NatSec Matters
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
Andrew speaks with Dr. Michael Osterholm, founding director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy Center at the University of Minnesota about his new book, "The Big One: How We Must Prepare for Future Deadly Pandemics", which is an urgent warning about the next global health crisis. Dr. Osterholm explains why the continued focus on COVID's origin is distracting from the critical lessons we need to learn. He also ...
Michael speaks with Zack Cooper, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, about the evolving dynamics of US policy toward China and the Indo-Pacific. Zack discusses how President Trump's pursuit of a meeting with Xi Jinping has shaped US policy and offers new analysis on the timeline for a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Zack also confronts the reality of the so-called "axis of upheaval"—a tightening cooperation ...
Michael speaks with President and Founder of the Institute for Science and International Security David Albright about the state of the Iranian nuclear program following US and Israeli strikes. David, a renowned expert on Iran's nuclear program, provides updated analysis on the systematic destruction of key facilities and shares his insights on the challenges of reconstituting the program, the fate of missing enriched uranium, and ...
Andrew speaks with Jeffrey Feltman, former United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs and a distinguished fellow at the Brookings Institution. Jeffrey takes us inside the precarious state of post-civil war Syria, the deep-seated sectarian and geopolitical tensions that fueled the conflict, and the complex roles of the US and regional powers who want a stake. He also shares his insights on the ongoing threat from i...
After a summer of action in the Arctic, Andrew Shapiro re-visits his conversation with former Pentagon Arctic policy head Iris Ferguson about this strategic frontier. Iris explains how melting sea ice is ushering in a new era of great power competition, ending decades of 'Arctic exceptionalism.' Iris, the DOD's first Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Arctic, discusses Russia's interests, China’s pursuit of influence as a 'near-Arc...
Michael Allen talks with Craig Singleton, China Program Senior Director and Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, about the new frontiers of the US-China tech competition. Craig explains that while trade talks are in a "tactical pause," China's dominance in rare earth minerals and its willingness to use them as leverage reveal a key US vulnerability. The conversation also explores the debate over US semiconduc...
Michael Allen is joined by David Fitzgerald, a career intelligence officer with 38 years of service, to discuss the rapidly evolving dynamics of cartel operations at the U.S. southern border. David addresses whether these criminal organizations constitute a national security threat by examining their history and the capacity of authorities to monitor and counter them.
Andrew Shapiro talks with CSIS researcher (and undersea cable enthusiast) Erin Murphy about the threats facing these critical transmission paths at the bottom of the world’s oceans. Erin explains why undersea cables are vital to military communications, financial systems, and healthcare—and how they’ve evolved into strategic targets. She also discusses the roles of China and Russia, and how the commercial interests of the infrastru...
Michael speaks with Syd Seiler, former U.S. National Intelligence Officer for North Korea and one of the U.S. government’s most experienced Korea hands. Seiler unpacks the long arc of Kim Jong Un’s strategy, the roots of North Korea’s provocations, and why the regime sees nuclear weapons as essential to its survival. He also discusses the limits of diplomacy, the myth of a quick breakthrough, and how U.S. policy should adapt for th...
Michael Allen talks with Foundation for Defense of Democracies' Bradley Bowman, who attacks the myth that supporting Ukraine has weakened America's defenses for Taiwan. Bradley, who's senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power, details how the war in Ukraine has become a brutal "World War I with drones"-- an attrition battle where crucial aid is still needed.
Jeremy Bash is joined by former Missile Defense Agency Director Vice Admiral (Ret.) James Syring, who discusses the evolving threats to U.S. air defense, including hypersonic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. He explains the vulnerabilities of current systems, which were designed decades ago and now face threats posed by advanced arsenals. VADM Syring details how the 'Golden Dome' initiative will integrate existing and new tec...
Peter Rough, Director of the Hudson Institute’s Center on Europe and Eurasia, joins Michael to discuss why time may be running out for Russia in its war on Ukraine. He argues that tighter international sanctions enforcement and increased U.S. weapons and intelligence support could begin to squeeze the Kremlin as early as late this year, as the economic costs of the war mount. This comes as the dog days of summer in Ukraine wear on ...
Michael talks with Dr. Karen Young, Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute, about the potential economic ripple effects of the Israel-Iran conflict. Dr. Young explains the ‘decoupling’ of Middle Eastern conflict from global oil prices, the impact of U.S. fracking on oil supply, and the increasing efficiency of global oil usage—and why it all matters for Middle East geopolitics.
Michael talks with Dr. Tom Karako, Director of the Missile Defense Project at CSIS, about the high-stakes missile confrontation between Israel and Iran, recorded just before the recent US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Tom analyzes the role of ballistic missiles in the conflict, the capabilities of Israeli and US defenses, and the strategic implications of the Trump Administration's "Golden Dome" initiative for US national ...
Senior research scholar at Columbia University and former NSC Director for Iran Richard Nephew joins Michael for another special episode to analyze the recent US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. Richard discusses President Trump's decision-making, the Iranian reaction, the assessed damage to the nuclear program versus potential hidden capabilities, the critical loss of IAEA access, and the fragile outlook for a lasting ceasefi...
Michael talks with Kelly Ann Shaw, former Deputy Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs, about President Trump’s 'sledgehammer' approach to international trade and tariffs. Kelly Ann, who also served as Trade Counsel to the House Ways and Means Committee, explains the current state of the global "trade war," the strategic de-escalation with China on critical minerals, and the White House's broader push to reb...
In this episode of NatSec Matters, we revisit Michael Allen's conversation with General (Ret.) Kenneth 'Frank' McKenzie, Jr., former commander of U.S. Central Command, about the evolving security challenges in the Middle East. They discuss Iran’s vulnerabilities, the impact of Israel’s military actions, and the strategic fallout from the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. General McKenzie also explores the rising thr...
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