Standing committee of the United States House of Representatives responsible for funding and oversight of the Department of Defense (DOD) and the United States armed forces, as well as substantial portions of the Department of Energy.
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While government spending may be precarious in the U.S. at the moment, that doesn't mean defense companies can't look elsewhere to provide their services. Other countries are entrusting the defense industry more and more. Here to discuss where those firms are finding the most demand, we welcome Daniel Sennott, former Republican staff director for the House Armed Services Committee and now co-leader of Holland & Knight's National Security and Defense Industry Group, where he is also a partner.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Brandon Tseng is the President and Cofounder of Shield AI, a defense technology company he established in 2015 with his brother Ryan Tseng, specializing in AI-powered autonomous systems for military applications, including the V-BAT drone deployed in operations like those in Ukraine. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a BS in Mechanical Engineering and Harvard Business School with an MBA, Tseng served seven years in the U.S. Navy as a SEAL and Surface Warfare Officer, with deployments including Afghanistan in 2015, where he witnessed the need for AI in warfare. Under his leadership, Shield AI has raised over $1 billion, achieved a multi-billion-dollar valuation, expanded globally, and focused on ethical AI for national security. Named to TIME's 100 Most Influential People in AI for 2025, Tseng has testified before the U.S. House Armed Services Committee on technology innovation and serves on the Board of Directors for the C4 Foundation, supporting Navy SEAL families. He advocates for public-private partnerships in defense, advancing AI to protect warfighters, and securing U.S. leadership in autonomous systems amid global competition. Shawn Ryan Show Sponsors: Join the Waitlist - https://theglacierapp.com/waitlist https://americanfinancing.net/srs NMLS 182334, nmlsconsumeraccess.org. APR for rates in the 5s start at 6.327% for well qualified borrowers. Call 866-781-8900, for details about credit costs and terms. https://betterhelp.com/srs This episode is sponsored. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/srs and get on your way to being your best self. https://calderalab.com/srs Use code SRS for 20% off your first order. https://shawnlikesgold.com https://helixsleep.com/srs https://ketone.com/srs Visit https://ketone.com/srs for 30% OFF your subscription order. https://patriotmobile.com/srs https://ROKA.com – USE CODE SRS https://simplisafe.com/srs https://tractorsupply.com/hometownheroes https://ziprecruiter.com/srs Brandon Tseng Links: X - https://x.com/brandontseng2 X - https://x.com/shieldaitech Shield AI - https://shield.ai TIME 100 AI Profile - https://time.com/collections/time100-ai-2025/7305863/brandon-tseng Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dr. Mehmet Oz, administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, joins Meet the Press NOW to talk about the Affordable Care Act and says President Trump has a plan to replace it. Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee, reacts to the canceled meeting between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Budapest. NBC News Senior Homeland Security Correspondent Julia Ainsley reports on new ICE agent recruits who were placed into the agency's training program without full vetting. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
On this episode of Reaganism, Roger Zakheim sits down with Congressman Adam Smith, the senior Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, about his recent trip to China. The discussion centered on the importance of dialogue between the US and China, despite the complex geopolitical tensions and differing perceptions each country holds about the other. Congressman Smith emphasized the need for open communication to address issues such as Taiwan, China's military buildup, and US-China economic relations, advocating for a coexistence strategy rather than a confrontational approach. He shared insights from his meetings with Chinese officials, noting a shift towards more civil discourse and a recognition of mutual interests, while also highlighting the challenges posed by China's historical grievances and global ambitions.
The other day, President Trump announced that he has bombed yet another boat allegedly carrying drugs in the Caribbean sea. He has now struck six boats, with 27 people dead, and the bombings have been widely denounced as illegal. Now, in a strange turn of events, The New York Times reports that the head of the military's southern command, Alvin Holsey, is stepping down amid unclear circumstances. Did his resignation have anything to do with these bombings? Congressman Adam Smith of Washington State, the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, thinks the answer is likely Yes. Smith talks to us about what he's personally heard about the resignation and why it's plausible that Holsey was removed over potential opposition to the bombings. He illuminates just how appallingly lacking in transparency the administration has been about the strikes, and vows that his committee will seek Holsey's testimony about his departure, which could be very revealing indeed. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The other day, President Trump announced that he has bombed yet another boat allegedly carrying drugs in the Caribbean sea. He has now struck six boats, with 27 people dead, and the bombings have been widely denounced as illegal. Now, in a strange turn of events, The New York Times reports that the head of the military's southern command, Alvin Holsey, is stepping down amid unclear circumstances. Did his resignation have anything to do with these bombings? Congressman Adam Smith of Washington State, the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, thinks the answer is likely Yes. Smith talks to us about what he's personally heard about the resignation and why it's plausible that Holsey was removed over potential opposition to the bombings. He illuminates just how appallingly lacking in transparency the administration has been about the strikes, and vows that his committee will seek Holsey's testimony about his departure, which could be very revealing indeed. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The other day, President Trump announced that he has bombed yet another boat allegedly carrying drugs in the Caribbean sea. He has now struck six boats, with 27 people dead, and the bombings have been widely denounced as illegal. Now, in a strange turn of events, The New York Times reports that the head of the military's southern command, Alvin Holsey, is stepping down amid unclear circumstances. Did his resignation have anything to do with these bombings? Congressman Adam Smith of Washington State, the ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, thinks the answer is likely Yes. Smith talks to us about what he's personally heard about the resignation and why it's plausible that Holsey was removed over potential opposition to the bombings. He illuminates just how appallingly lacking in transparency the administration has been about the strikes, and vows that his committee will seek Holsey's testimony about his departure, which could be very revealing indeed. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Representative Adam Smith, the ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee, joins host David Rothkopf to discuss recent important developments in the Middle East, the president's "ridiculous" Quantico speech to military leaders, the future of US national security, and how to get Americans to come together to stop the push toward authoritarianism in the U.S. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Representative Adam Smith, the ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee, joins host David Rothkopf to discuss recent important developments in the Middle East, the president's "ridiculous" Quantico speech to military leaders, the future of US national security, and how to get Americans to come together to stop the push toward authoritarianism in the U.S. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this inaugural episode from the Highland Institute for the Advancement of Humanity, co-hosted with GovDiscovery AI, hosts Kubs Lalchandani and Mike Shanley are joined by Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17) for a powerful conversation on the future of America's economy, technology, and global leadership. Drawing on his experience representing Silicon Valley and serving on the House Armed Services Committee, Congressman Khanna outlines his vision for “New Economic Patriotism” - a plan to rebuild American industry, expand opportunity, and restore faith in democracy. Co-Hosts: Kubs Lalchandani (Highland Institute) & Mike Shanley (GovDiscovery AI) Guest: Congressman Ro Khanna, Representative for California's 17th District Special Feature: Leadership coach Maria Brinck, CPCC, ACC joins the conversation on the values of courage and humility in leadership. Her upcoming book, The Leadership We Need, releases October 7th — now available for pre-order at zynergyinternational.com. ABOUT: Congressman Ro Khanna represents California's 17th Congressional District, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, and is serving his fifth term. Rep. Khanna serves on the House Armed Services Committee as ranking member of the Subcommittee on Cyber, Innovative Technologies and Information Systems (CITI), a member of the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, and on the Oversight and Accountability Committee, where he previously chaired the Environmental Subcommittee. As a leading progressive in the House, Rep, Khanna is working to restore American manufacturing and technology leadership, improve the lives of working people, and advance U.S. leadership on climate, human rights, and diplomacy around the world.
