At The Boundary

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! Are America's Transformers the Weak Link in National Security?  In this episode of the At the Boundary podcast, GNSI’s Lt Col John "JAY" Patrich, an MQ-9 pilot and National Security Research Fellow at the GNSI, sits down with Jesse Humpal, Ph.D., an Air Force officer currently serving in the Chief of Staff of the Air Force’s Strategic Studies Group. Their discussion centers on Humpal’s recent article “Transformer Trouble and the National Security Imperative.”   This episode looks at America’s transformer infrastructure vulnerabilities—whether due to age, or the fact that they’re not set up to handle emerging technologies such as data centers, electric vehicles and AI powered machinery. These structures are vulnerable to both cyber and kinetic attacks, from both foreign adversaries and domestic extremists.Transformer failures can impact tens of thousands of people, and with most military bases relying on local power, sustained blackouts could have disastrous consequences.Listen to hear what Humpal thinks needs to be done to make this outdated and aging infrastructure more resilient and how we might prepare for the next attack.Links from the episode:• Register for CyberBay Here!• Register for a webinar on irregular warfare with Dr. Rob Burrell and Chris Mason!• Cyber Florida’s “The Making of a Defender” Documentary Premiere• “Governance, Grievance, and Violent Extremism in West Africa: From the Caliphates to Great Power Competition” – by Zacharias P. Pieri and Kevin S. FridyAt the Boundary from the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida, features global and national security issues we’ve found to be insightful, intriguing, fascinating, maybe controversial, but overall just worth talking about.A "boundary" is a place, either literal or figurative, where two forces exist in close proximity to each other. Sometimes that boundary is in a state of harmony. More often than not, that boundary has a bit of chaos baked in. The Global and National Security Institute will live on the boundary of security policy and technology and that's where this podcast will focus. The mission of GNSI is to provide actionable solutions to 21st-century security challenges for decision-makers at the local, state, national and global levels. We hope you enjoy At the Boundary.Look for our other publications and products on our website publications page.

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! The U.S. once built 90% of the world’s ships—today, it produces less than 1%. What went wrong, and can America reclaim maritime dominance?In this episode of the “At the Boundary” podcast, GNSI’s Dr. Guido Rossi sits down with maritime expert Dr. Randall Gentry, the principal research scientist at CNA Corporation, to unpack the crisis in U.S. shipbuilding. Together, they trace the decline of the industry, from globalization and shifting trade patterns to decades of policy choices that weakened America’s industrial base.They also explore the current administration’s executive order on maritime dominance and the Ships Act for America, analyzing whether these measures can revive shipbuilding. Issues include: the urgent need for a skilled and stable workforce, how multi-ship contracts and long-term investment could change the game, and the role of allies like South Korea and Japan in strengthening U.S. capabilities.If you care about American industry, national security, and the future of naval power, this episode dives deep into one of the most urgent questions facing U.S. strategy today.Links from the episode:• American Shipbuilding: From Crisis to Made-in-America Opportunity By Guido Rossi, PhD and Randall Gentry, PhD • Register for CyberBay Here!• Register for a webinar on irregular warfare with Dr. Rob Burrell and Chris Mason!At the Boundary from the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida, features global and national security issues we’ve found to be insightful, intriguing, fascinating, maybe controversial, but overall just worth talking about.A "boundary" is a place, either literal or figurative, where two forces exist in close proximity to each other. Sometimes that boundary is in a state of harmony. More often than not, that boundary has a bit of chaos baked in. The Global and National Security Institute will live on the boundary of security policy and technology and that's where this podcast will focus. The mission of GNSI is to provide actionable solutions to 21st-century security challenges for decision-makers at the local, state, national and global levels. We hope you enjoy At the Boundary.Look for our other publications and products on our website publications page.

Charles T. Cleveland, a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General and author of 'The American Way of Irregular War,' joins Dave Maxwell, a retired Special Forces Colonel specializing in Northeast Asian security, to dive deep into the often-overlooked realm of irregular warfare. They discuss the critical need to integrate political warfare into U.S. strategy and highlight the significance of the 'human domain' in modern conflicts. Both experts argue for dedicated support in addressing irregular challenges, urging a shift from conventional military mindsets.

