Russia's invasion of Ukraine has changed the world in under 4 months, and it's still far from over. This week we feature special commentary by John Erath, the Senior Policy Director for the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. John discusses how an early end to the violence may be elusive, and what's next on Putin's agenda. How can this war end and are there good options going forward? John Erath is the Senior Policy Director for the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation: https...
Jun 16, 2022•36 min
Recent advances in deepfake technology have made it harder to distinguish between real and fabricated content, posing substantial threats to public figures, organizations and our national security. This week, host Elisa is joined by Matthew Ferraro of WilmerHale to discuss the threat of synthetic media and how this technology amplifies the spread of disinformation. What potential does this technology have to alter public perception during election cycles? Do we have laws in place to address thes...
Jun 09, 2022•30 min
Part 2 of 2 – In the struggle for transparency and accountability, whistleblowers play an invaluable role. This week, host Elisa is joined by Michael Atkinson, former Inspector General of the U.S. Intelligence Community, who, during his tenure, oversaw the investigation of the Ukraine whistleblower complaint that resulted ultimately in the first impeachment trial of former President Donald J. Trump. In the second half of his interview, Michael discusses the aftermath of the whistleblower complai...
Jun 02, 2022•31 min
In the struggle for transparency and accountability, whistleblowers play an invaluable role. This week, host Elisa is joined by Michael Atkinson, former Inspector General of the U.S. Intelligence Community, who, during his tenure, oversaw the investigation of the Ukraine whistleblower complaint that resulted ultimately in the first impeachment trial of former President Donald J. Trump. He shares his experience handling the issue both swiftly and ethically, as well as the path that led him to his...
May 26, 2022•31 min
From ransomware to software supply chain attacks, the energy sector faces constant cybersecurity threats. This week, host Elisa, along with friend of the cast, Harvey Rishikof, welcome on Cherylene Caddy of the Department of Energy. Cheri has extensive experience in cybersecurity supply chain vulnerabilities, risk management and response. What are the key cybersecurity concerns within the energy sector? And how is the current administration making steps to better secure our critical energy infra...
May 19, 2022•23 min
We are now entering the fourth month of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as the evacuations and destruction continues. This week, host Elisa is joined by Yevgeny Vindman, a colonel in the U.S. Army JAG Corps and former deputy legal advisor for the White House National Security Council. Having been born in Ukraine and risen through the ranks of U.S. military leadership despite contention, Col. Vindman brings a unique military perspective. What has this conflict revealed about NATO, its weapons, and ...
May 12, 2022•33 min
Twenty years ago, the U.S. held 37% of the world’s semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. Today, that share has dropped to just 12%. As demand for chips rises, we are faced with a pressing dilemma: rely on other nations for essential chips, or take the needed steps to bolster our semiconductor ecosystem here at home. This week, host Elisa is joined by Intel’s Tom Quillin to discuss the semiconductor supply chain and future goals for manufacturing in the U.S. What are our needs for semiconduct...
May 05, 2022•30 min
(Part 2 of 2) – In honor of Law Day on May 1st, we bring you special opening remarks from ABA President, Reginald Turner, along with the second half of our interview with Russia-Eurasia expert, Professor Angela Stent. Together with Elisa, Professor Stent continues to unpack the tangled history between Russia and Ukraine, and the resulting conflict that has dominated the world stage. What role does corruption play in the Russian military? And what are the scenarios in which this conflict may end?...
Apr 28, 2022•26 min
In order to understand today’s tensions between Russia and Ukraine, we have to start at the beginning. This week, host Elisa is joined by Russia-Eurasia expert, Professor Angela Stent, to unpack the tangled history between these two nations, and the resulting conflict that has dominated the world stage. How have the last two decades, and the rise of Vladimir Putin, altered the Russian-Ukrainian relationship? What is Ukraine's history with international partnerships and treaties? And why are Crim...
Apr 21, 2022•22 min
Happy Supply Chain Awareness Month! Since February of last year, the Biden Administration has spotlighted an urgent need to strengthen, secure and diversify our supply chains, both as a matter of economic prosperity and national security. While these concerns are not new, recent world events have exacerbated supply chain disruptions, exposing a range of vulnerabilities across sectors. This week, host Elisa is joined by Jeanette McMillian, to debrief six recent supply chain reports issued in resp...