The relationship between China and the United States is one of the most consequential bilateral dynamics in the world, making it imperative for both sides to maintain open lines of communication.中美关系是全球最重要的双边关系之一,因此双方保持开放的沟通渠道至关重要。Multidimensional, in-depth, and high-level engagements can help both countries manage their differences and expand mutually beneficial cooperation, benefiting not only themselves but also the wider world.多维度、深层次、高水平的交往有助于两国管控分歧、扩大互利合作,这不仅造福中美两国,也惠及更广泛的世界。It is therefore a welcome development that despite the tensions that have flared up between them, there has been a renewed momentum of high-level dialogue between the two countries in areas such as trade, diplomacy and defense recently. This communication is crucial for deepening understanding, managing differences, expanding cooperation, and enhancing mutual interests.因此,尽管中美之间不时出现紧张局势,但近期两国在贸易、外交、国防等领域重燃高层对话势头,这一进展值得欢迎。此类沟通对于深化理解、管控分歧、扩大合作、增进共同利益具有关键意义。It also helps create a positive atmosphere for their trade negotiations.这也为两国贸易谈判营造了积极氛围。That a group of US lawmakers are visiting China — a rare occurrence for members of the US Congress — has therefore attracted significant attention.一群美国议员访华(这对美国国会议员而言较为罕见),因此引发了广泛关注。Led by Representative Adam Smith, a Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, this visit, which began Sunday, marks the first by members of the US House of Representatives to China since 2019.此次访问于周日启动,由美国众议院军事委员会民主党议员亚当·史密斯带队,是2019年以来美国众议院议员首次访华。Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi described the visit as an "ice-breaking journey" after his meeting with the US delegation on Tuesday, noting that the delegation represents the voices of both US political parties and reflects the American people's expectations for China-US relations.中国外交部长王毅周二在会见美国代表团后,将此次访问称为“破冰之旅”,并指出该代表团代表了美国两党的声音,也反映了美国人民对中美关系的期待。By directly engaging with senior Chinese officials — the delegation has also met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Chairman of the National People's Congress Standing Committee Zhao Leji, Vice-Premier He Lifeng and Defense Minister Dong Jun — the visiting US lawmakers can hopefully help promote extended communication between Washington and Beijing, which is essential for mitigating misunderstandings and fostering mutual respect and cooperation.通过与中国高层官员直接交流(代表团还会见了中国国务院总理李强、全国人大常委会委员长赵乐际、国务院副总理何立峰及国防部长董军),来访的美国议员有望推动美中之间的深入沟通,而这种沟通对于减少误解、促进相互尊重与合作至关重要。Notably, the visit follows the recent telephone talks between President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump, which set the tone and direction for the relations between the two countries. Following up on this irreplaceable heads-of-state diplomacy is essential to keeping China-US relations stabilized.值得注意的是,此次访问是在习近平主席与美国总统唐纳德·特朗普近期通话之后进行的,两国元首通话为中美关系定下了基调、指明了方向。落实这一不可替代的元首外交成果,是维护中美关系稳定的关键。A key objective of the US congressional delegation's visit is to strengthen military communication, a goal supported by both sides.美国国会代表团此次访华的一个重要目标是加强军事沟通,这一目标得到了双方支持。Defense Minister Dong said, as two major countries with global influence, China and the US should uphold the bottom line of no conflict and no confrontation. In particular, he called for correcting strategic cognition in military strategy to prevent misunderstandings and miscalculations, thereby avoiding serious challenges to bilateral ties and global stability.董军部长表示,中美作为具有全球影响力的两个大国,应坚守不冲突、不对抗的底线。他特别呼吁在军事战略层面纠正战略认知,防止误解误判,进而避免给双边关系和全球稳定带来严重挑战。Tensions in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait have increased in recent years, primarily due to the efforts of the US and its allies to contain China. The Pentagon should recognize that the Chinese People's Liberation Army, while resolved to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, seeks stable and positive military ties. Dong urged the US lawmakers to "eliminate interfering and restrictive factors and adopt constructive and pragmatic measures" to improve military-to-military relations and bilateral ties.近年来,南海和台海局势紧张升级,这主要是由于美国及其盟友推行遏制中国的举措所致。美国国防部应认识到,中国人民解放军在坚决维护国家主权、安全和发展利益的同时,致力于推动稳定、积极的军事关系。董军部长敦促美国议员“消除干扰限制因素,采取建设性、务实举措”,以改善两军关系和双边关系。For bilateral ties to proceed smoothly, there must be a consensus that China and the US are partners, not rivals or enemies. The two nations are fully capable of helping each other succeed and prosper together for their own good and for the world.中美关系要顺利发展,必须达成一个共识:中美是伙伴,而非对手或敌人。为了两国自身利益和世界福祉,中美完全有能力相互成就、共同繁荣。During his meeting with the House of Representatives delegation, Foreign Minister Wang expressed the hope that the visit will help the US side understand China accurately.在会见众议院代表团时,王毅外长表示,希望此次访问能帮助美方准确了解中国。He rightly urged the US to view China objectively, approach differences rationally, engage in friendly interactions, and actively explore new areas of cooperation so as to realize sustainable China-US relations that are stable and sound.他合理敦促美方客观看待中国,理性处理分歧,开展友好互动,积极探索新的合作领域,推动中美关系实现稳定、健康、可持续发展。Doing so would be conducive to enabling the two countries to achieve mutual success and shared prosperity. For that, the US needs to work hand in hand with China in the same direction so as to achieve win-win outcomes. They should make joint efforts with mutual respect to empower each other to achieve success, becoming partners for common development.此举将有助于中美两国实现相互成就、共同繁荣。为此,美方需与中方相向而行、携手合作,以实现共赢。双方应在相互尊重基础上共同努力,相互赋能成就彼此,成为共同发展的伙伴。US congressional delegation (led by Adam Smith)n.美国国会代表团(由亚当·史密斯带队) /ˌjuː ˈes kənˈɡreʃənl ˌdelɪˈɡeɪʃn (led baɪ ˈædəm smɪθ)/China-US military communicationn.中美军事沟通/ˌtʃaɪnə ˌjuː ˈes ˈmɪlətri kəˌmjuːnɪˈkeɪʃn/
In this episode of Building the Base, Hondo Geurts and Lauren Bedula sit down with Jamie Jones Miller, CEO of Northeastern University's Arlington campus and Interim Director of the Kostas Research Institute. Drawing from her journey from Capitol Hill legislative work on the House Armed Services Committee to the Pentagon's Office of Legislative Affairs, and now leading national security research in academia, Miller discusses the critical need for "unicorn talent" that bridges policy, technology, and leadership. She explains why universities must align with defense priorities, the importance of matching talent pipelines to technology strategies, and how academia can serve as a vital connector in the national security ecosystem.Five key takeaways from today's episode:Employers want "unicorn talent" who can seamlessly operate across policy, technology, and leadership domains, with Miller noting they "want the people who can figure out how to look into the future and see what's coming."Policy, technology, and security are now inseparable, as Miller reflects that these domains "can't stand on its own anymore" and require integrated approaches to education and problem-solving.Academia must align with defense priorities, with Miller asking "what is the next critical technologies list at DOD gonna look like?" to ensure universities invest where "the investments are going to be made."Talent strategy must match technology strategy, as Miller challenges organizations: "Do you have a talent pipeline plan? How many engineers do you need to hire in the next 12 to 18 months?"Start with real problems, not solutions, emphasizing the need to ask "what are your pain points?" and build trust through delivery rather than rushing to help without understanding actual needs.
