Podcast appearances and mentions of Mark Montgomery

Six months into the US’s war with Iran, is any kind of military victory possible? Or is the Strait of Hormuz the US’s Suez? Rear admiral Mark Montgomery, Bloomberg’s Dina Esfandiary and historian Stephen Wertheim discuss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Viewpoint This Sunday with Malcolm Out Loud – Can Operation Economic Fury finish off the Iranian regime, and how long would it take? Rear Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomery analyzes the conflict - and it's one every American needs to hear. It was a bad week for the US national debt - hitting $40 trillion. Economic Strategist Christian Briggs will explain the real-world impact...

FDD's RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery is a travelin' man. He's just back from Taiwan and Ukraine.He joins host Cliff May to debrief what he saw and heard abroad—and offer his analyses. They also discuss North Korea's role in Russia's war, cyberattacks—almost certainly by Iran's rulers—on water utilities in Minnesota and Michigan, the Strait of Hormuz, the Houthis and the Bab el-Mandeb, and cognitive warfare.

Admiral Mark Montgomery: Admiral Mark Montgomery details the growing cyber and hybrid warfare cooperation within the axis of aggressors: China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. This cooperation often involves criminal actors sharing attack techniques and technology to target critical infrastructure. Montgomery warns of new generation warfare, including terrorist acts, jamming, and disinformation. He specifically points to China's Volt Typhoon program, which has installed malware in US rail, water, and energy systems. Montgomery urges an all-hands-on-deck approach to secure essential systems, as attribution for these ghost-like attacks remains difficult. (8)

Jonah Goldberg records this week's Ruminant days before his excursion to the woods (Bigfoot sighting anyone?), to discuss international law, hubris, whatever the mess is with the Iran war, and “common good” conservatism. And he answers questions from listeners.  Show Notes: —How Trump Took the U.S. to War With Iran —Aaron MacLean Remnant  —Aaron MacLean and Mark Montgomery on School of War —The Mind and the Market: Capitalism in Western Thought —Yuval Levin Remnant —The Neutrality Myth: Liberty, Order, and the Common Good —Jonah's X thread on the DSA Send your questions to remnant@thedispatch.com. The Remnant is a production of ⁠The Dispatch⁠, a digital media company covering politics, policy, and culture from a nonpartisan perspective. To access all of The Dispatch's offerings—including the Saturday Ruminant, audio versions of all our articles and newsletters, and Jonah's twice-weekly G-File—⁠click here⁠. Instructions on how to set up your members-only feed can be found here, and if you'd like to remove all ads from your podcast experience, consider becoming a premium Dispatch member ⁠by clicking here⁠.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump says the Strait of Hormuz will open soon, but is his purported deal a capitulation that would allow Iran to control a vital waterway? Kate B. Odell interviews Rear Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomery about his new book "Axis of Aggressors," and Iran's larger cooperation with China, Russia and North Korea.  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The United States faces the most complex geostrategic threat since 1945: an Axis of Aggressors — China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea — increasingly aligned across economic, cyber, technology, and military domains to diminish American power. Their most alarming tactic may be to trigger simultaneous major wars to stretch U.S. resources past the breaking point.Bradley Bowman, Elaine Dezenski, and RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery — senior leaders at FDD's Centers on AmericanPower — join Cliff May on Foreign Podicy to discuss their new book: "Axis of Aggressors: Countering the Cooperation of China, Russia, Iran & North Korea" — the result of two years of research, examining the threat and laying out a grand strategy to strengthen America, bolster its allies, and weaken this emerging axis.Learn more about Axis of Aggressors: https://www.fdd.org/analysis/axis-of-aggressors/Order the book: https://www.amazon.com/Axis-Aggressors-Countering-Cooperation-Russia/dp/1968919554/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0

The United States faces the most complex geostrategic threat since 1945: an Axis of Aggressors — China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea — increasingly aligned across economic, cyber, technology, and military domains to diminish American power. Their most alarming tactic may be to trigger simultaneous major wars to stretch U.S. resources past the breaking point.Bradley Bowman, Elaine Dezenski, and RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery — senior leaders at FDD's Centers on AmericanPower — join Cliff May on Foreign Podicy to discuss their new book: "Axis of Aggressors: Countering the Cooperation of China, Russia, Iran & North Korea" — the result of two years of research, examining the threat and laying out a grand strategy to strengthen America, bolster its allies, and weaken this emerging axis.Learn more about Axis of Aggressors: https://www.fdd.org/analysis/axis-of-aggressors/Order the book: https://www.amazon.com/Axis-Aggressors-Countering-Cooperation-Russia/dp/1968919554/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0