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of GNSI’s  At the Boundarypodcast, Dr. Tad Schnaufer sits down with Dr. Namrata Goswami, professor of space security at Johns Hopkins University, to unpack one of the most ambitious U.S. defense projects in decades: the Golden Dome missile defense system.Announced by the Trump administration in January 2025, the Golden Dome aims to protect the United States by intercepting missiles—including hypersonic threats—in both their boost and terminal phases. The system relies on a proliferated constellation of space-based sensors and interceptors, with the first demonstration expected by 2028.The discussion explores the history of missile defense, the technological leaps that make Golden Dome possible, and the strategic implications for U.S. security, NATO allies, and global power competition. From the Cold War’s “Star Wars” program to today’s hypersonic challenge, this episode provides crucial insight into how space and missile defense are reshaping national and international security.If you’re interested in U.S. defense strategy, missile defense, space security, or geopolitics, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Links from the episode:• Register for CyberBay Here!• Armies to Algorithms: AI’s Role in National Defense Interview with Guest Retired Colonel Nancy BlackerAt the Boundary from the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida, features global and national security issues we’ve found to be insightful, intriguing, fascinating, maybe controversial, but overall just worth talking about.A "boundary" is a place, either literal or figurative, where two forces exist in close proximity to each other. Sometimes that boundary is in a state of harmony. More often than not, that boundary has a bit of chaos baked in. The Global and National Security Institute will live on the boundary of security policy and technology and that's where this podcast will focus. The mission of GNSI is to provide actionable solutions to 21st-century security challenges for decision-makers at the local, state, national and global levels. We hope you enjoy At the Boundary.Look for our other publications and products on our website publications page.

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of GNSI’s “At the Boundary” podcast, Arman Mahmoudian, PhD, interviews Marvin G. Weinbaum, PhD, who is senior fellow at the Middle East Institute and professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Drawing on his recent article, “Our Knowledge of the Taliban as Guide for US Policy” ( which was recently published in the Journal of Strategic Security), Dr. Weinbaum offers a detailed assessment of the collapse of the Afghan state and the return of the Taliban in 2021.This episode discusses:Why the U.S. failed at state-building and counterinsurgency in AfghanistanThe shift from counterterrorism to democratic nation-buildingWeinbaum’s analysis of Afghan leadership under Karzai and Ghani, and how their governance choices helped shape the state’s collapseFragmentation within the Taliban leadershipHow the presence of ISIS-K pressures Taliban unity and policyThe collapse of U.S. military support and Afghan troop moraleDangers of a failed Taliban state and the regional risk of civil warWeinbaum’s direct message to Afghans affected by the regime changeThroughout the interview, Weinbaum emphasizes that U.S. disengagement has reduced its leverage on critical issues like human rights, warning that effective diplomacy with the Taliban requires long-term engagement, not conditional demands. He also argues that continued absence risks ceding influence to regional powers already moving toward recognition. Links from the episode:• Register for CyberBay Here!• GNSI Tampa Summit 5 Report (March 2025) The Russia-Ukraine War: Lessons for Future Conflicts• The Latest Journal of Strategic Security (JSS)• GNSI’s Axis of Resistance Research Initiative PlaylistAt the Boundary from the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida, features global and national security issues we’ve found to be insightful, intriguing, fascinating, maybe controversial, but overall just worth talking about.A "boundary" is a place, either literal or figurative, where two forces exist in close proximity to each other. Sometimes that boundary is in a state of harmony. More often than not, that boundary has a bit of chaos baked in. The Global and National Security Institute will live on the boundary of security policy and technology and that's where this podcast will focus. The mission of GNSI is to provide actionable solutions to 21st-century security challenges for decision-makers at the local, state, national and global levels. We hope you enjoy At the Boundary.Look for our other publications and products on our website publications page.

