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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

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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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37:23

Cartel Threats - A National Security Challenge: David...

NatSec Matters ·

2025/08/13

Michael Allen is joined by David Fitzgerald, a career intelligence officer with 38 years of service, to discuss the rapidly evolving dynamics of cartel operations at the U.S. southern border. David addresses whether these criminal organizations constitute a national security threat by examining their history and the capacity of authorities to monitor and counter them.

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42:29

Critical Lines - The Geopolitics of Undersea Cables:...

NatSec Matters ·

2025/08/06

Andrew Shapiro talks with CSIS researcher (and undersea cable enthusiast) Erin Murphy about the threats facing these critical transmission paths at the bottom of the world’s oceans. Erin explains why undersea cables are vital to military communications, financial systems, and healthcare—and how they’ve evolved into strategic targets. She also discusses the roles of China and Russia, and how the commercial interests of the infrastructure’s private owners stack up against national security

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40:37

Deterring Pyongyang: Syd Seiler

NatSec Matters ·

2025/07/30

Michael speaks with Syd Seiler, former U.S. National Intelligence Officer for North Korea and one of the U.S. government’s most experienced Korea hands. Seiler unpacks the long arc of Kim Jong Un’s strategy, the roots of North Korea’s provocations, and why the regime sees nuclear weapons as essential to its survival. He also discusses the limits of diplomacy, the myth of a quick breakthrough, and how U.S. policy should adapt for the long game.

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51:32

'World War I with Drones': Bradley Bowman

NatSec Matters ·

2025/07/23

Michael Allen talks with Foundation for Defense of Democracies' Bradley Bowman, who attacks the myth that supporting Ukraine has weakened America's defenses for Taiwan. Bradley, who's senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power, details how the war in Ukraine has become a brutal "World War I with drones"-- an attrition battle where crucial aid is still needed.

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50:19

Shielding the Homeland: Vice Admiral James Syring

NatSec Matters ·

2025/07/16

Jeremy Bash is joined by former Missile Defense Agency Director Vice Admiral (Ret.) James Syring, who discusses the evolving threats to U.S. air defense, including hypersonic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones. He explains the vulnerabilities of current systems, which were designed decades ago and now face threats posed by advanced arsenals. VADM Syring details how the 'Golden Dome' initiative will integrate existing and new technologies, like low-Earth orbit satellite constellations for

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33:18

The Russian Time Bomb: Peter Rough

NatSec Matters ·

2025/07/10

Peter Rough, Director of the Hudson Institute’s Center on Europe and Eurasia, joins Michael to discuss why time may be running out for Russia in its war on Ukraine. He argues that tighter international sanctions enforcement and increased U.S. weapons and intelligence support could begin to squeeze the Kremlin as early as late this year, as the economic costs of the war mount. This comes as the dog days of summer in Ukraine wear on without any fundamental shifts in the conflict.

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45:50

Beyond the Barrel: Dr. Karen Young

NatSec Matters ·

2025/07/02

Michael talks with Dr. Karen Young, Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute, about the potential economic ripple effects of the Israel-Iran conflict. Dr. Young explains the ‘decoupling’ of Middle Eastern conflict from global oil prices, the impact of U.S. fracking on oil supply, and the increasing efficiency of global oil usage—and why it all matters for Middle East geopolitics.

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47:01

Arrows and Quivers: Dr. Tom Karako

NatSec Matters ·

2025/06/25

Michael talks with Dr. Tom Karako, Director of the Missile Defense Project at CSIS, about the high-stakes missile confrontation between Israel and Iran, recorded just before the recent US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Tom analyzes the role of ballistic missiles in the conflict, the capabilities of Israeli and US defenses, and the strategic implications of the Trump Administration's "Golden Dome" initiative for US national security.

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59:29

Special Episode: The Iranian Nuclear Gamble with...

NatSec Matters ·

2025/06/25

Senior research scholar at Columbia University and former NSC Director for Iran Richard Nephew joins Michael for another special episode to analyze the recent US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities. Richard discusses President Trump's decision-making, the Iranian reaction, the assessed damage to the nuclear program versus potential hidden capabilities, the critical loss of IAEA access, and the fragile outlook for a lasting ceasefire.

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48:06

The 'Sledgehammer' to Global Trade: Kelly Ann Shaw

NatSec Matters ·

2025/06/18

Michael talks with Kelly Ann Shaw, former Deputy Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs, about President Trump’s 'sledgehammer' approach to international trade and tariffs. Kelly Ann, who also served as Trade Counsel to the House Ways and Means Committee, explains the current state of the global "trade war," the strategic de-escalation with China on critical minerals, and the White House's broader push to rebalance trade relationships and counter what it calls unfair

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01:03:39

Special Episode: The Next Move in the Iran Crisis...

NatSec Matters ·

2025/06/18

In this special episode, Michael talks with Iran expert Richard Nephew, who warns of impending U.S. military strikes on Iran's deeply buried nuclear facilities—a task only the American military can achieve. The former NSC official casts doubt on Israel's regime change strategy, fearing it could backfire and lead to an even more hardline Iranian government. Richard also discusses Iran's potential for escalating attacks on key shipping channels and regional energy infrastructure, risking a wider

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40:06

The Iran Equation: Gen. Frank McKenzie

NatSec Matters ·

2025/06/11

In this episode of NatSec Matters, we revisit Michael Allen's conversation with General (Ret.) Kenneth 'Frank' McKenzie, Jr., former commander of U.S. Central Command, about the evolving security challenges in the Middle East. They discuss Iran’s vulnerabilities, the impact of Israel’s military actions, and the strategic fallout from the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. General McKenzie also explores the rising threat of ISIS, the limitations of over-the-horizon operations in

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42:57

An Unwinnable War: Mark Montgomery

NatSec Matters ·

2025/06/04

Michael Allen welcomes back RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery to the podcast, where he explains why—even with a ceasefire—ending the war between Russia and Ukraine could be “impossible.” He discusses the recent shifts in military gains and losses on both sides, and what it could take to change the odds in favor of either Moscow or Kyiv.

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55:19

The Long War: Glenn Corn

NatSec Matters ·

2025/05/28

Michael Allen talks with former CIA executive and US foreign policy expert Glenn Corn, a regular guest of NatSec Matters. Glenn shares insights from his recent trip to Ukraine and the outlook for US support in its fight against Russia. He also highlights smart moves by President Trump in countering the Kremlin and offers reasons for optimism for Ukrainian fighters.

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103 results

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