Curtis introduces the critical concepts of strategic and regional deterrence, explaining their definitions, differences, and importance in international security. He emphasizes the characteristics of both types of deterrence and how they work together to avert strategic attack and conflict management down to the local level. Get Involved with more NIDS Services: https://thinkdeterrence.com/ Deterrence Education at NIDS https://thinkdeterrence.com/deterrence-education/ Listen to our Podcasts http...
Jul 23, 2025•12 min•Season 3Ep. 139
In this conversation, host Aaron Holland discusses the hypothetical scenario of a nuclear strike on Cheyenne Mountain, a critical military installation. He explores the catastrophic implications of such an event, emphasizing the strategic vulnerabilities it would expose and outlines necessary improvements to the U.S. missile defense systems, including advanced interceptors, enhanced sensor networks, and better integration with allies. He also highlights the potential of directed energy weapons a...
Mar 03, 2025•6 min•Season 3Ep. 119
Host, Christopher Stone and Dr. Coyote Smith explore the historical significance of the Panama Canal and its implications for modern space strategy. Coyote discusses the influence of naval strategist Alfred Thayer Mahan on the canal's construction and its relevance to contemporary geopolitical concerns, particularly regarding choke points and national security. The discussion transitions to the future of the Space Force, emphasizing the need for a maritime approach to space operations and the im...
Feb 10, 2025•33 min•Season 3Ep. 116
In this episode of NIDS Knowledge, host Joe Buff overviews how America should properly analyze setting the size of our nuclear deterrence arsenal. Factors include sound risk management, flexibility of yields and delivery options, and covering worst case scenarios where China, Russia, and North Korea pool their nukes for aggression.
Feb 03, 2025•12 min•Season 3Ep. 115
In this episode, Dr. Carl Rhodes joins Christine and Natalie as a guest and discusses his report on small uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) and their implications for military strategy, particularly for the Australian Army. He highlights the growing threat posed by these systems, their evolution from commercial to military use, and the challenges they present in terms of air superiority. The conversation also delves into defense strategies, the balance between passive and active defenses, and the bl...
Jan 27, 2025•34 min•Season 3Ep. 114
Christopher Stone interviews David Marsh and they explore the strategic importance of the Arctic region, particularly Greenland, in the context of national security and space operations. David discusses the historical significance of the Arctic, the current geopolitical landscape involving great powers like Russia and China, and the implications of Greenland's potential independence. The dialogue emphasizes the need for the U.S. to maintain a strong presence in the Arctic, the importance of inte...
Jan 20, 2025•35 min•Season 3Ep. 113
In this episode, the Carl, Christine, and Natalie welcome Frank Miller and Madelyn Creedon to discuss the complexities of nuclear deterrence in the current geopolitical landscape, focusing on the challenges posed by China and Russia. They emphasize the urgency of modernization and the need for a balanced approach between nuclear and conventional capabilities. The conversation also explores the role of allies in the Asia-Pacific region, the potential for an Asian NATO, and the implications of nuc...
Jan 13, 2025•42 min•Season 3Ep. 112
In this conversation, Christopher Stone provides observations and critical analysis on the "Six Core Truths of the Space Force", recently articulated by the Chief of Space Operations. Are these really the "core truths" of a warfighting service or are these just another list rationalizing the service providing mentality the CSO is arguing against?
Jan 06, 2025•17 min•Season 3Ep. 108
Carl and Christine welcome RAND researchers Dahlia Goldfeld and Nathan Beauchamp-Mustafaga to discuss their report titled “Denial Without Disaster: Keeping a US-China Conflict over Taiwan Under the Nuclear Threshold.” This episode delves into China’s nuclear buildup, its doctrine of nuclear first use, potential pathways to Chinese nuclear escalation and strategies the US can employ to minimize the likelihood of escalation.
Dec 30, 2024•40 min•Season 2Ep. 107
Jim gives a whimsical example to explain minimal deterrence.
Dec 23, 2024•12 min•Season 2Ep. 106
In this episode of NIDS Knowledge, host Aaron Holland delves into the crucial elements that shape nuclear deterrence: escalation dominance and narrative control. Discover how the ability to control conflict dynamics and effectively communicate strategic intentions creates a powerful deterrent against potential adversaries. Aaron explores the interconnected nature of military strength and strategic messaging, emphasizing their role in maintaining global stability in a complex world. Tune in to le...
Dec 16, 2024•7 min•Season 2Ep. 105
In this episode, Christopher Stone welcomes Dr. Brent Ziarnick to discuss what the next Trump Administration and Congress should do to strengthen the Space Force over the next four years. Challenges such as Pentagon bureaucracy, lack of armed capabilities, and its need for stronger service leadership are just a few of the items discussed. The views of the host and guests are their own.
Dec 09, 2024•1 hr 58 min•Season 2Ep. 104
Carl, Christine, and Natalie discuss the concept of mass in military strategy, its relevance in modern warfare, and the implications of nuclear weapons on deterrence. They explore the evolution of air power, the importance of precision in strikes, and the current state of Australia's defense industry. The conversation highlights the need for innovation and the challenges faced in military preparedness in a rapidly changing global landscape.
Dec 02, 2024•31 min•Season 2Ep. 103
Host, Alex Littlefield, discusses plutonium and its production.
Nov 25, 2024•9 min•Season 2Ep. 102
In this episode, Christopher Stone provides commentary and context regarding recent space diplomatic activities at the UN and how repeating the same language over and over, without the shadow of military power to back it up, leads to strategic failure.
Nov 18, 2024•19 min•Season 2Ep. 101
In this episode of NIDS Knowledge, host Aaron Holland explores the United States' long-standing grand strategy of nuclear inhibition—focused on preventing the spread of nuclear weapons to new states. From historical successes to modern-day challenges, Aaron delves into the pragmatic roots of inhibition, the credibility of extended deterrence, and the thought-provoking theories of scholars like Kenneth Waltz. Tune in to understand how the U.S. can sustain this critical strategy in the face of ris...
Nov 11, 2024•7 min•Season 2Ep. 100
In this episode, Christopher Stone argues for a re-evaluation of the U.S. Space Force's readiness and capability limitations in light of the expansion of counterspace threats to include nuclear ASATs and FOBS, as well as typical reversible weapons systems.
Nov 04, 2024•20 min•Season 2Ep. 99
In this episode, Carl, Christine, and Natalie engage in a comprehensive discussion with Hugh White about the implications of China's growing nuclear capabilities and the shifting strategic landscape in the Asia-Pacific region. They explore Australia's position in this changing world, the dynamics of US-China military competition, and the lessons learned from the Cold War regarding nuclear deterrence.
Oct 28, 2024•41 min•Season 2Ep. 98
In this episode, Christopher Stone welcomes Ilan Berman, Senior VP of the American Foreign Policy Council to discuss his recent op-ed on how Starlink could help captive nations' quest for freedom and aid in winning competition with China.
Oct 21, 2024•35 min•Season 2Ep. 97
Joe Buff explains how China's and Russia's very low birth rates can make their nuclear first-use more likely..
Oct 14, 2024•11 min•Season 2Ep. 96
In this episode Christopher Stone provides commentary on a recent editorial on space arms control from a "space security" advocate and provides some reality checks upon many of its views. To read the editorial responded to see https://spacenews.com/in-shadow-war-diplomats-experts-seek-ban-weapons-from-space/
Oct 07, 2024•20 min•Season 2Ep. 95
Natalie, Christine and Carl are joined by NATO Director of Nuclear Policy, Jim Stokes. They discuss how extended deterrence works at NATO, NATO’s role in the Indo-Pacific, the strategic challenge posed by China, specifically its nuclear buildup, and how NATO needs complementarity and coherence between conventional and nuclear deterrence and defense.
Sep 30, 2024•49 min•Season 2Ep. 94
Dr. Brent Ziarnick joins Chris to discuss a recent report on America's GPS constellation and whether or not we as a nation are falling behind in great power competition with China in the field of space based positioning, navigation and timing (PNT)
Sep 23, 2024•35 min•Season 2Ep. 93
This second episode in Maj. Gen. USAF (Ret.) Don Alston's Leadership Series, Don discusses the importance of setting expectations, incentivizing behaviors and enforcing standards to drive a self-critical culture essential to success in nuclear alert missions. Alston shares stories and examples to illustrate how culture can be cultivated and improved within an organization.
Sep 16, 2024•9 min•Season 2Ep. 92
In this episode, Christopher Stone speaks with Dr. Kathleen Ellis about her paper on China’s version of GPS and its strategic impacts upon those peoples falling under the Belt and Road Initiative. Disclaimer: The thoughts, opinions and statements of the host and the guest are those and are not to be viewed as those of their employers or the Department of Defense. Guest Dr. Casey Ellis https://nipp.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Vol.-3-No.-3.pdf...
Sep 09, 2024•30 min•Season 2Ep. 91
Carl hosts David Ochmanek to discuss deterring a potential invasion of Taiwan. Likely scenarios are discussed, military challenges are identified, and technological and operational solutions are proposed.
Sep 02, 2024•33 min•Season 2Ep. 90
Christopher Stone explores the background and significance of U.S. policy and strategy changes regarding the Russian-made RD-180 engine and the US's former reliance on it. The episode discusses the decision to import the RD-180 engine and the movement away from it following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2014.
Aug 26, 2024•13 min•Season 2Ep. 89
Carl, Christine, and Natalie discuss preparedness, transparency, and acquisition in relation to deterrence. The Australian Triad also discuss Australia’s purchase of loitering munitions, its recent role in cyber deterrence, and the importance of readiness and sustainment to deterrence.
Aug 19, 2024•31 min•Season 2Ep. 88
Guest, Jim Cooper, of COMSPOC, a commercial leader in space situational awareness (SSA) technology, shares his views regarding the past, present, and future of commercial sector space domain awareness and supporting the government with space traffic management.
Aug 12, 2024•33 min•Season 2Ep. 87
The first in a series on leadership, Maj. Gen. USAF (Ret) Don Alston explains the part that risk, trust, and consequence plays in nuclear deterrence.
Aug 05, 2024•11 min•Season 2Ep. 86