Newt talks with Congressman Pat Harrigan about his work in the U.S. House representing North Carolina’s tenth district. Harrigan discusses his journey from West Point to Afghanistan to serving in the United States House of Representatives. He shares insights into his first nine months in Congress, highlighting his unexpected influence as a freshman and his work on the House Armed Services Committee. He reflects on the impact of the Afghanistan troop withdrawal on his decision to enter politics. Harrigan criticizes the Biden administration's handling of international affairs, particularly the withdrawal from Afghanistan and its implications for global security. He emphasizes the importance of veteran representation in Congress and the need for fair trade practices to revitalize American manufacturing. Harrigan also discusses his efforts to support small businesses, and his legislative initiatives like the SkyFoundry Act to enhance U.S. drone production. He addresses national security concerns related to Chinese influence and advocates for the use of artificial intelligence to streamline military processes. Their conversation concludes with Harrigan warning against the dangers of political rhetoric and violence, urging a return to civil discourse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Follow us on X: @derrickvanorden @americasrt1776 @ileaderssummit @NatashaSrdoc @JoelAnandUSA @supertalk Join America's Roundtable (https://americasrt.com/) radio co-hosts Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy with Congressman Derrick Van Orden who proudly represents the people of Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2022. He is the Chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Economic Opportunity Subcommittee. He also serves on the House Agriculture Committee and House Armed Services Committee. The conversation focuses on: * Congressman Van Orden's authored VA Home Loan Program Reform Act, which allows veterans who have fallen behind on their mortgages to receive federal assistance. * The impact of The One Big Beautiful Bill Act | No tax on tips, no tax on social security, and key benefits for the middle class and small business owners. * Congressman Van Orden's Bill to Restore Integrity in Agriculture Immigrant Workforce System, and preventing labor shortages. During his time in office, Derrick has focused on providing for farmers, veterans, and service members, and has been a staunch advocate for fiscal responsibility and accountability in Washington. Derrick's journey of public service started when he joined the Navy at the age of 18. He had the honor to serve our great nation for 26 years. He retired as a Navy SEAL Senior Chief with 5 combat deployments and several others to troubled areas in the world. His first combat deployment was to Bosnia Herzegovina immediately following the signing of the Dayton Accords. During this time, he came to understand how truly unique and wonderful America is, and why She is not only worth emulating but protecting. Derrick continued his service with multiple combat tours to Afghanistan and Iraq. Additionally, he served in the Horn of Africa, Asia, Europe, and South and Central America. During his tour in Europe in 2012, he was responsible for planning Special Operations contingency operations for the European Continent. Follow us on X: @derrickvanorden @americasrt1776 @ileaderssummit @NatashaSrdoc @JoelAnandUSA @supertalk America's Roundtable is co-hosted by Natasha Srdoc and Joel Anand Samy, co-founders of International Leaders Summit and the Jerusalem Leaders Summit. America's Roundtable (https://americasrt.com/) radio program focuses on America's economy, healthcare reform, rule of law, security and trade, and its strategic partnership with rule of law nations around the world. The radio program features high-ranking US administration officials, cabinet members, members of Congress, state government officials, distinguished diplomats, business and media leaders and influential thinkers from around the world. Tune into America's Roundtable Radio program from Washington, DC via live streaming on Saturday mornings via 68 radio stations at 7:30 A.M. (ET) on Lanser Broadcasting Corporation covering the Michigan and the Midwest market, and at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk Mississippi — SuperTalk.FM reaching listeners in every county within the State of Mississippi, and neighboring states in the South including Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee. Tune into WTON in Central Virginia on Sunday mornings at 6:00 A.M. (ET). Listen to America's Roundtable on digital platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Google and other key online platforms. Listen live, Saturdays at 7:30 A.M. (CT) on SuperTalk | https://www.supertalk.fm
Mikie Sherrill has represented New Jersey's 11th Congressional district since 2019 and serves on the House Armed Services Committee. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1994, she spent almost 10 years on active duty in the Navy as a Sea King Helicopter pilot, leading missions throughout Europe and the Middle East, and as a Russian policy officer aiding in the implementation of our nuclear treaty obligations. She's a former federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney's Office in New Jersey and is now running for governor. The Congresswoman and I discus her campaign for governor, and her thoughts on Trump's exploitation of the military and his weaponizing of the Justice Department Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel
On today's Look Ahead program, sponsored by HII, Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss Washington's trade deals with Japan and the European Union that would see an increase of baseline tariffs increase to 15 percent; President Trump's assertion that European nations would buy “hundreds of billions of dollars in US defense products;” analysis of US and European second quarter 2025 earnings; takeaways from House Armed Services Committee's acquisition reform hearing; some thoughts on drones, counter drone and affordable strike as well as AI; upcoming analytical projects; and a look at the week ahead.
In this episode of Building the Base, Hondo Geurts and Lauren Bedula sit down with Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10), who brings a rare combination of Special Forces experience, defense entrepreneurship, and fresh congressional perspective to America's national security challenges. Drawing from his service in 3rd Special Forces Group, his journey building a weapons and munitions manufacturing company, and his current role on the House Armed Services Committee, Congressman Harrigan discusses the urgent need to revolutionize America's defense industrial base. He shares his candid assessment of government as "a terrible customer," explains his groundbreaking Sky Foundry initiative to build America's first million-drone manufacturing capability, and warns that the nature of warfare has fundamentally changed from the Global War on Terror era. The conversation explores why America must shift from producing "high cost problems to our enemies' low cost solutions" to creating affordable, scalable technologies that can match the pace of modern conflict.Five key takeaways from today's episode:Personal inspiration drives public service, as Rep. Harrigan reveals how his grandfather's vivid memories of D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge, details he could recite perfectly even with dementia, showed him "what a formative part of his life he made a huge difference for the trajectory of the world," inspiring his own call to serve when he witnessed leadership failures during Afghanistan's fall.The nature of warfare has fundamentally changed, Congressman Harrigan explains, comparing the shift from the Global War on Terror to today's drone-dominated battlefield as the difference between "basketball and baseball" with 80% of casualties in Ukraine now caused by small, inexpensive FPV drones rather than traditional weapons systems.America currently sits at "effectively zero" drone manufacturing capability while being wholly dependent on Chinese supply chains, Rep. Harrigan warns, as adversaries like Russia and Ukraine produce millions of drones annually at costs dramatically lower than America's $20,000-30,000 per unit.The Sky Foundry initiative represents a revolutionary approach to defense manufacturing, combining government-owned facilities with private contractor intellectual property through a royalty-based system that incentivizes innovation while maintaining competition and driving costs down to $500 per drone.Success requires unwavering persistence, Rep. Harrigan emphasizes, sharing his philosophy of "never give up, never give in" when fighting for his daughters Reagan and McKinley's future, because "there is no substitute for victory" and breakthrough solutions will eventually succeed if you believe in them and keep working regardless of initial resistance.
What needs to happen to improve government acquisition processes so we can go faster to defend and protect our nation and our allies? There are “pockets of innovation” that could be scaled, but how is that balanced with risk? Join CSPS senior policy analyst Andrew Berglund as he talks to former Assistant Secretary of Defense and former staffer on the House Armed Services Committee, Stephen Kitay, now Senior Vice President for Space Defense at True Anomaly. This episode is part of the Going Faster Series that discusses various facets of speed, agility, innovation, and rapid deployment in national security, civil, and commercial space. The Space Policy Show is produced by The Aerospace Corporation's Center for Space Policy and Strategy. It is a virtual series covering a broad set of topics that span across the space enterprise. CSPS brings together experts from within Aerospace, the government, academia, business, nonprofits, and the national labs. The show and their podcasts are an opportunity to learn about and to stay engaged with the larger space policy community. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to watch all episodes!
A lot of the heavy lifting for the 2026 defense authorization bill wrapped up in the House last week. That Chamber's Armed Services Committee finished its annual marathon markup session with a 55-2 vote that sent the bill to the House floor. And there were at least a couple of surprises from the Republican controlled committee areas where the bill contradicts some significant Trump administration priorities as we continue our coverage of this year's NDAA process, Federal News Network's Jared Serbu has details on that aspect of the legislation.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
On this week's Defense & Aerospace Report Washington Roundtable, Dr. Patrick Cronin of the Hudson Institute think tank, Michael Herson of American Defense International, former Pentagon Europe chief Jim Townsend of the Center for a New American Security, former Pentagon comptroller Dr. Dov Zakheim of the Center for Strategic and International Studies join Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss Senate Republicans' move to rescind $9 billion in approved funding for foreign aid and public broadcasting; the House Armed Services Committee's NDAA markup as the Senate Armed Services Committee filed their version of the bill; President Trump's decision to sell arms to NATO members that would pass the weapons to Ukraine and 50-day deadline to make a peace deal otherwise Moscow would face stiff primary and secondary sanctions; the meeting between British Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz; France's new national security strategy; the de-escalating US-China trade war as a possible summit looms; Japan's Defense White Paper ahead of important Upper House election Sunday; China-Australia trade ties as war games and defense pressures mount; Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu's eroding coalition; Israel's strikes on Syria to prompt the country's interim leader to protect the country's Druze minority; and the rising death toll in Gaza rises as a Hamas deal remains elusive.
The House Armed Services Committee tackles its fiscal 2026 NDAA, with hundreds of amendments proposed. As the House readies to take up a Defense spending bill, three House Appropriations subcommittees mark up other fiscal 2026 bills. The Senate could vote today on a procedural motion related to the rescissions package.