Apr 14, 2022•25 min
How would you spend 4 minutes in suborbital space? This week, we welcome Audrey Powers of Blue Origin, who as of October 2021 became this first attorney-turned-astronaut aboard Blue Origin’s own New Shepard rocket. Her story is an inspiration for many, as she discusses her experience aboard the New Shepard, the career paths that lead her there, as well as the advantages and risks to the lawlessness of space. Audrey Powers is the Vice President of Flight Operations at Blue Origin: https://drive.g...
Apr 07, 2022•37 min
Behind Putin’s power is a steady flow of illegal funds. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the US and Europe have slapped numerous sanctions on Russian banks, officials, businesses, oligarchs and their families in an effort to flatten the Kremlin’s illicit financial flows. This week, host Elisa welcomes back Brian Egan of Skadden to discuss these crackdown efforts. How do kleptocrats acquire and hide their assets? And have these economic sanctions done enough to handicap Putin's war? Brian Egan...
Mar 31, 2022•18 min
(Part 2 of 2) – It’s the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. And in just 4 weeks, Putin’s playbook has proven to grossly violate international law. This week, host Elisa is joined by Judge James Baker to breakdown the laws and treaties that apply to Russia and this conflict. Which international agreements are at play, and which have been violated? And as this conflict escalates, what options are on the table for NATO member states? Hon. James E Baker is the Director of the In...
Mar 24, 2022•28 min
It’s the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. And in just 3 weeks, Putin’s playbook has proven to grossly violate international law. This week, host Elisa is joined by Judge James Baker to breakdown the laws and treaties that apply to Russia and this conflict. Which international agreements are at play, and which have been violated? And as this conflict escalates, what options are on the table for NATO member states? Hon. James E Baker is the Director of the Institute of Secur...
Mar 17, 2022•27 min
(Part 2 of 2) - As the world watches the evolving situation in Ukraine, many experts question the mindset and stability of Vladimir Putin. Are his tactics pure madness, or is this a more calculated strategy than we realize? This week host Elisa is joined by former CIA official Robert Dannenberg to dissect Putin’s history, current behaviors, and future intentions. What is Putin thinking and what is his endgame? Robert Dannenberg worked in the Central Intelligence Agency for 24 years, including as...
Mar 14, 2022•22 min
As the world watches the evolving situation in Ukraine, many experts question the mindset and stability of Vladimir Putin. Are his tactics pure madness, or is this a more calculated strategy than we realize? This week host Elisa is joined by former CIA official Robert Dannenberg to dissect Putin’s history, current behaviors, and future intentions. What is Putin thinking and what is his endgame? Robert Dannenberg worked in the Central Intelligence Agency for 24 years, including as Chief of Operat...
Mar 10, 2022•25 min
The deep ocean is the last great wilderness on Earth. Vast and largely unexplored, the CCZ alone covers 1.7 million square miles of abyssal plain. At its chilling depths you’ll find crushing pressure, zero sunlight, and a sweeping array of life living amongst some of the most coveted minerals on Earth. This week we bring you the hard science of the ocean floor. Host Elisa is joined by marine ecologist Alex Rogers to discuss the biodiversity of the CCZ and its role in our global ecosystem. How bi...
Mar 03, 2022•24 min
With great power…come great batteries. While to some they may seem like a ubiquitous technology, the fact is that batteries may very well hold the key to our energy revolution and a new electrified economy. This week, host Elisa is joined by University of Michigan battery expert Greg Less to breakdown the battery production process and how this involves the seabed. What minerals are needed to build today’s batteries, and the potential batteries of the future? Who controls the bulk of the battery...
Feb 24, 2022•23 min
Over 95% of the world’s data travels along a network of roughly 430 subsea cables. These cables, at about the thickness of a garden hose, are responsible for powering our wireless world. What happens when these cables are in harm's way? In this week’s continuation of our seabed mining series, host Elisa sits down with Kent Bressie, undersea cable industry expert, to discuss the risks of seabed mining on our communications infrastructure. What laws protect subsea cables? And in what ways are thes...
Feb 17, 2022•33 min
If the Clarion Clipperton Zone is the next frontier for critical mineral mining, what share of the pie does the U.S. currently have? The answer may surprise you. This week, host Elisa is joined by two U.S. State Department officials, Greg O’Brien and Kate Gorove, to talk all things U.S. interests when it comes to the seabed. What laws and treaties govern the international seabed and CCZ? Are we members of the International Seabed Authority? And if not, how come? Greg O’Brien is the Senior Oceans...
