Russia Studies Program. Edmonds previously served as the Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, covering topics in Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and Africa. Jeff also served as acting Senior Director for Russia on the National Security Council.  Further Reading  CNA’s Russia Studies Program

April A. Herlevi, a Senior Research Scientist in China Studies, and Kevin Pollpeter, Director of Research at the Air University’s China Aerospace Studies Institute, explore Taiwan's military adaptations inspired by the Ukraine War. They discuss Taiwan's strategic reforms, including increased conscription and drone initiatives, to enhance deterrence against China. They also analyze the critical roles of satellite communications in warfare and tackle the challenges of misinformation, emphasizing the necessity of internal and external support for Taiwan's defense.

David M. Finkelstein, a retired U.S. Army officer and expert on China, joins Gordon Jaquith, formerly of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and Ann Parcell, who directs Navy HR programs. They discuss how the Navy must adapt to strategic competition with China without resorting to armed conflict. Key topics include the balance of high-end warfare and peacetime operations, the integration of commercial drones in naval strategy, and the recruitment challenges facing the Navy amid evolving military needs.

Rachel Hartley, a research analyst at CNA, specializes in military recruitment and performance optimization. In this conversation, she introduces RShiny, a new tool that helps Navy leaders analyze the complex shipbuilding plan and its long-term impact on fleet readiness. The discussion highlights the confusion surrounding current shipbuilding formats and how the Shiny Code Package can visualize data effectively. Hartley also emphasizes the innovative initiatives from CNA's Innovation Incubator, showcasing unique solutions for essential naval challenges.

In this episode, Ralph Espach and Stephanie Stapleton join the show to discuss their assessment of AUKUS’s implementation.   Guest Biographies Ralph Espach is an expert in U.S.-Latin American relations, U.S. security assistance and cooperation in Latin America, and the assessment, monitoring, and evaluation of U.S. strategies and programs. His work focuses on U.S. security relations across the Americas, maritime security and naval issues, U.S. security cooperation efforts, and strategic risks such as Chinese and Russian regional relations and climate change. Stephanie Stapleton is a nuclear policy specialist. Her research topics include strategic deterrence and competition, multipolarity, nuclear arms control, risk reduction, and US nuclear policy. Before joining CNA, she was the managing editor of the academic journal Peacebuilding and Development and taught at Georgia Highlands College.

Timothy Ditter, a senior research scientist at CNA and expert on China's military modernization, delves into China's burgeoning military presence in Africa, spotlighting its strategic base in Djibouti. He discusses how this base has evolved into a key logistics hub for the PLA and its implications for China's influence in Africa. Ditter also highlights the military rivalry between China and the U.S. and the role of PRC military contractors in safeguarding Chinese interests. Lastly, he navigates the complex US-China military dynamics on the continent.

This episode examines the views of three stakeholder communities within Moscow’s interconnected nuclear ecosystem and how they view Russia’s nuclear doctrine.  *A previous version of this episode incorrectly stated that Russia's Security Council changed its nuclear doctrine during a September 25 meeting. The correct telling is that Russian President Vladimir Putin soft-launched proposed changes to the doctrine during this meeting. At this time, Russia has made no official changes to its nuclear doctrine.  Guest Bios Gabriela Rosa Hernandez is a specialist in Russia's security policy. Her recent research has focused on Russian strategic deterrence, security orders, conventional and nuclear arms control in Europe, and the Russian military. Cornell Overfield is a specialist in the relationship between maritime law and foreign policy. At CNA, he has worked on projects covering Arctic security and economic activity, improved engagement with allies and partners, and data analytics. Further Reading CNA Report: Moscow Doesn’t Believe in Tears CNA Talks:  Nuclear Policy After the War in Ukraine

This episode examines the misinformation that spread after Hurricanes Helene and Milton and how individuals and institutions can help stop it.  Guest Bios Dawn Thomas is a co-director of the Center for Emergency Management and Operations and director of the Center for Critical Incident Analysis. She is an expert in large-scale incident planning and response. She has worked on a large array of emergency preparedness issues, helping federal, regional, state, and local agencies prepare for and respond to biological attacks, active shooters, large-scale evacuations, medical evacuations, earthquakes and tsunamis, mass casualty chemical incidents, public health outbreaks, and cyberattacks. Meg McBride is a Senior Research Scientist at CNA. Her expertise includes extremism, terrorism, radicalization, disinformation, and the evaluation of programs to prevent violent extremism. Her recent work has focused on psychological risk factors for radicalization and vulnerability and resilience to misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation.     Further Reading CNA Report: The Psychology of (Dis)information: Case Studies and Implications    

This episode explores the Kursk Offensive, Ukraine’s counter-invasion of Russia, and its implications for the United States and NATO.  Guest Biography Michael Petersen is a Principal Research Scientist in CNA's Countering Threats and Challenges Program at CNA. He is an expert on Russian military strategy, operations, and net assessments of high-intensity conflict. From 2023-2024, he served as senior advisor to Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti. From 2015-2023, he was Professor and founding director of the Russia Maritime Studies Institute and the Holloway Advanced Research Program at the U.S. Naval War College. He’s also served with the Defense Intelligence Agency and the National Security Council. Further Reading Russia Studies Program   *There was an audio issue in a previous version of this podcast. This edition is correct.