The Truth of the Matter

CSIS' Dan Byman joins the podcast to discuss his new report which examines several scenarios in which democratic government might consider before using deepfakes to advance their foreign policy objectives. Read full report at this link

Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill discusses her recent trip to the Munich Security Conference, her encounter with President Zelensky, and the urgent need for action in response to the crisis. She also talks about her sponsorship of legislation to protect Americans from TikTok's national security threats, highlighting bipartisan consensus on the issue.

 CSIS’ Seth Jones joins the podcast to discuss his new report which explains how China’s defense industrial base is operating on a wartime footing, while the U.S. defense industrial base is largely operating on a peacetime footing. Overall, the U.S. defense industrial ecosystem lacks the capacity, responsiveness, flexibility, and surge capability to meet the U.S. military’s production and warfighting needs. Unless there are urgent changes, the United States risks weakening deterrence and undermining its warfighting capabilities.

CNN national security analyst Peter Bergen joins the podcast to discuss how domestic terrorism is on the rise and what the United States can do to counter it.

Admiral James Stavridis, a retired four-star admiral in the U.S. Navy and former commander of NATO and SOUTHCOM, and award-winning author Elliot Ackerman, contributor at The Atlantic and veteran of the U.S. Marines, join the podcast to discuss their new novel, “2054,” which explores where the United States could find itself in the middle of this century. “2054” is a sequel to New York Times bestseller “2034.”

Harvard CAPS-Harris Poll chairman Mark Penn joins the podcast to discuss the results of his February poll on U.S. attitudes toward Israel and Hamas.

Award-winning filmmaker Brian Knappenberger joins the podcast to discuss his new docuseries Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War, which debuts on Netflix on March 12, and how Cold War history is reflected in the current conflict in Ukraine.

Caitlin Welsh, Director of CSIS' Global Food and Water Security Program, discusses Russia's strategic use of food as a weapon in Ukraine, impacting global food security and political relations. Topics include targeting Ukraine's agriculture, Russia's tactics to undermine exports, and Ukraine's resilience amidst conflict.

On the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion into Ukraine, CSIS’ Eliot Cohen joins the podcast to discuss how the conflict has become a “real war,” and what the consequences are for the United States and the West if Ukraine doesn’t prevail.

Discussion on the CHIPS Act, changes in the semiconductor landscape, challenges of U.S. export controls, and updates on the Chinese semiconductor industry. Exploring the complexities of increasing chip manufacturing in the U.S., recent industry shifts, and the strategic importance of semiconductor technology in global competition.