Vital Interests Podcast

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Hosted by Karen Greenberg. Brought to you by the Center on National Security, Vital Interests Podcast was designed to help you think about security in its many dimensions, from pandemic to climate change, from terrorism to population migration, from war to peace - all with an eye towards the rule of law, the protection of human rights and the respect for civil liberties. Twitter: @VI_PodcastCNS, @KarenGreenberg3.

JAY-VEE Productions


    • Mar 10, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 41m AVG DURATION
    • 54 EPISODES

    4.9 from 56 ratings Listeners of Vital Interests Podcast that love the show mention: national security, security issues, wide range of guests, pressing, podcast provides, international, center, worth the listen, critical, complex, speakers, captivating, law, experts, covers, thought provoking, informed, definitely recommend, audience, interviewer.



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    Latest episodes from Vital Interests Podcast

    Rebroadcast: John Brennan and Ali Soufan on The U.S. and Today's Foreign Policy Challenges

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2022 13:43


    Host Karen J. Greenberg welcomed CNS Distinguished Fellow for Global Security and former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Supervisory Special Agent Ali Soufan at CNS on February 15, 2022 for a conversation on The U.S. and Today's Foreign Policy Challenges. The full webinar can be watched on our website at CenterOnNationalSecurity.org/events.

    Richard Conn on Letting Go of Religion and Embracing Reality

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2021 35:28


    What will it take for the world to renounce religious dogma and discover humanity's place in it through science and reason? Can it save our societies from perpetual conflict? Attorney and investment fund manager Richard Conn joins this episode of Vital Interests Podcast to discuss his new book, The Earthbound Parent: How (and Why) to Raise Your Little Angels Without Religion.

    Anthony Romero on Post-9/11 Challenges

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2021 50:24


    ACLU Director Anthony Romero joins our special series on 9/11 to discuss the challenges, accomplishments and persistent hurdles experienced by the ACLU and the country in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

    The Guantanamo Docket: New York Times Journalists Carol Rosenberg and Charlie Savage on Keeping a Record of Guantanamo

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2021 48:21


    Who remains at Guantanamo Bay? What's more to be known? And can the Biden administration finally close the notorious detention center? Journalists Carol Rosenberg and Charlie Savage discuss lessons culled from nearly two decades of reporting on the prison as part of Vital Interest's special-edition “9/11-Twenty Years Later.”

    Spencer Ackerman on the Perpetual Shadow of 9/11

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2021 44:21


    In his new book, Reign of Terror: How the 9/11 Era Destabilized America and Produced Trump, journalist Spencer Ackerman traces America's response to 9/11 to the violence, vitriol and instability the country faces today, part of Vital Interests Podcast Season three, “9/11 – Twenty Years Later.”

    Peter Bergen on the Life and Impact of Osama Bin Laden

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2021 34:13


    Journalist Peter Bergen has spent decades reflecting on the man responsible for the attacks on 9/11. Now, twenty years after that fateful day, he joins our commemoration series to provide insights into Osama bin Laden's life, his lasting influence, and the enduring War on Terror.

    Richard Clarke on the Mistakes Made Before 9/11 and the Lessons We Have Yet to Learn

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2021 57:55


    What were the failures in the lead up to the attacks on 9/11? What lessons should we take from that fateful event and our response to it to better prepare for the crises of the future? Former White House terrorism advisor Richard Clarke joins our special series 9/11 – Twenty year later to discuss.

    Journalist Craig Unger on Spies, Lies, and the Threats to American Democracy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2021 32:11


    How do America's top leaders use power to enrich themselves and further their interests? From the Bush administration to the GOP and the Trump presidency, Craig Unger has spent the last twenty years uncovering the “unseen” ways in which power works. He joins this episode of Vital Interest Podcast to discuss what it means for our democracy.

    Joshua Dratel on Reforming America’s Criminal Justice System

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2021 33:35


    Many Americans think that U.S. criminal justice system is unfair, ineffective, and broken. So how do we fix it? Joshua Dratel, a leading criminal defense attorney, joins this episode of Vital Interests Podcast to discuss.

    Ken Wainstein - Thinking about National Security Twenty Years Ago and Now

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2021 31:46


    Twenty years after 9/11, Ken Wainstein, Homeland Security Advisor to George W. Bush, reflects on security and 21st century challenges.

