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The news, strategy, tech, and business trends defining the future of national security — in one podcast. It’s all the stuff we cover at Defense One, a property of Atlantic Media, whose mission is to inform, elevate and challenge the national discourse. Read more at http://www.defenseone.com

Defense One staff


    • May 16, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 41m AVG DURATION
    • 194 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    If you're looking for a podcast that will provide you with insightful discussions on complex defense and foreign policies, Defense One Radio is the perfect choice. Hosted by the talented Ben Watson, this podcast offers first-hand information and backgrounds in a comprehensive format that is rarely found elsewhere. Each episode guarantees to leave you with new knowledge and perspectives, making it a highly recommended listen for anyone interested in these subjects.

    One of the best aspects of Defense One Radio is the variety of topics covered in each episode. Whether it's negotiations and peace processes, acquisitions and acquisition politics, or strategy and policy, this podcast leaves no stone unturned when it comes to global defense matters. The interviews conducted are particularly engaging, providing valuable insights from experts in the field. Additionally, the weekly roundup of national security news keeps listeners up-to-date on the latest developments.

    The real strength of Defense One Radio lies in its ability to discuss complex topics in a conversational manner. Instead of resorting to dry bureaucratic language, Ben Watson manages to present information in an accessible format that is easy to understand. This approach makes it easier for listeners to grasp important concepts and engage with the content on a deeper level.

    While Defense One Radio excels at providing analysis that goes beyond what general news outlets offer, it may not satisfy all listeners. Some individuals with a technical background might find that the podcast lacks depth when it comes to discussing technical aspects related to defense. However, this is a minor drawback considering the overall quality of the content.

    In conclusion, Defense One Radio is a must-listen podcast for anyone interested in defense and foreign policies. With its informative episodes and engaging interviews, this podcast stands out from others in its genre. Thanks to producer Ben Watson's expertise as an NPR alumnus and combat cameraman, Defense One Radio combines professionalism with accessibility, resulting in an outstanding listening experience. Regardless of your knowledge level on these subjects, you're bound to learn something new from each episode. Give it a listen and be prepared to expand your understanding of global defense matters.



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    Latest episodes from Defense One Radio

    The Marine Corps in the Pacific littorals

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2025 41:42


    Guests: Marine Lt. Gen. Roger B. Turner of the III Marine Expeditionary Force, and the 3D Marine Division's Maj. Gen. Christian F. Wortman, in conversation with Defense One's Jennifer Hlad. You can view our other 2025 State of Defense interviews here. 

    The Army's updated fitness test

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 48:18


    Guests: Command Sergeant Major JoAnn Nauman, Command Senior Enlisted Leader of Army Special Operations Command, in conversation with Defense One's Meghann Myers and Ben Watson. Related reading: "Army establishes new fitness test of record to strengthen readiness and lethality," published April 21, 2025; "Setting Higher Close Combat Standards for the Army Combat Fitness Test," via RAND researchers, published Dec 20, 2024;  And "Independent Review of the Army Combat Fitness Test," also via RAND, published Mar 23, 2022.

    Sea-Air-Space 2025, in review

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 26:29


    Guests: Defense One's Meghann Myers and Lauren C. Williams.

    airspace sea air space
    Army chief Gen. Randy George

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2025 23:22


    Guest: U.S. Army chief of staff Gen. Randy George, interviewed by Defense One's Patrick Tucker. Catch our full State of Defense agenda and future events, here.

    Space Force Gen. Chance Saltzman

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2025 32:30


    Guest: U.S. Space Force commander Gen. Chance Saltzman, interviewed by Defense One's Audrey Decker. Catch our full State of Defense agenda and future events, running through the end of March, here.

    Air Force chief Gen. David Allvin

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2025 34:27


    Guest: U.S. Air Force commander Gen. David Allvin, interviewed by Defense One's Audrey Decker. Catch our full State of Defense agenda and future events, running through the end of March, here.

    Marine Corps. Gen. Eric Smith

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2025 26:31


    Over the next several episodes, we're going to hear from some of the U.S. military's top officers as part of our annual State of Defense event series, which runs through the end of March. Learn more about that series here. This episode, Meghann Myers spoke with U.S. Marine Corp Commandant Gen. Eric Smith.

