Podcasts about under secretary

Send us a textStrap in, because this “daily drop” is a full-throttle rollercoaster of Pentagon absurdity and global WTFs. From promoting a former Space Force whistleblower to Under Secretary of the Air Force, to blowing $200M on a border wall while ignoring busted pistols and flood victims—this episode doesn't pull punches. Peaches goes off on political aircraft pork, war with China (spoiler: lots of body bags), and the Space Force's asteroid defense ambitions. Oh, and yes, Pizza Cat is alive and well. You're welcome, internet.

This is Frank Gaffney with the Secure Freedom Minute.  Donald Trump takes rightful pride in his record of “Promises made, promises kept.” He delivered on another important pledge with the restoration to the U.S. Air Force of one its most formidable leaders, my colleague Matthew Lohmeier.  Lieutenant Colonel Lohmeier's installation last week as that service's Under Secretary not only rights a terrible wrong – namely, Team Biden's termination of his career as an exceptional aviator and rising officer in the new Space Force for publishing a damning indictment of the Marxists' cultural warfare-enabled takedown of the U.S. military.  It also puts Matt in a key management position to execute President Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's orders to strip out such so-called “Wokeism,” root and branch.  Unsurprisingly, keeping that promise is proving hard to do given how deep the Left's insidious rot has penetrated and subverted our armed forces.  Let's roll, Matt.

USDA Farm Production undersecretary nominee Richard Fordyce agreed at his Senate confirmation hearing to tackle key issues that directly impact producers.

Join host Dr. Arun Seraphin for a conversation with Dr. David Bray, Director of the Loomis Accelerator Program and Distinguished Fellow at the Stimson Center, and Jeffrey Wright, recently retired Special Operations Officer and Founder of SplashOne Robotics. In this episode, Dr. Bray and Mr. Wright discuss whether the DOD needs to develop and deploy warfighter-portable small unmanned aerial systems in the Indo-Pacific, and potentially other theaters. Additionally, we cover the current barriers to implementing small-UAS in the Indo-Pacific region and what changes need to be made to DOD acquisition processes and culture to better prepare for future conflicts. To view Dr. David Bray's full report, “Strategic Sufficiency: Mapping DOD Small Drone Requirements to Potential Warfighter Needs in the Indo-Pacific", click here: https://oodaloop.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Strategic-Sufficiency_-Mapping-DoD-Small-Drone-Requirements-to-Potential-Warfighter-Needs-in-the-Indo-Pacific.pdfJoin us for the NDIA Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition on August 27-29 at the Washington D.C Convention Center. Registration is now open at ⁠https://www.ndiatechexpo.org⁠.This year, we will be joined by Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Emil Michael and USD for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey as two of our engaging keynote speakers. The conference will also feature numerous breakout panels, government-industry speed dating, networking sessions, and a multi-day Hackathon. To register for the multi-day Hackathon, please visit: https://hackathon.ndia.org/?_gl=1*1ux9nxs*_ga*NzIzODIyMDUuMTc0OTc1MDI2Nw..*_ga_Z4X7EV9BT1*czE3NTMzMDM5MzIkbzIyJGcxJHQxNzUzMzAzOTM2JGo1NiRsMCRoMA..Be sure to like and subscribe to stay up to date. Thank you for listening to another episode of Emerging Tech Horizons.Join us for the NDIA Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition on August 27-29 at the Washington D.C Convention Center. Registration is now open at ⁠https://www.ndiatechexpo.org⁠.⁠https://emergingtechnologiesinstitute.org⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/EmergingTechETI⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/ndia-eti-emerging-technologies-institute https://www.twitter.com/EmergingTechETI 

Where did the 2-degree limit come from? Why does nuclear energy deserve a comeback?In this episode, Steven Koonin discusses why it is “fundamentally immoral” for developed countries to dictate the climate agenda of developing nations, why electric vehicles are not a silver bullet, and how rushing to decarbonize could deepen global inequality.#Endgame #GitaWirjawan #StevenKooninAbout the guest:Steven E. Koonin is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institution and a University Professor at NYU. He is also a former Undersecretary for Science at the U.S. Department of Energy and Chief Scientist at BP. His work focuses on climate science and energy, and his bestselling book “Unsettled” (2021) calls for more transparency in climate discourse.About the host: Gita is an Indonesian entrepreneur and educator. He is the founding partner of Ikhlas Capital and the chairman of Ancora Group. Currently, he is teaching at Stanford as a visiting scholar with Stanford's Precourt Institute for Energy; and a fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.------------------------ Berminat menjadi pemimpin visioner berikutnya? Hubungi SGPP Indonesia di:admissions@sgpp.ac.id⁠https://admissions.sgpp.ac.id⁠⁠https://wa.me/628111522504⁠Playlist episode "Endgame" lainnya:⁠Technology vs Humanity⁠⁠The Take⁠⁠Wandering Scientists⁠Kunjungi dan subscribe:⁠SGPP Indonesia⁠⁠Visinema Pictures

The massive budget bill that passed this month allocates tens of billions of dollars to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Homeland Security Investigation (HSI). The influx of funding of that scope and size will significantly expand the role DHS and immigration enforcement agencies play in American life.What are the the institutional constraints on the FBI and law enforcement agencies compared to those on DHS and immigration enforcement?  To help unpack what these differences might mean for achieving policy objectives while protecting civil liberties and providing political accountability, host David Aaron is joined by Steve Cash, who comes with a wealth of high-level experience in Congress and the executive branch and who most recently served as Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.  Show Note:Just Security's FBI Archive Just Security's DHS Archive 

In this episode of the Govcon Giants Podcast, I sat down with none other than Frank Kendall – former Secretary of the Air Force and Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition. Y'all, this man has managed $215 BILLION budgets, launched strategic missile programs under Reagan, and shaped the future of Air and Space Forces through his modernization and AI initiatives. But what really had me leaning in? His unfiltered insights on the brand-new Golden Dome initiative, projected to cost up to $500 BILLION — and why it might already be doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past. Frank dropped serious knowledge on the cycles of waste in defense acquisition, the shrinking industrial base, the risks of consolidating too many primes, and how small businesses can still break into the game by aligning with the Air Force's new operational and technical innovation offices. He didn't sugarcoat it either – calling out "acquisition magic" as a myth and warning us that political influence and rushed timelines might be driving government contracting off a cliff. If you're in the GovCon space and not listening to this, you're already behind. Free PDF download from Defense Acquisition University (DAU): https://www.dau.edu/cop/pm/documents/getting-defense-acquisition-right-honorable-frank-kendall Watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/Cvx_RvyAu2Y?si=t_k3GMLNbPzSwbcZ 

This episode covers the stability of Islamic Republic of Iran in the aftermath of the 12 Day War, and how the regime will adapt to its new reality. Guest Biographies Michael Connell is an expert in Persian-Gulf security-related issues, the armed forces of Iran, U.S.-GCC security cooperation, and adversary cyber policy and strategy. He has served as CNA's Field Analyst to Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT). Dov Zakheim a Senior Fellow at CNA and the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He served as Undersecretary of Defense from 2001-2004. Further Reading CNA Report: The Nuclear Programs of Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran CNA Report: The Evolving Russia-Iran Relationship CNA InDepth: Russia and China Respond—or Don't—to the 12-Day War in Iran CNA Talks: Syria After Assad

Host James-Christian Blockwood discusses the status of science and government with Marcia McNutt, President of the National Academy of Sciences, and Chavonda Jacobs-Young, former Under Secretary for Research, Education, and Economics, and Chief Scientist at the US Department of Agriculture. They address the challenges facing the scientific community, including funding cuts, workforce issues, public trust, and the need for international collaboration. They emphasize the importance of science in addressing societal challenges and the critical need for federal investment to maintain the US's global leadership in science and technology. The discussion highlights the potential short-term, medium-term, and long-term impacts of reduced federal funding for science and stresses the importance of scientific integrity and data-driven policymaking in government.Support the Podcast Today at:donate@napawash.org or 202-347-3190Episode music: Hope by Mixaund | https://mixaund.bandcamp.comMusic promoted by https://www.free-stock-music.comFollow us on YouTube for clips and more: @NAPAWASH_YT

Infralogic's Gabriela Valente speaks with Gabriela Avelino, Brazil's Undersecretary for Promotion and Planning, about the country's extensive highway and rail concession pipeline. This discussion highlights the investment scale, contract structures for attracting capital, and strategies for optimizing existing projects.

