We examine efforts to prevent the spread of resporitory viruses in America’s jails and prisons and what practices were identified from this experience. Guest Biographies NhuNgoc Pham is a research scientist with CNA’s Center for Public Health Preparedness and Resilience . Jim Alexander is a senior advisor with CNA’s Center for Justice Research and Innovation . Darren Sieger is the Director of the Administration Broward Sheriff’s Office and has helped correctional facilities implement steps to mi...
Jul 02, 2025•27 min
We examine what happened in South Korea’s snap election and its implications for South Korea’s relations with the US, Japan, China, Russia, and North Korea. Guest Biographies Dr. Thomas Bickford is a principal research scientist in the CNA Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Program . His research has focused on Chinese maritime strategy, Chinese national security policy, and China’s relations with its neighbors. Carita Reid is the Research Assistant for the China and Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Div...
Jun 18, 2025•28 min
We cover the recent conflict between India and Pakistan, why they were able to desescalate so quickly, and what this tells us about nuclear deterrence and escalation. Guest Biographies Stephanie Stapleton is a Research Scientist with CNA’s Strategy and Policy Analysis Program . She is an expert in nuclear policy and strategic deterrence, with a focus on strategic competition within the emerging two-near-peer security environment. Decker Evelth is an Associate Research Analyst with CNA’s Counteri...
Jun 04, 2025•23 min
Two CNA field analysts discuss their work assisting operations to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. Guest Biographies Dr. Keith Zirkle is a research scientist in CNA’s Fleet Operations and Assessments Program. He is CNA’s field representative at Naval Forces Central Command. Kevin O'Connell is a research analyst in CNA’s Fleet Operations and Assessments Program . He is currently CNA’s field representative to Commander, Seventh Fleet, but he deployed with Carrier Strike Group 2 during ...
May 21, 2025•36 min
This episode examines what DeepSeek’s AI model tells us about China’s AI ecosystem, military applications for this technology, and other developments in China’s high-tech sector. Guest Biographies April Herlevi is a senior research scientist in CNA’s China and Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Division. Christopher Cairns is a research scientist in CNA’s China and Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Division. Further Reading Intersections: Issue 13 To subscribe to Intersections, email Intersections@cna.or...
May 07, 2025•24 min
Dmitry Gorenburg, winner of this year’s Trustees Award, joins the show to discuss his 20-year career at CNA and how the study of Russia has changed during that time. Guest Biography Dmitry Gorenburg is a Senior Research Scientist in CNA’s Russia Studies Program . He is an expert on security issues in the former Soviet Union, the Russian military, Russian foreign policy, and ethnic politics and identity. His recent research has focused on decision-making processes in the senior Russian leadership...
Apr 23, 2025•22 min
This episode examines how uncrewed systems have been used in the Ukraine war and how the US can use this information to develop countermeasures. Guest Biographies Samuel Bendett is an advisor with CNA’s Russia Studies Program. His research focuses on Russian defense and technology developments; uncrewed, robotic, and autonomous military systems; artificial intelligence; and Russian military capabilities. His analysis of Russia’s war against Ukraine has appeared in globally read news outlets such...
Apr 09, 2025•37 min
This episode explores the political, military, and economic dimensions of the relationship between Russia and Iran. Guest Biographies Dr. Elizabeth Wishnick is an expert on China-Russian relations, Chinese foreign policy, and Arctic strategy. At CNA, Wishnick contributes her dual regional expertise on China and Russia, including professional proficiency in both languages, to research and analyze Xi Jinping’s risk-taking, Sino-Russian military cooperation, China’s Arctic policy, and Chinese and R...
Mar 26, 2025•34 min
Our partners from the FAA’s Center for Excellence’s ASSUREd Safe join the show to discuss integrating uncrewed aerial systems into the national airspace. Guest Biographies BJ McClenton is the Associate Director of ASSUREd Safe , brings over 20 years of first responder and emergency service experience as a firefighter and emergency medical technician. Prior to joining ASSUREd Safe, he spent 15 years working with Mississippi State University Extension conducting adult education and outreach progra...
Mar 12, 2025•25 min
This episode covers South Korean President Yoon’s December 3 declaration of martial law, his impeachment, and what this means for US/ROK security cooperation. Guest Biographies Dr. Thomas Bickford is a principal research scientist in the CNA I ndo-Pacific Security Affairs Program . His research has focused on Chinese maritime strategy, Chinese national security policy, and China’s relations with its neighbors. Carita Reid is the Research Assistant for the China and Indo-Pacific Security Affairs ...
