In the Room will be covering national security, broadly defined, as the U.S. heads into an exceptionally consequential election and contends with multiple destabilizing dynamics around the world. Here’s a sneak peek at some upcoming episodes, and more of the direct-from-the source reporting you’ve come to expect. Plus an important announcement about where to find the show.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Explore the extensive surveillance network on smartphones, with personal data for sale to highest bidders. Learn about the risks of data scraping for national security and law enforcement using tools like Fog Reveal. Dive into privacy concerns, Fourth Amendment rights, and police use of ad ID numbers. Discover data sales to law enforcement agencies and concerns about police surveillance technology, including warrantless location tracking.

Discover how tiny Qatar has become a major player in global diplomacy by maintaining good relationships with all, including Hamas and Iran. Explore Qatar's rise to global influence through natural gas reserves and strategic investments. Learn about Qatar's mediation efforts in global conflicts and role as a global mediator, handling negotiations with groups like Hamas and the Taliban. Delve into the impact of Al Jazeera, a significant media outlet originating from Qatar, and Qatar's involvement in ceasefire negotiations and Gaza reconstruction.

Thomas Friedman, NY Times columnist, discusses the necessity of a two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He shares insights on the history of the region, key events like a Hamas suicide bombing, and the potential for peace with Saudi Arabia's involvement.

Fareed Zakaria discusses the dangerous decline of democracy globally, citing populist leaders challenging liberal democracy. Topics include historical vulnerabilities of democracy, comparison between leaders like Modi and Trump, struggles of Zionism in Israel, role of luck in success, and human desire for freedom.

Discover the controversial Project 2025 plan by the Heritage Foundation to revamp the government if Trump wins again, as experts discuss replacing diplomats to shake up the State Department and its impact on national security.

When the CIA got started in 1947 it recruited women for one type of job: typing and filing. Very few women were out in the field gathering intelligence and recruiting foreign agents. But once they finally got the chance, they proved instrumental to obtaining secret codes and tracking down terrorists - despite sometimes facing discrimination and harassment. Women also found ways to use gender stereotypes to their advantage in their spycraft. Peter speaks with a former agent who entered the CIA in 1968, another who got her start just before 9/11, and the author of The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA.Go to audible.com/news where you'll find Peter Bergen's recommendations for other news, journalism and nonfiction listening.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Prime Minister Modi of India, the world's most popular leader, discusses his embrace of religious nationalism and India's democratic future. The podcast delves into the shift towards a Hindu-centric ideology, Modi's upbringing, RSS origins, Gandhi's assassination, Modi's election strategies, rising nationalism, and youth perceptions of Modi's leadership.

Retired Admiral James Stavridis and retired Marine Captain Elliot Ackerman discuss potential US conflicts with China, extreme political divisions, and the impact of A.I on national security. They wrote novels to show possible disastrous futures and solutions to avoid them.

Mina Al-Oraibi, editor of The National, discusses the Middle East news landscape post-October 7th, highlighting perspectives on Hamas, Iran's threat level, and calling the conflict in Gaza 'Joe Biden's war'. They delve into challenges faced by journalists, repercussions of the Abraham Accords, and the emotional toll of conflict. The conversation navigates complexities in the Middle East conflict, emphasizing the need for peace efforts amidst intricate relationships.