At the Water's Edge
The At the Water’s Edge Podcast explores national security and geopolitics from an insider’s perspective, looking at how national power, industrial policy, diplomacy, and military might shape our world and America’s place in it.
Episodes
April 15, 2026 • 50 mins
What happens if Iran loses control of its global network of proxy groups?
In this episode of At the Water’s Edge, Scott sits down with Dr. Colin P. Clarke, Executive Director of the Soufan Center, to break down how terrorism is evolving—and why the next phase may be more dangerous than the last.
They explore Iran’s strategy of using proxy organizations like Hezbollah and the Houthis, and why dismantling centralized control could ...
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April 14, 2026 • 31 mins
This is Part 4 of an ongoing series with Robert Pape (University of Chicago) tracking the Iran conflict in real time.
Over the past week, several developments point to a deeper shift in the trajectory of the war:
A ceasefire briefly emerged—then collapsed within 24 hours
The U.S. and Iran moved toward a full blockade dynamic in the Strait of Hormuz
Conflicting signals from the Trump administration on negotiations vs...
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April 8, 2026 • 39 mins
For years, many in Washington have assumed that pressure, protests, or targeted strikes could trigger regime change in Iran.
But what if those assumptions are fundamentally wrong?
In this episode, Scott sits down with Arash Azizi, a writer and historian focused on Iranian politics, to break down what’s actually happening inside Iran right now—beyond the headlines.
They discuss why the Iranian regime has remained in power despite...
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April 7, 2026 • 37 mins
This is Part 3 of an ongoing series with Robert Pape (University of Chicago) analyzing the escalation dynamics of the Iran conflict in real time.
Over the past week, several developments have shifted the trajectory of the war:
U.S. ground forces entered Iran for the first time in a limited rescue operation
Continued strikes on energy infrastructure across the region
Increasing pressure around the Strait of Hormuz
...
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April 2, 2026 • 42 mins
Most people think AI is ready for modern warfare.It’s not.In this episode, I sit down with Tyler Saltsman, Founder and CEO of EdgeRunner AI, to break down what artificial intelligence can actually do on the battlefield—and where it falls short.Tyler is building domain-specific AI models designed to operate directly on-device, enabling warfighters to make better decisions in real time without relying on internet connectivity.We disc...
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March 30, 2026 • 26 mins
This is Part 2 of an ongoing series with Robert Pape (University of Chicago) breaking down the escalation dynamics of the current conflict with Iran. Follow him at his substack: https://escalationtrap.substack.com/
Over the past week, the situation has evolved rapidly:
Additional U.S. forces are deploying to the region
Energy infrastructure across the Gulf is under attack
Proxy actors, including the Houthis, are exp...
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March 25, 2026 • 51 mins
Episode Title:The Drone Threat Is Already Here
Episode Description:
Drones are no longer just a battlefield problem.
From Ukraine to the Middle East, unmanned systems are reshaping how wars are fought—cheap, scalable, and increasingly accessible to both states and non-state actors.
But the most important shift may not be happening overseas.
It’s happening at home.
In this episode, Scott sits down with Paul Lushenko, Chief Str...
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March 21, 2026 • 46 mins
The Escalation Trap: Robert Pape on Iran, Airpower, and Strategic Failure
Robert Pape will be giving a live briefing the status of the conflict and what stage 3 escalation looks like at 5pm EST 22 March 26 on his substack, Escalation Trap.
Robert Pape Robert Pape's Substack HERE (https://escalationtrap.substack.com/)
Description:
What if the biggest risk in war isn’t failure—but success?
In this episode, I’m joined by Robert ...
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March 18, 2026 • 57 mins
The Sahel region of West Africa has become one of the most unstable security environments in the world. A wave of military coups, expanding jihadist insurgencies, and the growing influence of Russia and the Wagner Group are reshaping the geopolitical landscape across Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, and the surrounding region.
But what is actually driving the crisis?
In this episode of At the Water’s Edge, Scott Kelly sits down with Fi...
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March 10, 2026 • 42 mins
What is the war in Ukraine teaching the world about modern warfare?
