NatSec Matters
Beacon Global Strategies LLC
Formerly known as Intelligence Matters, the NatSec Matters podcast features former senior national security officials Michael Allen, Jeremy Bash, and Andrew Shapiro as they interview top leaders in national security, including intelligence officers, military leaders, and policymakers, on the most critical security challenges of our time. Their interviews offer insights into the world's most pressing problems and assess the effectiveness of U.S. policy responses. They also explore the biographies and careers of individuals who have devoted their lives to protecting our nation, offering listeners a rare glimpse into the inner workings of national security decision-making. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please email our team at bgs@bgsdc.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 14, 2026 • 42min
Venezuela After Maduro - U.S. Intervention, Cartels, and the Road Ahead: Dr. Ryan Berg
Dr. Ryan Berg, Director of the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, shares his insights on Venezuela's tumultuous future. He delves into the successful Delta Force raid that captured Nicolas Maduro, spotlighting U.S. military prowess. Ryan discusses Venezuela's geopolitical stakes, including drug trade and migration, and the strategic importance of U.S. naval presence in the Caribbean. He also reveals plans for U.S. control of Venezuelan oil revenues and the implications for regional stability.
Jan 7, 2026 • 53min
Venezuela with David Shedd & One Million Downloads
In a captivating discussion, David Shedd, former acting director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, delves into a daring U.S. military operation aimed at capturing Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro for narco-terrorism. He reveals the intricate planning, surprising failures of Venezuelan security, and the operation’s dual motive of regime change. Shedd also highlights the current power dynamics in Venezuela, the implications for Latin America, and the complexities surrounding future governance and U.S. policy.
Dec 31, 2025 • 40min
The Race to Control Global Tech: Craig Singleton
Craig Singleton, a senior director and fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, dives deep into the tech rivalry between the U.S. and China. He highlights China's strategic use of rare earth magnets and its implications for American manufacturing. Singleton critiques the profit-sharing deal involving NVIDIA's H20 chips, warning of potential risks. He details China's 'five-lever playbook' for dominating critical technologies like polysilicon and LiDAR, emphasizing the hidden threats to U.S. national security, including in biotech.
Dec 24, 2025 • 59min
Israel's Intelligence Breakdowns: Yaakov Katz
In this engaging discussion, Yaakov Katz, former editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post and author of While Israel Slept, examines the severe intelligence missteps that preceded the October 7 conflict. He highlights a 'lack of imagination' in predicting Hamas's actions, attributing it to overdependence on technology, such as the Iron Dome. Katz critiques Israel’s fragmented intelligence structure and explores how political dynamics with Qatar inadvertently escalated tensions in Gaza. His insights reveal deeper lessons on security and strategic planning.
Dec 17, 2025 • 53min
The Reagan Survey: Public 'Firepower' for National Security
Michael speaks with Roger Zakheim, the Washington Director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, about the recently released National Security Strategy and the findings of the Reagan National Defense Survey of American public opinion. Although Roger critiques the National Security Strategy for a "huge missed opportunity" in failing to explicitly name China and Russia as adversaries, he highlights that a supermajority of Americans view China as the greatest threat and would support committing U.S. forces to defend Taiwan if China were to invade. Roger also discusses the strong public positioning on support for NATO and defense engagement beyond the Americas.
Dec 10, 2025 • 48min
Regime Change, Drug War or Stalemate?: David Shedd & Jana Nelson
David Shedd, former acting director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, and Jana Nelson, former deputy assistant secretary of defense for Western Hemisphere Affairs, dive into the controversial U.S. military strategy regarding Venezuela. They analyze the implications of potential strikes on narcotraffickers and the Maduro regime. The duo debates the effectiveness of air campaigns, the role of Venezuelan cartels, and regional reactions to U.S. tactics. They also discuss the influence of Chinese and Russian interests in Latin America and how domestic politics shape these decisions.
Dec 3, 2025 • 44min
Venezuela, China, and America's Secrets: David Shedd & Andrew Badger
David Shedd, former acting director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, and Andrew Badger, a corporate risk advisor and espionage expert, dive into urgent geopolitical issues. They forecast potential U.S. military actions against Venezuela and discuss the implications of regime change. The duo also sheds light on their book, revealing China's extensive espionage strategies, emphasizing the alarming scale of intellectual property theft tied to Beijing's ambitions. Key topics include simmering U.S.-China tensions and corporate vulnerabilities amid national security threats.
Nov 26, 2025 • 49min
Lessons from Ukraine: Mick Ryan
Michael speaks with Major General Mick Ryan (Ret.), a Senior Fellow for military studies at the Lowy Institute in Sydney, about the latest developments in the war in Ukraine and what we can learn to apply in conflicts around the globe. General Ryan assesses the current state of the front lines, detailing how Russia is leveraging its advantage in electronic warfare and drone technology. He also explains why the Ukrainian counter-offensive has been hampered by a lack of Western ground-based capabilities and a shortage of young soldiers.
Nov 19, 2025 • 34min
Skepticism and Survival in Moscow: Dr. Kirill Shamiev
Dr. Kirill Shamiev, a policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, delves into the Kremlin's internal dynamics amidst the ongoing war in Ukraine. He highlights a growing skepticism among Russian elites about Putin's decisions and the increasing economic anxieties they face. The discussion covers the strain on civil-military relations and the uncertainties surrounding the regime's future. Kirill suggests a likely scenario of a 'semi-frozen conflict,' emphasizing that significant changes in leadership are improbable without a major state collapse.
Nov 12, 2025 • 51min
Pressuring Putin Towards a Ceasefire in Ukraine: Nico Lange
Nico Lange, a senior fellow focusing on transatlantic defense and European security, dives into the complexities of the Ukraine conflict. He analyzes the failures of Russia's summer offensive and argues for aggressive Western support beyond mere survival. Lange discusses the strategic necessity of targeting Russian oil infrastructure to limit Putin's war efforts. He emphasizes the importance of combined pressures to bring Russia to the negotiation table and shares insights on Germany's unique position in NATO and the implications of energy sanctions.