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, Tad Schnaufer, PhD, speaks with John Pennell, PhD, a Senior Diplomacy Fellow with Narrative-Strategies, Senior Strategic Advisor with Pax Strategies LLC, Senior Practitioner with the Irregular Warfare Center, and author of Assessing Russia's Actions in Ukraine and Syria, 2014–2022: Implications for the Changing Character of WarPennell breaks down Russia’s military and political strategies in two key theaters, Ukraine and Syria, and the implications for NATO, the United States, and global security.Their discussion covers:Russia’s hybrid warfare tactics in Ukraine prior to the 2022 full-scale invasion, including “Little Green Men,” the Wagner Group, and local proxy forcesHow Russia’s disinformation campaigns, strategic plausible deniability, and cyber warfare shaped operations in Crimea and DonbasThe 2015 Syrian intervention was a testing ground for drones, electronic warfare, and emerging military technologyThe debate over terminology used to describe the conflict: hybrid warfare vs. new generation warfare vs. full-spectrum conflict, and why these distinctions matter in military strategy and geopoliticsLessons for NATO, the U.S., and allies from Russian military operations between 2014–2022The Kremlin’s shift from destabilizing Ukraine to pursuing regime change, and the information warfare narratives used to justify itImplications for future conflicts and how the U.S. and partners can counter hybrid threats effectivelyLinks from the Episode:• Cyber Bay Registration Link • Read The Latest GNSI Newsletter• 2025 Notes from Cambridge Blog• Assessing Russia's Actions in Ukraine and Syria, 2014–2022: Implications for the Changing Character of War by Dr. John A. PennellAt the Boundary from the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida, features global and national security issues we’ve found to be insightful, intriguing, fascinating, maybe controversial, but overall just worth talking about.A "boundary" is a place, either literal or figurative, where two forces exist in close proximity to each other. Sometimes that boundary is in a state of harmony. More often than not, that boundary has a bit of chaos baked in. The Global and National Security Institute will live on the boundary of security policy and technology and that's where this podcast will focus. The mission of GNSI is to provide actionable solutions to 21st-century security challenges for decision-makers at the local, state, national and global levels. We hope you enjoy At the Boundary.Look for our other publications and products on our website publications page.

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! Joining us again is Charles Lister, a senior fellow and director of the Syria Initiative at the Middle East Institute (MEI), where his research focuses on Syria, terrorism, and insurgency across the Levant. In this episode of At the Boundary, Lister breaks down both the history and the sequence of events that reshaped Syria. He details Bashar al-Assad’s sudden flight to Russia to the rise of Syria’s new President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a figure who was once designated terrorist with a $10m bounty but is now engaging with diplomats from over 70 countries.This discussion takes a look at the following:· The “Rush to Damascus” and Assad’s unexpected downfall.· Ahmed al-Sharaa’s foreign policy success and his mixed domestic policy performance.· The effect of lifting sanctions and Syria’s economic recovery.· Southern Syria’s clashes, the Druze, and Israel’s intervention.· The future of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and U.S. counter-ISIS operations.· The U.S. policy on Syria moving forward.· How the region now views Syria as the key to unlocking a more stable and prosperous Middle East.Charles Lister unpacks Syria’s past to help us understand its present and why there may finally be reason to hope for a better future.Links from the Episode:• Cyber Bay Registration Link • "Building Trust in Digital Response: The Role of Chatbots in Cybercrime Prevention" Decision Brief  • "Our Knowledge of the Taliban as Guide for US Policy" JSS Article by Dr. Marvin G. Weinbaum• 2025 Notes from Cambridge BlogAt the Boundary from the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida, features global and national security issues we’ve found to be insightful, intriguing, fascinating, maybe controversial, but overall just worth talking about.A "boundary" is a place, either literal or figurative, where two forces exist in close proximity to each other. Sometimes that boundary is in a state of harmony. More often than not, that boundary has a bit of chaos baked in. The Global and National Security Institute will live on the boundary of security policy and technology and that's where this podcast will focus. The mission of GNSI is to provide actionable solutions to 21st-century security challenges for decision-makers at the local, state, national and global levels. We hope you enjoy At the Boundary.Look for our other publications and products on our website publications page.

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you!  In this episode of the “At the Boundary” podcast, GNSI’s Jim Cardoso speaks with Dr. Rob Burrell, Senior Research Fellow at the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida, about GNSI’s new research initiative on the Future of Warfare. Dr. Burrell also introduces his upcoming book, Resilience and Resistance, and outlines a fresh analytical framework for understanding irregular warfare in the 21st century.The conversation explores how resistance movements evolve—from nonviolent protest to full-scale civil war—and how emerging technologies like AI and cyber tools are reshaping the battlespace. Burrell also previews future episodes in this new podcast series, featuring leading experts such as General Charles Cleveland and Dr. Chris Mason.Whether you’re a defense strategist, policymaker, or curious listener, this episode offers critical insights on how the U.S. must prepare for an era of complex, unconventional conflict.Links from the episode:• 2025 Notes from Cambridge Blog• 2025 Cyber Bay Event Link• Link to “Resilience and Resistance: Interdisciplinary Lessons in Competition, Deterrence, and Irregular Warfare” by Robert S. BurrellAt the Boundary from the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida, features global and national security issues we’ve found to be insightful, intriguing, fascinating, maybe controversial, but overall just worth talking about.A "boundary" is a place, either literal or figurative, where two forces exist in close proximity to each other. Sometimes that boundary is in a state of harmony. More often than not, that boundary has a bit of chaos baked in. The Global and National Security Institute will live on the boundary of security policy and technology and that's where this podcast will focus. The mission of GNSI is to provide actionable solutions to 21st-century security challenges for decision-makers at the local, state, national and global levels. We hope you enjoy At the Boundary.Look for our other publications and products on our website publications page.

