Chris Miller, Author of 'Chip War' and Associate Professor, discusses global chip manufacturing, US semiconductor innovation, competition with China, Taiwan's leadership in chip production, and the geopolitical impact of chip industry concentration. The conversation explores TSMC's unique business model, potential reshoring of chip production to the US, and the intersection of emerging technologies like AI and quantum computing with the chip industry.

Steve Bowsher, CEO of In-Q-Tel, discusses investing in startups for national security, AI, biosecurity, and global expansion. He explores bridging startups with government agencies, success factors in venture capitalism, and risks in the national security sector.

Ret. General John W. 'Jay' Raymond, the first Chief of Space Operations of the U.S. Space Force, shares insights on leading space operations, threats from China and Russia, collaborating with commercial partners, the future of space as a strategic domain, and the impact of commercial space capabilities on national security.

Andy talks with Arun Gupta, a venture capitalism lecturer at Stanford University and an adjunct entrepreneurship professor at Georgetown. Arun is also the CEO of the NobleReach Foundation, which focuses on catalyzing and inspiring a renewed spirit of national service through innovation. He is the author of "Venture Meets Mission: Aligning People, Purpose, and Profit to Innovate and Transform Society." In their discussion, Arun shares insights from his experience and book on how to better partner entrepreneurs and the government to solve large problems through a renewed focus on outcomes-based collaboration, and to inspire young people to consider public service careers. Gupta advocates leveraging the optimism of entrepreneurs and the scale of government to address issues like national security, health tech, and climate change.

Asfandyar Mir, South Asia expert at USIP, discusses US-Pakistan relations, China's influence on Pakistan, Pakistani Taliban, and Al-Qaeda's status post Afghanistan withdrawal. He also reflects on academic paths, Pakistan's fragility, and the potential for US-Pakistan collaboration in counterterrorism efforts.

Beth Sanner, former CIA analyst, discusses the Israel-Gaza conflict, complexities in the Middle East, rebuilding Gaza, deterrence strategies between Iran and Israel, personal growth reflections, her journey to leadership in the intelligence community, the Ukraine-Russia conflict, and US credibility in global relations.

Retired FBI Special Agent Peter Lapp discusses 'Queen of Cuba', a book detailing Ana Montes, a spy for Cuba for 17 years. They delve into Montes's audacious activities, her arrest post 9/11, and her current whereabouts, exploring the challenges of investigating a female high-performing spy and her unconventional espionage methods.

Former CIA Center for Cyber Intelligence Director Andrew Boyd discusses cyber threats from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and ransomware groups. Topics include US cybersecurity strategy, partnerships with private sector, challenges of AI, and the evolving cyber threat landscape.

Michael talks to Former Assistant Director of CIA for South and Central Asia Dave Pitts about the threat of ISIS-K. Before retiring in October, Pitts was among the last American officials on the ground during the US withdrawal from Afghstanistan in August 2021. He discusses the growing threat of ISIS-K, which has been operating in the country, and around the region. Michael and Dave also reflect on the state of Al-Qaeda. 

Michael and Andy discuss the 2024 worldwide threat report, focusing on issues like space, ISIS-K, Iran, and China. They analyze the implications on global security, including China's advancements in space tech and cyber capabilities. The podcast dives into the fragility of the global order, US soft power, and the importance of understanding adversaries' perceptions for effective policymaking.