Notwithstanding regular headlines and firm conventional wisdom, the MAGA Movement is not and never has been an isolationist faction of the Republican Party. Neither the American people nor self-identified MAGA Republicans are fundamentally isolationist, and in fact score higher than non-MAGA Republicans on support for U.S. intervention abroad. The numbers don't lie: this year's Reagan Foundation Summer Poll found the MAGA coalition strongly support Trump's decision to strike Iran's nuclear facilities. Why are these results counterintuitive? And how has a tiny isolationist faction of self-appointed MAGA spokespeople drummed up so much noise? Roger Zakheim serves as the Washington Director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute. Before joining, he was General Counsel and Deputy Staff Director of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee. In this role, Mr. Zakheim managed the passage of the annual National Defense Authorization Act, the defense policy bill which authorizes the Defense Department's budget. Mr. Zakheim's government experience also includes serving as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense where he supported the department's policies and programs related to Iraq and Afghanistan coalition affairs.Read the transcript here
After a few years respite on Capitol Hill, it's time again for defense acquisition reform, and this time around, reform might not be strong enough a word the backers, the leaders of the House Armed Services Committee, say they're aiming for wholesale replacement of the DoD acquisition system. The goal is mainly speed, but also a more empowered acquisition workforce, a willingness to fail fast, and a more diversified defense industrial base. Details now from Federal News Network's Jared Serbu.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Ryan Zinke is a fifth generation Montanan who serves as Representative for Montana's First Congressional District covering 16 counties in western Montana including the cities of Bozeman, Butte, Missoula, Kalispell. First elected to Congress in 2014, and serving as U.S. Secretary of the Interior between noncontiguous terms, Zinke has built a track record of accomplishments in energy, conservation, tribal and military issues. Now in his third term, Zinke is a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, focusing his legislative agenda on restoring accountability to federal spending, restoring American energy dominance, and bolstering national security at our borders and beyond. Ryan began public service in 1985 when he joined the U.S. Navy and graduated from Officer Candidate School. He was recruited to join the U.S. Navy SEALs where he went on dozens of deployments targeting terrorist cells in Asia, war criminals in Bosnia, and combatting the rise of radical Islamic terrorists in the middle east. During his military career he held a number of leadership positions including as Ground Forces and Task Force commander at SEAL Teams SIX oversaw the U.S. Navy SEAL BUD/S training after 9/11, and was Deputy/Acting Commander of Joint Special Forces during the Iraq war. In 2006 he was awarded the Bronze Star for his service. Commander Zinke retired from active duty in 2008 after serving for 23 years. Following his military service, Ryan was elected to the Montana State Senate and was twice elected as Montana's sole member of the U.S. House of Representatives. During his first two terms as Congressman, Zinke served on the House Armed Services Committee and Natural Resources Committee. As a leading member of the Natural Resources Committee, Ryan challenged the Obama Administration on their policies that locked Montanans out of public lands and introduced legislation to strengthen public access and conservation. In December 2016, Congressman Zinke was nominated to be the United States Secretary of the Interior by President Donald J. Trump and later confirmed by a bipartisan vote in the Senate.
When Cybercom was created in 2006, its commander was dual-hatted as the commander of the National Security Agency. The expectation then was that the two organizations would eventually be separated. But in a world of increasing cyber threats, some argue that the current situation works just fine. Here to make that case is the Chairman of the Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation (CITI) subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee, Congressman Don Bacon.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this weekend's episode, three segments from this past week's Washington Journal. First, Congressman Adam Smith – top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee - discusses U.S. military action against Iran – and what comes next. Then - a discussion about the history and evolution of the War Powers Act Philip Wallach from the American Enterprise Institute. Plus, it was a stunning win for Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani in this week's Democratic primary for New York City Mayor. We speak with Spectrum News New York One (NY1) political director Bob Hardt about what happened. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran just hours after Iran attacked the largest US military base in the middle east. Hawaii Rep. Jill Tokuda, who sits on the House Armed Services Committee in Washington D.C. says all members of Congress have yet to be briefed by the White House. Plus, we now know the identifies of the two women who were killed in a deadly head-on crash on Oahu's North Shore last week.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Join us for a conversation with Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE). As a Member of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Bacon chairs the subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation, while also serving on the Tactical Air and Land Forces and the Strategic Forces subcommittees. Rep. Bacon is a retired Air Force brigadier general who served 29 years in assignments including Director of ISR Strategy, Plans, Doctrine and Force Development; command of 55th Wing and the 435th Air Base Wing; Chief of Special Operations and Intelligence Information, Multi-National Force, Iraq; and Commander, 55th Electronic Combat Group. This will be an incredibly informative conversation focusing on defense through a Congressional lens.
On today's program: Pat Harrigan, U.S. Representative for North Carolina's 10th District, Green Beret, and member of the House Armed Services Committee, offers insight into the U.S. destruction of Iran's nuclear program and President Trump's regime
Sahar Aziz speaks with Josh Paul about the law, politics, and policies surrounding the United States decades long military aid to Israel and specifically how such aid makes the U.S. complicit in Israel's genocidal campaign in Gaza since October 2023. Josh Paul resigned from the State Department due to his disagreement with the Biden Administration's decision to rush lethal military assistance to Israel in the context of its war on Gaza. He had previously spent over 11 years working as a Director in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, which is responsible for U.S. defense diplomacy, security assistance, and arms transfers. He previously worked on security sector reform in both Iraq and the West Bank, with additional roles in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Army Staff, and as a Military Legislative Assistant for a Member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee. he is a recipient of the 2023 Callaway Award for Civic Courage and 2024 MedGlobal Award for Courage. Currently, Josh Paul serves as the co-founder of a New Policy, an organization dedicated to transforming American foreign policy toward Israel/Palestine to reflect American values and foundational principles of liberty, equality, democracy, and human rights.At the time of the conversation in late May 2025, Israel's bombings and targeted assassinations in Gaza of doctors, journalists, and professors had killed over 65,000 Palestinians including more than 18,000 children and injured over 150,000 Palestinians. Israel's military has destroyed every university. Its military fully destroyed more than 70% of hospitals, and partially destroyed the remaining 30 percent, resulting in an unknown number of Palestinians dying from otherwise treatable diseases and injuries. For 11 months in the spring of 2025, Israel banned the entry of all humanitarian aid and food into Gaza as part of an intentional mass starvation campaign that has caused unprecedented severe malnutrition for tens of thousands of Palestinian children.The devastation that Israel has wreaked upon the 2.3 million Palestinians trapped in Gaza – as collective punishment for Hamas' militant attacks and war crimes on October 7, 2023 – so extensive that even supporters of Israel are acknowledging the genocidal nature of Isreal's military campaign. Such violence inflicted upon a helpless civilian population would not have been possible without $20 billion in military aid from the United States of America since October 2023 – all funded by American taxpayers.Listen to the conversation about the policies and practice of U.S. arms exports to Israel that has become a permanent stain on U.S. foreign policy and undermined the rule of law internationally.#Israel #Genocide #Gaza #Palestine #JoshPaul #MilitaryAidSupport the showSupport the Center for Security, Race and Rights by following us and making a donation: Donate: https://give.rutgersfoundation.org/csrr-support/20046.html Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rucsrr Follow us on Instagram: https://instagram.com/rutgerscsrr Follow us on Threads: https://threads.com/rutgerscsrr Follow us on Facebook: https://facebook.com/rucsrr Follow us on TikTok: https://tiktok.com/rucsrr Subscribe to our Newsletter: https://csrr.rutgers.edu/newsroom/sign-up-for-newsletter/
Hosts Ray Powell and Jim Carouso interview Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE), a retired Air Force Brigadier General with 29 years of military service. Rep. Bacon serves on the House Armed Services Committee and brings unique insights from both military leadership and congressional oversight.Congressman Bacon is concerned that America is spending just 2.9% of GDP on defense—the lowest level since 1940, before Pearl Harbor. He argues for increasing defense spending to 4% of GDP, approximately $150 billion more annually, to address critical modernization needs including nuclear triad upgrades, fifth and sixth-generation fighters, attack submarines, and improved military quality of life.The discussion highlights America's innovation deficit, particularly in drone technology and electronic warfare, where Ukrainian forces have outpaced U.S. capabilities. Bacon emphasizes how Ukraine's recent destruction of 41 Russian strategic bombers using $5,000 drones demonstrates the power of cost-effective innovation over expensive legacy systems.Bacon addresses growing tensions within the Republican Party between traditional alliance supporters and isolationist factions, drawing parallels to 1930s isolationism. He warns that current diplomatic approaches risk alienating key allies, citing business challenges with Canada and European partners. The congressman advocates for maintaining America's role as "leader of the free world" while acknowledging the need for burden-sharing.With China potentially spending $700 billion on defense (despite claiming $170 billion), Bacon emphasizes the urgency of military modernization focused on long-range precision weapons, air and missile defense, and drone swarm technology. He stresses that deterring China requires immediate weapons deliveries to Taiwan, noting billions in delayed military aid.Two years of continuing resolutions have hampered military readiness and prevented new program starts. Bacon explains the bipartisan nature of the Armed Services Committee while criticizing broader congressional dysfunction that prioritizes partisan politics over national security.Bacon highlights critical nuclear deterrent gaps, including 50-year-old Minuteman III ICBMs that cannot be extended, aging B-2 bombers with outdated stealth technology, and Ohio-class submarines reaching end-of-life. With Strategic Air Command (SAC) Headquarters located at Offutt Air Force Base in his district, he argues these systems are essential for countering both China and Russia.Despite being a deficit hawk concerned about the $36 trillion national debt, Bacon argues that defense spending increases are necessary while addressing mandatory spending on Social Security and Medicare, which comprises 73% of federal spending.This episode provides essential insights into America's defense readiness challenges, alliance management complexities, and the urgent need for strategic clarity in confronting great power competition in the Indo-Pacific region.