Tuy không có hiệp ước phòng thủ chung chính thức giống như Liên minh  Bắc Đại Tây Dương NATO, chiến tranh giữa Mỹ và Iran ở Trung Đông đang thúc đẩy bốn nước Trung Quốc, Nga, Iran và Bắc Triều Tiên hành động như một khối có liên kết chiến lược. Mối quan hệ hợp tác này có thể là một thách thức to lớn đối với Hoa Kỳ. Những năm gần đây, mỗi khi nói đến các cuộc khủng hoảng quốc tế, từ chiến tranh Ukraina đến căng thẳng ở Trung Đông, người ta thường nghe nhắc đến một nhóm quốc gia gồm Trung Quốc, Nga, Iran và Bắc Triều Tiên, mà nhiều nhà phân tích phương Tây gọi là « CRINK », được ghép từ chữ cái đầu bằng tiếng Anh của bốn quốc gia (China, Russia, Iran và North Korea). Mạnh mẽ hơn, nhóm bốn nước này còn bị chỉ định là « trục gây bất ổn », « trục chống phương Tây » hay « trục các quốc gia gây hấn ». CRINK : Một khối thống nhất như NATO ? Câu hỏi quan trọng : Liệu đây có thực sự là một khối thống nhất giống như NATO? Hay người ta đang đơn giản hóa một thực tế phức tạp hơn rất nhiều. Chủ đề vẫn gây tranh cãi trong giới quan sát, giữa một bên cho rằng Trung Quốc, Nga, Iran và Bắc Triều Tiên đang hình thành một liên minh chiến lược chặt chẽ nhằm đối đầu với Mỹ và phương Tây, và bên kia thì cho rằng « không tồn tại bất kỳ khối nào », rằng mỗi nước theo đuổi lợi ích riêng và không có sự phối hợp đáng kể. Thực tế cho thấy là cả hai cách nhìn này đều chưa hoàn toàn chính xác. Nhiều nghiên cứu gần đây cho thấy mối quan hệ hợp tác quân sự và an ninh giữa bốn nước đã gia tăng mạnh mẽ, nhất là kể từ khi Nga tiến hành « chiến dịch quân sự đặc biệt » ở Ukraina năm 2022. Các hoạt động chuyển giao vũ khí, hàng hóa lưỡng dụng, các cuộc tập trận chung và những thỏa thuận song phương xuất hiện với tuần suất cao hơn. Tuy cho đến nay bốn nước này chưa có một cấu trúc chỉ huy chung hay một cơ chế phòng thủ tập thể, nhưng theo ghi nhận của các tác giả một báo cáo đăng trên trang Trung tâm Nghiên cứu Chiến lược Quốc tế (CSIS) ngày 30/09/2025, CRINK đang tồn tại như một mạng lưới hợp tác linh hoạt hơn là một liên minh quân sự chính thức. Xung đột giữa Israel và Iran trong giai đoạn 2024-2026 là phép thử rõ nét nhất cho nhận định trên. Bắc Triều Tiên : Lợi ích quốc gia trên cả ý thức hệ, tình hữu nghị Nếu thực sự tồn tại một « khối » thống nhất như NATO, người ta có thể kỳ vọng rằng khi Iran đối mặt với áp lực quân sự, ba đối tác còn lại sẽ ngay lập tức tham gia hỗ trợ một cách mạnh mẽ. Nhưng điều đó đã không xảy ra. Và Bắc Triều Tiên là một ví dụ đáng chú ý nhất. Thái độ thận trọng của Bình Nhưỡng cho thấy lợi ích quốc gia của Bắc Triều Tiên vẫn được đặt lên trên bất kỳ tình cảm ý thức hệ nào. Trả lời phỏng vấn RFI Tiếng Việt (ngày 18/06/2026), nhà địa chính trị học Didier Chaudet, chuyên gia về Nam Á, Trung Á và Vịnh Ba Tư, nhận định : « Thời gian gần đây, Cơ quan Tình báo Quốc gia Hàn Quốc (NIS) có đưa ra một thông điệp khá rõ ràng, cho thấy Bắc Triều Tiên đã khẳng định họ không hậu thuẫn Iran trong suốt cuộc chiến, vì muốn duy trì mối quan hệ tốt với chính quyền Trump trong tương lai. Bình Nhưỡng không muốn là mục tiêu sau khi chiến tranh Iran kết thúc. » Nga và Iran : Mối quan hệ đối tác chặt chẽ Tuy nhiên, Nga lại có một cách hành xử khác. Iran không chỉ là một đối tác mà còn là một mắt xích quan trọng trong mạng lưới giúp Matxcơva đối phó với các biện pháp cô lập của phương Tây. Trong chiến tranh Ukraina, Iran đã cung cấp cho Nga một lượng lớn drone Shahed và nhiều loại khí tài khác, đổi lại, Matxcơva đã mở rộng hợp tác quân sự, chia sẻ công nghệ và ký kết các thỏa thuận chiến lược, hỗ trợ Teheran trong nhiều lĩnh vực quốc phòng. Về điểm này, chuyên gia địa chính trị Didier Chaudet cho biết thêm rằng « một lượng lớn vũ khí đã được vận chuyển từ các cảng của Nga tại vùng biển Caspi đến Iran. Tất nhiên, đây là cách Nga lách các lệnh trừng phạt của phương Tây đối với Iran, một phần để đáp trả những lời chỉ trích về việc thiếu hỗ trợ trong năm 2025 khi căng thẳng giữa Israel và Iran tăng cao. Thật vậy, đối với Nga, nếu Iran sụp đổ, có nguy cơ thực sự họ sẽ là nạn nhân tiếp theo, khiến liên minh phương Tây trở nên quyết liệt hơn đối với Nga trong tương lai. » Đây cũng là quan điểm của nhà nghiên cứu Andrea Kendall - Taylor, giám đốc Chương trình An ninh Xuyên Đại Tây Dương, Trung tâm An ninh Hoa Kỳ Mới (CNAS), khi trả lời trang RFE/RL (24/07/2026). Theo bà, việc Iran sụp đổ có nguy cơ tạo ra bất ổn sâu rộng tại Trung Đông, đồng thời làm suy yếu một trong những đối tác quan trọng nhất của Nga. Thế nên, việc duy trì sự tồn tại và ổn định của Iran phù hợp với lợi ích chiến lược của Matxcơva. Trung Đông ổn định là lợi ích của Bắc Kinh Trong khi đó, Bắc Kinh lại chọn một cách tiếp cận khác thận trọng hơn. Trung Quốc tránh can dự quân sự trực tiếp, nhưng duy trì các mối quan hệ sâu rộng với Iran. Trả lời RFI Tiếng Việt, nhà địa chính trị học Didier Chaudet phân tích : « Ai cũng biết rằng Trung Quốc mua dầu của Iran, vì điều này nằm trong lợi ích của họ. Tương tự, trong khoảng thời gian 2025-2026 (…) rõ ràng đã có các hoạt động buôn bán những loại sản phẩm không thuộc diện trừng phạt do Mỹ và các đồng minh áp đặt, những sản phẩm không nằm trong phạm vi pháp luật, nhưng lại giúp tái thiết đặc biệt là khả năng tên lửa tầm trung của Iran. » Bắc Kinh không nhất thiết hành động vì mục tiêu bảo vệ Iran vô điều kiện. Lợi ích của Trung Quốc nằm ở một Trung Đông ổn định, đủ để bảo đảm các tuyến năng lượng và thương mại, đồng thời tránh sụp đổ nhà nước dẫn tới chiến tranh kéo dài. Một Iran hỗn loạn hoặc rơi vào nội chiến sẽ gây bất ổn cho toàn bộ khu vực và tác động đến kinh tế toàn cầu, điều mà Trung Quốc cũng như là châu Âu hoàn toàn không mong muốn, theo giải thích của nhà nghiên cứu Didier Chaudet. Lệnh trừng phạt của phương Tây : Mẫu số chung của CRINK Nhưng khi quan sát CRINK, người ta phát hiện ra một nghịch lý thú vị: Bốn nước này tuy không phối hợp ở mức độ cao như một liên minh quân sự thực sự, nhưng họ vẫn liên tục hỗ trợ lẫn nhau. Vậy điều gì đang gắn kết họ với nhau ? Đó là các lệnh trừng phạt của Mỹ và phương Tây. « Nhìn từ Trung Quốc, một nước như Hoa Kỳ có thể áp đặt luật lệ của mình ra ngoài lãnh thổ nhắm mục tiêu các công ty cùng nhiều thực thể của Trung Quốc, nhất là trong hồ sơ Iran, là điều càng ngày càng không thể chấp nhận trên phương diện luật quốc tế », theo đánh giá của chuyên gia Chaudet. Trong hoàn cảnh này, việc tăng cường hợp tác với nhau giữa bốn nước là một lựa chọn hợp lý. Nhà phân tích Andrea Kendall - Taylor gọi đây là một mạng lưới linh hoạt, vừa chia sẻ nguồn lực, vừa giúp nhau giảm tác động các biện pháp trừng phạt. Một trong những tác động quan trọng nhất của mạng lưới là giúp tăng cường năng lực của từng thành viên, đồng thời làm suy giảm hiệu quả các công cụ gây sức ép từ phương Tây. Ví dụ điển hình nhất là Bắc Triều Tiên. Trong nhiều năm, hình ảnh phổ biến về quốc gia này là một nền kinh tế trì trệ và cô lập, nhưng tình hình đã được cải thiện đáng kể trong hai năm gần đây. Theo giải thích của chuyên gia Didier Chaudet, « bởi vì Triều Tiên đang được hưởng lợi từ việc họ có thể hợp tác với Nga và kiếm tiền từ Nga dưới danh nghĩa hỗ trợ mà họ dành cho Nga trong cuộc chiến ở Ukraina. Bởi vì Trung Quốc, đối mặt với áp lực quốc tế từ những lãnh đạo cũng nhắm mục tiêu vào các thực thể Trung Quốc, đã quyết định nới lỏng các quy định thương mại giữa Trung Quốc và Bắc Triều Tiên. » CRINK : Một mạng lưới linh hoạt Điều này giải thích vì sao, bất chấp các lệnh cấm vận kéo dài, nền kinh tế Bắc Triều Tiên vẫn cho thấy có những dấu hiệu cải thiện tương đối. Từ góc độ quan hệ quốc tế, đây không còn là câu chuyện về tình hữu nghị hay ý thức hệ, mà là vấn đề lợi ích. Nga cần đạn dược và nhân lực. Bắc Triều Tiên cần tiền và công nghệ. Iran cần thị trường xuất khẩu dầu mỏ và đối tác quân sự. Trung Quốc cần các đối tác sẵn sàng cùng mình chống lại những gì Bắc Kinh coi là một sự áp đặt ngoài lãnh thổ của luật pháp và trừng phạt từ Mỹ. Mỗi bên đều có thứ mình muốn và mỗi bên đều có thứ để trao đổi. CRINK không phải là một phiên bản NATO đối lập, không phải là một liên minh có bộ chỉ huy chung. Không có nghĩa vụ phòng thủ tập thể giữa bốn nước và cũng không phải lúc nào các thành viên cũng sẵn sàng bảo vệ nhau bằng sức mạnh quân sự. Do vậy, cuộc xung đột Mỹ - Iran đã bộc lộ các giới hạn của nhóm. Nhưng cũng sẽ sai lầm nếu cho rằng cả bốn nước này không hoàn toàn liên kết với nhau. Mạng lưới hợp tác này ngày càng được thắt chặt và được thúc đẩy bởi các lợi ích chiến lược, nhu cầu chống chịu các lệnh trừng phạt, cũng như là mong muốn xây dựng một trật tự quốc tế mà họ cho là ít bị chi phối hơn từ sức mạnh của Mỹ và phương Tây. Bài toán nhiều mặt trận : Mối họa lớn nhất cho Mỹ Dù không phải là một khối thống nhất, đó cũng không hẳn là những quốc gia hành động riêng lẻ. Chính vùng xám này giữa hai cách hiểu là điều khiến giới phân tích ở Mỹ đặc biệt lo lắng. Trong một tập sách mới do tổ chức Foundation for Defense of Democraties vừa phát hành, tựa đề « Trục các quốc gia gây hấn : Đối phó với sự hợp tác giữa Trung Quốc, Nga, Iran và Bắc Triều Tiên », các tác giả cảnh báo rằng cách thức mà bốn chế độ chuyên chế này hỗ trợ nhau trong các lĩnh vực quân sự, kinh tế, không gian mạng và công nghệ có nguy cơ đặt Hoa Kỳ trước nhiều thách thức lớn. Trả lời kênh Fox News Digital ngày 29/07/2026, Mark Montgomery, cựu đô đốc Hải quân Mỹ, đã vẽ ra một kịch bản tồi tệ nhất là ông cho là mối nguy hiểm lớn nhất : « bài toán nhiều mặt trận đồng thời ». Hoa Kỳ sẽ phải ứng phó ra sao nếu trong cùng một lúc xảy ra đối đầu giữa Trung Quốc và Đài Loan, Bắc Triều Tiên có thể gây áp lực với Hàn Quốc hoặc tiến hành các cuộc tấn công hạn chế nhằm kìm chân lực lượng Mỹ, và một cuộc xung đột giữa Nga và các quốc gia Baltic thành viên NATO, kèm theo đó là các hoạt động khủng bố hoặc hành động thù nghịch từ Iran ? Mark Montgomery kết luận : Hoa Kỳ nên xem nhóm bốn nước này là một « mối đe dọa thống nhất, đe dọa tổng hợp » mà họ phải đối đầu trong « mọi khu vực khủng hoảng » !

