The 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 CNA’s Russia Studies Program. His research focuses on Russian defense and technology developments, uncrewed, robotic, and autonomous military systems, artificial intelligence, and Russian military capabilities.  Dr. Margarita Konaev is Deputy Director of Analysis and a Research Fellow at Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET), interested in military applications of AI and Russian military innovation. Further Reading CNA: The Use of AI and Autonomous Technologies in the War in Ukraine and Implications for Strategic Stability CNA Talks: Cheap Commercial Drones and the War in Ukraine

In 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 Malone is a Principal Research Scientist with CNA’s Marine Corps and Defense Workforce Program.  Further Reading  CNA: Recommendations to Enhance Army Suicide Prevention  CNA: Designing an Integrated Approach to Prevent Multiple Harmful Behaviors  

In 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 Reading CNA: Russian Military Logistics in the Ukraine War  

The 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 retired U.S. Army officer, he held significant China-related positions at the Pentagon as an advisor to the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Gordon Jaquith is the vice president and director of CNA’s Systems, Tactics and Force Development Division. He formerly served as director of the Strategic, Defensive, and Science/Technology Division at the Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE) office within the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Ann Parcell is the Director of CNA’s Navy Human Resources Program. Further Reading CNA: The Department of the Navy and Strategic Competition with the People’s Republic of China

Over 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 Dr. Brittany Cunningham is the Assistant Director of CNA’s Center for Justice Research and Innovation. She specializes in using evidence-based approaches and quantitative and qualitative analysis to support law enforcement agency operations and organizational reform. Dr. Bryce Peterson is a Senior Research Scientist with CNA’s Center for Justice Research and Innovation. His research focuses on body-worn cameras and other technologies, correctional safety and contraband, and other policies and programs that improve the efficacy of criminal justice operations. Further Reading CNA: Comparing the Uses and Benefits of Stationary Cameras Versus Body-Worn Cameras in a Local Jail Setting

The 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 a global connector for this issue.    Guest Biographies Heidi Holz is a Senior Research Scientist with CNA’s China Studies Program. She has researched PRC security issues, including PRC strategy and investments in the Arctic, illicit maritime activities by PRC actors, Chinese military doctrine and operations, and U.S.-China military-to-military relations. 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. Related Materials CNA: Implications of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing for US Special Operations Forces  CNA: Exposing the Gap Between PRC Rhetoric and Illicit Maritime Activity  CNA Talks: The Scale of China’s Illegal Fishing  

What 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. Timothy Blasius is a Senior Research Scientist with CNA’s Strike and Air Warfare Program. CNA: Goodhart’s Law: Recognizing and Mitigating the Manipulation of Measures in Analysis Army War College: Lying to Ourselves: Dishonesty in the Army Profession

On 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 on the North Korean leadership and political system. He has written several books on North Korea, focusing on its politics, military apparatus, and internal security system, including “North Korean House of Cards.” Paul Schwartz is a Research Scientist with CNA’s Russia Studies Program.  Further Reading A War of Attrition: Assessing the Impact of Equipment Shortages on Russian Military Operations in Ukraine  

Last 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 and how this on-site analysis is central to CNA’s approach to research. Biographies Josh Tallis is a Senior Research Scientist with CNA's Fleet Plans and Requirements Program, with expertise in maritime security and Arctic, Euro-Atlantic, and NATO naval strategy. Mallory Ladd is a Research Scientist with CNA’s Operational Training and Readiness Program. She specializes in joint all-domain training and readiness, Arctic science and maritime operations, and contested logistics. Links Facebook Photo Album: Josh Tallis Deployment, USS Mount Whitney Facebook Photo Album: Mallory Ladd Deployment, USS Carl Vinson Instagram Photo Album: Josh Tallis Deployment, USS Mount Whitney Instagram Photo Album: Mallory Ladd Deployment, USS Carl Vinson CNA Field Program

CNA’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 advise new CNA analysts. Jerry Meyerle is a Principal Research Scientist with CNA’s Fleet Plans and Requirements Program and an expert in military operations, defense policy and posture, strategic planning, and combatant commands.