An ACT MP claims cultural requirements in resource consents are creating extra costs and slowing down solar farm projects. Undersecretary for RMA Reform, Simon Court says at one Hawke's Bay site local hapu have to be invited to perform karakia every time a native tree is removed. He says ultimately it will be consumers missing out. "What this means is that if solar farms can't get built, or if they get built but there's all this extra cost, that's going to add to your power bill." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An ACT MP claims cultural requirements in resource consents are creating extra costs and slowing down solar farm projects. Undersecretary for RMA Reform, Simon Court says at one Hawke's Bay site local hapu have to be invited to perform karakia every time a native tree is removed. He says ultimately it will be consumers missing out. "What this means is that if solar farms can't get built, or if they get built but there's all this extra cost, that's going to add to your power bill." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jatin Patel is the Head of Operations at FGS Ingredients Ltd. He has over two decades of extensive experience in the food industry and has been a cornerstone of FGS Ingredients for the past 11 years. A qualified ACCA Accountant, Jatin combines his strong financial acumen with an in-depth understanding of food industry operations. He holds a Level 3 Food Safety Certification and has completed Advanced HACCP training. In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Jatin Patel [20:54] about: How FGS Ingredients discovered the source of the peanut contamination that caused a recall of some of its mustard-based products How FGS Ingredients initiated and carried out the recall, and lessons learned from the process Changes that FGS Ingredients has made to its allergen controls, food safety program, and supply chain as a result of the recall The broader implications for food safety standards, especially around allergen control, related to FGS Ingredients' recall experience How FGS Ingredients' learnings and risk mitigation efforts can help other companies be better prepared to maintain food safety along their supply chains. News and Resources HHS Budget Request Beats Familiar Drum [2:24] USDA Extends H5N1 Testing in Dairy Cattle; EU Releases Guidance on Avian Flu Prevention [8:20]Pennsylvania Bill Aims to Protect Restaurant Patrons with Food Allergies [14:12] Trump Nominates Mindy Brashears to Second Term as USDA's Under Secretary for Food Safety [19:35] Sponsored by: Hygiena: Innovative Diagnostics Solutions for Hygiene and Food Safety Allergen Diagnostics and Data Management | Hygiena We Want to Hear from You! Please send us your questions and suggestions to podcast@food-safety.com

Ali Velshi is joined by Professor of Economics & Public Policy at University of Michigan Justin Wolfers, Producer for The Rachel Maddow Show Steve Benen, NBC News' Ryan Chandler, Editor-in-Chief of Investopedia Caleb Silver, Fmr. Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Richard Stengel

Join host Dr. Arun Seraphin for a conversation with Cheryl Ingstad, Deputy Director for Digital Platforms & Developer Ecosystem at the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). In this episode, Ms. Ingstad discusses DIU's new Digital OnRamp Platform that connects commercial technology companies to DOD award opportunities, fulfilling warfighter needs. Additionally, we cover who this platform is made for, how it incorporates emerging AI technologies, and how industry can get involved in shaping the platform. DIU wants the help of the commercial sector and academia to support the rollout of the Digital OnRamp this Fall. Sign up to become a test user of the platform when it is launched later this year at: https://www.diu.mil/digitalonramp Additionally, DIU has an open solicitation for the platforms AI tools. Don't wait to apply, this opening closes on July 8th, 2025. To submit your solution, visit: https://sam.gov/opp/f5e0bec63b684fd49d91b82bbf0932ea/view If you want to learn more about DIU's work on the Digital OnRamp, you can watch ETI's previous webinar covering the platform in even more detail at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2fhvJEezbU Join us for the NDIA Emerging Technologies for Defense Conference and Exhibition on August 27-29 at the Washington D.C Convention Center. Registration is now open at ⁠https://www.ndiatechexpo.org⁠. This year, we will be joined by Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Emil Michael and USD for Acquisition and Sustainment Michael Duffey as two of our engaging keynote speakers. The conference will also feature numerous breakout panels, government-industry speed dating, networking sessions, and a multi-day Hackathon. Be sure to like and subscribe to stay up to date. Thank you for listening to another episode of Emerging Tech Horizons.http://emergingtechnologiesinstitute.orghttps://www.facebook.com/EmergingTechETIhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ndia-eti-emerging-technologies-institutehttps://www.twitter.com/EmergingTechETI

Episode 229 - Moshoeshoe and the Red Dust, How War and famine led to British rule in Lesotho - we're speeding up on the trek along history's trail. First, a word about the Boer Basotho War of 1865-1868. The 1850s and 1860s marked a period of profound demographic disruption for the Basotho as the borders of Moshoeshoe the First's kingdom shifted repeatedly under pressure from colonial conflict and Boer expansion, waves of refugees poured both in and out of the territory. By 1865, the population of what is now Lesotho was estimated at 180,000 which was a sharp increase from five years earlier. Then drought and a three year war against the Boers of the Free State had induced famine by 1868, and Moshoeshoe the First was running out of options as some of his people left the region. The war had created an immediate famine condition, exacerbated by the drought, and this had a knock-on effect when it came to politics and human migration. After the territorial competition between the BaSotho and their African neighbours subsided to some extent as the Basotho emerged as a nation, the struggle against the Boers of the Free State gained momentum. Growth in the economies of both the Free State and Basotho had produced an ongoing competition for land and when drought struck, it stimulated violence. It's important to stress how the Free State economy had shifted from herding cattle to sheep — mainly as a result of Great Britain's demand for wool. The Boers regarded the English as an oppressive occupying force, but that didn't stop farmers of the Free State making a buck off the empire when they could. This is reflected in trade data - in 1852 exports from the Orange River Sovereignty to Natal, the Cape and England totalled 256 000 pounds, with wool making up 230 000 pounds of that trade. In a census of 1856, Boers had 1.2 million sheep and goats, and only 137 000 head of cattle. But the golden years of wool exports were over by the mid-1860s. The terrible droughts of 1860 and 1861 were known as the Red Dust when the Caledon River dried up for the only time in anyone's memory. If you want the full background, I covered the outbreak of the Boer Basotho war of 1865 in an earlier episode, along with the causes. The drought, and the scorched earth policy adopted by Free State president Johannes Brand, left Moshoeshoe with little choice. He could either surrender and be known as the Basotho King who gave away his people to the Boers, or he could ask the British to declare Basotholand a British Protectorate. Some have said cynically that the British were entertaining this anyway, hungry for more land and even more so after the discovery of diamonds — but that's tautological when it comes to Basotholand. The diamond discovery took place after Basotholand was folded into the British empire. Still, we need to burrow into how this all worked out, the diplomacy and wheeler-dealing was extraordinary. By the end of 1867 the successes of the Boer commandos in their raids into Basotholand had put an end to the prospect that the Free State burghers would voluntarily submit to the reimposition of British control. Eugene Casalis, the French missionary who had spent so much time in Basotholand, sailed to England from France to urge the British Government to intervene. This was not a lightweight ecclesiastical mission, Casalis had established a mission station at Morija at the foot of Moshoeshoe's royal mountain Thaba Bosiu in 1833. He translated the gospel of Mark into isiSotho, and was revered for his political advice to Moshoeshoe. The Duke of Buckingham who had succeeded Lord Carnarvon as Colonial Secretary in March 1867, was all ears. They say timing matters, and it so happened that CB Adderley who was parliamentary Under-Secretary was in favour of intervention provided it could be managed without expense. IE, without sending an army to fight the Boers. On the 9th December, Buckingham instructed Wodehouse to treat with Moshoeshoe.