Michael is joined by Rear Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, Senior Director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), who just concluded his seventh trip to Ukraine since the full-scale invasion. Mark delivers an operational update on his work training Ukrainian brigade commanders and assesses the strategic political reshuffle in Kyiv. He compares President Volodymyr Zelensky to a wartime Winston Churchill—brilliant yet fallible—and evaluates the new military leadership under Gen. Mykhailo Drapatyi. Finally, Mark draws on his naval expertise to argue why the U.S. Navy must commit to physical escort operations through the Strait of Hormuz to permanently break Iran's economic grip.

Recorded on location in Kyiv, Rear Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomery joins Suzanne Kelly for a timely State Secrets conversation on how Ukraine is reshaping the future of warfare. Editor's Note: We caught up with Rear Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomery in Kyiv just as President Zelensky announced the firing of former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, prompting a wave of protests. Since this interview was recorded, additional developments - including changes in Ukraine's military leadership - have overtaken parts of that discussion. The strategic insights on Ukraine's battlefield innovation, however, remain as relevant as ever. From Ukraine's increasingly effective long-range drone campaign against Russia's military infrastructure to the growing strain on Kyiv's air defenses, Montgomery explains why this war is becoming the world's most important laboratory for military innovation. He also shares firsthand observations from his latest trip to Ukraine - including conversations with commanders on the front lines - and discusses what the U.S., NATO, and Taiwan should be learning before the next major conflict.

Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, returns to School of War to analyze the latest military developments across the world. Why has the Iran war entered such a dangerous and uncertain phase? What role will the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea play in its next stage? And what do Iran and Ukraine reveal about the changing shape of global conflict? 02:22 - Why the Iran War Suddenly Paused 04:44 - An Uneasy Ceasefire and Dueling Blockades 05:35 - The Challenge of Escorting Ships Through Hormuz 07:19 - Why America's Convoy Strategy Isn't Working 09:15 - The Navy's Readiness Dilemma 09:59 - Blockade vs. Convoy 12:08 - Why the U.S. Must Take More Risk at Sea 14:10 - America's Munitions Problem 15:05 - The Weapons Shortages Shaping the War 16:29 - America's Drone Defense Gap 21:11 - The Electronic Warfare Deficit 23:13 - The Red Sea and the Houthi Threat 26:15 - How Iran and Ukraine Are Connected 30:37 - Russia's Options for Escalation 35:04 - Is a Long Blockade Better Than Escalation? This episode of School of War is brought to you by Maven Smart System, the builder platform for the American warfighter, fielded across the force and live on the frontline today. Learn more at palantir.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery,  senior director of FDD's Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI), fills in for Jonathan Schanzer, providing timely situational updates and analysis ahead of a conversation with Celeste Wallander, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs of the United States.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

As NATO members head to Ankara, the Alliance is under strain — clashing over defense spending levels, the Russo-Ukrainian and US-Iran wars, and the shrinking U.S. military footprint in Europe. Trump comes to the table with real leverage, but both Europe and America have real grievances, and the outcome may hinge on which one drives his approach.On this episode of Foreign Podicy, guest host RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, senior director of FDD's Center on Cyber and Innovation Technology, is joined by John Hardie, deputy director of FDD's Russia Program; Peter Doran, FDD senior adjunct fellow; and Cameron McMillan, senior research analyst at FDDs Center on Military and Political Power. Together, they assess what's at stake in Ankara and whether Trump can secure strong wins from allies or risks mismanaging the moment.

As NATO members head to Ankara, the Alliance is under strain — clashing over defense spending levels, the Russo-Ukrainian and US-Iran wars, and the shrinking U.S. military footprint in Europe. Trump comes to the table with real leverage, but both Europe and America have real grievances, and the outcome may hinge on which one drives his approach.On this episode of Foreign Podicy, guest host RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, senior director of FDD's Center on Cyber and Innovation Technology, is joined by John Hardie, deputy director of FDD's Russia Program; Peter Doran, FDD senior adjunct fellow; and Cameron McMillan, senior research analyst at FDDs Center on Military and Political Power. Together, they assess what's at stake in Ankara and whether Trump can secure strong wins from allies or risks mismanaging the moment.

On today's Technology Report program, Dr. Jim Lewis of the Center for European Policy Analysis and retired US Navy Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and a Cyberspace Solarium Commission senior adviser join Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss the implications of Senate Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Sen Mark Warner's claim that Gen Josh Rudd, the director of the National Security Agency, told him that Anthropic's Mythos AI model was able to breach “almost all' classified systems in hours; how the administration should prepare a new era of cyber and data vulnerability in the wake of the debut of ever more powerful AI models; how soon before another model debuts that's more powerful than Anthropic's; gauging America's lead over China's AI capabilities; whether spending more is the only way to develop breakthrough AI products; and why AI isn't just a financial bubble waiting to burst.

A memorandum of understanding with Iran isn't peace – it's a fragile ceasefire with a regime whose ideology traces back to 1,400 years of jihad. While Tehran projects strength and defiance, U.S. negotiators face an impossible choice: lock in a deal that leaves the most dangerous issues unresolved or hold the line and risk escalation.On this episode of Foreign Podicy, FDD military experts RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery and Bradley Bowman join host Cliff May to break down why the 60-day negotiation window with Iran isn't just a diplomatic deadline; it's a crux in the global conflict between free nations and their sworn enemies.

A memorandum of understanding with Iran isn't peace – it's a fragile ceasefire with a regime whose ideology traces back to 1,400 years of jihad. While Tehran projects strength and defiance, U.S. negotiators face an impossible choice: lock in a deal that leaves the most dangerous issues unresolved or hold the line and risk escalation.On this episode of Foreign Podicy, FDD military experts RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery and Bradley Bowman join host Cliff May to break down why the 60-day negotiation window with Iran isn't just a diplomatic deadline; it's a crux in the global conflict between free nations and their sworn enemies.

On today's Strategy Series program, sponsored by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Mark Montgomery of the Defense of Democracies and a Cyberspace Solarium Commission senior adviser joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss the first ever rescue of two US Army aviators shot down in the Strait of Hormuz by an unmanned surface vehicle and whether the US military is ready for the tactical, operational and strategic implications of an increasingly AI-enabled force; the impact of AI on how military members think and work; the right balance for the government in encouraging and enabling AI adopting while protecting against vulnerabilities it could cause; how the government needs to structure vetting of AI models; ensuring US access to the chips that are vital to the burgeoning AI ecosystem; the Trump administration's approach to Taiwan and how to improve interoperability with the island democracy; and the changing dynamics of Russia's war on Ukraine.