Mar 05, 2025•23 min
This episode covers technological innovation in the People’s Republic of China, including developments in AI, subsea sensors, and the commercial space industry. Guest Biographies April Herlevi is a senior research scientist in CNA’s China and Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Division. Christopher Cairns is a research scientist in CNA’s China and Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Division. Further Reading Intersections: Issue 12 To subscribe to Intersections, email Intersections@cna.org ....
Feb 19, 2025•22 min
Experts from across CNA join the show to discuss their research on challenges the industrial base faces in meeting U.S. government demands. Guest Biographies Dr. Charles A. Cartier is a research scientist in CNA’s Gaming and Integration Program . He was a lead analyst and co-designer of the CAMOLAND wargame on Clothing and Textiles for the Defense Logistics Agency. Dawn Thomas is a co-director of the Center for Emergency Management and Operations and director of the Center for Critical Incident ...
Feb 05, 2025•33 min
This episode covers the fall of the Assad regime and what it means for Syria, Russia, Iran, and Turkey. Guest Biographies Michael Connell is a specialist in Russia and the Middle East in CNA’s Russia Studies Program. His primary area of expertise is the armed forces of Iran and Russia, and he has published extensively on these topics both inside and outside of CNA. Jeffrey Edmonds is an expert on Russia and Eurasia in CNA’s Russia Studies Program. Edmonds previously served as the Senior Advisor ...
Jan 22, 2025•23 min•Ep. 176
This episode covers how Taiwan applies lessons from the Ukraine War to prepare for a potential invasion from the People’s Republic of China. Guest Biographies April A. Herlevi is a Senior Research Scientist in CNA’s China Studies program. She is an expert on the People’s Republic of China (PRC) foreign and security policy, economic statecraft for technology acquisition, and the increasing role of PRC commercial, economic, and military actors globally. Dr. Pollpeter is the Director of Research at...
Jan 08, 2025•26 min
The Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Navy asked CNA for recommendations on how the Navy can better position itself for such competition, that is, below the threshold of armed conflict. In this episode, three experts from across CNA join the show to discuss their specific recommendations and what the future fleet needs to look like to implement them. Guest Biographies David M. Finkelstein is vice president and director of CNA's China and Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Division . A retired U....
Dec 25, 2024•31 min
This episode covers RShiny, a CNA-funded dashboard government leaders can use to examine the Navy Shipbuilding Plan. Guest Biographies Rachel Hartley is a research analyst for CNA’s Force Optimization and Readiness Generation program. She specializes in performance-to-plan Human Resources and addressing recruiting crises. Further Reading CNA’s Innovation Incubator
Dec 11, 2024•15 min
In this episode, Ralph Espach and Stephanie Stapleton join the show to discuss their assessment of AUKUS’s implementation. Guest Biographies Ralph Espach is an expert in U.S.-Latin American relations, U.S. security assistance and cooperation in Latin America, and the assessment, monitoring, and evaluation of U.S. strategies and programs. His work focuses on U.S. security relations across the Americas, maritime security and naval issues, U.S. security cooperation efforts, and strategic risks such...
Nov 27, 2024•35 min
Timothy Ditter joins the show to discuss his report on China’s military presence in Africa, including its first overseas military base in Djibouti. Guest Biographies Timothy Ditter is a senior research scientist in CNA’s China Studies Program . His work covers PLA amphibious warfare, China’s military modernization and expansion, China’s growing nuclear weapons program, and China’s nascent global military presence. Further Reading CNA Report: The Military and Security Dimensions of the PRC's Afri...
Nov 13, 2024•30 min
This episode examines the views of three stakeholder communities within Moscow’s interconnected nuclear ecosystem and how they view Russia’s nuclear doctrine. * A previous version of this episode incorrectly stated that Russia's Security Council changed its nuclear doctrine during a September 25 meeting. The correct telling is that Russian President Vladimir Putin soft-launched proposed changes to the doctrine during this meeting. At this time, Russia has made no official changes to its nuclear ...
Oct 30, 2024•33 min•Ep. 172
This episode examines the misinformation that spread after Hurricanes Helene and Milton and how individuals and institutions can help stop it. Guest Bios Dawn Thomas is a co-director of the Center for Emergency Management and Operations and director of the Center for Critical Incident Analysis. She is an expert in large-scale incident planning and response. She has worked on a large array of emergency preparedness issues, helping federal, regional, state, and local agencies prepare for and respo...