Episode 229 - Moshoeshoe and the Red Dust, How War and famine led to British rule in Lesotho - we're speeding up on the trek along history's trail. First, a word about the Boer Basotho War of 1865-1868. The 1850s and 1860s marked a period of profound demographic disruption for the Basotho as the borders of Moshoeshoe the First's kingdom shifted repeatedly under pressure from colonial conflict and Boer expansion, waves of refugees poured both in and out of the territory. By 1865, the population of what is now Lesotho was estimated at 180,000 which was a sharp increase from five years earlier. Then drought and a three year war against the Boers of the Free State had induced famine by 1868, and Moshoeshoe the First was running out of options as some of his people left the region. The war had created an immediate famine condition, exacerbated by the drought, and this had a knock-on effect when it came to politics and human migration. After the territorial competition between the BaSotho and their African neighbours subsided to some extent as the Basotho emerged as a nation, the struggle against the Boers of the Free State gained momentum. Growth in the economies of both the Free State and Basotho had produced an ongoing competition for land and when drought struck, it stimulated violence. It's important to stress how the Free State economy had shifted from herding cattle to sheep — mainly as a result of Great Britain's demand for wool. The Boers regarded the English as an oppressive occupying force, but that didn't stop farmers of the Free State making a buck off the empire when they could. This is reflected in trade data - in 1852 exports from the Orange River Sovereignty to Natal, the Cape and England totalled 256 000 pounds, with wool making up 230 000 pounds of that trade. In a census of 1856, Boers had 1.2 million sheep and goats, and only 137 000 head of cattle. But the golden years of wool exports were over by the mid-1860s. The terrible droughts of 1860 and 1861 were known as the Red Dust when the Caledon River dried up for the only time in anyone's memory. If you want the full background, I covered the outbreak of the Boer Basotho war of 1865 in an earlier episode, along with the causes. The drought, and the scorched earth policy adopted by Free State president Johannes Brand, left Moshoeshoe with little choice. He could either surrender and be known as the Basotho King who gave away his people to the Boers, or he could ask the British to declare Basotholand a British Protectorate. Some have said cynically that the British were entertaining this anyway, hungry for more land and even more so after the discovery of diamonds — but that's tautological when it comes to Basotholand. The diamond discovery took place after Basotholand was folded into the British empire. Still, we need to burrow into how this all worked out, the diplomacy and wheeler-dealing was extraordinary. By the end of 1867 the successes of the Boer commandos in their raids into Basotholand had put an end to the prospect that the Free State burghers would voluntarily submit to the reimposition of British control. Eugene Casalis, the French missionary who had spent so much time in Basotholand, sailed to England from France to urge the British Government to intervene. This was not a lightweight ecclesiastical mission, Casalis had established a mission station at Morija at the foot of Moshoeshoe's royal mountain Thaba Bosiu in 1833. He translated the gospel of Mark into isiSotho, and was revered for his political advice to Moshoeshoe. The Duke of Buckingham who had succeeded Lord Carnarvon as Colonial Secretary in March 1867, was all ears. They say timing matters, and it so happened that CB Adderley who was parliamentary Under-Secretary was in favour of intervention provided it could be managed without expense. IE, without sending an army to fight the Boers. On the 9th December, Buckingham instructed Wodehouse to treat with Moshoeshoe.

Will diplomacy come next? Will Trump and Netanyahu give the Ayatollah an off-ramp? Acting Secretary of State and Undersecretary in the first Trump administration Tom Shannon lists both sides' options and their likelihood of taking place. Will there be Iranian “retribution” and if so, what will it look like?

On this episode of Higher Ed Pulse, host Mallory Willsea is joined by Brad Carson—former University of Tulsa president, former U.S. Congressman, and now president of Americans for Responsible Innovation—to explore how colleges are being drafted into America's AI future. They break down the implications of two recent executive orders that effectively position higher education as both workforce engines and cybersecurity sentinels in the AI era. This isn't a drill—colleges are now critical infrastructure. So, what role should higher ed play in shaping AI's trajectory? Let's dive in.Guest Name: Brad Carson, President, Americans for Responsible Innovation (ARI)Guest Bio: Brad Carson is President of Americans for Responsible Innovation (ARI), a nonprofit supporting AI policies that protect the public while maintaining our country's lead in innovation. Carson has also served as president of the University of Tulsa since 2021. Carson was previously elected as congressman for Oklahoma's 2nd District and served from 2001 to 2005. After his time in Congress, Carson was appointed as Under Secretary of the Army and later as Acting Under Secretary of Defense.  - - - -Connect With Our Host:Mallory Willsea https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorywillsea/https://twitter.com/mallorywillseaAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:The Higher Ed Pulse is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you'll like other Enrollify shows too!Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register

Due to breaking news surrounding Israel's attack this morning on Iran's nuclear facilities, this edition of the News Round-Up began with comment from Pastor Jim Scudder, Jr., live from Israel. He is senior pastor of Quentin Road Baptist Church in Lake Zurich, Illinois. He's an author and also the speaker on the program InGrace which airs on WVCY Television, VCY.tv the VCY America Radio Network and other facilities across the country. Jim then segued into news headlines and featured the following stories: --Worshipers at the Western Wall Plaza blow the shofar after being informed of the news regarding Israel's attack on Iran. --Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed his nation regarding the attack on Iran called, "Rising Lion." Jim provided audio of the prime minister's comments. --Hamas has recently named a veteran terrorist, Ezzedin al-Haddad, as it's latest leader in Gaza. --Iran called Israel's wave of strikes a declaration of war. --Robert Wilkie, the former U.S. Under Secretary of Defense, comments on Israel and what they feel they need to do based on their history and the "death cult" attitude of Hamas as it pertains to humanitarian aid. Other stories dealt with the immigration protests in Los Angeles and the "No Kings" rallies to take place nationwide tomorrow.

Due to breaking news surrounding Israel's attack this morning on Iran's nuclear facilities, this edition of the News Round-Up began with comment from Pastor Jim Scudder, Jr., live from Israel. He is senior pastor of Quentin Road Baptist Church in Lake Zurich, Illinois. He's an author and also the speaker on the program InGrace which airs on WVCY Television, VCY.tv the VCY America Radio Network and other facilities across the country. Jim then segued into news headlines and featured the following stories: --Worshipers at the Western Wall Plaza blow the shofar after being informed of the news regarding Israel's attack on Iran. --Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed his nation regarding the attack on Iran called, "Rising Lion." Jim provided audio of the prime minister's comments. --Hamas has recently named a veteran terrorist, Ezzedin al-Haddad, as it's latest leader in Gaza. --Iran called Israel's wave of strikes a declaration of war. --Robert Wilkie, the former U.S. Under Secretary of Defense, comments on Israel and what they feel they need to do based on their history and the "death cult" attitude of Hamas as it pertains to humanitarian aid. Other stories dealt with the immigration protests in Los Angeles and the "No Kings" rallies to take place nationwide tomorrow.

Today on Lawfare No Bull: On June 10, the House Appropriations Subcommittee held an oversight hearing for the Department of Defense. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine, and Bryn MacDonnell, Special Assistant Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller)/Chief Financial Officer, testified before the committee. Members of the committee questioned the witnesses about the delay in receiving the Department's FY2026 budget, investments in submarines, the cost of deploying troops to Los Angeles, cuts to personnel and programs, and more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At a hearing of the Senate Agriculture Committee last week, Senator John Hoeven discussed key priorities for North Dakota ranchers with Michael Boren, the nominee to serve as the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Natural Resources and Environment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Undersecretary of the Treasury for International Affairs plays a key role in shaping how the United States engages with the world financial system. Jay Shambaugh, Undersecretary of the Treasury for International Affairs in the Biden administration joins EconoFact Chats to discuss his time in office, focusing on negotiations with China over industrial subsidies and non-market trade barriers, foreign investments in sensitive US technologies, and the challenges of dealing with sovereign debt defaults given the wide array of lenders today. The discussion also focuses on the International Affairs Department's role in monitoring exchange rate policies, and its interactions with Congress, the White House, and other domestic agencies. Before his term as Undersecretary, Jay served on the Council of Economic Advisors. He is currently a Professor of Economics and International Affairs, and the Co-Director of the Institute for International Economic Policy at George Washington University.