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer hosts a special SITREP featuring FDD experts Lt. Col. (Ret.) Jonathan Conricus, RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, and Behnam Ben Taleblu.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief

Taiwan makes 90% of the world's most advanced semiconductors — and China wants to take it without breaking it - using economic coercion if they can. If Beijing succeeds, the global tech economy becomes weaponized.FDD CCTI Senior Director and Senior Fellow RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery and Stanford Hoover Institution Fellow Eyck Freymann break down the military, economic, and diplomatic strategies the U.S. and its allies must deploy right now to deter China — and what happens if they fail.

Taiwan makes 90% of the world's most advanced semiconductors — and China wants to take it without breaking it - using economic coercion if they can. If Beijing succeeds, the global tech economy becomes weaponized.FDD CCTI Senior Director and Senior Fellow RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery and Stanford Hoover Institution Fellow Eyck Freymann break down the military, economic, and diplomatic strategies the U.S. and its allies must deploy right now to deter China — and what happens if they fail.

On this episode of Reaganism, Reagan Institute Director Roger Zakeheim sits down with Mark Montgomery to discuss the geopolitical tensions surrounding Operation Epic Fury and the U.S. blockade outside the Strait of Hormuz. They explore the implications of economic warfare between the U.S. and Iran, highlighting the strategic and economic disparities between the two nations. Mark provides insights into the military and economic strategies at play, emphasizing the importance of resilience and the potential for future military actions. The dialogue also touches on broader geopolitical dynamics, including U.S. relations with allies and adversaries, and the strategic importance of maintaining strong alliances. The conversation concludes with reflections on historical military strategies and their relevance to current global challenges.

The Strait of Hormuz isn't just about Iran. It's a stress test for American will, allied confidence, and the deterrence architecture holding the Indo-Pacific together.FDD's RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, fresh from a trip to Taiwan, and Craig Singleton, FDD China Program Senior Director, join Cliff May to connect the dots — from the naval blockade's economic pressure to the lessons Beijing and Taipei are both drawing, in real time, from the Iran war.

The Strait of Hormuz isn't just about Iran. It's a stress test for American will, allied confidence, and the deterrence architecture holding the Indo-Pacific together.FDD's RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, fresh from a trip to Taiwan, and Craig Singleton, FDD China Program Senior Director, join Cliff May to connect the dots — from the naval blockade's economic pressure to the lessons Beijing and Taipei are both drawing, in real time, from the Iran war.

Michael Centrella is the Head of Public Policy at SecurityScorecard. In this episode, he joins host Scott Schober and Mark Montgomery, Senior Director and Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, to discuss the visibility gap in U.S. cyber defense. SecurityScorecard's mission is to make the world a safer place by transforming the way organizations understand, mitigate, and communicate cybersecurity risk to their boards, employees, and vendors. Learn more about our sponsor at https://securityscorecard.com

The war between America and Iran was intended to be swift and decisive, or so we were told. Almost two months since America and Israel first attacked the Islamic Republic of Iran, a peaceful resolution - either through negotiation or defeat - remains elusive. Compounding the tension is the weaponization of the Strait of Hormuz in recent weeks; a small channel of water connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and open seas. Unfettered access through the Strait of Hormuz for all merchant ships and vessels is and should be the norm, but Iran has decided that it alone can and must control this international waterway. By doing so, they choke the movement of oil and natural gas supplies, threatening and constraining economic activity everywhere.And America says: “No.” You cannot do this. Not on our watch.As with all things geopolitical - especially in the Middle East - it's complicated. To help us understand the issues I speak at length in this podcast with (Retired) U.S. Admiral Mark Montgomery, a man who has served extensively at the highest level in the Middle East and around the world. It's a fascinating discussion.Show your support for STLV at buymeacoffee.com/stateoftelavivPodcast NotesRear Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomery serves as senior director of FDD's Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI) and as an FDD senior fellow. Mark served for more than three decades in the U.S. Navy, held senior leadership roles in Congress, and is a recognized expert on cyber and technology policy.At CCTI, Mark leads efforts to advance U.S. national and economic security through technology innovation, counter cyber threats against the United States and its allies, and combat adversary cyber-enabled economic warfare (CEEW) campaigns. He also directs CSC 2.0, an initiative focused on implementing the recommendations of the congressionally mandated Cyberspace Solarium Commission, where he previously served as executive director. Additionally, Mark co-leads FDD's Air and Missile Defense Program.Prior to joining FDD, Mark was policy director for the Senate Armed Services Committee under Sen. John S. McCain, where he coordinated efforts on national security strategy, force posture, capabilities, and cyber policy. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.stateoftelaviv.com/subscribe

On today's Technology Report program, Dr. Jim Lewis of the Center for European Policy Analysis and Mark Montgomery of the Defense of Democracies and a Cyberspace Solarium Commission senior adviser join Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss Iran's cyber operations against the United States; how personnel and budget cuts to the government cyber workforce and a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security make it harder to defend against attack; how Iranian capabilities compare to those of Russia and China, and why they don't collaborate; how Anthropic's Mythos and Palantir's Maven are changing US military operations; the US government's push to blacklist Anthropic and President Trump's pro-Palantir tweet; what to expect from the administration's upcoming cyber budget request; what it will take to implement the president's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz; and whether high operational tempo and depleting weapons stocks will undermine US deterrence in the Indo-Pacific.