In this episode of At the Water’s Edge, Scott Kelly speaks with Samuel Bendett of the Center for Naval Analyses, one of the leading analysts tracking Russian military adaptation and the role of drones and emerging technology on the battlefield.
They discuss how Western analysts misunderstood Russian capabilities before the 2022 invasion, how the massive prolifera...
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March 5, 2026 • 54 mins
Retired Major Richard Ojeda joins At the Water’s Edge to discuss his campaign for North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District, why he believes veterans should play a larger role in American politics, and what he sees as the biggest failures of Washington today.
Ojeda spent 24 years in the U.S. Army, much of that time at Fort Bragg, before returning to his hometown in southern West Virginia, where he served as a state senator and b...
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March 4, 2026 • 65 mins
The United States and Israel are now at war with Iran. Airstrikes, missile exchanges, and regional escalation have reshaped the strategic landscape in a matter of days.
But the larger question remains:
What happens next inside Iran?
In this follow-up conversation, Scott Kelly is joined again by Zolal Habibi, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), to examine how one major o...
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February 24, 2026 • 64 mins
Ethan Brown returns to At the Water’s Edge to discuss the second volume of his JTAC trilogy, Visual Friendlies: Tally Target, which examines the evolution of close air support during the surge years in Iraq (2006–2008) and Afghanistan (2011–2013).
We explore how 20 years of uncontested air dominance reshaped American warfighting culture — from precision targeting in dense urban battle spaces to the rise of persistent ISR and sma...
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February 17, 2026 • 67 mins
In this episode of At the Water’s Edge, Scott sits down with Zolal Habibi, an activist affiliated with the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), to examine the structure, strategy, and claims of Iran’s organized opposition movement.
The conversation explores recent protest activity, internet shutdowns, disputed casualty figures, and the role of so-called “resistance units” operating inside Iran. Scott presses on difficult...
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February 10, 2026 • 58 mins
Episode: Jahara “Franky” Matisek (USAF Lt Col) — Fixing America’s Broken Arsenal
Guest: Lt Col Jahara “Franky” Matisek, U.S. Air Force | PhD Political Science | prolific writer on strategy, security assistance, and the defense industrial base
What this episode is about
America’s military can execute at breathtaking speed—but sustaining a long war is a different game. In this conversation, Lt Col Jahara “Franky” Matisek breaks dow...
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February 4, 2026 • 56 mins
Retired Major General Matt Smith joins Scott to unpack why veteran transition isn’t just a “feel-good” topic—it’s a long-term national security issue tied directly to readiness and recruiting. They discuss Emory University Goizueta Business School’s Master of Business for Veterans (MBV) Program, the importance of community during transition, and how veterans can translate military leadership into the “language of business.” This is...
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January 27, 2026 • 77 mins
🎙️ Episode Description
In this episode of At the Water’s Edge, Scott Kelly is joined by former Air Force pilots, Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) veterans, and military scholars to take on one of the most contentious debates in U.S. defense policy: should the A-10 Warthog be retired?
Drawing on combat experience from Iraq and Afghanistan, Pentagon planning, and military history from World War II to Ukraine, the panel makes a cl...
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December 17, 2025 • 56 mins
In this episode, Scott and LTG (ret.) Walt Piatt discuss the critical issue of supporting veterans as they transition from military to civilian life. They explore the role of the Wounded Warrior Project in providing essential services, the challenges veterans face in reintegration, and the importance of finding purpose after service. The conversation also delves into the complexities of navigating the VA system, the future of veter...
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December 10, 2025 • 45 mins
In this conversation, Wendy Cutler, a former U.S. trade negotiator, discusses the complexities of international trade, the role of government in negotiations, and the evolving landscape of U.S. trade policy. She emphasizes the importance of understanding cultural nuances in negotiations, the impact of political changes, and the need for a balanced approach to trade that considers both economic prosperity and national security. The ...
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November 24, 2025 • 50 mins
In this conversation, Scott shares his unexpected journey from a viral resume incident to appearing on national television. He discusses the challenges and excitement of being contacted by major media outlets, preparing for his appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and the surreal experience of meeting the Jonas Brothers. Scott reflects on the importance of veteran transitions and the support of the military community, ...
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