Andy talks with Dr. Christine Michienzi, who served as the Senior Technology Advisor for the Pentagon’s Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment and as the Chief Technology Officer for the Industrial Base Policy office. Dr. Michienzi explains the national security vulnerabilities in U.S. supply chains for essential minerals and materials used in key defense hardware like electronics, satellites, weapons systems and ammunition. She discusses China’s dominance in these critical sup...
Oct 30, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 56
Michael talks with former National Counterterrorism Center Director Christy Abizaid, who shares her extensive experiences in the intelligence community. She discusses the evolution of her career from intelligence analyst to policymaker and leader in counterterrorism, emphasizing the importance of integrity, objectivity, and the need for intelligence officials to accurately inform policy. Abizaid also highlights the challenges of navigating crises, the significance of being present in decision-ma...
Oct 23, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 55
Michael talks with former CIA Deputy Chief of Staff Nick Shapiro, former Deputy Director of CIA for Science and Technology Dawn Meyerriecks, and former Director of the agency’s elite Special Activities Center Brian Carbaugh about their new class on MasterClass: The Art of Intelligence . Nick helped organize the class on MasterClass with Michael, Dawn, and Brian who were given authorization to share their real-life experiences and the lessons they learned about leadership, critical thinking, and ...
Oct 16, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 54
Andy talks with Matt McKnight, General Manager for Biosecurity at Ginkgo Bioworks, about the new frontier of global threats posed by weaponized cell engineering. Matt discusses the need for a comprehensive global monitoring and early detection system, enhanced international cooperation, and a unified defense approach to mitigate the potentially catastrophic impacts of biological events, whether accidental or malicious.
Oct 09, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 53
Michael speaks with former Israeli National Security Advisor Eyal Hulata, now a senior international fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, about recent military strikes against Hezbollah, the strategic implications for Iran, and the need for a comprehensive agreement to secure long-term stability in Lebanon. Eyal also warns of the risk of Iran pursuing nuclear weapons and highlights the importance of international support for the Iranian people. Their conversation took place just ...
Oct 02, 2024•46 min•Season 1Ep. 52
Michael talks with Bloomberg senior writer Stephanie Baker about her new book, Punishing Putin: Inside the Global Economic War to Bring Down Russia , which examines the unprecedented economic statecraft waged by the U.S. and its European allies in response to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. The book evaluates the effectiveness of sanctions, how Russia is enduring them, and what may happen next.
Sep 25, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 51
Michael and Andy discuss their recent travels and the bleak prospects for resolving conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, Taiwan’s preparedness for a potential Chinese attack, and the unfolding crisis in Venezuela. Michael also shares his son’s podcast, "3rd & 33", which focuses on college football.
Sep 18, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 50
Michael explores the world of leadership analysis with former CIA analyst Jennifer Welch. Now the Chief Geoeconomics Analyst for Bloomberg Economics, Jennifer discusses the art and science of crafting detailed profiles of world leaders—from understanding their personal histories to deciphering their strategic mindsets. She reveals how leadership analysis illuminates the human element in global affairs and can make or break diplomatic negotiations.
Sep 11, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 49
Michael talks with Israeli intelligence expert Uri Bar-Joseph, who dissects the stunning failure of Israeli intelligence ahead of the October 7th Hamas attack—a “perfect failure” that shook the foundations of Israel’s vaunted security apparatus. Tracing the roots of this debacle back decades, Bar-Joseph discusses the fatal flaw in Israel’s national security strategy: prioritizing military might over diplomatic engagement. It’s part of Uri’s new book in Hebrew, 'Beyond the Iron Wall.'...
Sep 04, 2024•41 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Michael reintroduces this episode featuring his conversation with former CIA officer Rolf Mowatt-Larssen, who shares unique anecdotes that reveal the Russian mindset, from a puppet show to a symbolic Bolshoi performance. His firsthand experiences in the country explore how history, culture, and psychology shape Russia's worldview—and foreshadow its actions in geopolitics today.