Miami Herald investigative reporter Julie K. Brown talks about what's next in the unfinished release of Justice Department files about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, now that Pam Bondi has been forced out as attorney general. Then, Ret. Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery says, "We're not going to get regime change; we need a change in how the regime acts." He talks about Iran's persistent military capabilities, the dramatic rescue of a downed U.S. weapons systems officer and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's firing of U.S. Army chief of staff Gen. Randy George. And, Jessie Diggins is America's most accomplished cross-country skier. She discusses her career, retirement, and her struggles with an eating disorder.See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Michael speaks with Rear Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, following his recent trip to Ukraine. Admiral Montgomery explores the warfare strategies currently defining the conflict, as well as the evolving "gray zone" tactics Russia is employing against the Baltics. He also identifies critical weak spots in the Russian military machine, from logistical vulnerabilities to strategic anxieties, and provides a sobering assessment of the "ground situation" in Ukraine. Finally, Admiral Montgomery explains why the war could realistically continue for another three years and what the US must do to maintain the defense of its allies in the face of persistent Russian aggression.  

Message from Mark Montgomery on March 29, 2026

Fresh off the frontlines, FDD's Mark Montgomery recently returned from Ukraine and other hotspots abroad. He joins host Cliff May for an in-studio debrief on what he saw and what comes next. Also joining the conversation: FDD Action's Daniel Vaynshteyn, former Legislative Director in the U.S. House of Representatives and liaison to the U.S. Helsinki Commission.

Fresh off the frontlines, FDD's Mark Montgomery recently returned from Ukraine and other hotspots abroad. He joins host Cliff May for an in-studio debrief on what he saw and what comes next. Also joining the conversation: FDD Action's Daniel Vaynshteyn, former Legislative Director in the U.S. House of Representatives and liaison to the U.S. Helsinki Commission.

In this special episode, Michael zeroes in on the potential for a collapse in global energy security amid the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. First, he speaks with Clay Seigle, a senior energy security fellow at CSIS, about the economic impact of the dangerous choke point at the Straits of Hormuz, where a paralyzed trade is threatening to send global oil prices soaring. Clay also analyzes the strategic implications of U.S. strikes on military infrastructure at Iran's key oil depot on Kharg Island. Then, Rear Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), breaks down the high-stakes naval mechanics of reopening the Straits and why the U.S. must reset Iran's nuclear and ballistic capabilities by "five or seven years" to ensure long-term regional stability.

FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer hosts a special FDD Morning Brief SITREP featuring FDD experts RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery and Jonathan Hessen.They examine the tactical picture in Iran, the threat to the Strait of Hormuz, and what states could become key players in the conflict.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/

On today's Technology Report program, Dr. Jim Lewis of the Center for European Policy Analysis and Mark Montgomery of the Defense of Democracies and a Cyberspace Solarium Commission senior adviser join Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to analyze the Trump administration's new National Cyber Strategy; whether strategy weighted toward offensive operations will succeed; how the administration will execute an interagency approach to cybersecurity when cyber capabilities across government and law enforcement have been gutted; the implications of issuing a strategy that doesn't name Russia and China that are America's leading cyber threats; whether commercial cyber firms can fill the gap in diminished government cyber capacity; takeaways from the Pentagon's feud with Anthropic; and an update on CMMC.

Mark Montgomery, senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at FDD and retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, joins the show to provide in-depth analysis of the Iran conflict. Mark gives his thoughts on naval operations in the Strait of Hormuz, including their strategic implications for the progress of the war. He also discusses drone warfare, missile defense, and the broader geopolitical context. Mark also explains how Ukraine and Russia are playing growing parts in the war. ▪️ Times 02:30 A constant menace 07:34 Radar and THAAD      11:06 Hormuz 20:26 Real deterrence  31:36 Russian targeting  38:38 Conservation of resources   46:03 Life at sea Follow along on Instagram, X @schoolofwarpod, and YouTube @SchoolofWarPodcast Find more content on our School of War Substack

As the U.S. and Israel hit Iranian targets from the air, some Iranian Kurdish groups are reportedly discussing whether to launch an incursion from Iraq, potentially opening a new front in the conflict. Al-Monitor correspondent Amberin Zaman discusses the conversations happening behind the scenes. Then, retired Adm. Mark Montgomery supports the war but has concerns the Trump administration hasn't planned for what comes next. He tells us why. And, former Iranian news editor and Tehran resident Ali Safari talks about what the mood is in Iran's capital city during U.S. and Israeli bombardment. Last year, Safari told us bombings by the U.S. made some Iranians rally around the government.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Michael joins Rear Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomery of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies to discuss the U.S.-Israel combined attacks on Iran. RADM Montgomery, an expert in U.S. national security, explores the potential for Iranian regime change, regional security impacts, and Iran's strategic vulnerabilities. He also breaks down the massive air power currently assembled in the region and the likelihood of an expanded Iranian retaliation campaign.

