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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

45:27

Red Sea Rivalries - The Proxy War for Sudan and the...

NatSec Matters ·

2026/02/18

Michael speaks with Josh Meservey, a Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute and one of the nation's leading experts on African geopolitics and counterterrorism. Josh discusses the high-stakes Sudanese Civil War, its ripple effects across the Red Sea into the Middle East, and why the US has a stake in the region's stability, trade, and security. Josh also explains the Great Power competition unfolding in Africa as China works to escalate its influence.

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48:02

The Lurking Escalation with Iran & the Future of the...

NatSec Matters ·

2026/02/11

Michael speaks with the former Chief of the IDF Intelligence Directorate Maj. Gen. (res.) Tamir Hayman about the increasing likelihood of military action against Iran's missile program. Gen. Hayman—who serves as Executive Director of the Tel Aviv-based Institute for National Security Studies (INSS)—analyzes the complex regional "reshuffle," explaining how Saudi Arabia is recalibrating its position through a rapprochement with Iran while distancing itself from the UAE and Israel. Gen. Hayman also

en

41:56

US-Iran Summit - Taming Mideast Volatility: Gregory Brew

NatSec Matters ·

2026/02/04

Michael speaks with Gregory Brew, Senior Analyst at the Eurasia Group and country analyst for Iran, about the high-stakes decision facing the Islamic Republic: "strikes or talks." Greg analyzes the upcoming diplomatic summit in Istanbul, where the U.S. is pushing for "maximalist concessions" regarding Iran's nuclear program, ballistic missile stockpile, and regional proxy networks like Hamas and Hezbollah. Greg also discusses the strategic leverage of the recent U.S. naval buildup in the Middle East

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01:01:32

The Iranian Regime's Long Goodbye: Richard Goldberg

NatSec Matters ·

2026/01/28

Michael speaks with Richard Goldberg, a Senior Advisor at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and former Director for Countering Iranian WMD at the National Security Council. Rich provides a masterclass on the historical and modern context of Iranian protest movements, explaining why the most recent uprising is fundamentally different from previous ones. He breaks down the regime's playbook of violence—including internet blackouts and brute force—while examining the strategic failures of past

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52:18

The Future of the Iranian Regime: Jeffrey Feltman

NatSec Matters ·

2026/01/21

Michael speaks with former Ambassador Jeffrey Feltman about the precarious state of the Islamic Republic of Iran following the latest wave of mass protests there. Jeff analyzes the regime's use of brutality, coercion, and a total internet blackout to quiet the streets, while arguing that survival does not equal success. Jeffrey also discusses the economic catastrophe Iran faces, the strategic ambiguity surrounding the White House's next moves following new sanctions, and the outlook for regional

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41:48

Venezuela After Maduro - U.S. Intervention, Cartels,...

NatSec Matters ·

2026/01/14

Michael Allen speaks with Dr. Ryan Berg, Director of the Americas Program and Head of the Future of Venezuela Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), about the stunning aftermath of the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela. Ryan breaks down the high-stakes Delta Force raid that successfully captured Nicolas Maduro for trial in New York—an operation that lasted only two hours. Dr. Berg also explores the strategic necessity of the U.S. naval presence in the

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53:09

Venezuela with David Shedd & One Million Downloads

NatSec Matters ·

2026/01/07

In this special episode marking one million downloads for the podcast, Jeremy Bash speaks with David Shedd, former acting director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, about the "breathtaking" US military operation in Venezuela over the weekend. They discuss the high-stakes mission to capture Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Celia Flores, to face trial for narco-terrorism in the US. David explores the complex rationale behind the raid—from narco-trafficking charges to the underlying goal of regime

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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

124 results

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