Feb 10, 2022•25 min
In our fourth installment of the seabed mining series, we loop back with Scott Segal, co-chair of the Policy Resolution Group at Bracewell LLP, for the second half of his perspective on seabed mining as a future source of critical minerals. As an industry professional, in Scott’s eyes the issue is a no-brainer; the global benefits of seabed mining are impressive, and, as he puts it, “No form of getting minerals is without any form of tradeoff.” Yet, co-hosts Elisa and Yvette ask him hard-hitting...
Feb 03, 2022•22 min
In our third chapter of the Seabed Mining as a National Security Threat series, we welcome back Matt Gianni, Co-Founder, Political and Policy Advisor for the Deep Sea Conservation Commission, to hear the second part of his perspective on mining the deep seabed. Matt further explains the risks involved with mining the CCZ, signaling out the legal gray areas that have not yet been addressed by the International Seabed Authority. Additionally, do we have access to alternative mineral types that cou...
Jan 27, 2022•20 min
Batteries require minerals, a fact many of us forget. In our second installment of the Seabed Mining as a National Security Threat series, co-hosts Elisa and Yvette sit down with Scott Segal, co-chair of the Policy Resolution Group at Bracewell LLP. Scott’s experience representing major companies in the renewable energy field includes The Metals Company, a Canadian mining startup and a major player in the race to mine the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ). Scott joins us to provide an industry persp...
Jan 20, 2022•30 min
In our first episode of the Seabed Mining as a National Security Threat series, co-hosts Elisa and Yvette welcome on Matthew Gianni, Co-Founder, Political and Policy Advisor for the Deep Sea Conservation Commission. With over 30 years experience in marine conservation, Matt breaks down the fundamentals of seabed mining with a focus on the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ). What laws and treaties govern the CCZ? And why is it of strategic interest to our allies and enemies alike? Matthew Gianni is th...
Jan 13, 2022•25 min
It’s a new year for national security law! To kick things off, co-hosts Elisa and Yvette dive into the latest international topics, from advanced Russian missile testing, to developments on the Horn of Africa, tensions in the Red Sea, and the announcement of our upcoming series on the world of seabed mining and its importance to national security law.
Jan 06, 2022•9 min
The second largest country in Africa, Sudan, recently experienced a coup. This is the second upset to Sudan’s ruling structure in less than 36 months. This week, co-hosts Elisa and Yvette are joined by Darin Johnson, professor of law at Howard University, who helps unpack these recent developments in Sudan while continuing our series on the strategic importance of the Horn of Africa. Why should Americans take interest in Sudan? What is Sudan’s history with international terrorism as well as coun...
Dec 16, 2021•33 min
Part 2 of 2 – The Tigray War in Ethiopia, which began in November of last year, has killed thousands, displaced millions, and has fueled a devastating humanitarian crisis in the region. This week, co-hosts Elisa and Yvette are joined by Cameron Hudson of the Atlantic Council to discuss the latest developments in this ongoing civil war. What approach is the Biden administration taking to address this crisis? And what actions could draw the U.S. further into the conflict? Cameron Hudson is a Nonre...
Dec 09, 2021•20 min
The Tigray War in Ethiopia, which began in November of last year, has killed thousands, displaced millions, and has fueled a devastating humanitarian crisis in the region. This week, co-hosts Elisa and Yvette are joined by Cameron Hudson of the Atlantic Council to discuss the latest developments in this ongoing civil war. How does Ethiopia’s political history contribute to today’s conflict? How are China, Iran and other nations involved? And why is Ethiopia’s instability on the Horn of Africa so...
Dec 02, 2021•30 min
It’s our 200th episode! To celebrate we’ve invited back one of our very first guests to the podcast, Brian Egan. This week we’re discussing illicit finance, sanctions, and whether our methods of detecting and penalizing kleptocracy are up to par. How do kleptocrats hide their assets? What national security tools are currently at play? And how can sanctions be helpful or harmful in this process? Brian Egan is a partner at Skadden: https://www.skadden.com/en/Professionals/E/Egan-Brian NSLT Ep. 158...
Nov 18, 2021•28 min
This week, co-hosts Elisa and Yvette welcome Lieutenant General Flora Darpino. As a 30-year Army veteran, Lieutenant General Darpino served as the 39th Judge Advocate General of the Army, and was the first woman to serve in her role. Lieutenant General Darpino shares her experience as an early JAG serving during the Cold War, the challenges and opportunities that shaped her career as a TJAG, and offers advice to young lawyers looking to explore what the JAG Corps has to offer. Lieutenant General...
Nov 11, 2021•37 min