The world's most dangerous fleet isn't on any navy's registry—it sails in the shadows. Russia's so-called shadow oil fleet is a rogue armada of unflagged, uninsured, barely seaworthy tankers hauling sanctioned crude across the globe. Estonia's Undersecretary for Legal and Consular Affairs, Kerli Veski, explains what it is, how it works and why it's a problem.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jon Hartley and Randal Quarles discuss Randy's career as a lawyer and in policy (including his time as Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Regulation) and topics such as the global financial crisis, Glass-Steagall, banking regulation, lender of last resort, Basel III, the Dodd-Frank Act, capital requirements, the potential relaxation of Treasuries in the Supplementary Leverage Ratio (SLR), deposit insurance after the Silicon Valley Bank regional banking crisis, and stablecoin regulation. Recorded on May 29, 2025. ABOUT THE SPEAKERS: Randal Quarles is the Chairman and co-founder of The Cynosure Group.  Before founding Cynosure, Mr. Quarles was a long-time partner of the Carlyle Group, where he began the firm's program of investments in the financial services industry during the 2008 financial crisis. From October 2017 through October 2021, Mr. Quarles was Vice Chairman of the Federal Reserve System, serving as the system's first Vice Chairman for Supervision, charged specifically with ensuring stability of the financial sector.  He also served as the Chairman of the Financial Stability Board (“FSB”) from December 2018 until December 2021; a global body established after the Great Financial Crisis to coordinate international efforts to enhance financial stability. In both positions, he played a key role in crafting the US and international response to the economic and financial dislocations of COVID-19, successfully preventing widespread global disruption of the financial system.  As FSB Chairman, he was a regular delegate to the finance ministers' meetings of the G-7 and G20 Groups of nations and to the Summit meetings of the G20.  As Fed Vice Chair, he was a permanent member of the Federal Open Market Committee, the body that sets monetary policy for the United States. Earlier in his career, Mr. Quarles was Under Secretary of the U.S. Treasury, where he led the Department's activities in financial sector and capital markets policy, including coordination of the President's Working Group on Financial Markets. Before serving as Under Secretary, Mr. Quarles was Assistant Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs, where he had a key role in responding to several international crises.  Mr. Quarles was also the U.S. Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund, a member of the Air Transportation Stabilization Board, and a board representative for the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation. In earlier public service, he was an integral member of the Treasury team in the George H. W. Bush Administration that developed the governmental response to the savings and loan crisis. Jon Hartley is currently a Policy Fellow at the Hoover Institution, an economics PhD Candidate at Stanford University, a Research Fellow at the UT-Austin Civitas Institute, a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity (FREOPP), a Senior Fellow at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, and an Affiliated Scholar at the Mercatus Center. Jon is also the host of the Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century Podcast, an official podcast of the Hoover Institution, a member of the Canadian Group of Economists, and the chair of the Economic Club of Miami. Jon has previously worked at Goldman Sachs Asset Management as a Fixed Income Portfolio Construction and Risk Management Associate and as a Quantitative Investment Strategies Client Portfolio Management Senior Analyst and in various policy/governmental roles at the World Bank, IMF, Committee on Capital Markets Regulation, U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, and the Bank of Canada.  Jon has also been a regular economics contributor for National Review Online, Forbes, and The Huffington Post and has contributed to The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, USA Today, Globe and Mail, National Post, and Toronto Star, among other outlets. Jon has also appeared on CNBC, Fox Business, Fox News, Bloomberg, and NBC and was named to the 2017 Forbes 30 Under 30 Law & Policy list, the 2017 Wharton 40 Under 40 list, and was previously a World Economic Forum Global Shaper.  ABOUT THE SERIES: Each episode of Capitalism and Freedom in the 21st Century, a video podcast series and the official podcast of the Hoover Economic Policy Working Group, focuses on getting into the weeds of economics, finance, and public policy on important current topics through one-on-one interviews. Host Jon Hartley asks guests about their main ideas and contributions to academic research and policy. The podcast is titled after Milton Friedman‘s famous 1962 bestselling book Capitalism and Freedom, which after 60 years, remains prescient from its focus on various topics which are now at the forefront of economic debates, such as monetary policy and inflation, fiscal policy, occupational licensing, education vouchers, income share agreements, the distribution of income, and negative income taxes, among many other topics.

Billionaire tech titan Elon Musk's time as a “special government employee” is coming to an end, but the DOGE team at the Defense Department will soon have greater influence on Pentagon contracting. Since President Donald Trump began his second term in January, Musk has spearheaded the Department of Government Efficiency's push across the federal government to find “waste, fraud and abuse,” slash certain types of spending and cut the workforce. A DOGE team was set up at the Pentagon — as well as other federal agencies — to implement those efforts. Musk wrote Wednesday night in a post on X that his time as a special government employee was coming to an end but: “The @DOGE mission will only strengthen over time as it becomes a way of life throughout the government.” In a sign that DOGE's influence will continue at the Pentagon, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a new directive this week giving those personnel more oversight of contracting efforts. Hegseth wrote in a May 27 memo to senior Pentagon leadership, combatant commanders, and DOD agency and field activity directors that: “The Department of Defense (DoD) Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team will have the opportunity to provide input on all unclassified contracts. The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD(A&S)), or its designee, will coordinate with DOGE to ensure that the opportunity for review of the Performance Work Statement/Statement of Work, accompanying estimates, deliverable descriptions, and requirements approval/validation documents, occurs when the requirements package is provided to a DoD contracting office to initiate a procurement or prior to the package being provided to a non-DoD assisting agency (e.g., General Services Administration).” In a video released Wednesday on X, Hegseth said the Pentagon had already saved more than $10 billion working with DOGE on previous efforts to review spending, including from a “line-by-line audit of over 50 contract vehicles.” Energy Secretary Chris Wright announced Thursday that the government would build a new supercomputer powered by NVIDIA chips and based at a department user facility at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Officials said the supercomputer will be named Doudna after UC Berkeley scientist Jennifer Doudna, who co-invented CRISPR gene editing technology and won the Nobel Prize back in 2020. The Doudna supercomputer, which is geared toward high-performance computing and training artificial intelligence technology, will be based at the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center. It is only the latest Energy Department project designed for the AI age: El Capitan, a supercomputer based at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and currently the world's fastest, is also designed with machine learning in mind, as is Frontier, a DOE supercomputer housed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. A spokesperson would not comment further on how the Doudna supercomputer's speeds might compare to other systems. Government supercomputing projects, including those focused on AI, are now supported by the same national laboratory system that incubated the Manhattan Project, which produced the world's first atomic weapons. The Daily Scoop Podcast is available every Monday-Friday afternoon. If you want to hear more of the latest from Washington, subscribe to The Daily Scoop Podcast  on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify and YouTube.