Welcome to the CavasShips Podcast with Christopher P. Cavas and Chris Servello…a weekly podcast looking at naval and maritime events and issues of the day – in the US, across the seas and around the world. This week…retired Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery joins us from Kyiv to talk Golden Fleet, Readiness, potential conflict with Iran and maritime lessons learned from Russia-Ukriane. Please send us feedback by DM'ing @CavasShips or @CSSProvision or you can email chriscavas@gmail.com or cservello@defaeroreport.com.

HEADLINE 1: More countries are planning to contribute troops to the International Stabilization Force in Gaza.HEADLINE 2: The Lebanese government provided an update on disarming Hezbollah.HEADLINE 3: Qatar is taking some heat right now from an unlikely place: the Israeli left.--FDD Executive Director Jon Schanzer provides timely situational updates and analysis, followed by a conversation with Andrew Tabler of The Washington Institute.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief--Featured FDD Pieces:"Allies, Adversaries, and the Axis" - Bradley Bowman and LTG (Ret.) H.R. McMaster, Foreign Podicy"Did Iran Use Chemical Weapons on Protesters?" - Andrea Stricker (writing with Gregory D. Koblentz), The National Interest"Trump could be missing the opportunity to rebuild the Navy efficiently and quickly" - RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, New York Post

HEADLINE 1: Turkish forces aren't leaving Syria anytime soon.HEADLINE 2: Israel indicted two more individuals for allegedly spying on behalf of Iran. HEADLINE 3: Indonesia is planning to participate in the International Stabilization Force in Gaza.--FDD Executive Director Jonathan Schanzer provides timely updates and in-depth analysis of the latest Middle East headlines, followed by a conversation with FDD Senior Advisor Richard Goldberg.Learn more at: https://www.fdd.org/fddmorningbrief/--Featured FDD Pieces:"Whither the Hamas solidarity movement?" - Ben Cohen, JNS"Everything You Always Wanted to Know About the Houthis But Were Afraid to Ask" - Cliff May and Edmund Fitton-Brown, Foreign Podicy"Weaponized Mass Migration" - RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, testifying before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Europe

On today's Strategy Series program, sponsored by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Mark Montgomery, a retired US Navy rear admiral who is now the senior director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss the Trump administration's National Defense Strategy and whether it addresses the challenges the United States faces specifically the threats posed by China and Russia, how it will be perceived by friends and foes, whether it justifies $1.5 trillion in spending, Golden Dome, cyber security, and industrial strategy.

Washington just unveiled its new National Defense Strategy. But is it a serious blueprint for deterrence—or a dangerous exercise in wishful thinking? Host Cliff May is joined by Bradley Bowman and Mark Montgomery to examine whether America is underfunding its military on the brink of great-power conflict, why China's cyber war is being soft-pedaled, and what the strategy gets right—and wrong—on Taiwan, Ukraine, Israel, and deterrence itself. 

On today's program: Sarah Holliday, Reporter for the Washington Stand, reports on the capture of Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro, Governor Tim Walz's announcement that he will not run for re-election, as a potential $9 billion fraud investigation

Rear Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomery is the Senior Director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. He spent 32 years in the Navy as a nuclear-trained surface warfare officer, retiring as a rear admiral in 2017. After leaving the Navy, Admiral Montgomery worked as policy director for the Senate Armed Services Committee during Senator John McCain's chairmanship, and as Executive Director of the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, a congressionally created commission directed to “develop a consensus on a strategic approach to defending the United States in cyberspace against cyber attacks of significant consequences.” In this episode, Lawfare Book Review Editor Jonathan Cedarbaum sits down with Admiral Montgomery to discuss the fifth annual implementation report prepared by the Cyberspace Solarium Commission 2.0, which assesses how the federal government has done over the last year in implementing the Solarium Commission's recommendations for strengthening the United States' cybersecurity posture. The report, whose lead author was Admiral Montgomery, concludes that "[o]ur nation's ability to protect itself and its allies from cyber threats is stalling and, in several areas, slipping." They discuss the scope and impacts of the Trump administration funding and staffing cuts in leading agencies responsible for cybersecurity; the weakening of public-private collaboration, including the closing of the Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council; and the weakening of recruitment efforts to build the cyber workforce the country needs.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A new war games study of China says Beijing doesn't need to invade Taiwan to bring it to its knees. A cyber-enabled economic siege and a blockade of shipping routes targeting Taiwan's energy imports could do it in just weeks with massive consequences for the world's economy. FOX's John Saucier speaks with Rear Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, senior director of Foundation for the Defense of Democracies' Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation (CCTI), who breaks down the threat and suggests what the United States could do to counter such an attack. Click Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ To Follow 'The FOX News Rundown: Evening Edition' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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