Oct 18, 2024•32 min
This episode explores the Kursk Offensive, Ukraine’s counter-invasion of Russia, and its implications for the United States and NATO. Guest Biography Michael Petersen is a Principal Research Scientist in CNA's Countering Threats and Challenges Program at CNA. He is an expert on Russian military strategy, operations, and net assessments of high-intensity conflict. From 2023-2024, he served as senior advisor to Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti. From 2015-2023, he was Professor and...
Oct 09, 2024•28 min
This episode covers the inception, development, and potential of CNA’s internal large language model, Morse Code. Guest Biographies Gregor Goodman is the Director and Chief Technology Officer in CNA’s Chief Information Office. He has 20 years of hands-on experience with technology and cyber security, from technical administration to consulting. His expertise is understanding business goals and aligning a technology posture to drive organizational growth....
Sep 25, 2024•29 min
Experts discuss victim-centered policing. How can it lead to better outcomes for crime victims and investigators, and how police departments can implement the practice. Guest Biographies Nicole Carroll is the Director of the Victim Services Unit at the Louisville Metro Police Department, where she ensures the rights and needs of crime victims and witnesses are met through quality programs and services, exercising supervision of subordinate personnel, and overseeing advocacy and service provision...
Sep 11, 2024•27 min•Ep. 168
We cover CNA’s Force Design Lab, which helps shape the Navy's future by assessing the platforms, capabilities, and concepts that enable it to perform desired missions. Guest Biographies Gordon Jaquith is the Executive Director of CNA’s Department of Navy Relations and the Vice President and Director of CNA’s Systems, Tactics and Force Development Division. Before joining CNA, Gordon served as director of the Strategic, Defensive, and Science/Technology Division at the Cost Assessment and Program...
Aug 28, 2024•36 min•Ep. 167
One of the most prominent challenges organizations face when planning for the future is grappling with how unknown external factors will impact their organization. STEEP analysis allows planners to examine future Social, technical, economic, ecological, and political factors and plan for the opportunities and threats these factors will create. In this episode, CNA’s Melissa Gutierrez and Heleana Melendez, Captain Jose Gurule from the Denver Sheriff's Department, and Danielle Rudes from Sam Houst...
Aug 14, 2024•33 min
Today is the 60th anniversary of the Gulf of Tonkin incident, which led to the United States’ entry into the Vietnam War. In recognition of this event, we are bringing you a special episode of CNA Talks, featuring a group of historians with uniquely valuable perspectives on the incident. This discussion was originally held on August 5, 2023.
Aug 02, 2024•1 hr 49 min
In September 2021, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States announced a trilateral security agreement known as AUKUS. The partnership would allow Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines from the US, and it would be an agreement that the partners would collaborate on advanced technology like artificial intelligence and autonomy. In this episode, Ralph Espach and Stephanie Stapleton join the show to discuss their assessment of AUKUS’s implementation. Guest Biographies Ralph Esp...
Jul 31, 2024•35 min
Climate change is a complex and multifaceted problem that no actor can address alone. How can governments understand the impact of various actors in their jurisdiction and ensure that solutions are rolled out effectively and sustainably? Dawn Thomas joins the show to discuss her work using ecosystem models to examine New Orleans’ efforts to tackle climate change. Guest Biography Dawn Thomas is a co-director of the Center for Emergency Management and Operations and director of the Center for Crit...
Jul 17, 2024•22 min
The United States Navy is the most powerful naval force on earth, able to project power in every corner of the globe, but this mighty forces has humble beginings. Just in time for Independence Day, Steve Wills, joins the show to discuss the Continetial Navy’s role in the American Revolution and how its legacy is reflected in the modern day US Navy. Biographies Steven Wills is an expert in U.S. Navy strategy and policy, and U.S. Navy surface warfare programs and platforms. As a Navy historian, hi...
Jul 03, 2024•32 min
The Russian Federation is an example of a large authoritarian state whose military is subordinate to its civil government. But since the onset of the War in Ukraine, tensions have been growing between civilian and military leaders. In this episode, Julian Waller joins John to discuss the current state of civil-military relations in Russia’s government and how the Wagner Group rebellion fits into this puzzle. Biography Julian G. Waller is a Research Analyst with CNA’s Russia Studies Program. He i...
Jun 05, 2024•35 min•Ep. 161