“Change is a constant. This is the world that we live in. And so how do you decide what needs to change and transform? The best leaders have certain traits about them when it comes to leading an organisation through change. Great leaders have an ability to communicate and inspire and they never get tired of doing it. Or if they get tired, they keep doing it anyway because constant communication is essential when you're going through change.” Deborah Lee James on Electric Ladies podcast (previously Green Connections Radio)   Many companies are scaling back their climate, sustainability and diversity commitments to avoid being the target of this administration's wrath. This decisive moment for the private sector will test the resolve and foresight of today's leaders, making this a must-listen for anyone in a leadership role.   In a wide-ranging interview on leadership based on a sector where life-and death decisions are routine, 23rd Secretary of the U.S. Air Force Deborah Lee James talks to host Joan Michelson about what it takes to be a woman rising through the ranks.   This episode is being replayed as a tribute to our service members this Memorial Day.   You'll hear about: Approaches we can all learn from the military, especially with their in-depth experience in dealing with crisis. What resilience is and can be for those of us who don't want setbacks to stop our march onward. What “the best leaders” do to inspire and drive great teams to successful results. The five step process she applies successfully to every situation and why we all could. Great career advice for women who are always advancing. “So often women in leadership roles have labels put upon them. They're a bitch, they're unduly aggressive, they're not likeable… I try to be extra careful with my communications and in the way I treat people. And in this way I attempt at least to overcome the gender bias that is out there for strong women.” Deborah Lee James on Electric Ladies podcast (previously Green Connections Radio) Read Joan's Forbes article about former Secretary James, and more of her Forbes articles here.  You'll also like: U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan on the crucial role of climate bipartisanship when jobs and infrastructure investments are at stake Joan Michelson's Forbes article on Fossil Fuels, War And Climate: Women On The Frontlines Call For A New Security Mindset Jennifer Granholm, 16th U.S. Secretary of Energy, on the future of clean energy and climate action Sherri Goodman, former Undersecretary of Defense, on the connection between climate change and national security Vanessa Chan, formerly from the U.S. Department of Energy, on the investments transforming the energy systems Anna Siefken, formerly from the Federal Energy Management Program at the U.S. Department of Energy, on plans to reduce the carbon footprint of federal buildings across the country More from Electric Ladies Podcast!  JUST LAUNCHED: Join our global community at electric-ladies.mykajabi.com! For a limited time, be a member of the Electric Ladies Founders' Circle at an exclusive special rate.  Elevate your career with expert coaching and ESG advisory with Electric Ladies Podcast. Unlock new opportunities, gain confidence, and achieve your career goals with the right guidance. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our podcasts, articles, events and career advice – and special coaching offers. Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio and Spotify and leaving us a review! Don't forget to follow us on our socials Twitter: @joanmichelson LinkedIn: Electric Ladies Podcast with Joan Michelson Twitter: @joanmichelson Facebook: Green Connections Radio

The Cognitive Crucible is a forum that presents different perspectives and emerging thought leadership related to the information environment. The opinions expressed by guests are their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of or endorsement by the Information Professionals Association. During this episode, Austin Branch, Dave Pitts, and Joe Miller discuss cognitive warfare, the gray zone, and intensifying great power competition. The ultimate goal is to compete by gaining and maintaining information advantage without kinetic fighting. Recording Date: 28 Apr  2025 Research Question: Has Russian cognitive warfare, including the use of reflexive control, red lines and nuclear threats, influenced US policy decisions regarding weapon deliveries and restrictions to Ukraine? Similarly, has Chinese cognitive warfare impacted US policy and strategic outcomes concerning Taiwan and the Philippines? Resources: Cognitive Crucible Podcast Episodes Mentioned #24 John Davis on Modern Warfare, Teamwork, and Commercial Cognitive Security #62 Jonathan Rauch on the Constitution of Knowledge #222 JD Maddox on Emerging IO Opportunities Unrestricted Warfare by Qiao Liang and Wang Xiangsui The Cypher Brief Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder by Nassim Nicholas Taleb The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable by Nassim Nicholas Taleb Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting by Syd Field Save the Cat Story Structure: Definition and Beat Sheet by Blake Snyder Link to full show notes and resources Guest Bio: Austin Branch founded Crescent Bridge to help serve the Information technical and cognitive needs of the Federal Government. Additionally, Austin joined ARLIS to help support the evolution of the Defense and U.S. Government Operations in the Information Environment (OIE) enterprise. Previously, Austin served as OIE Technology & Strategy at Secretary of the Air Force Directorate for Concepts, Development and Management (Exec IPA) after several years in the private sector at COLSA Corporation as the Executive Director for Information Strategies and Programs (2015-2021) after serving 30 years in Federal service as an Army Officer and Senior Civilian. He was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in 1986 from The Citadel, Charleston S.C. and went on to serve in multiple Command and Staff positions in conflict and in peace becoming the Army's first Information Operations Officer. Austin pioneered military operations in the information environment in key leadership positions in the Army, Joint Special Operations Command, Joint Staff, EUCOM, and deployed Joint and multinational Task Force Organizations across the globe. Upon retirement from the Army, Austin joined the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence as the Deputy Director and Chief of Operations for the Defense Policy Analysis Office with oversight of National special plans and technical operations. In 2008 was selected as a Defense Intelligence Senior Leader as Senior Advisor for Defense Information Operations focused on oversight, policy and support for Service and Joint Information Operations, and associated Special Access programs. In 2010, Austin was selected by the Secretary of Defense to lead the Information Operations and Military Information Support Defense Enterprise as the first Senior Director for this mission area in the Office of Policy and Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict. In this capacity, Austin was DOD's senior representative for IO, MISO, EW and special program oversight, policy and assessments. In 2013, Austin was selected by the Director for the National Counter-Terrorism Center and the DNI to establish and lead a new organization to address Domestic Counter Terrorism, Counter Violent Extremism, and Counter Terrorism Cyber Strategy and Policy in support of the National Security Council. In this capacity, he also served as the National Co-lead for countering ISIS propaganda and influence and associated IPC lead strategist for National Security Council. Austin is also one of the founder's of a Non-profit, Information Professionals Association (IPA). IPA is a professional organization established to serve the interests of the broader Information community worldwide and for issues related to Cognitive Security. Austin also served on the Defense Science Board summer 2019 study focused on great power competition in the Information Environment and was recently was selected to join the University of Maryland Advanced Research Laboratory for Intelligence & Security (ARLIS) to help lead development of their Cognitive Security & Information Portfolio. He also serves on various Advisory Board(s) and professional associations. Austin and his wife, Carol live in Bluffton SC and have three children. They have two serving in active duty in the Army and one in Medical School at Icahn School of Medicine, Mt Sinai, NY. Dave Pitts is a senior national security professional, former CIA executive, and veteran with over four decades of experience in challenging and critical missions, ranging from intelligence operations, counterterrorism and special operations to great power competition. Dave served as the Assistant Director of CIA for South and Central Asia, Chief of National Resources Division, senior leadership positions in the Counterterrorism Center—including in the strategic communications space—and led CIA's two largest Field Stations. Dave has a proven track record of leading large and diverse teams, building lasting partnerships, integrating innovative technologies, and delivering results in high-stakes and high-pressure situations. Dave is a thought leader, Cipher Brief Expert and a frequent writer and commentator on terrorism, great power competition, the gray zone, cognitive warfare and emerging global issues. Dave is a co-founder of The Cipher Briefs Gray Zone Group. Joe Miller, Senior Executive Service, is currently the Deputy Commander for Support at the US Army Special Operations Command, headquartered at Ft Bragg, N.C. Prior to his assignment to Ft Bragg, Joe was the J7 Director of Joint Training and Innovation at US NORAD/NORTHCOM at Peterson, AFB, Co and first SES assignment was the J5 Director, Policy, Strategy, Plans and Futures at US Special Operations Command at Mac Dill AFB, Fl. Joe is a retired US Army Colonel.  He has led and Commanded platoons, troops, detachments, a Battalion task force and a Brigade. He has served and operated in western Europe, the Balkans, the Middle East, SW Asia and throughout the Americas. He is a graduate of the University of Florida, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with Honors, US Army Command and General Staff College and the School of Advanced Military Studies (Master of Military Arts and Sciences), an Army War College Fellowship. He earned a Master's Degree in Operations Research from the Air Force Institute of Technology.  He is a life Member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Joe is married with one son. About: The Information Professionals Association (IPA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to exploring the role of information activities, such as influence and cognitive security, within the national security sector and helping to bridge the divide between operations and research. Its goal is to increase interdisciplinary collaboration between scholars and practitioners and policymakers with an interest in this domain. For more information, please contact us at communications@information-professionals.org. Or, connect directly with The Cognitive Crucible podcast host, John Bicknell, on LinkedIn. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, 1) IPA earns from qualifying purchases, 2) IPA gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

John has extensive experience in both the Military and Civilian realms. He has 35 years in Active Duty, Reserve and National Guard service and 22 straight months in Iraq and Kuwait.  While deployed to OIF I and II, he served in various positions on the staffs of Lt Generals David McKiernan, Rick Sanchez, GEN George Casey, Under Secretary of the Navy (Admiral) Greg Slavonic, and Major General Erv Lessel.  His assignments included handling media during Saddam Hussein's arraignment, numerous press conferences, and serving as the Intelligence Liaison to the Interim Iraqi Government under MG Barb Fast.  He developed U.S. media strategy for addressing anti-coalition press and propaganda in Arab media during the battles of An Najaf and Fallujah, as well as many other special assignments in Baghdad.