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, William Parker, a Business Librarian at the University of South Florida (USF) sat down with GNSI’s Strategy and Research Manager Dr. Tad Schnaufer to the newest GNSI Decision Brief, "Assessing BRICS Gold Holdings."They discussed how BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) have been increasing their gold reserves in an effort to challenge Western financial systems and reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar. The conversation also explores the role of gold in a nation’s financial and economic credibility.Some of the key topics discussed include:What BRICS and BRICS+ represent, and why their expansion matters geopoliticallyWhy gold still matters, even when some nations have dropped the gold standardThe potential shortcomings of fiat currenciesThe potential for BRICS nations to offer an alternative to the US dollar in the global financial structureHow physical gold can act as a tool to circumvent sanctionsWhat other metals, if any, could compete with gold as a monetary standard“Currency decoupling” and its effects on monetary systemsLinks From the Episode:• Assessing BRICS Gold Holdings Decision Brief• 2025 Notes From Cambridge• Lessons from the Russia-Ukraine War GNSI Summit• Axis of Resistance GNSI Research InitiativeAt the Boundary from the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida, features global and national security issues we’ve found to be insightful, intriguing, fascinating, maybe controversial, but overall just worth talking about.A "boundary" is a place, either literal or figurative, where two forces exist in close proximity to each other. Sometimes that boundary is in a state of harmony. More often than not, that boundary has a bit of chaos baked in. The Global and National Security Institute will live on the boundary of security policy and technology and that's where this podcast will focus. The mission of GNSI is to provide actionable solutions to 21st-century security challenges for decision-makers at the local, state, national and global levels. We hope you enjoy At the Boundary.Look for our other publications and products on our website publications page.

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! What’s the U.S. endgame in Afghanistan now—and what role does the Taliban really play?In this episode of At the Boundary, host Jim Cardoso speaks with Dr. Jonathan Schroden, a non-resident fellow at the Global and National Security Institute (GNSI), to explore how U.S. foreign policy toward Afghanistan has evolved under the the most recent presidential administrations.Schroden examines the administration’s transactional relationship with the Taliban, which prioritizes counterterrorism cooperation and human rights advocacy, while contrasting it with the Trump administration’s more rhetorical approach. The conversation also breaks down the threat landscape in Afghanistan, identifying ISIS-K (Islamic State Khorasan) as the primary concern, alongside Al Qaeda and the Pakistani Taliban (TTP).Key topics include:·       U.S. policy shifts from Trump to Biden·       The rise of ISIS-K and regional terrorism threats·       Challenges of working with the Taliban and neighboring powers·       The moral and strategic dilemmas of engagementThis episode offers a timely, candid look at one of America’s most complex foreign policy challenges.Links to the Show:• 2025 Notes from Cambridge Student Blog• Jonathan Schroden’s Article in the Journal of Strategic Security• “Policy Options for Securing U.S. Interests in Afghanistan” Decision Briefs• CNA WebsiteAt the Boundary from the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida, features global and national security issues we’ve found to be insightful, intriguing, fascinating, maybe controversial, but overall just worth talking about.A "boundary" is a place, either literal or figurative, where two forces exist in close proximity to each other. Sometimes that boundary is in a state of harmony. More often than not, that boundary has a bit of chaos baked in. The Global and National Security Institute will live on the boundary of security policy and technology and that's where this podcast will focus. The mission of GNSI is to provide actionable solutions to 21st-century security challenges for decision-makers at the local, state, national and global levels. We hope you enjoy At the Boundary.Look for our other publications and products on our website publications page.