Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchThe Last of the Cold Warriors is Gone - Now What?
The old approach to national security is breaking apart. Americans demand change. Young diplomats and global service professionals today have a once in a century opportunity to reshape how the US e…
Published on 2 months, 1 week ago
Attacks on Iran: Salvation or Quagmire
Will diplomacy come next? Will Trump and Netanyahu give the Ayatollah an off-ramp? Acting Secretary of State and Undersecretary in the first Trump administration Tom Shannon lists both sides' options…
Published on 2 months, 2 weeks ago
Colombia: Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory
For decades Plan Colombia was the gold standard for tackling counter-insurgency. With the current spike in cartel/gang violence, are Colombians losing faith in their conciliatory, populist leader Pet…
Published on 2 months, 3 weeks ago
Are the Chinese Coming for You?
The Federal Government has a long-standing entity which reviews possible threats posed by foreign actors, investing inside the US. What happens when a small town decides to wreck a Chinese investment…
Published on 2 months, 4 weeks ago
Lebanon: Finally, A Ray of Hope, or Just a Flash Bang?
With Assad overthrown in Syria and the new regime freeing themselves of decades long sanctions will they be able to stop the flow of financing and weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon? Is this an opening …
Published on 3 months ago
Have You No Sense of Decency, Mr. Secretary?
With so much disinformation flying around, Senator Chris Van Hollen sets the record straight and takes down Secretary Rubio at the same time.
Published on 3 months, 1 week ago
The Pastry Chef, the Hand Grenade, the OSS and Vietnam
From wartime to prosperity, Ambassador Ted Osius shares his personal experience of change in US/Vietnam relations since the end of the war 50 years ago. Best question: Why is Amb. Osius optimistic, e…
Published on 3 months, 2 weeks ago
Politics of Retribution
How did a utopian vision for society lead to one of the bloodiest regimes in history, Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge? Why does it matter today? Was it mediocrity? Arrogance? Or is it just easier to seize pow…
Published on 3 months, 3 weeks ago
Is the Chaos at State Over?
Acting Undersecretary for Management, Ambassador Tibor Nagy, had a front row seat to the twenty-something DOGE Musketeers and their slash and burn approach to “re-organizing” venerable national secur…
Published on 4 months ago
Squeezing Blood From a Stone
Overseas, mugged, sick, arrested, who are you going to call and will there be anyone to answer? Tom Yazdgerdi, the President of AFSA, the State Department labor union, fears what budget cuts will mea…
Published on 4 months ago