    Clint Watts on How Social Media Changed the Internet, Distorts Reality, and Fuels Extremism

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2021 28:37


    How can America counter group mentality? Clint Watts, a national security, counterterrorism, and cybersecurity expert, joins this episode of Vital Interests Podcast to discuss disinformation, conspiracy theories, and domestic terrorism.

    Hina Shamsi on Protecting Human Rights in an Era of Heightened Global Security

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2021 32:01


    Twenty years after 9/11, with President Biden in the White House, are we ready for a new approach to security and justice? Hina Shamsi joins this episode of Vital Interests Podcast to discuss the ICC, the no fly list, the First Amendment, and today’s terrorism.

    Jessica Stern Reflects on a Career Studying Terrorism

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2021 26:34


    Boston University Professor Jessica Stern joins this episode of Vital Interests Podcast to discuss how a perceived loss of status is helping to radicalize young people, and how understanding these feelings could be key to stopping them from becoming terrorists.

    Colin Clarke on Countering Violent Extremism in the US and Abroad

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2021 33:44


    Are we seeing something new in terrorist violence? Colin Clarke, the Director of Policy and Research at the Soufan Group, joins this episode of Vital Interests Podcast to discuss what’s changed—and what’s stayed the same—in extremist ideology and recruitment in the past two decades.

    Nick Rasmussen on How to Tackle Extremism on the Internet

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2021 38:01


    Nick Rasmussen, the inaugural executive director of the Global Internet Forum to Counterterrorism (GIFCT) joins this episode of the Vital Interests Podcast to discuss how his organization is helping major technology companies moderate extremist content online.

    Sheila Foster on the City as a Commons

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2021 43:44


    In this episode of Vital Interest Podcast, Sheila Foster, a professor of urban law and policy at Georgetown University and the co-director of LabGov, reimagines traditional structures of governance in cities. She offers a new approach: the Co-City, which identifies urban space as a “commons.” Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.

    Rebroadcast: Ali Soufan on January 6th and the Threat To Democracy: What Went Wrong and How Should We Respond?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 2, 2021 63:58


    Host Karen J. Greenberg welcomed Ali Soufan for a virtual event at the Center on National Security at Fordham Law titled "January 6th and the Threat To Democracy: What Went Wrong and How Should We Respond?" The full event can be watched on our website at CenterOnNationalSecurity.org/events. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.

    Matt Duss on the Insurrection at the Capitol and Rethinking American Foreign Policy

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2021 35:59


    Matt Duss, Foreign Policy Advisor to Bernie Sanders, joins this episode of Vital Interests Podcast to discuss the Capitol Riots, Biden’s foreign policy challenges, and the legacy of 9/11. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.

    Annie Owens on Reforming the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2021 34:52


    The Justice Department’s legitimacy took a hit under the Trump administration. Can reforms within its Office of Legal Counsel—and a rule-of-law-abiding new Attorney General— help burnish its reputation? Annie Owens, a former Attorney Advisor in the OLC, joins this episode of the Vital Interests Podcast to discuss. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.

    Fionnuala D. Ní Aoláin on the Problems of Counterterrorism in the Post-9/11 World

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2020 36:31


    Nearly 20 years after 9/11, one might ask, where do we stand now in terms of counterterrorism policies? What have we accomplished? What remains to be done? Fionnuala D. Ní Aoláin, UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms while Countering Terrorism joins this episode of Vital Interests Podcast to share her views on the counterterrorism missteps from the past, today's challenges, and best strategies for the future. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.

    Peter Beinart on Biden’s foreign Policy Challenges

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2020 31:23


    Journalist Peter Beinart joins this episode of Vital Interests Podcast to discuss China, multilateralism, a One-State solution for Israel – and more. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.

    Rebroadcast: Seamus Hughes' Homegrown: ISIS in America

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2020 60:21


    Seamus Hughes joined host Karen J. Greenberg on November 19th to discuss his new book: Homegrown: ISIS in America. The full webinar can be watched on our website at CenterOnNationalSecurity.org/events. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.