Aug 28, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 47
Michael reintroduces this episode featuring Andy's conversation with former CIA operative Jim Lawler, who reveals how he and his team unraveled the world's most extensive nuclear proliferation network, led by the 'father of the Islamic bomb,' A.Q. Khan.
Aug 21, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 46
Andy speaks with Mary Ellen Callahan, Assistant Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security's Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Office. They discuss a recent DHS report on reducing the risks of AI accelerating chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats. Mary Ellen explains the government's efforts to build consensus among agencies, engage with the private sector, and develop safety standards to combat these emerging AI-driven threats.
Aug 14, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Michael speaks with Latin America and Venezuela expert Pedro Borelli, the Founder and Managing Director of B&V Holdings, a financial advisory firm. Pedro discusses the disputed results of Venezuela’s July 28 presidential election, in which President Nicolas Maduro claimed victory despite opposition tallies indicating that their candidate, Edmundo González, won. Pedro provides historical context on Venezuela’s transition from a stable democracy to a “mafia state” under the Chávez and Maduro regim...
Aug 07, 2024•47 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Michael talks with former CIA senior China analyst Chris Johnson, who breaks down the recent Chinese Communist Party's so-called third plenum, revealing President Xi Jinping's focus on state-led tech advances over market reforms. Chris, a CSIS Senior Fellow, shares his views on China's leading issues amidst a slowing economy. He also offers insights into Beijing's views on the chaotic U.S. political scene and how a possible President Kamala Harris could engage China.
Jul 31, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 43
Managing Director and Partner at Beacon Global Strategies, Michael Allen, sits in for Michael Morell and Andy Makridis this week and checks in with the Center for a New American Security’s Andrea Kendall-Taylor about the current state of Russia’s war on Ukraine and how a possible President Kamala Harris could spearhead U.S. support for Ukraine. Andrea, a former CIA senior analyst and now Senior Fellow and Director of the Transatlantic Security Program at CNAS, discusses the current status of NAT...
Jul 24, 2024•43 min•Season 42Ep. 1
Andy talks with Wall Street Journal Reporter Chun Han Wong, who covers Chinese politics. He has written extensively about the country's human rights record, its Communist Party, and President Xi Jinping. Chun discusses the current issues facing China and its relations with the US, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. He also offers analysis on China's political system and Xi's efforts to centralize power, along with the threats China poses to Taiwan.
Jul 17, 2024•51 min•Season 1Ep. 41
Michael speaks with Sydney Seiler, one of the country's top experts on North Korea and Korea Chair at CSIS. Sydney served as the U.S. Special Envoy for Six Party Talks, where he led negotiations with North Korea. He also held key positions at the National Intelligence Council, ODNI, CIA, and NSA. Sydney discusses North Korea's recent treaty with Russia and its growing provocations on the Korean Peninsula.
Jul 11, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 40
Andy talks with the former Deputy Director of the National Security Agency George Barnes about the NSA's missions focused on signals intelligence and cybersecurity, as it also adapts to emerging strategic challenges like competition from China and Russia. George also shares his take on quantum computing and AI, and discusses how the NSA tries to recruit and retain some of the world’s most skilled workers.
Jul 03, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Andy talks with Michael about his June Foreign Affairs article, “The Terrorism Warning Lights Are Blinking Red Again: Echoes of the Run-Up to 9/11,” co-written with Graham Allison. Michael discusses the pre-9/11 threat and national security parallels with today’s environment. He also shares his assessment of a newly unsealed 1999 video from Saudi intelligence officer Omar al-Bayoumi, which Michael says appears to be ‘casing’ footage of the US Capitol. Additionally, Michael talks with Andy about ...
Jun 26, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Michael and Andy discuss their roles as daily intelligence briefers for former President George W. Bush. They share their experiences inside the Oval Office, the unique challenges of the job, and how they dealt with constant pressure and performance expectations. Note: This episode contains an expletive.