Last night, Israel launched strikes against Iran to prevent the country from enriching uranium toward the production of nuclear weapons. Congressman Rob Wittman -- Vice Chair of the House Armed Services Committee -- joins the show straight away this AM, to discuss the breaking news.
Larry talks about the ongoing ICE protests in Los Angeles and takes your calls about Rep. Salud Carbajal's verbal tirade against Defense Sec. Pete Hegseth during a House Armed Services Committee hearing in hour 2. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the ranking member on the House Armed Services Committee, responds to President Trump's decision to send troops to Los Angeles amid ongoing protests over the administration's immigration enforcement actions. NBC News National Political Correspondent Steve Kornacki analyzes the New Jersey gubernatorial primary results, setting the stage for a contest between Republican Jack Ciattarelli and Democrat Mikie Sherrill. Francesca Chambers, Ameshia Cross and T.W. Arrighi weigh in on how the public is responding to the protests.
In this episode of NucleCast, Adam speaks with Dr. Tom Karako from the Center for Strategic and International Studies about the Golden Dome initiative, a response to increasing air and missile threats. They discuss the initiative's purpose, its funding structure, and the importance of missile defense in national security. The conversation also covers the role of space in missile defense, critiques of the Golden Dome initiative, and the need for more capacity and sensors in the defense strategy.Dr. Karako is a senior fellow with the International Security Program and the director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), where he arrived in 2014. His research focuses on national security, missile defense, nuclear deterrence, and public law. For 2010–2011, he was an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellow, working with the professional staff of the House Armed Services Committee and the Strategic Forces Subcommittee on U.S. strategic forces policy, nonproliferation, and NATO.Karako is also currently a fellow with the Institute for Politics and Strategy of Carnegie Mellon University. He received his Ph.D. from Claremont Graduate University and his B.A. from the University of Dallas.00:00 Introduction to Golden Dome and Missile Defense05:38 Understanding the Golden Dome Initiative11:32 The Role of Golden Dome in National Security16:59 Exploring Space Components of Golden Dome23:23 Critiques and Misconceptions of Golden Dome27:01 Wishes for the Future of Golden DomeSocials:Follow on Twitter at @NucleCastFollow on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nuclecastpodcastSubscribe RSS Feed: https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/Rate: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nuclecast/id1644921278Email comments and topic/guest suggestions to NucleCast@anwadeter.org
Representative Ro Khanna is a leading progressive voice in the House, representing California's 17th Congressional District, located in the heart of Silicon Valley, and is serving his fifth term. He serves as vice chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, on the House Armed Services Committee as ranking member of the Subcommittee on Cyber, Innovative Technologies and Information Systems (CITI), is a member of the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party, and on the Oversight and Accountability committee, where he previously chaired the Environmental Subcommittee. Rep. Khanna and I get into the impact of Trump's tariffs and trade wars; our broken healthcare system; DOGE's devastating federal spending cuts; the threats to our national security from SecDef Pete Hegseth and SignalGate; the Kilmar Abrego Garcia 'disappearance' case; the administration's overall attacks on the rule of law, due process, and democracy itself; and the congressman's town hall road show, where he's hitting red districts across the country to help win over disaffected Americans on both sides of the aisle in advance of the critical 2026 midterm elections. Got somethin' to say?! Email us at BackroomAndy@gmail.com Leave us a message: 845-307-7446 Twitter: @AndyOstroy Produced by Andy Ostroy, Matty Rosenberg, and Jennifer Hammoud @ Radio Free Rhiniecliff Design by Cricket Lengyel
In a powerful interview, former Congressman Curt Weldon, who recently appeared on Tucker Carlson's podcast, comes clean about what actually happened on 9/11. After twenty years in congress, Curt Weldon was set chairman of the House Armed Services Committee when he publicly questioned the accuracy of the 9-11 report. In retaliation, his opponent was mysteriously funded with foreign money, and Rep Weldon's political career ended. He and Alex discuss the military industrial complex, the emotional audio of firefighters, and Curt's work supporting firefighters. Today's Sponsors: PureHealth Get your health on track with PureHealth Research, offering 45 premium supplements for everything from boosting energy to supporting healthy blood sugar. All formulas are crafted with natural, non-GMO ingredients and backed by clinical research. Visit https://PureHealthResearch.com and use code ALEX for an exclusive 35% discount on your order, plus a 365-day money-back guarantee! Watch "Prime Time with Alex Stein" LIVE Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 6pm CT/7pm ET: https://www.youtube.com/@PrimeTimeAlexStein WINNING Conservatives are gaining ground, and BlazeTV is at the forefront of the movement, providing a platform for bold voices and fearless commentary. With investigative journalism and original documentaries, BlazeTV offers content the mainstream media won't show you. Subscribe now at https://BlazeTV.com/ALEX using code PRIME TIME 99 to get your first 30 days for just 99 cents and join the fight for free speech and independent thought! Nicole Shanahan BlazeTV is thrilled to welcome Nicole Shanahan and her new show, Back to the People! Nicole, a Silicon Valley attorney and advocate, brings her unique perspective to tackle tough issues and share untold stories with experts, activists, and everyday people. Get a sneak peek of her show on her YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/Nicole-Shanahan and stay tuned for her show debut on BlazeTV! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this week's Look Ahead Podcast, sponsored by HII, Byron Callan of the independent Washington research firm Capital Alpha Partners joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian discuss the $150 billion House Armed Services Committee's reconciliation package that will be deliberated this week that prioritizes ships, missile defense and autonomous systems; implications of tariffs across the defense industrial base; takeaways from earnings reports last week; outlook for combat aircraft programs like the B-21 Spirit bomber as well as F-35 Lightning II and the Navy's FA-XX future fighters; takeaways from the joint event by the Washington International Trade Association and the Asia Society; and a look at the week ahead.