With higher education policy increasingly driven by executive action, Michael and Jeff explore why Congress has been largely absent from the conversation—and what that means for students and institutions. They're joined by James Kvaal, former Under Secretary of Education under the Biden Administration, and Preston Cooper of the American Enterprise Institute, for a bipartisan discussion about stalled reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, cuts to the Department of Education, the future of international students at American colleges, and more. This episode is made with support from the Gates Foundation.Chapters0:00 - Intro04:44 - The Cost of Congressional Inaction13:28 - Unlocking Movement on Higher Ed19:53 - Areas for Bipartisan Compromise23:15 - The Big Change We Need28:33 - The Impact of Cuts to the Department of Education32:58 - Immigration and International Students38:23 - Agreement Across the Aisle43:55 - Changes Since the Last HEA Reauthorization48:12 - Too Much Focus on the Elites?

The Defense Department is a step closer to having a new official at the top of its huge personnel enterprise, Anthony Tata. President Trump's nominee to be Undersecretary of Defense for Personnel and readiness is up for consideration by the full Senate after earning the approval of the Armed Services Committee. The Undersecretary position has been chronically vacant over the past several administrations, and Tata faces stiff opposition from Democrats over what they see as divisive political views, but he's promising to play a unifying role in his new Pentagon post Federal News Network's Jared Serbu has details on Tata's priorities and some of the challenges he'll face.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The directive given to our Green Berets is to win by All Means Available. To do so, requires a combination of ingenuity, understanding the environment, a clear plan and precision execution. Mike Vickers built a career on winning America's shadow wars by All Means Available. Mike started his career as both a non-commissioned and commissioned officer Green Beret before becoming a Paramilitary Operations Officer at the Central Intelligence Agency. Mike later served as the Undersecretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low Intensity Conflict, as well as the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence, where he served as the lead Intelligence official at the Pentagon. Secretary Vickers joined Fran Racioppi to chronicle his new book By All Means Available, Memoirs Of A Life in Intelligence, Special Operations and Strategy. He has been a part of almost every American known and unknown conflict for the past 50 years; including leading the defeat of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan.We defined how America collects and uses intelligence in both national security and diplomacy. We discussed America's will to win large conflicts, when we've gotten it right and why we get it wrong. And we went deep on the real enemy facing America today.Mike sees the United States in a New Cold War that will challenge the nation like never before. He shares the reasons why America got here, and most importantly his Grand Strategy to rebuild a culture of winning global conflict to solidify America's position as the dominant world power for decades to come. Highlights0:00 Introduction6:29 Definition and Significance of Intelligence8:00 DoD intelligence use10:59 Joining the Army15:45 By all means necessary21:12 Politics in War judgement28:11 China & Russia38:00 Defining American power42:28 Nuclear Weapons in Iran & North Korea46:06 Mobilization of American troops48:48 Pakistan49:38 Media on disunity50:56 The arms race against China54:20 Covert action56:34 Denial of Service59:48 Regional and Global Deterrence1:03:07 Transforming out alliances1:10:49 The Next Threat1:14:03 SOF integration1:18:15 America's overconfidence1:20:51 10 Principles1:30:06 Daily HabitsQuotes“We are in dynamic times. We are in polarizing times.”“It's not just military and economic intelligence, it's economic, scientific, and technical intelligence that can make a big difference.”“It became the largest covert action program in CIA history.” “Drive them out by all means available.”“How are we going to win?”“Ammunition is what really sustains operational tempo.”“When America goes to war, we're going to bring everything and we are going to win.”“The more you put in it, the more you better win, and win quickly.”“America is arguably challenged right now, like never before.”“Once the sleeping giant wakes up, look out, they are going to lose.”“Strength is Power.”“There's economic, military, intelligence, political strength, the power of your ideals, and so you try to aggregate that.”"We will win the new Cold War.”“When you think your biggest enemy is another American or group of Americans something's wrong.”“Covert action is taking diplomacy operations, paramilitary operations, sabotage and others and just having it be done under title 50.”“Cyber is this unique weapon that it's used for espionage. It's a very powerful collection tool.”“You need survivable forward presence.”“I think the greatest threat is the combination of China and Russia and perhaps adding in Iran and North Korea.”Watch, listen or read our conversation from the Association of the United States Army as Secretary Vickers shares his leadership lessons learned through covert action; and don't miss the rest of our AUSA series.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.

John is joined by Christopher Padilla, Senior Advisor at the Brunswick Group and former Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade. They discuss the recent lawsuits challenging President Trump's sweeping use of tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The IEEPA is a 1977 statute traditionally used to freeze assets or impose sanctions in wartime or against adversaries. Until now, IEEPA has never been used to impose tariffs, and does not mention the word "tariff." Multiple lawsuits challenging the tariffs have been filed in various courts, including several U.S. district courts and the Court of International Trade (CIT). The CIT, a court traditionally deferential to presidential authority over trade, is moving faster than other courts. It has already denied one preliminary injunction and scheduled initial arguments concerning standing and jurisdiction. The administration has moved to consolidate the challenges filed in district courts with those in the CIT. Plaintiffs range from state governments and Native American tribes to small businesses. The cases largely challenge the President's authority to issue the tariffs on four main grounds: (1) the IEEPA does not authorize tariffs; (2) the President must have clear congressional authorization to increase the tariffs under the Supreme Court's “major questions” doctrine; (3) the tariffs violate the constitutional separation of powers and nondelegation doctrine; and (4) the declared "emergencies" used to justify the tariffs—such as immigration or the trade deficit—are not genuine emergencies under the IEEPA. Even if the plaintiffs in these cases prevail, the administration could still reimpose tariffs under other delegated statutory authorities, although proceeding under those authorities will involve several procedural hurdles. Ultimately, Christopher believes that real change would require congressional action, which is unlikely in the short term, and that any rollback of tariffs may depend more on economic developments such as recession, stagflation or a collapse of the bond market than on court rulings.Podcast Link: Law-disrupted.fmHost: John B. Quinn Producer: Alexis HydeMusic and Editing by: Alexander Rossi

In this episode, Michèle Flournoy joins Andy West to share her perspectives on how companies can build their geopolitical resilience. Michèle is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of WestExec Advisors, a strategic advisory firm that helps CEOs and investors navigate geopolitical risks and opportunities. She served the US government as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy from February 2009 to 2012 and was the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense. In January 2007, Michèle co-founded the Center for a New American Security – a bipartisan think tank dedicated to developing strong, pragmatic, and principled national security policies. She served as its President until 2009, returned as CEO in 2014, and today serves as the Chair. Andy West is a senior partner and the global coleader of our Strategy and Corporate Finance Practice. Comments and opinions expressed by interviewees are their own and do not represent or reflect the opinions, policies, or positions of McKinsey & Company or have its endorsement. Related Insights Tariffs and global trade: The economic impact on business Navigating tariffs with a geopolitical nerve center Tariffs on the move? A guide for CEOs for 2025 and beyond How American business can prosper in the new geopolitical era. Insights from McKinsey and Company’s Geopolitics PracticeSupport the show: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/mckinsey-strategy-&-corporate-finance/See www.mckinsey.com/privacy-policy for privacy information