    Testing the Army's new fighting strategy on Ukraine's doorstep

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2025 38:54


    Guest: U.S. Army Col. Joshua Glonek, commander 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division. Related reading: "How two units are learning from each other as the Army moves to modernize," from Sam Skove reporting in October; "Army embraces Ukraine-style warfare with new all-drone unit," also via Skove, reporting from Louisiana's Fort Johnson in September; And in reruns there is "Defense One Radio, Ep. 161: A trip to Louisiana with the Army's new recon unit," featuring Skove speaking about his trip to Louisiana.

    The Air Force's force-design leader

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 4, 2025 32:43


    Maj. Gen. Joseph Kunkel discusses his how his service's modernization strategy will shape the future of air combat in an increasingly complex security landscape. Guest: Air Force Maj. Gen. Joseph Kunkel, director of Force Design, Integration and Wargaming at Air Force Futures; he's interviewed by Defense One air warfare reporter Audrey Decker. Related viewing: "AI in the Skies," January 28, 2025.

    SecDef Austin's last trip to Europe

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2025 29:52


    Patrick Tucker describes a Defense Department in transition as Russia's Ukraine invasion approaches the four-year mark. Related reading: "Ukraine military-aid donors aim to set Kyiv up through 2027, Pentagon says," Tucker reported on January 7; And "Kyiv's donors set production goals to regularize arms donations to Ukraine," he reported two days later.

    Year in review

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2024 50:22


    We listen back on more than a dozen guests from conversations across 2024.  Guests (in order): Fabian Hinz, research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies; Bruce Hoffman, senior fellow for counterterrorism and homeland security at the Council on Foreign Relations, and co-author of "God, Guns, and Sedition: Far-Right Terrorism in America"; Karolina Hird, analyst and Russia Deputy Team Lead at the Institute for the Study of War; Elliot Ackerman, co-author of "2054: A Novel"; Mackenzie Eaglen, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where she works on defense strategy, defense budgets, and military readiness; Ankit Panda, Stanton Senior Fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace; Chris Blattman, economist, political scientist, and Ramalee E. Pearson Professor of Global Conflict Studies at the University of Chicago, and author of the 2022 book, "Why We Fight: The Roots of War and the Paths to Peace"; Mick Ryan, retired Australian Army major general, strategist, and author of “White Sun War: The Campaign for Taiwan"; Dmitri Alperovitch, chairman of the Silverado Policy Accelerator, a geopolitics think-tank in Washington, and author of “World on the Brink: How America Can Beat China in the Race for the Twenty-First Century"; Sam Skove, former Defense One staff writer; Mark Montgomery, a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington and senior director of FDD's Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation; Peter Tamte, founder and CEO of Victura; And Brent Sadler, retired Navy captain and senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation.

    The Reagan National Defense Forum

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2024 40:29


    Guests: Audrey Decker, aerospace reporter for Defense One; Patrick Tucker, science and technology editor at Defense One. Related reading: Some Republicans remain unsold on Hegseth Russia in talks to send fighter jets to North Korea, INDOPACOM says ‘Multi-headed monster': Biden, Trump officials address China-Russia-Iran coordination ‘Shock the system': Startups and DOGE take over Reagan forum Defense officials hopeful incoming administration keeps funding cutting-edge tech

    The decline of America's commercial shipbuilding industry

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2024 31:04


    Guests: Brian Potter, Senior Infrastructure Fellow at the Institute for Progress and author of "Why Can't the U.S. Build Ships?" from September 2024; And Nicole Foy, ProPublica's Ancil Payne Fellow, writing on immigration and labor; her report "An Immigrant Died Building a Ship for the U.S. Government. His Family Got Nothing" was published in October 2024. And don't miss our complementary podcast episode, "How U.S. Navy shipbuilding sank so low."