The Pentagon is roiling over yet another Signal group chat. No, not that one with the Trump Administration national security team that accidentally included an editor at the Atlantic. This is… another Signal group chat scandal. The New York Times reports that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth shared operational details for a March 15th U.S. strike on the Houthis in Yemen with a group of 13 people. They allegedly included his personal lawyer, brother, and wife. This comes while Hegseth’s team is dealing with staffing turmoil: Three staffers were recently fired over allegations they leaked to the press. Another former senior staffer wrote in Politico that there is a “full-blown meltdown at the Pentagon.” GUEST: Adam Smith represents Washington’s 9th congressional district. It includes parts of Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Kent and Federal Way. He’s also the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee. RELATED LINKS: Hegseth Said to Have Shared Attack Details in Second Signal Chat Pete Hegseth Faces Heat After New Signal Chat Emerges and Claim of Pentagon ‘Chaos’ Former Top Pentagon Spokesperson Details ‘Month From Hell’ Inside the Agency The White House is looking to replace Pete Hegseth as defense secretary - NPR Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Tucker Carlson Show: Read the notes at at podcastnotes.org. Don't forget to subscribe for free to our newsletter, the top 10 ideas of the week, every Monday --------- After twenty years in congress, Curt Weldon was about to become chairman of the House Armed Services Committee when he publicly questioned the accuracy of the 9-11 report. In retaliation, the Bush administration sent federal agents to his daughter's house and ended his political career. At 77, Weldon has decided to tell the truth about what actually happened on September 11, 2001. (00:00) Introduction (02:33) Why Did They Oust Weldon? (07:12) Could the CIA Have Prevented 9/11? (16:00) How the FBI Tried to Intimidate Weldon (19:23) Did the CIA Lie About Osama bin Laden's Location? (34:27) Trump's Biggest Challenge Right Now (36:09) How the Deep State Undermined Weldon's Political Career (54:31) The 9/11 Commission Was a Scam Paid partnerships with: Masa Chips: Get 25% off with code TUCKER at https://masachips.com/tucker iTrust Capital: Get $100 funding bonus at https://www.iTrustCapital.com/Tucker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After twenty years in congress, Curt Weldon was about to become chairman of the House Armed Services Committee when he publicly questioned the accuracy of the 9-11 report. In retaliation, the Bush administration sent federal agents to his daughter's house and ended his political career. At 77, Weldon has decided to tell the truth about what actually happened on September 11, 2001. (00:00) Introduction (02:33) Why Did They Oust Weldon? (07:12) Could the CIA Have Prevented 9/11? (16:00) How the FBI Tried to Intimidate Weldon (19:23) Did the CIA Lie About Osama bin Laden's Location? (34:27) Trump's Biggest Challenge Right Now (36:09) How the Deep State Undermined Weldon's Political Career (54:31) The 9/11 Commission Was a Scam Paid partnerships with: Masa Chips: Get 25% off with code TUCKER at https://masachips.com/tucker iTrust Capital: Get $100 funding bonus at https://www.iTrustCapital.com/Tucker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Veterans are once again dominating Congress. The start of the 119th Congress has 100 Veterans across both sides of the aisle. Veterans by and large focus on teamwork and getting results. To kick off the excitement behind the new Congress, Fran Racioppi spent a few snowy days on Capitol Hill with the members of the For Country Caucus; a bi-partisan group of House of Representative members who have each served across America's military. Representative Don Davis is an Air Force Academy graduate, a two term Congressman representing North Carolina's 1st District, and the Vice Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee, as well as a member of the Subcommittee on Readiness and the Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces. With the strength of American military power front and center, Fran asked Congressman Davis to explain just what the next battlefield may be, how ready the American military is to combat both terrorist organizations and near-peer nation states, as well as the role of Special Operations in the next conflict. They also broke down the efforts of DOGE, Elon Musk and the application of the age old military sayings “slow is smooth, smooth is fast” and “speed and violence of action” gets things done. Watch, listen or read our conversation from Congressman Davis's office. Don't miss our full coverage from Capitol Hill. Special thanks to For Country Caucus for setting up this series. HIGHLIGHTS0:00 Introduction2:05 Welcome to Capitol Hill4:02 Veterans leading Congress8:37 Expectations of Veterans in the Cabinet10:51 Joining the Air Force15:04 Joining State Politics before Federal Politics21:37 Military Readiness24:07 The Next Conflict28:28 Defining the battlefield30:43 The Terror Threat33:28 Investing in Special Operations36:01 Trump Administration actionsQUOTES“When the orders came down we didn't ask, ‘are these Democratic orders or Republican orders.' We executed the mission.”“The fundamental basis of that oath is to protect the constitution.” “What I think was most important going back to eastern North Carolina was an opportunity to really shape future leaders.”“There's these potholes people are craving to be filled.”“When there is a mission…are we capable?”“We have to make sure the innocent civilians are kept safe.”“Clearly there's a willingness to target us.”“Don't bet against America.”“At the end of the day try to make life better in communities.”The Jedburgh Podcast is brought to you by University of Health & Performance, providing our Veterans world class education and training as fitness and nutrition entrepreneurs. Follow the Jedburgh Podcast and the Green Beret Foundation on social media. Listen on your favorite podcast platform, read on our website, and watch the full video version on YouTube as we show why America must continue to lead from the front, no matter the challenge.The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are an official program of The Green Beret Foundation.The opinions presented on the The Jedburgh Podcast and the Jedburgh Media Channel are the opinions of guests and host Fran Racioppi. They do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Green Beret Foundation and the Green Beret Foundation assumes no liability for their accuracy, nor does Green Beret Foundation endorse any political candidate or any political party.
In this Future Series episode, Kris Osborn and Captain William Ostendorff discuss the critical aspects of nuclear deterrence, focusing on warhead modernization, technological advancements, and the importance of reliability in nuclear weapons. Captain Ostendorff shares insights from his extensive experience in the Navy and his roles in various nuclear security programs, emphasizing the complexities of today's geopolitical landscape and the need for a robust nuclear strategy. The discussion also highlights the role of digital engineering and advanced computing in enhancing weapon performance and reliability, as well as the integration of non-nuclear components in nuclear systems.Captain William Ostendorff served as Principal Deputy Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration from 2007 to 2009 and as a commissioner of the United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission from 2010 to 2016.Captain Ostendorff is an advisory council member for the Institute for Nuclear Power Operations, a member of the Board of Directors for Information Systems Laboratories, Chairman of the Energy Solutions Decommissioning Nuclear Safety Review Board for Three Mile Island Unit 2, Independent Manager on the Board of Global Laser Enrichment LLC and Co-Chair of the Committee of Risk of Nuclear War and Nuclear Terrorism of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.He graduated the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor of Science in systems engineering and was an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1976 until his retirement in 2002. During his naval career, he served as Commanding Officer of the USS Norfolk, Director of the Submarine Force Commanding Officer School, Commander of Submarine Squadron Six and finally Director of the U.S. Naval Academy Math and Science Division. He returned to the Naval Academy as Distinguished Visiting Professor of National Security from 2016 to 2021.As counsel for the House Armed Services Committee from 2003 to 2007, Captain Ostendorff was staff director of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, with oversight responsibilities for the Department of Energy's Atomic Energy Defense Activities and the Department of Defense's Missile Defense, Space and Intelligence Programs which totaled more than $50 billion in the annual defense authorization bill. He also worked as Director of the Committee on Science, Engineering and Public Policy and Director of the Board on Global Science and Technology from 2009 to 2010 and research staff member for Institute for Defense Analyses from 2002 to 2003.Socials:Follow on Twitter at @NucleCastFollow on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/nuclecastpodcastSubscribe RSS Feed: https://rss.com/podcasts/nuclecast-podcast/Rate: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nuclecast/id1644921278Email comments and topic/guest suggestions to NucleCast@anwadeter.org
Jim talks with John Robb about the ideas in his recent essay "Blitzing DC," about how a networked organization took over Washington. They discuss the early roots of network warfare in Iraq, McLuhan-esque societal rewiring, open source dynamics & plausible promise, the Arab Spring & Occupy movements, empathy triggers, Trump's 2016 campaign as a hybrid swarm, The_Donald as a meme amplifier, the Blue Network's counter-response, the George Floyd protests & moral framework, censorship & 'the long night', digital rights & moderation, the Ukraine conflict & swarm response, the Red Network reconfiguration, digital ledgers & truth-seeking accounts, the professionalization of Red digital warriors, network decision-making at a societal level, the government contracting corruption, defense procurement issues, the D.C. area wealth concentration, the future of network organizations, and much more. Episode Transcript Global Guerrillas (Substack) JRS EP 254 - John Robb on What Went Wrong with America "Blitzing DC," by John Robb "The Open-Source War," by John Robb (New York Times) "Musk and Moderation," by Jim Rutt (Quillette) John Robb is an author, inventor, entrepreneur, technology analyst, astro engineer, and military pilot. He's started numerous successful technology companies, including one in the financial sector that sold for $295 million and one that pioneered the software we currently see in use at Facebook and Twitter. John's insight on technology and governance has appeared on the BBC, Fox News, National Public Radio, CNBC, The Economist, the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and BusinessWeek. John served as a pilot in a tier-one counter-terrorism unit that worked alongside Delta and Seal Team 6. He wrote the book Brave New War on the future of national security, and has advised the Joint Chiefs of Staff, NSA, DoD, CIA, and the House Armed Services Committee.