Defense Secretary Hegseth has launched the development of a new National Defense Strategy — a major policy document that sets the Pentagon's strategic goals and priorities. Undersecretary of Defense for Policy Elbridge Colby, who played a key role in crafting the 2018 National Defense Strategy during Trump's first term, will lead the new NDS effort. Hegseth said, “The NDS is the single most important document to ensure the Department is operating in accordance with the President's and my intent." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Send us a textWelcome to the May 2nd Daily Drop, where Jared breaks down the absolute fever dream that is today's Air Force memo—everything from piano-burning ceremonies to Space Force launching a special operations element (yes, you read that right). This episode's a rollercoaster through military bureaucracy, geopolitical chaos, and some straight-up “wait… what?” moments.We're talking about 8,000 troops at the southern border, the Air Force testing robo-wingmen, Japan mad about a B-1 bomber blocking their runway, and Guam getting overrun by 25,000 stray dogs (no, seriously). Also, shoutout to the Air Force for helping control said dogs… because readiness, I guess?Throw in canceled Iran nuclear talks, a new missile shield with a suspiciously biblical name (“Golden Dome”), and a nominee for Undersecretary getting roasted for telling the truth—and you've got an episode that proves the Pentagon never sleeps… but maybe should.

On this special livestream there is not one, but TWO awesome guests and for good reason. Lord Alexander Hawke is back in action. That's cause for a celebration.Ryan Steck, also known as The Real Book Spy, is an author and thriller junkie behind the pen on the latest Hawke thriller. Having been a massive Hawke fan himself, Steck was also a good personal friend to the late Ted Bell, and there was nobody better to pick up the mantle and continue the legacy after Bell's passing. Considered one of the hardest-working people in publishing, Steck built the most trusted source in literary fiction in The Real Book Spy from the ground up, turning it from a simple blog to a million+ viewed website per year, and the go-to source for all the breaking news in fiction publishing.Byrdie Bell is the daughter of the late legend Ted Bell and an avid Hawk advocate, amongst juggling life as a mother, actress, and model. Bell appeared in Rolling Stones' Shine a Light by Martin Scorsese, as well as the Israeli version of Big Brother. At age 18 Byrdie began modeling, appearing in numerous publications including Bloomingdale's and Club Monaco. Byrdie is the descendent of Colonel William Byrd II, the founder of Richmond, Virginia.The late Ted Bell was Vice-Chairman of the Board and World-Wide Creative Director for Young & Rubicam, one of the world's largest advertising agencies. Before becoming a novelist Bell was President and Chief Creative Officer of Leo Brunett Company. Bell also served as a member on the DOCA Committee for the US Department of Defense, and as an advisor to the Undersecretary for Public Diplomacy at the US Department of State.Bell wrote 12 novels in the Lord Alexander Hawke series before his unfortunate death in 2023. MONARCH, penned by Ryan Steck his long-time editor and friend, is entry number 13 in the Hawke series and a remarkable, gripping, and adventurous tale to get readers back into the legendary series that the late Bell started.Find More at: TheRealBookSpy.com and TedBell.com

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has released the Trump administration's plans for reorganizing the State Department—a first step toward reducing what the White House calls a bloated and inefficient bureaucracy. The proposed reforms could reshape U.S. engagement with the world, ending America's human rights advocacy, shuttering key diplomatic offices, and threatening the very infrastructure that supports global U.S. leadership. With Congress holding the purse strings and foreign governments watching closely, how far will these reforms go—and at what cost to American influence and values abroad?In this episode, Jacob Heilbrunn speaks with Paul Saunders, the president of the Center for the National Interest. Saunders served in the George W. Bush Administration from 2003 to 2005 as Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs.Music by Aleksey Chistilin from Pixabay

In today's episode of GovCon Giants, I sit down with Bill Reinsch—Senior Adviser and Chair Emeritus at CSIS and a former Undersecretary of Commerce—to unpack the truth about trade wars, tariffs, and why global uncertainty is rattling supply chains like never before. Bill takes us behind the curtain of U.S. economic policy, drawing from decades of experience in Capitol Hill, the Clinton administration, and working with multinational corporations. Whether you're importing components, supplying the federal government, or just wondering why your toaster costs more—this conversation is a masterclass. We talk about the real cost of reshoring, the myth of domestic revival, and why small businesses will feel the pinch the hardest. Bill doesn't hold back—he breaks down how tariffs are playing out in real-time, why “friend-shoring” might be a smarter bet than “America-only” strategies, and how companies like yours can rethink risk, resilience, and global dependencies. If you want the unfiltered version of what's really going on in global trade—this is the episode for you.

We continue our series of interviews with leading candidates for San Antonio mayor ahead of the May 3 election. Bob welcomes Gina Ortiz Jones, an Air Force veteran and former Undersecretary of the Air Force under the Biden administration, for a wide-ranging conversation about her bid to lead the city. Ortiz Jones discusses her personal journey from growing up on the Far West Side to her national security work in Washington, and how those experiences have shaped her approach to local issues. The conversation covers: • Her motivations for returning to San Antonio and seeking the mayor's office • Reflections on her leadership in the Pentagon—including policy reforms and obstacles for women and minorities in the military • How her national service influences her perspective on public education, economic opportunity, and housing in San Antonio • Views on the city's economic competitiveness with Austin, Dallas, and Houston, and strategies for attracting job growth • Her positions on the city's housing bond, downtown development, airport expansion, and the need for data-driven policymaking • Concerns about outside money in local elections and how national endorsements fit into a nonpartisan mayoral race • The challenges posed by state and federal tensions with city government, and the impact on local policymaking • The importance of early childhood education, affordable housing, and comprehensive climate action for San Antonio's future Ortiz Jones addresses questions about her connection to the city, her thoughts on critical topics like Project Marvel and Mayor Nirenberg's Ready to Work, and shares how her varied experience could inform both immediate and long-term city leadership. -- --  RECOMMENDED NEXT LISTEN:

Representative Jasmine Crockett wants illegal immigrants to stay in America so they can pick cotton. Eldridge Colby was confirmed as Undersecretary for Policy in the Department of Defense and you'll never guess who voted against him. It was Mitch McConnell. Because, of course, it was.Colossal Biosciences claimed they are the first to “de-extinct” a species with the birth of two dire wolf puppies. Next, they want to bring back the wooly mammoth. Is this a good thing? Is this a bad thing? Are they really dire wolves or are they the genetic monstrosity that Michael Crichton was warning us about? We'll let you know.GUEST: Nick Di Paolo | Pops CrowderLink to today's sources https://www.louderwithcrowder.com/sources-april-9-2025Order today at http://www.1775coffee.com/CROWDER Get $250 worth of 1775 COFFEE + exclusive merch FOR ONLY $99. Only 1,000 units available.DOWNLOAD THE RUMBLE APP TODAY: https://rumble.com/our-appsJoin Rumble Premium to watch this show every day! http://louderwithcrowder.com/PremiumGet your favorite LWC gear: https://crowdershop.com/Bite-Sized Content: https://rumble.com/c/CrowderBitsSubscribe to my podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/louder-with-crowder/FOLLOW ME: Website: https://louderwithcrowder.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/scrowder Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/louderwithcrowder Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevencrowderofficialMusic by @Pogo

From January 26, 2024: In front of a live audience at the Knight Foundation's INFORMED conference in Miami, Florida, Lawfare Editor-in-Chief Benjamin Wittes spoke with Hon. Kenneth L. Wainstein, Under Secretary for Intelligence and Analysis at the Department of Homeland Security; Jameel Jaffer, Executive Director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University; and Lawfare Senior Editor Quinta Jurecic about government surveillance of open source social media.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.