    Steve Blank on Expecting the Unexpected: Silicon Valley and 21st Century Warfare

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2020 35:07


    Tech entrepreneur and early leader of the Lean Startup movement Steve Blank joins this episode of the Vital Interests Podcast to discuss his Stanford University course, Hacking for Defense, and how the lessons learned from successful startups in Silicon Valley should be applied to 21st century warfare and weapons manufacturing. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.

    Rebroadcast: John Brennan's "Undaunted" with Samantha Power

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2020 60:55


    Host Karen J. Greenberg welcomed John Brennan and Samantha Power on October 15th to discuss Brennan's new book Undaunted: My Fight Against America's Enemies, At Home and Abroad. The full event can be watched on our website at CenterOnNationalSecurity.org/events. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.

    Edwin Frank on Literature, the Pandemic, and our World

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2020 29:12


    Edwin Frank, the editorial director for the New York Review of Books, joins the podcast to discuss his long-running collection, the NYRB Classics Series. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.

    Webinar Rebroadcast: Echoes from the Past: Do the post WWII Japanese War Crimes Tribunals have lessons for Guantanamo? with Michel Paradis and Carol Rosenberg 

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2020 66:03


    Host Karen J. Greenberg welcomed journalist Carol Rosenberg and attorney Michel Paradis at CNS on October 1st for a conversation based on Paradis’ new book Last Mission to Tokyo: The Extraordinary Story of the Doolittle Raiders and Their Final Fight for Justice. The full webinar can be watched on our website at CenterOnNationalSecurity.org/events. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.

    Senator Russell Feingold on the 25th Amendment, Court Packing, and the State of US Democracy

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2020 32:08


    In this episode of Vital Interest Podcast, Former Democratic Senator Russell Feingold unpacks the historic challenges threatening America’s democratic system and offers four Constitutional amendments to fix “some of the glitches that exist. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.

    Webinar Rebroadcast: Chris Whipple's The Spymasters: How the CIA Directors Shape History and the Future

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2020 61:59


    Chis Whipple joined host Karen J. Greenberg on September 29th to discuss his new book: The Spymasters: How the CIA Directors Shape History and the Future. The full webinar can be watched on our website at CenterOnNationalSecurity.org/events. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.

    Richard Clarke on DHS, Governance, and the 2020 Presidential Election

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 13, 2020 38:41


    The former National Security official joins this episode of Vital Interests Podcast to discuss his time in government, the need for reforms at the Department of Homeland Security, and what’s at stake in the upcoming US presidential election. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.

    Webinar Rebroadcast: Ali Soufan's Declassified "The Black Banners"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2020 70:31


    Ali Soufan joined host Karen J. Greenberg on September 24th to discuss the new, declassified version of his book: The Black Banners (Declassified): How Torture Derailed the War on Terror after 9/11. The full webinar can be watched on our website at CenterOnNationalSecurity.org/events. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.

    Jonathan Stevenson on US Foreign Policy, Civil Unrest at Home, and Racial Inequality

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2020 26:26


    Jonathan Stevenson, senior fellow for US Defense at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, joins this episode of Vital Interests Podcast to discuss the future of the Iran Nuclear Deal, the state of the State Department under Secretary Mike Pompeo, and the Trump administration’s use of the military in responding to nation-wide protests on racial inequality and police brutality. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.

    Liam Collins on Ukraine, Syria, and the Future of Great Power Conflict

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2020 29:50


    Liam Collins, the founding director of the Modern War Institute, joins this episode of the Vital Interests Podcast to discuss proxy wars, cyber security, and the future of global conflict. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law. Dangerous Myths: How the Crisis in Ukraine Explains Future Great Power Conflict

    Robert Draper on Why We Went to War in Iraq

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2020 28:46


    Listen to Robert Draper, writer for the New York Times Magazine & National Geographic, on his new book To Start a War, How the Bush Administration Took America into Iraq. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.

    U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes on a Comprehensive Approach to Legislating in the COVID Era

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2020 26:16


    Rep. Jahana Hayes, National Teacher of the Year in 2016, joins this week’s episode of Vital Interests Podcast to discuss her continued hope in American democracy, and how the COVID-19 recovery is an opportunity for systemic and inclusive change. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.

    Counterterrorism From Al Qaeda and ISIS to White Supremacists, with the NYPD’s Rebecca Weiner, Assistant Commissioner for the Intelligence Bureau.