In this episode of Occupied Thoughts, FMEP Fellow Ahmed Moor speaks with Josh Paul, former State Department official who resigned in October 2023 in protest against the Biden Administration's military support for Israel. They discuss Josh's decision to resign as well as how defense and foreign lobbying work in the United States. They also speak about US and European policy towards Palestine and what it will take to create shifts towards Palestinian self-determination. Josh Paul is co-founder of A New Policy, which advocates for U.S. policies toward the Middle East that advance American national interests and values. He resigned from the State Department in October, 2023 due to his disagreement with the Biden Administration's decision to rush lethal military assistance to Israel in the context of its war on Gaza. He had previously spent over 11 years working as a Director in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, which is responsible for U.S. defense diplomacy, security assistance, and arms transfers. He previously worked on security sector reform in both Iraq and the West Bank, with additional roles in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Army Staff, and as a Military Legislative Assistant for a Member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee. Josh grew up between London and New York, and holds Masters degrees from the Universities of Georgetown and St Andrews, Scotland. He is a recipient of the 2023 Callaway Award for Civic Courage and 2024 MedGlobal Award for Courage. Ahmed Moor is a Palestinian-American writer born in Gaza and a 2025 Fellow at FMEP. He is an advisory board member of the US Campaign for Palestinian rights, co-editor of After Zionism (Saqi Books) and is currently writing a book about Palestine. He also currently serves on the board of the Independence Media Foundation. His work has been published in The Guardian, The London Review of Books, The Nation, and elsewhere. He earned a BA at the University of Pennsylvania and an MPP at Harvard University. Original music by Jalal Yacquoub.
Tuesday, March 25th, 2025Today, Judge Boasberg denies Trump's motion to vacate his orders to turn the planes around in the Alien Enemies Act case; top Pentagon and intelligence officials shared Yemeni war plans with a journalist on Signal; a Ukrainian man is the third to die in ICE custody in a facility in South Florida; a federal judge in New Jersey has barred the Trump administration from taking steps to separate two decorated transgender members of the military; the Trump administration has petitioned the Supreme Court to allow mass firings of probationary federal workers; and a federal judge in Texas has blocked Texas A&M from cancelling a drag show on campus; and Allison and Dana deliver your Good News.Thank You, Naked WinesTo get 6 bottles of wine for $39.99, head to nakedwines.com/DAILYBEANS and use code DAILYBEANS for both the code and password.Thank You, Helix Sleep20% Off Sitewide when you go to HelixSleep.com/dailybeans.Stories:Ukrainian man is 3rd to die in ICE custody at Krome Detention Center |NBC 6 South FloridaWhite House inadvertently texted top-secret Yemen war plans to journalist | The GuardianTrump administration asks Supreme Court to allow mass firings of probationary workers - KYLE CHENEY | POLITICOAnother US judge issues temporary ban on Trump's removal of transgender service members | AP NewsJudge allows drag show at Texas A&M despite the university's ban | AP NewsGood Trouble:We just learned that Elon Musk is handing out $100 to anyone who signs his “i hate judges” petition in Wisconsin in an effort to try to buy the wisconsin supreme court seat for his friend Schimel. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to call or write to the Wisconsin AG and ask him if this violates any Wisconsin election law. Call him at (608) 266-1221 or use the link : Constituent Correspondence | wi.accessgov Ask him if either the $100 payment OR the use of voter data he collects violates any Wisconsin state election laws. Wisconsin Department of JusticeTrump and Musk are attempting an illegal power grab is a crisis we must stop. HandsOff2025.comShare your Good News or Good Trouble:https://www.dailybeanspod.com/good/From The Good NewsHandsOff2025.comSincerely Yours, Pauli Murray at the Kiewit Hall At Holland Performing Arts Center Schedule - April 5Stubborn Anchor Studios - Houston Area, TXAri Angeles
Tonight, a federal judge gave the Trump Administration a victory just hours after the White House railed against federal judges. CNN's Senior Justice Correspondent Evan Pérez has the breaking news. Plus, the President speaks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and says Ukraine has to make peace but does not say Ukraine will be an equal partner in deciding its own fate. Anderson discusses the new developments with Massachusetts Democratic Congressman Seth Moulton, a Marine Corps veteran and member of the House Armed Services Committee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Ralph welcomes Deepa Padmanabha, senior legal advisor to Greenpeace USA, to discuss that organization's looming trial against Energy Transfer Partners (builder of the Dakota Access Pipeline at Standing Rock) that threatens the constitutionally protected First Amendment right of citizens and citizen groups to protest. Plus, Josh Paul, former State Department employee, who resigned in protest over the Biden Administration's policy of sending weapons to support Israel's genocide in Gaza, returns to tell us about an organization he co-founded called “A New Policy,” which as the name suggests envisions an American policy toward the Middle East more in line with the “foundational principles of liberty, equality, democracy, and human rights; advancing American interests abroad; and protecting American freedoms at home.”Deepa Padmanabha is Senior Legal Advisor at Greenpeace USA, where she works closely with environmental activists seeking to exercise their First Amendment rights to promote systemic change. In September 2022, she testified before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform on Greenpeace USA's experience with legal attacks from extractive industries and the importance of federal anti-SLAPP legislation. And her work has focused on defending Greenpeace entities in the US against two SLAPP lawsuits attempting to silence the organization's advocacy work.This was not a Greenpeace campaign—and that was very intentional. And so our very limited involvement was solidarity with the Indigenous tribes, the Indigenous water protectors that were carrying this fight…Personally, I don't think that Energy Transfer likes the optics of going after Indigenous people. I think that it's much easier to go after the “Big Greens”, the “agitators”, things like that—and they probably would be dealing with a much more difficult PR campaign if they went after members of tribes.Deepa PadmanabhaBack in 2016 and 2017, when the original civil RICO cases were filed against the Greenpeace entities (all of these fights started out as RICO), many groups across issue areas were deeply concerned that this would be the new tactic used to go to attack labor, to attack human rights, to attack every kind of organization imaginable. And so what we did at that time (Greenpeace USA was a part of it as well as other groups) is we've created a coalition called Protect the Protest. Protect the Protest is a coalition of organizations to provide support for individuals who are threatened with SLAPPs, who receive cease-and-desist letters, who might want help either finding a lawyer or communication support. Because we know that the individuals bringing these lawsuits want the fights to happen in silence. So a big part of the work that needs to be done—and that we do—is to bring attention to them.Deepa PadmanabhaPast SLAPP lawsuits by corporations intended to wear down the citizen groups, cost them all kinds of legal fees. There have been SLAPP lawsuits for citizen groups just having a news conference or citizen groups being part of a town meeting. Or in the case of Oprah Winfrey, who was sued by at Texas meat company because she had a critic of the meat industry on her show that reached millions of people. That case was settled. So, this is the furthest extension of suppression of free speech by these artificial entities called corporations.Ralph NaderJosh Paul is co-founder (with Tariq Habash) of A New Policy, which seeks to transform U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East. He resigned from the State Department in October 2023 due to his disagreement with the Biden Administration's decision to rush lethal military assistance to Israel in the context of its war on Gaza. He had previously spent over 11 years working as a Director in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, which is responsible for U.S. defense diplomacy, security assistance, and arms transfers. He previously worked on security sector reform in both Iraq and the West Bank, with additional roles in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, U.S. Army Staff, and as a Military Legislative Assistant for a Member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee.I think that the time for quitting in protest over Gaza, unfortunately, in many ways, is greatly behind us. I think there will be a significant number of State Department officials who will be leaving in the coming days, weeks, and months. And this is a result of a push from the Trump administration to gut America's diplomatic corps, much as they did at the start of the previous Trump administration, but even more so this time around. What I'm hearing from former colleagues in the State Department is a sense of immense despair as they see freezes being placed on U.S. foreign assistance programs—including programs that do an immense amount of good around the world—and just a concern about the overall and impending collapse of American diplomacy.Josh PaulWe have to acknowledge the precedent set by President Biden. Not only in his unconditional support for Israel and its attacks on Gaza, its violations of international humanitarian law, but also in President Biden and Secretary Blinken's willingness to set aside U.S. laws when it came to, in