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 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...
Michael Allen welcomes back RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery to the podcast, where he explains why—even with a ceasefire—ending the war between Russia and Ukraine could be “impossible.” He discusses the recent shifts in military gains and losses on both sides, and what it could take to change the odds in favor of either Moscow or Kyiv.
Michael Allen talks with former CIA executive and US foreign policy expert Glenn Corn, a regular guest of NatSec Matters. Glenn shares insights from his recent trip to Ukraine and the outlook for US support in its fight against Russia. He also highlights smart moves by President Trump in countering the Kremlin and offers reasons for optimism for Ukrainian fighters.
Michael Allen talks with former senior State Department official Jeffrey Feltman about President Trump's "new approach" to the Middle East following his recent trip to the Gulf. Jeffrey analyzes the President's focus on major investment deals, the evolving US positioning on Iran's nuclear program, the surprising U-turn on Syria, and how Mr. Trump's transactional style is reshaping relationships in the volatile region.
Michael Allen talks with retired rear admiral and China expert Mike Studeman about the geopolitical implications of President Trump's trade negotiations with China and US policy to counter Chinese influence and threats. Mike, former Commander of the Office of Naval Intelligence, discusses how China might exploit an "America First" orientation, the critical importance of Taiwan for US economic and national security, and the strategi...
Jeremy Bash explores the biotech battleground with former CIA science and technology chief Dawn Meyerriecks. Dawn, a key voice on the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, discusses the urgent need for US leadership to address critical vulnerabilities in the country's bio-industrial base. Dawn also makes a case for why powerful government-private sector alliances are essential to securing America's strategic edge ...
Andrew Shapiro talks with former US Ambassador Dennis Ross, who argues that the country's foreign policy needs a reboot. Amb. Ross explains the principles of "Statecraft 2.0" – why the US must adapt its leadership for a challenging multipolar world, navigating the global influence and interests of China and Russia.
Andrew Shapiro talks with former Pentagon Arctic policy head Iris Ferguson about 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-Arctic state,' and the US imperative to bolster homeland defense, domain awareness, and alliances from ...
Michael Allen talks with Craig Singleton, Senior Director for China at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, about whether President Trump is locked into an inescapable trade war with China's Xi Jinping. Craig discusses the high-stakes gamble each leader is making, convinced the other will fold first. They explore whether 'strategic decoupling' is now a leading US policy objective, and what it could mean for global supply chai...
Michael Allen talks with former CIA senior executive Glenn Corn about whether Turkey is a US ally or wildcard. They discuss how Turkey is navigating the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine while managing relationships with both Washington and Moscow. Glenn also explores the fall of Bashar al-Assad, the future of the Kurds, the decline of Hezbollah, and the looming question of Iran – all through the lens of Ankara's interests.
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