Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchThe Jihadi Whisperer
What prompts someone to become a violent Muslim extremist? Even more, what would get them to turn against their comrades? Counter-terrorism guru Brig Barker demystifies this dark world.
Published on 2 months, 1 week ago
The Hole in Putin's Imperial Designs
Why is Kazakhstan safe from Russia? It juts into the heart of Russia and shares the longest continuous land border in the world. What is their secret? Ambassador Dan Rosenblum's analogy: walking a ti…
Published on 2 months, 2 weeks ago
Ukraine: Does Moral Truth Still Exist?
What happens when you are instructed to treat the aggressor as an innocent? Former Ambassador Bridget Brink's career reaches a fork in the road. What to do? Hint: Who's running in the Michigan Sevent…
Published on 2 months, 3 weeks ago
What Happened to the Man of My Dreams?
He's charismatic, he's exciting, he's strong. How do elected autocrats woo their publics and then destroy the very countries they promised to elevate? What happens to the populace? Kristie Kenney, a…
Published on 2 months, 4 weeks ago
Encore: Who Lost China?
It is the 1950s. Senator Joseph McCarthy and his henchman Roy Cohn target and humiliate our diplomats for accurately reporting an eventual Mao victory in China. Jack Service and his family are at the…
Published on 3 months ago
America Alone?
Secretary Rubio's stated goal is to reduce our diplomatic corps by 15%. Does it stop there? After four years of whim and chaos will the world ever trust us to lead again? Will we have the expertise a…
Published on 3 months, 1 week ago
The Incredible Shrinking Trade Partner
What happens when tariff policy becomes a whim? Career commercial officer Dan Crocker peers into the chaos and breaks down the stakes for businesses and national security.
Published on 3 months, 2 weeks ago
The 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 3 months, 3 weeks 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 4 months 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 4 months, 1 week ago