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2020 42:57


    A conversation with Rebecca Ulam Weiner about the evolution of terrorism, and the current challenges facing law enforcement and society at large. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.

    Tom Parker on Terrorism, Human Rights and Tomorrow’s Challenges

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2020 47:41


    Listen as Tom Parker discusses the value of understanding the conditions that give rise to terrorism and the need for a longer time frame for measuring counterterrorism strategies. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.

    Peter Bergen on National Security From Al Qaeda to COVID

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2020 42:46


    Join us as Peter Bergen discusses terrorism, the Iran Deal, the Taliban, a Biden presidency and America’s ever-changing national security landscape. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.

    Jonathan Hafetz and the Politicization of Justice, American-style

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2020 47:45


    Jonathan Hafetz talks about Adham Hassoun, Enemy Combatants and today’s Department of Justice. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.

    War Crimes, Accountability, and Healing with Michel Paradis

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2020 46:18


    Michel Paradis discusses the legacy of 9/11, war crimes, military commissions, and his new book Last Mission to Tokyo. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.

    Governor Jerry Brown on COVID, Punishment, Inequality and America's Way Forward

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2020 39:44


    Former California Governor Jerry Brown discusses what more states can do to respond to COVID, how we can honor the humanity in all of us, and ways to help parents in today's difficult times. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.

    Leadership and Hope: A view from California with Lt Gov Eleni Kounalakis

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2020 37:10


    California's Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis discusses immigration, trade policy, women in politics and her hopes for the future with host Karen Greenberg.

    Carol Rosenberg and the Forever Story of Guantanamo

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2020 60:03


    Joining host Karen Greenberg, Carol Rosenberg discusses nearly two decades of reporting on Guantanamo’s detainees, its military commissions, and its military.

    Webinar Terrorism Series: Episode 2 with Gilles Kepel

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2020 50:02


    Gilles Kepel joined host Karen J. Greenberg on May 20th to discuss his book: Away from Chaos: The Middle East and the Challenge to the West. The full webinar, part of our terrorism series, can be watched on our website at CenterOnNationalSecurity.org/events.

    Webinar Terrorism Series: Episode 1 with Thomas Hegghammer

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2020 35:45


    Thomas Hegghammer joined host Karen J. Greenberg on May 6th to discuss his book: The Caravan: Abdallah Azzam and the Rise of Global Jihad. The full webinar, part of our terrorism series, can be watched on our website at CenterOnNationalSecurity.org/events.

    John Brennan on the Arab Spring, 21st Century Democracies, and the Coming Election

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2020 48:44


    Former CIA Director and Presidential Advisor talks to host Karen Greenberg about the global landscape, protecting the upcoming elections and his hopes for the future.

    The Presidency, the Media, and the Dangers of Cynicism with David Rohde

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2020 38:20


    David Rohde discusses his new book In Deep: The FBI, the CIA, and the Truth about America's "Deep State."

    Edward Snowden, the Surveillance State and the Future of Privacy - with Bart Gellman 

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2020 43:47


    Bart Gellman discusses his new book “Dark Mirror: Edward Snowden and the American Surveillance State”

    Jameel Jaffer on Freedom of Speech, National Security, and the Perils of Silencing Former Officials

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2020 38:53


    Jameel Jaffer, Inaugural Director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, joins host Karen Greenberg to discuss national security, FOIA litigation, and the dangers facing freedom of speech today.

    Andrea Mitchell on Challenges Facing Today's Journalists

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2020 39:00


    Andrea Mitchell, Host of MSNBC 'Andrea Mitchell Reports', talks about the challenges, past and present, of reporting on the White House, about women in journalism, and about the many pressures facing today's journalists.

    Peter Singer on his novel Burn-In: A Novel of the Real Robotic Revolution

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2020 51:12


    Peter Singer, Strategist and Senior Fellow at New America, joins host Karen Greenberg to discuss his latest book and the practical and philosophical implications of Artificial Intelligence.

    David Ignatius on his spy novel The Paladin, with Richard A. Clarke 

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2020 53:11


    Karen J. Greenberg is joined by David Ignatius, prize-winning columnist for The Washington Post, and Richard A. Clarke, CEO of Good Harbor Security Risk Management and former National Security Official, to discuss Ignatius's latest spy novel The Paladin.

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