    How U.S. Navy shipbuilding sank so low

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024 48:21


    Guests: Matthew Paxton, president of the Shipbuilders Council of America; Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Va.; Ret. Navy Capt. Brent Sadler, senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation; And Ret. Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Sources and additional reading: Navy Force Structure and Shipbuilding Plans: Background and Issues for Congress (PDF); U.S. Navy budget materials; "Navy adds $1B to unconventional effort to boost sub production," by Lauren Williams, reporting Sept. 2024; Defense Department's 2024 Defense Industrial Base strategy; And "Restoring Our Maritime Strength: An agenda for the next president's first hundred days," by Brent Sadler and Jerry Hendrix, writing in the National Review in late October.

    The Second Battle of Fallujah, 20 years later

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2024 52:10


    A decorated Marine veteran and a video game maker revisit one of the bloodiest battles in U.S. military history.  Guests: Elliot Ackerman, author and contributing writer at The Atlantic; Peter Tamte, founder and CEO of Victura; And Defense One science and tech editor Patrick Tucker. Sources and additional reading: "Goodbye, My Brother," by Elliot Ackerman, writing for Esquire on March 23, 2017; The video game "Six Days in Fallujah"; "Ultra-Realistic Modern Warfare Game Features Awaiting Orders, Repairing Trucks," a satirical video produced in January 2011 by The Onion; "Virtual reality exposure therapy for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD): a meta-analysis," published August 2019 in the European Journal of Psychotraumatology; "Trauma, treatment and Tetris: video gaming increases hippocampal volume in male patients with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder," published April 2020 in the Journal of Psychiatry & Neuroscience; And "Putting the Gaming Experience at the Center of the Therapy—The Video Game Therapy® Approach," published June 2023 in Healthcare.  

    Mark Montgomery's insights from Ukraine

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2024 24:53


    A retired U.S. admiral shares what he learned from a recent trip to the wartorn country. Guest: Mark Montgomery, a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, is a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington and senior director of FDD's Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation.

    AUSA conference, in review

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2024 47:38


    Defense One staff summarize the leading developments from this year's Association of the U.S. Army conference in Washington.  Guest: Sam Skove, staff reporter; Patrick Tucker, science and tech editor. Find Defense One's complete AUSA coverage here.

    The 2024 Air, Space & Cyber conference

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2024 24:27


    Audrey Decker explains some of the top developments out of this year's AFA conference outside Washington. Guest: Audrey Decker, Defense One's air warfare reporter. Extra reading: China's aggressive regional moves open doors for the US, PACAF chief says Air Force wants NGAD to cost no more than an F-35. Is that even possible? Lessons from Ukrainian F-16 crash will shape US training: Air Force general Air Force's Ospreys will return to forward-deployment within 'weeks' Test B-21 flying up to twice a week, Northrop reports

    Europe in a tight spot

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2024 33:43


    Patrick Tucker unpacks findings from his recent trip to Prague for the 2024 Global Security Conference. Related reading: "European officials vow to boost defense production, but some worry it won't be enough," by Patrick Tucker, reporting August 30 from Prague; "The big loophole allowing Russia to access US chips? China," by Tucker again, reporting from Washington on September 11; And "EU competitiveness: Looking ahead," a report published this week by Mario Draghi, former president of the European Central Bank.

    A trip to Louisiana with the Army's new recon unit

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2024 34:53


    The Army just put a new unit loaded with cutting-edge tech to the test at Fort Johnson. Sam Skove explains what he saw during a recent week long demonstration. You can read more from Sam's coverage of this Army exercise here.

    The 2024 Farnborough airshow

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2024 32:06


    We revisit some of the bigger takeaways from this year's Farnborough International Airshow.  Guest: Dan Darling, vice president of market insights at Forecast International, a research and consulting firm owned by Defense One's parent company. You can see all of our Farnborough Airshow coverage, here.

    Tech Summit: DARPA's Stefanie Tompkins

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2024 31:28


    We conclude our 2024 Tech Summit coverage with an interview featuring DARPA Director Stefanie Tompkins. Guest: Stefanie Tompkins, Director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. You can see all of our interviews from the 2024 Tech Summit at Defense One's YouTube page, here.

    Tech Summit: The state of hypersonics

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2024 42:40


    Our 2024 Tech Summit coverage continues with a discussion about the future of hypersonic missile research and development. Guest: Frank Peterkin, Principal Director of Directed Energy at the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Critical Technologies; And Jarret Lafleur, Senior Advisor to the Principal Director for Hypersonics for Strike Systems Strategy and Policy Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering. You can see all of our interviews from the 2024 Tech Summit at Defense One's YouTube page, here.

    Tech Summit: The Pentagon's Maynard Holiday

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2024 32:04


    We're sharing some of our notable exchanges from the 2024 Defense One Technology Summit, beginning with the Pentagon's Maynard Holliday. Guest: Maynard Holliday, Performing the Duties of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Critical Technologies at the Defense Department. You can see all of our interviews from the 2024 Tech Summit at Defense One's YouTube page, here.

    The future of Taiwan's security with Dmitri Alperovitch

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2024 41:24


    What might an invasion of Taiwan look like, and how can allies help the island nation better defend itself?  Guest: Dmitri Alperovitch, chairman of the Silverado Policy Accelerator, a geopolitics think-tank in Washington. Sources: “World on the Brink: How America Can Beat China in the Race for the Twenty-First Century,” by Dmitri Alperovitch, published April 2024;  “Surveying the Experts U.S. and Taiwan Views on China's Approach to Taiwan in 2024 and Beyond,” by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, January 2024.

    The future of Taiwan's security with Mick Ryan

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2024 25:07


    The author of “White Sun War: The Campaign for Taiwan" discusses shoring up defenses against a blockade or invasion.  Guest: Mick Ryan, retired Australian Army major general, strategist, and author. Sources: “White Sun War: The Campaign for Taiwan,” by Mick Ryan, published May 2023; "Chinese Warship Activities around Taiwan," by Si-Fu Ou, director of the Division of Chinese Politics, Military and Warfighting Concepts at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research in Taiwan; “From Coercion to Capitulation, How China Can Take Taiwan Without a War,” by the Institute for the Study of War, May 2024.

    Behind the rise in global defense spending, Part 3: The wider world

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2024 23:20


    Guest: Chris Blattman, economist, political scientist, and Ramalee E. Pearson Professor of Global Conflict Studies at the University of Chicago. Sources:  “Global military spending surges amid war, rising tensions and insecurity,” published April 2024 by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute;  “Back in Stock? The State of Russia's Defense Industry after Two Years of the War,” by Maria Snegovaya, Max Bergmann, Tina Dolbaia, Nick Fenton, and Samuel Bendett, published April 2024 by the Center for Strategic and International Studies;  “Keeping Up with the Pacing Threat: Unveiling the True Size of Beijing's Military Spending,” by Mackenzie Eaglen, published April 2024 by the American Enterprise Institute;  “Indo-Pacific Missile Arsenals: Avoiding Spirals and Mitigating Escalation Risks,” by Ankit Panda, published October 2023 by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace;  “Missile Proliferation and Control in the Asia-Pacific Region,” from Jeffrey Lewis and Kolja Brockmann, published April 2024 by the International Institute for Strategic Studies; And “Why We Fight: The Roots of War and the Paths to Peace,” from Chris Blattman, published April 2022 by Penguin Random House.

    Behind the rise in global defense spending, Part 2: China and the Indo-Pacific

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2024 35:31


    Guests: Mackenzie Eaglen, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where she works on defense strategy, defense budgets, and military readiness; And Ankit Panda, Stanton Senior Fellow in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Sources:  “Global military spending surges amid war, rising tensions and insecurity,” published April 2024 by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute;  “Back in Stock? The State of Russia's Defense Industry after Two Years of the War,” by Maria Snegovaya, Max Bergmann, Tina Dolbaia, Nick Fenton, and Samuel Bendett, published April 2024 by the Center for Strategic and International Studies;  “Keeping Up with the Pacing Threat: Unveiling the True Size of Beijing's Military Spending,” by Mackenzie Eaglen, published April 2024 by the American Enterprise Institute;  “Indo-Pacific Missile Arsenals: Avoiding Spirals and Mitigating Escalation Risks,” by Ankit Panda, published October 2023 by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace;  “Missile Proliferation and Control in the Asia-Pacific Region,” from Jeffrey Lewis and Kolja Brockmann, published April 2024 by the International Institute for Strategic Studies; And “Why We Fight: The Roots of War and the Paths to Peace,” from Chris Blattman, published April 2022 by Penguin Random House.

    Behind the rise in global defense spending, Part 1: Russia

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2024 29:03


    Guest: Maria Snegovaya, senior fellow for Russia and Eurasia with the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and a postdoctoral fellow in Georgetown University's Walsh School of Foreign Service. Source material:  “Global military spending surges amid war, rising tensions and insecurity,” published April 2024 by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute;  “Back in Stock? The State of Russia's Defense Industry after Two Years of the War,” by Maria Snegovaya, Max Bergmann, Tina Dolbaia, Nick Fenton, and Samuel Bendett, published April 2024 by the Center for Strategic and International Studies;  “Keeping Up with the Pacing Threat: Unveiling the True Size of Beijing's Military Spending,” by Mackenzie Eaglen, published April 2024 by the American Enterprise Institute;  “Indo-Pacific Missile Arsenals: Avoiding Spirals and Mitigating Escalation Risks,” by Ankit Panda, published October 2023 by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace;  “Missile Proliferation and Control in the Asia-Pacific Region,” from Jeffrey Lewis and Kolja Brockmann, published April 2024 by the International Institute for Strategic Studies; And “Why We Fight: The Roots of War and the Paths to Peace,” from Chris Blattman, published April 2022 by Penguin Random House.

    The state of the Air Force

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2024 68:45


    Defense One's Audrey Decker interviews Gen. David Allvin and Air Mobility Command's Gen. Mike Minihan (at the 32:42 mark). You can also catch all of our 2024 State of Defense interviews on Defense One's YouTube page, here.

    The state of the Navy

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2024 65:41


    Defense One Executive Editor Bradley Peniston speaks with Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti; and Defense One's Patrick Tucker sat down with Fourth Fleet commander Rear Adm. James Aiken (at the 28:09 mark). You can watch both of these interviews on Defense One's YouTube page, here.

    The state of the Army

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2024 66:14


    Defense One's Sam Skove speaks to Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George; and Defense One's Jennifer Hlad speaks with Gen. Charles Flynn, commander of U.S. Army Pacific. You can watch both of these interviews on Defense One's YouTube page, here.

    The state of the Marine Corps

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2024 61:28


    Defense One's Sam Skove speaks to Assistant Commandant Gen. Christopher Mahoney; and Defense One's Jennifer Hlad interviews Marine Corps Combat Development Command's Lt. Gen. Karsten Heckl. You can also watch either of these interviews on Defense One's events page, here.

    The state of the Space Force

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2024 57:18


    Defense One's Audrey Decker speaks to America's Chief of the Space Force Gen. Chance Saltzman; and Defense One's Lauren Williams interviews Air Force Col. Michelle Idle, deputy commander of Space Systems Command. You can also watch either of these interviews on Defense One's events page, here.

    Elliot Ackerman on ‘2054: A Novel'

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2024 18:56


    The author and Marine veteran discusses the future of technology, the promise of AI, the perils of toxic politics, and other themes packed into his latest work of speculative fiction.  Guest: Elliot Ackerman, co-author of "2054: A Novel," which was published on March 12. Find our previous discussions with Ackerman here: Ep. 107: The legacy of America's Afghan war; And Ep. 79: “2034: A Novel of the Next World War”.

    The U.S. Air Force's big reorganization

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2024 20:56


    Audrey Decker unpacks the top news from this year's Air & Space Forces Association Warfare Symposium. Here's a roll-up of her reporting from the AFA symposium: Air Force announces major shakeup to prep for war with China; Air Force will narrow its pool of robot wingman vendors within ‘next few months'; 'Unexpected' engineering slows price negotiations on USAF radar plane USAF plans stealthy tankers for ‘extreme threat areas'; Lockheed vows steady F-35 production amid demand shifts And First Ukrainian F-16 pilots will complete training as soon as May.