particular, security assistance and arms transfers in order to continue that support. That is a precedent that I think all Americans should be concerned about regardless of their thoughts on the conflict itself.Josh PaulI would say that what we face in America is a problem set that runs much deeper than any change in administration, than any political party. There is an entrenched dynamic within American politics—an entrenched set of both political and economic incentives across our electoral system—that are maintaining U.S. unconditional support for Israel, regardless of what the American people might want.Josh PaulNews 1/31/251. Our top stories this week have to do with the betrayal of the so-called “Make America Healthy Again” or “MAHA” movement. First up, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – President Trump's nominee to lead the Department of Health of Human Services – found himself in the hot seat Wednesday as his confirmation hearings began. Kennedy, who is facing opposition both from Democrats who regard his anti-vaccine rhetoric as dangerous and Republicans who view him as too liberal, struggled to answer basic questions during these hearings. Perhaps most distressingly, he shilled for the disastrous Medicare privatization scheme known as “Medicare Advantage,” at one point saying that he himself is on a Medicare Advantage plan and that “more people would rather be on Medicare Advantage.” Kennedy went on to say most Americans would prefer to be on private insurance. As Matt Stoller of the American Economic Liberties Project writes, this is “basically Cato [Institute] style libertarianism.”2. Meanwhile, the Trump Administration is signaling they intend to scrap a proposed EPA rule to ban “forever chemicals” from Americans' drinking water, per the Spokesman-Review out of Spokane, Washington. Per this piece, “perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, abbreviated PFAS, are a set of man-made chemicals used in thousands of products over the decades. High levels of them have…been linked to cancers, heart disease, high cholesterol, thyroid disease, low birth weight and other diseases.” Shelving PFAS regulation was high on the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 wish list, though the Trump team had previously sent mixed messages on the topic. Trump's pick to oversee regulation of dangerous chemicals is Nancy Beck, a longtime executive at the American Chemistry Council.3. As if those betrayals weren't enough, Trump has also selected Ms. Kailee Buller as the Chief of Staff for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. For the past year, Buller has served as president & CEO of the National Oilseed Processors Association. More simply put, she is the top seed oil lobbyist in the nation. This is perhaps the most illustrative example of the MAHA bait and switch. Not only is the Trump administration spitting in the face of their own supporters and doing the opposite of what they promised in terms of cracking down on ultra-processed, unhealthy food – they are doing so in an openly and brazenly corrupt manner. Under Trump, regulatory agencies are on the auction block and will be sold to the highest bidder.4. In more health news, legendary investigative journalist Seymour Hersh has come out with a new story – and it's a doozy. According to Hersh's sources, the Trump administration mishandled the COVID-19 pandemic long before the public knew anything about the virus. He writes “I learned this week that a US intelligence asset at the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China, where the Covid virus was first observed…provided early warning of a laboratory accident at Wuhan that led to a series of infections that was quickly spreading and initially seemed immune to treatment.” Hersh continues “early studies dealing with how to mitigate the oncoming plague, based on information from the Chinese health ministry about the lethal new virus, were completed late in 2019 by experts from America's National Institutes of Health and other research agencies.” Yet, “Despite their warnings, a series of preventative actions were not taken until the United States was flooded with cases of the virus.” Most damningly, Hersh's sources claim that “All of these studies…have been expunged from the official internal records in Washington, including any mention of the CIA's source inside the Chinese laboratory.” If true, this would be among the most catastrophic cases of indecision – and most sweeping coverup – in modern American history. Watch this space.5. Meanwhile, in more foreign affairs news, Progressive International reports that “For the first time in history,” Members of the United States Congress have joined with Members of Mexico's Cámara de Diputados to “oppose the escalating threats of U.S. military action against Mexico” and call to “strengthen the bonds of solidarity between our peoples.” This move of course comes amid ever-rising tensions between the United States and our southern neighbor, particularly as the GOP has in recent years taken up the idea of a full-blown invasion of Mexico. This letter was signed by many prominent U.S. progressives, including Rashida Tlaib, Ilhan Omar, Summer Lee, AOC, Greg Casar and Raul Grijalva, as well as 23 Mexican deputies. One can only hope that this show of internationalism helps forestall further escalation with Mexico.6. Turning to the issue of corruption, former New Jersey Senator Robert Menendez was sentenced to 11 years in prison for his role in a bribery scheme that included him acting as an unregistered agent of the Egyptian government, per the DOJ. Until 2024, Menendez had served as the Chairman or Ranking Member of the powerful Senate Foreign Relations Committee – an ideal perch for a crooked politician. During sentencing, Menendez broke down and weepily begged the judge for leniency. Yet, almost immediately after the sentence was handed down, Menendez changed his tune and started sucking up to Trump in a transparent attempt to secure a pardon. Axios reports Menendez said “President Trump was right…This process is political, and it's corrupted to the core. I hope President Trump cleans up the cesspool and restores the integrity to the system.” Unfortunately, Trump's fragile ego makes him particularly susceptible to just this sort of appeal, so it would be no surprise if he does grant some form of clemency to the disgraced Senator.7. Likewise, New York City Mayor Eric Adams appears to feel the walls closing in with regard to his corrupt dealings with his Turkish benefactors. And just like Menendez, Adams' strategy appears to be to ingratiate himself with Trump world. On January 23rd, the New York Daily News reported that Adams had pledged to avoid publicly criticizing Trump. Adams has previously called Trump a “white supremacist.” Adams' simpering seems to having the intended effect. On January 29th, the New York Times reported “Senior Justice Department officials under President Trump have held discussions with federal prosecutors in Manhattan about the possibility of dropping their corruption case,” against Adams. This story notes that “The defense team is led by Alex Spiro, who is also the personal lawyer for Elon Musk.”8. Our final three stories this week have to do with organized labor. First, Bloomberg labor reporter Josh Eidelson reports Trump has ousted National Labor Relations Board General Counsel Jennifer Abruzzo. This alone is a tragedy; Abruzzo has been nothing short of a crusader on behalf of organized labor during her tenure. Yet, more troubling news quickly followed: Trump has unlawfully sacked Gwynne Wilcox a Democratic member of the labor board with no just cause. As Eidelson notes, the law forbids “firing board members absent neglect or malfeasance.” Wilcox was the first ever Black member of the NLRB and her unlawful removal gives Trump a working majority at the board. Expect to see a rapid slew of anti-worker decisions in the coming days.9. In some good news, independent journalist Ken Klippenstein reports that union collective bargaining agreements have successfully “thwart[ed]…Trump's return to work order.” Instead, the administration has been forced to issue a new order, stating “Supervisors should not begin discussions around the return to in-person work with bargaining unit employees until HHS fulfills its collective bargaining obligations.” In other words, even while every supposed legal guardrail, institutional norm, and political force of gravity wilts before Trump's onslaught, what is the one bulwark that still stands strong, protecting everyday working people? Their union.10. Our final story is a simple one. Jacobin labor journalist Alex Press reports that in Philadelphia, the first Whole Foods grocery store has voted to unionize. The nearly-300 workers at the store voted to affiliate with United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1176. Whole Foods was sold to Amazon in 2017 and since then the e-tail giant has vigorously staved off unionization. Could this be the first crack in the dam? Only time will tell.This has been Francesco DeSantis, with In Case You Haven't Heard. Get full access to Ralph Nader Radio Hour at www.ralphnaderradiohour.com/subscribe
Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, shares his concerns with embattled defense secretary pick Pete Hegseth. NBC News Chief Political Analyst Chuck Todd examines the ramifications of President Biden pardoning his son, Hunter. The Supreme Court hears a case on gender-affirming care for minors.
In this episode, Lisa and Congressman Cory Mills discuss pressing political issues, focusing on the upcoming November 5th election, the Biden administration's policies, and the Department of Justice's lawsuit against Virginia. Mills, a decorated army combat veteran, shares his insights on government responses to crises, including hurricanes and the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal. They also address the assassination attempt against Donald Trump and predict a tight election race, with Mills optimistic about Trump's chances. The Truth with Lisa Boothe is part of the Clay Travis & Buck Sexton Podcast Network - new episodes debut every Monday & Thursday.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.