Eric and Eliot discuss VP Vance's trip to Greenland and his appointment by the President to oversee the purging of American history at the Smithsonian and other museums. They also discuss who the biggest loser will be from Signalgate. They consider an excellent diplomatic memoir from the 1960s written by former Ambassador and Under Secretary of State Robert "Bob" Murphy -- Diplomat Among Warriors.  Murphy pioneered the role of Political Advisor (POLAD) for military leaders working closely with Generals Dwight Eisenhower and Mark Clark on the invasion and subsequent governance of North Africa, Sicily and Italy and then worked with General Lucius Clay on the military government of Germany. They note Murphy's controversial role in maintaining diplomatic relations with the Vichy government of France and negotiating a deal with French Admiral Darlan to smooth the way for the invasion of North Africa. They also discuss critics like AJP Taylor who complained that the US had no policy during World War II and whether FDR's desire to postpone political decisions until after the war was naive or reflected a higher realism given the likely dominant role the US would have at the end of the war. They conclude that Murphy represents an important tradition of professionalism and subject matter expertise in government that is well worth preserving. Diplomat Among Warriors: The Unique World Of A Foreign Service Expert: https://a.co/d/742sKIz Shield of the Republic is a Bulwark podcast co-sponsored by the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia.

Ambassador Wendy Sherman, the 21st U.S. Deputy Secretary of State and the first woman in that position, has been a diplomat, businesswoman, professor, political strategist, author, and social worker. She served under three presidents and five secretaries of state, becoming known as a diplomat for hard conversations in hard places. As Deputy Secretary, she was the point person on China. While serving as Undersecretary for Political Affairs, Sherman led the U.S. negotiating team that reached an agreement on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action between the P5+1, the European Union and Iran.  And, as Counselor at the State Department, she led on North Korea and was engaged on Middle East negotiations. For her diplomatic accomplishments she was awarded the National Security Medal by President Barack Obama. At Harvard Kennedy School, she was a professor of the practice of public leadership, director of the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School (where she is now a Hauser Leadership Fellow), and a current and former Senior Fellow at the School's Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. In 2002, along with former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Sherman built a global consulting business, The Albright Group. Sherman previously served on the President's Intelligence Advisory Board, chaired Oxfam America's Board of Directors, served on the U.S. Department of Defense's Defense Policy Board, and was Director of Child Welfare for the State of Maryland. She is the author of the book: “Not for the Faint of Heart: Lessons in Courage, Power and Persistence.” Sherman attended Smith College and received a B.A. cum laude from Boston University and a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland. Ralph Ranalli of the HKS Office of Communications and Public Affairs is the host, producer, and editor of HKS PolicyCast. A former journalist, public television producer, and entrepreneur, he holds an BA in political science from UCLA and a master's in journalism from Columbia University.Scheduling and logistical support for PolicyCast is provided by Lilian Wainaina. Design and graphics support is provided by Laura King and the OCPA Design Team. Web design and social media promotion support is provided by Catherine Santrock and Natalie Montaner of the OCPA Digital Team. Editorial support is provided by Nora Delaney and Robert O'Neill of the OCPA Editorial Team. 

Michael Duffy, President Donald Trump's nominee for Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, has committed to reviewing the Pentagon's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 if confirmed. This revamped program, effective since December, mandates that defense contractors handling controlled, unclassified information comply with specific cybersecurity standards to qualify for Department of Defense contracts. Concerns have been raised about the burden these regulations may impose on smaller firms, with a report indicating that over 50% of respondents felt unprepared for the program's requirements. Duffy aims to balance security needs with regulatory burdens, recognizing the vulnerability of small and medium-sized businesses in the face of cyber threats.In addition to the CMMC developments, the General Services Administration (GSA) is set to unveil significant changes to the Federal Risk Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP). The new plan for 2025 focuses on establishing standards and policies rather than approving cloud authorization packages, which previously extended the process for up to 11 months. The GSA intends to automate at least 80% of current requirements, allowing cloud service providers to demonstrate compliance more efficiently, while reducing reliance on external support services.Across the Atlantic, the UK government has announced a comprehensive cybersecurity and resilience bill aimed at strengthening defenses against cyber threats. This legislation will bring more firms under regulatory oversight, specifically targeting managed service providers (MSPs) that provide core IT services and have extensive access to client systems. The proposed regulations will enhance incident reporting requirements and empower the Information Commissioner's Office to proactively identify and mitigate cyber risks, setting higher expectations for cybersecurity practices among MSPs.The episode also discusses the implications of recent developments in AI and cybersecurity. With companies like SolarWinds, CloudFlare, and Red Hat enhancing their offerings, the integration of AI into business operations raises concerns about security and compliance. The ease of generating fake documents using AI tools poses a significant risk to industries reliant on document verification. As the landscape evolves, IT service providers must adapt by advising clients on updated compliance practices and strengthening their cybersecurity measures to address these emerging threats. Four things to know today 00:00 New Regulatory Shifts for MSPs: CMMC 2.0, FedRAMP Overhaul, and UK Cyber Security Bill05:21 CISA Cuts and Signal on Gov Devices: What Could Go Wrong?08:15 AI Solutions Everywhere! SolarWinds, Cloudflare, and Red Hat Go All In11:37 OpenAI's Image Generation Capabilities Raise Fraud Worries: How Businesses Should Respond  Supported by:  https://www.huntress.com/mspradio/https://cometbackup.com/?utm_source=mspradio&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=sponsorship  Join Dave April 22nd to learn about Marketing in the AI Era.  Signup here:  https://hubs.la/Q03dwWqg0 All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/ Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/ Want to be a guest on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights? Send Dave Sobel a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com Follow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.tech

AP Update 3/5: President Trump's Joint Address to Congress emphasized the renewal of the American Dream, highlighting policy achievements from his first 6 weeks in office. Trump considers dialing back the Mexico and Canada tariffs following a forceful response from the Canadians. The Senate confirmation hearing for Elbridge Colby, Trump's pick for Undersecretary of Defense for Policy, revealed GOP skepticism over his views on Iran and NATO. Attorney General Pam Bondi finally obtains the actual Epstein Files, maybe.Kars4Kids: Call 1-877-kars4kids or visit https://kars4kids.org/MKDone with Debt: https://www.DoneWithDebt.com/

Joe Sudbay hosts once again as John is out on vacation. He interviews attorney and politician Xochitl Torres Small. She was the 15th United States deputy secretary of agriculture from 2023 to 2025, acting as "chief operating officer" for the department. Prior to that, she was a U.S. representative for New Mexico's 2nd congressional district from 2019 to 2021 and had previously served as the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Rural Development, from 2021 to 2023. Xochitl is currently a Fellow at the University of Chicago's Institute of Politics. Then, Joe speaks with Evan Sutton who is founder of FireKit Campaigns, a company that coaches individuals and organizations to become rising leaders, finding proven approaches that will strengthen their authentic voice, craft values-based stories, and deliver messaging across platforms. He cut his teeth working with the American Federation of Teachers and the Obama 2008 campaign.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Story #1: In a stunning speech that falls just short of 'tear down this wall,' Vice President J.D. Vance tells Europe that the threat is not from Russia but from within. In response, CBS and Germany show a stunning lack of historical knowledge over Free Speech. Story #2: Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) joins to discuss his new book 'Seven Things You Can't Say About China.' Plus, he addresses the allegations head on that he was undermining the nomination of Elbridge Colby as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy nominee. Story #3: Canada boos the American National Anthem. America takes it to Canada with their fists and on the scoreboard. Is national pride back? Tell Will what you thought about this podcast by emailing WillCainShow@fox.com Subscribe to The Will Cain Show on YouTube here: Watch The Will Cain Show! Follow Will on Twitter: @WillCain Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices