x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

NatSec Matters

Beacon Global Strategies LLC

Formerly known as Intelligence Matters, the NatSec Matters podcast features former senior national security officials Michael Allen, Jeremy Bash, and Andrew Shapiro as they interview top leaders in national security, including intelligence officers, military leaders, and policymakers, on the most critical security challenges of our time. Their interviews offer insights into the world"s most pressing problems and assess the effectiveness of U.S. policy responses. They also explore the biographies and

government

All Episodes

39:55

The Race to Control Global Tech: Craig Singleton

NatSec Matters ·

2025/12/31

Michael speaks with Craig Singleton, China Program Senior Director and Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, about the new frontiers of the US-China tech competition. Craig explains China's willingness to weaponize its dominance in rare earth magnets and how that leverage has left US assembly lines vulnerable. He also explores the high-stakes debate over semiconductor export controls, including a controversial profit-sharing deal for NVIDIA's H20 chips with the US government

en

59:09

Israel's Intelligence Breakdowns: Yaakov Katz

NatSec Matters ·

2025/12/24

Michael speaks with Yaakov Katz, former editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post and author of the new book While Israel Slept: How Hamas Surprised the Most Powerful Military in the Middle East. Yaakov discusses how the catastrophic intelligence failure leading up to October 7th was rooted in a moment of "lack of imagination" and Israel's fatal commitment to the misbelief that Hamas wanted quiet prosperity, not war. He connects this failure to Israel's dangerous over-reliance on technology. Yaakov also

en

52:45

The Reagan Survey: Public 'Firepower' for National...

NatSec Matters ·

2025/12/17

The Reagan Survey: Public 'Firepower' for National Security Michael speaks with Roger Zakheim, the Washington Director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, about the recently released National Security Strategy and the findings of the Reagan National Defense Survey of American public opinion. Although Roger critiques the National Security Strategy for a "huge missed opportunity" in failing to explicitly name China and Russia as adversaries, he highlights that a supermajority

en

47:30

Regime Change, Drug War or Stalemate?: David Shedd &...

NatSec Matters ·

2025/12/10

Michael speaks with former acting Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency David Shedd and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense of Western Hemisphere Affairs Jana Nelson about US strikes on narcotraffickers in Latin America and whether the Trump Administration is closing in on attacks on Venezuela. They discuss what could be next for the Maduro regime and potential US targets in Venezuela, including arms facilities in remote areas. Jana and David also discuss the regional reaction to the

en

44:25

Venezuela, China, and America's Secrets: David Shedd...

NatSec Matters ·

2025/12/03

Michael speaks with David Shedd, former acting director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, and Andrew Badger, a corporate risk advisor and former intelligence officer. David and Andrew share their stark forecasts for possible U.S. military strikes on Venezuela's Maduro regime and narco-trafficking targets. They then shift hemispheres to discuss their book, The Great Heist: China's Epic Campaign to Steal America's Secrets. They reveal how China's "whole of society" espionage campaign feeds into a

en

49:29

Lessons from Ukraine: Mick Ryan

NatSec Matters ·

2025/11/26

Michael speaks with Major General Mick Ryan (Ret.), a Senior Fellow for military studies at the Lowy Institute in Sydney, about the latest developments in the war in Ukraine and what we can learn to apply in conflicts around the globe. General Ryan assesses the current state of the front lines, detailing how Russia is leveraging its advantage in electronic warfare and drone technology. He also explains why the Ukrainian counter-offensive has been hampered by a lack of Western ground-based

en

34:15

Skepticism and Survival in Moscow: Dr. Kirill Shamiev

NatSec Matters ·

2025/11/19

Michael speaks with Dr. Kirill Shamiev, a non-resident fellow at the Kennan Institute, about the internal dynamics of the Kremlin and its war in Ukraine. Dr. Shamiev discusses the growing skepticism among the Russian elite regarding Putin's invasion, increasing economic anxiety, and the current state of the regime. He also unpacks how the war has strained civil-military relations and forecasts that the most likely outcome is a "semi-frozen conflict" until there is clarity regarding European

en

51:09

Pressuring Putin Towards a Ceasefire in Ukraine: Nico...

NatSec Matters ·

2025/11/12

Michael speaks with Nico Lange, a senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis and the Munich Security Conference, about the grinding war in Ukraine and the outlook for Europe. Nico details how Russia's summer offensive failed to deliver results for the Kremlin and argues that Western support for Ukraine must move beyond "survival mode." He outlines the strategic necessity of deep strikes on Russian oil refineries and infrastructure to limit Putin's ability to wage war. Nico also

en

36:41

After Asia - The President's Trip Fortifying US...

NatSec Matters ·

2025/11/05

Michael talks with Beacon's new Director of International Trade Practice Sara Schuman, who previously served as the Senior Trade Representative for China at the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Sara discusses President Trump's trip to Asia and its implications for economic security, reflecting on what works and doesn't work when negotiating with China. Sara also reveals how the Trump administration is linking trade and security and uses trade as a tool of economic statecraft, and

en

43:48

AI Spies, Economic Espionage and the New Forces...

NatSec Matters ·

2025/10/29

Michael speaks with Anthony Vinci, a former senior intelligence officer and the first Chief Technology Officer of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Anthony discusses his new book, "The Fourth Intelligence Revolution: The Future of Espionage and the Battle to Save America," arguing that AI has launched a revolution where "machines are going to spy on machines." Anthony warns that the new cyber threats mean every American is now a target, demanding a new strategy. He also explains why the

en

57:29

Pressure on Caracas - Inside the U.S. Counter...

NatSec Matters ·

2025/10/22

Michael speaks with David Shedd, former CIA officer and former acting director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, about the Western Hemisphere and the escalating threat from Venezuela—on the heels of recent U.S. strikes targeting alleged drug mules off the country's coast. David discusses the significant shift in U.S. strategy, which now treats narco-trafficking more like counter-terrorism targets than criminal organizations. He explains why the U.S. is using MQ-9 Reaper drones and Navy assets to

en

51:07

Putin's Hybrid War - Dan Twining

NatSec Matters ·

2025/10/15

Michael speaks with Dan Twining, president of the International Republican Institute, about the future of US-Russia relations and the war in Ukraine. Dan discusses Valdimir Putin's current and long-term strategy, and his alliances with countries like North Korea and China. He also takes aim at Biden-era policies that forced Ukraine to "fight with one hand tied behind its back." Finally, Dan discusses what's at stake and the war's most likely off-ramps.

en

51:03

Inside Israel's High-Stakes Intelligence Gambles:...

NatSec Matters ·

2025/10/08

Michael speaks with Ralph Goff, a 35-year CIA veteran and six-time Chief of Station. Ralph, now with Cipher Brief, talks about Israel's daring "Rising Lion" operation targeting Iranian nuclear facilities. He explains why Israel pursues such high-stakes missions, from the theft of Iran's nuclear archive to the targeted assassinations of top officials. Ralph also reveals the immense risk tolerance that allows the Mossad to operate so deeply inside a hostile Iranian police state.

en

48:48

COVID & The Next 'Big One': Dr. Michael Osterholm

NatSec Matters ·

2025/10/01

Andrew speaks with Dr. Michael Osterholm, founding director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy Center at the University of Minnesota about his new book, "The Big One: How We Must Prepare for Future Deadly Pandemics", which is an urgent warning about the next global health crisis. Dr. Osterholm explains why the continued focus on COVID's origin is distracting from the critical lessons we need to learn. He also offers a frank critique of "meaningless" plexiglass shields and

en

37:01

'The Cork in the Bottle' - China, Taiwan and the US:...

NatSec Matters ·

2025/09/24

Michael speaks with Zack Cooper, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, about the evolving dynamics of US policy toward China and the Indo-Pacific. Zack discusses how President Trump's pursuit of a meeting with Xi Jinping has shaped US policy and offers new analysis on the timeline for a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan. Zack also confronts the reality of the so-called "axis of upheaval"—a tightening cooperation between China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran—and what it means for US

en

53:24

The State of Iran's Nuclear Program: David Albright

NatSec Matters ·

2025/09/17

Michael speaks with President and Founder of the Institute for Science and International Security David Albright about the state of the Iranian nuclear program following US and Israeli strikes. David, a renowned expert on Iran's nuclear program, provides updated analysis on the systematic destruction of key facilities and shares his insights on the challenges of reconstituting the program, the fate of missing enriched uranium, and the ongoing efforts of international monitors.

en

41:54

Rebuilding Syria: Jeffrey Feltman

NatSec Matters ·

2025/09/10

Andrew speaks with Jeffrey Feltman, former United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs and a distinguished fellow at the Brookings Institution. Jeffrey takes us inside the precarious state of post-civil war Syria, the deep-seated sectarian and geopolitical tensions that fueled the conflict, and the complex roles of the US and regional powers who want a stake. He also shares his insights on the ongoing threat from insurgent groups and the challenges of establishing a stable, unified

en

39:20

Trade, Tariffs, and a New Normal: Kelly Ann Shaw

NatSec Matters ·

2025/09/03

Michael is joined by Kelly Ann Shaw, a partner at Aiken Gump and former Deputy Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs. They explore the critical state of U.S. trade policy through a national security lens, including with an eye on China. Following decades-long trade negotiations, Kelly Ann says U.S. trade policy has entered a "new normal" where it is now driven by domestic political needs and the economic concerns of American voters. Kelly Ann also discusses the evolving role

en

44:00

National Security's Arctic Frontier: Iris Ferguson

NatSec Matters ·

2025/08/27

After a summer of action in the Arctic, Andrew Shapiro re-visits his conversation with former Pentagon Arctic policy head Iris Ferguson about this strategic frontier. Iris explains how melting sea ice is ushering in a new era of great power competition, ending decades of 'Arctic exceptionalism.' Iris, the DOD's first Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Arctic, discusses Russia's interests, China’s pursuit of influence as a 'near-Arctic state,' and the US imperative to bolster homeland defense, domain

en

39:55

The New Frontiers of the US-China Tech Competition:...

NatSec Matters ·

2025/08/20

Michael Allen talks with Craig Singleton, China Program Senior Director and Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, about the new frontiers of the US-China tech competition. Craig explains that while trade talks are in a "tactical pause," China's dominance in rare earth minerals and its willingness to use them as leverage reveal a key US vulnerability. The conversation also explores the debate over US semiconductor export controls. He argues that selling advanced chips like

en

117 results

Similar Podcasts

The Fly

Georgetown"s Institute of Politics and...

THE CONSTITUTION STUDY

Paul Engel

The DSR Daily

The DSR Network

The Lawfare Podcast

The Lawfare Institute

Fora do Baralho

Rádio Observador