    How Russia cements control

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2024 31:48


    How does the Kremlin force an entirely new reality on an occupied city? And how do Europeans feel about the invasion and U.S. hesitation to rearm Ukraine?   Guests: Karolina Hird, analyst and Russia Deputy Team Lead at the Institute for the Study of War; Karin von Hippel is Director-General of the Royal United Services Institute. You can find Hird's recent report, "The Kremlin's Occupation Playbook: Coerced Russification and Ethnic Cleansing in Occupied Ukraine," here.

    Today's far-right terrorism in America

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2024 38:24


    Guests: Bruce Hoffman, senior fellow for counterterrorism and homeland security at the Council on Foreign Relations; Jacob Ware, research fellow also at the Council on Foreign Relations. Their book “God, Guns, and Sedition: Far-right Terrorism in America" was published in January.

    Trouble on the Red Sea

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2024 34:42


    We review how the Iran-backed Houthis are disrupting global shipping in the Red Sea, and we look back at similar dynamics near the end of the so-called tanker wars of the late 1980s. Guests: Fabian Hinz, research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies; Patrick Tucker, science and technology editor at Defense One; And Bradley Peniston, Defense One executive editor.

    Year in review

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2023 48:23


    We take stock of our last 12 months of interviews, featuring conversations with generals, White House officials, researchers, authors, our own reporters, and many more. Guests include: U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Joel “JB” Vowell, who at the time commanded the United States Army Japan; he is now commander of the ISIS-focused Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve (from episode 115); Monica Toft, professor of international politics and the director of the Center for Strategic Studies at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy; and Sidita Kushi, assistant professor of political science at Bridgewater State University (from episode 116); Michael Knights, security analyst with the Washington Institute (from episode 124); Defense One's Sam Skove (from episode 125); Sam Bendett, advisor in Russian studies at CNA (from episode 126); Defense One's Patrick Tucker (from episode 129); Decker Eveleth, graduate research assistant at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies in Monterey, California (from episode 130); Martin Pfeiffer, a PhD candidate in anthropology at the University of New Mexico (from episode 131); Patrick Tucker again (from episode 132); Sam Skove again (from episode 134); Cindy Cohn, Executive Director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation; and Joshua Geltzer is Deputy Assistant to President Joe Biden and Deputy Homeland Security Advisor at the National Security Council (from episode 135); And Barak Mendelsohn, Professor of Political Science at Haverford College in Philadelphia (from episode 138).

    The future of defense acquisition

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 11, 2023 52:20


    The Army's top buyer and the Pentagon's integration chief talk Ukraine, non-traditional suppliers, and more.  Guests: Army Assistant Secretary for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology Doug Bush sat down with Defense One Global Business Editor Marcus Weisgerber. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Integration, and Interoperability Dave Tremper spoke with Defense One Technology editor Patrick Tucker.

    What we learned from a Middle Eastern airshow

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2023 20:28


    We take a look at how officials around the region are carrying on with business as usual despite Israel's war with Hamas. Guest: Audrey Decker is a Defense One staff reporter, where she writes about air and space.

    Is this the beginning of the end for Hamas?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2023 36:42


    This episode, we discuss the daunting task of clearing Gaza City of Hamas as well as Israel's goal crushing the group once and for all. Guests: Ret. Army Gen. Joseph Votel, distinguished senior fellow on national security at the Middle East Institute (beginning at the 2:15 mark); And Barak Mendelsohn, Professor of Political Science at Haverford College in Philadelphia (at 15:52).

    AUSA extras

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2023 55:26


    Guests: Mark Kitz, program executive officer for command, control and communications-tactical (interviewed by Defense One's Lauren Williams, beginning at the 1:10 mark); And Army Brig. Gen. Guillaume Beaurpere of the Army's John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, as well as Maj. Gen. Christopher Eubank of Network Enterprise Technology Command (with Defense One's Patrick Tucker) at the 9:38 mark).

    AUSA highlights

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2023 38:41


    Defense One staff explain some of the major themes from this year's annual Association of the U.S. Army conference in Washington. Guest: Sam Skove, Defense One staff reporter; Patrick Tucker, Defense One science and tech editor. Read more from our AUSA coverage at any of the links below: Army eyes munitions stockpiles amid focus on longer wars Army orders loitering munition for testing as soldier-borne tank-killer The Army doesn't know where a lot of its excess arms and gear are Ukraine wants West's help in training NCOs and officers How the war in Ukraine is reshaping US Army modernization New 155mm round exceeds range of some rockets, can be fired by standard Army artillery AUSA Conference Wire: 'Drones everywhere' AUSA Conference Wire: 'Magazine depth' AUSA Conference Wire: 'A critical juncture'

    The uncertain future of an eavesdropping law

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2023 30:06


    We review the history of FISA Section 702 ahead of its possible expiration at the end of the year.  Guests: Cindy Cohn is the Executive Director of the Electronic Frontier Foundation; And Joshua Geltzer is Deputy Assistant to President Joe Biden and Deputy Homeland Security Advisor at the National Security Council. Read over a copy of the recent Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board report on recommended changes to FISA Section 702 (PDF), here.

    What ‘national security' means for eastern Europe

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2023 25:40


    Staff reporter Sam Skove shares some of the highlights from his recent trip to Poland, Estonia, and the UK.  Read more from Sam's European trip at any of the links below: How a tiny Polish airport became a key node for Western aid to Ukraine Polish support for Ukraine brings lessons, but also risks EU plans to arm Ukraine bearing fruit, but more is needed, Estonia says Estonia plans loitering-munitions unit to hunt enemy air defenses Europe's defense spending sluggish despite Ukraine war Navies face ‘dreadnought moment' as Ukraine destroys more Russian warships, British admiral says Ukraine learns to fight with a hodge-podge of foreign artillery Beset by Russian airstrikes, Ukraine looks to make its weapons abroad

    Unpacking the 2023 Air, Space and Cyber conference

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2023 24:14


    This episode we review several things we learned at the Air & Space Forces Association's annual Air, Space & Cyber conference. Guests: Audrey Decker, Defense One's air and space reporter (beginning at the 0:46 mark); Lauren Williams, senior editor at Defense One (at 7:48); And Marcus Weisgerber, global business editor at Defense One (at 14:26). Read more of our coverage from this year's AFA conference here.

    The Pentagon's new drone fixation

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2023 28:51


    We dig into the U.S. military's new Replicator initiative, and explore Anduril's recent UAV-firm acquisition.  Guests: Patrick Tucker,science and technology editor at Defense One; Chris Brose, chief strategy officer for Anduril Industries. Related reading: “‘Hellscape': DOD launches massive drone swarm program to counter China,” by Patrick Tucker, reporting August 28, 2023;  Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks' Remarks: "Unpacking the Replicator Initiative" at the 2023 Defense News Conference;  “The Kill Chain: Defending America in the Future of High-Tech Warfare,” by Chris Brose (published 2020); And “Anduril buys drone maker Blue Force Technologies amid Pentagon push for autonomous aircraft,” by Marcus Weisgerber, reporting September 7, 2023.

    'Oppenheimer,' explored

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2023 34:43


    How much of America's nuclear history does the three-hour film pack in and how much did it leave out?  Guest: Martin Pfeiffer, a PhD candidate in anthropology at the University of New Mexico.

    A brief history of China's nuclear forces

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2023 33:58


    From Cold War-era distrust of the Soviets to Beijing's recent silo buildup, we review some of the ideas and methods that have helped China become the nuclear power it is today. Guests: Decker Eveleth, graduate research assistant at the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies in Monterey, California (beginning at the 1:47 mark); And Joseph Cirincione, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a national security analyst with 40 years of experience in Washington, D.C. (at the 20:05 mark). Read Eveleth's recent report on Chinese nuclear forces, here. And you can find Cirincione's 1999 review of the Cox Report, here. See also a new report from the Chicago Council entitled, “Majority in US Want to Learn More about Nuclear Policy.”

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