Jun 19, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 37
Andy talks with Chris Miller, author of "Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology" and Associate Professor of International History at Tufts University, about semiconductor chips. Chris discusses the global supply chain of critical chip manufacturers, why the U.S. must focus on advancing semiconductor innovation, and the competition with adversaries like China in chip development. He also explains why Taiwan is a world leader in chip manufacturing and how crucial the sector i...
Jun 12, 2024•41 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Andy talks with Steve Bowsher, Chief Executive Officer at In-Q-Tel, an intelligence and national security community venture capital non-profit. IQT says it is a strategic investor that accelerates the development and delivery of cutting-edge technologies to US government agencies. Steve discusses investing in startups, recognizing success, and doing business with the federal government, as well as with other countries, including Australia and the UK. Steve also discusses AI, biosecurity, and inn...
Jun 05, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Andy talks with retired General John W. 'Jay' Raymond, the first Chief of Space Operations of the U.S. Space Force. Gen. Raymond discusses leading space operations and commands, and the growing threats posed by China and Russia's counterspace weapons. Gen. Raymond also focuses on collaborating with commercial companies and partners to maintain space superiority, and how the Space Force has evolved into what it is today.
May 29, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 34
Andy talks with Arun Gupta, a venture capitalism lecturer at Stanford University and an adjunct entrepreneurship professor at Georgetown. Arun is also the CEO of the NobleReach Foundation, which focuses on catalyzing and inspiring a renewed spirit of national service through innovation. He is the author of "Venture Meets Mission: Aligning People, Purpose, and Profit to Innovate and Transform Society." In their discussion, Arun shares insights from his experience and book on how to better partner...
May 22, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 33
Michael talks with Asfandyar Mir, a South Asia senior expert at the United States Institute of Peace, about Pakistan. The two discuss the U.S. national security interest in Pakistan, relations between the two countries, the influence of China on Pakistan, and the Pakistani Taliban and Al-Qaeda.
May 15, 2024•43 min•Season 1Ep. 32
Michael talks with Beth Sanner, a career CIA analyst who concluded her tenure with the federal government as Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Mission Integration at the ODNI from April 2019 to March 2021. She discusses the risks and potential next steps in the Israel-Gaza conflict, Iran and the Middle East, Russia's war on Ukraine, and how she rose through the CIA's ranks to become a world-class analyst specializing in South Asia.
May 08, 2024•41 min•Season 1Ep. 31
Michael talks with retired FBI Special Agent Peter Lapp about his new book, "Queen of Cuba: An FBI Agent's Insider Account of the Spy Who Evaded Detection for 17 Years." Peter unveils the remarkable case of Ana Montes, the Defense Intelligence Agency senior analyst who was arrested 10 days after 9/11 for spying for Cuba. Together, Michael and Peter delve into Montes's audacious activities for communist Cuba, the unraveling of her espionage work, her prosecution and current whereabouts.
May 01, 2024•45 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Andy speaks with former CIA Center for Cyber Intelligence Director Andrew Boyd about protecting systems from the most sophisticated cyber terrorism and hacking attempts. Andrew outlines the current cyber threats posed by China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and non-state actors like ransomware groups. Andy and Andrew also discuss the US cybersecurity strategy, partnerships between the government and the private sector, and challenges around emerging technologies like AI.
Apr 24, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Michael talks to Former Assistant Director of CIA for South and Central Asia Dave Pitts about the threat of ISIS-K. Before retiring in October, Pitts was among the last American officials on the ground during the US withdrawal from Afghstanistan in August 2021. He discusses the growing threat of ISIS-K, which has been operating in the country, and around the region. Michael and Dave also reflect on the state of Al-Qaeda.
Apr 17, 2024•43 min•Season 1Ep. 28
Michael and Andy discuss the 2024 worldwide threat report from the Intelligence Community. They discuss frontier issues including space and ISIS-K, and longtime US adversaries including Iran and China. They offer their candid reactions to the unclassified publicly released annual assessment, and what it means for the future of global security.
Apr 10, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 27
