Podcasts · Government · News

NatSec Matters

Beacon Global Strategies LLC

167 episodes

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 careers of individuals who have devoted their lives to protecting our nation, offering listeners a rare glimpse into the inner workings of national security decision-making. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please email our team at bgs@bgsdc.com.

Episodes page 2 of 4

  1. The Race to Control Global Tech: Craig Singleton

    · 40 min · S1 E117

    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…

  2. Israel's Intelligence Breakdowns: Yaakov Katz

    · 59 min · S1 E116

    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…

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

    · 53 min · S1 E115

    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…

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

    · 48 min · S1 E114

    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…

  5. Venezuela, China, and America's Secrets: David Shedd & Andrew Badger

    · 44 min · S1 E113

    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…

  6. Lessons from Ukraine: Mick Ryan

    · 49 min · S1 E112

    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…

  7. Skepticism and Survival in Moscow: Dr. Kirill Shamiev

    · 34 min · S1 E111

    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…

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

    · 51 min · S1 E110

    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…

  9. After Asia - The President's Trip Fortifying US Economic Security: Sara Schuman

    · 37 min · S1 E109

    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…

  10. AI Spies, Economic Espionage and the New Forces Reshaping Global Intelligence: Anthony Vinci

    · 44 min · S1 E108

    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…

  11. Pressure on Caracas - Inside the U.S. Counter Drug-Shift: David Shedd

    · 57 min · S1 E107

    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.…

  12. Putin's Hybrid War - Dan Twining

    · 51 min · S1 E106

    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…

  13. Inside Israel's High-Stakes Intelligence Gambles: Ralph Goff

    · 51 min · S1 E105

    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…

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

    · 49 min · S1 E104

    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…

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

    · 37 min · S1 E103

    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…

  16. The State of Iran's Nuclear Program: David Albright

    · 53 min · S1 E102

    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…

  17. Rebuilding Syria: Jeffrey Feltman

    · 42 min · S1 E101

    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…

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

    · 39 min · S1 E100

    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…

  19. National Security's Arctic Frontier: Iris Ferguson

    · 44 min · S1 E99

    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…

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

    · 40 min · S1 E98

    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…

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

    · 37 min · S1 E97

    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…

  22. Critical Lines - The Geopolitics of Undersea Cables: Erin Murphy

    · 42 min · S1 E96

    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…

  23. Deterring Pyongyang: Syd Seiler

    · 41 min · S1 E95

    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…

  24. 'World War I with Drones': Bradley Bowman

    · 52 min · S1 E94

    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…

  25. Shielding the Homeland: Vice Admiral James Syring

    · 50 min · S1 E93

    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…

  26. The Russian Time Bomb: Peter Rough

    · 33 min · S1 E92

    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…

  27. Beyond the Barrel: Dr. Karen Young

    · 46 min · S1 E91

    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…

  28. Arrows and Quivers: Dr. Tom Karako

    · 47 min · S1 E90

    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…

  29. Special Episode: The Iranian Nuclear Gamble with Richard Nephew

    · 59 min · S1 E89

    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…

  30. The 'Sledgehammer' to Global Trade: Kelly Ann Shaw

    · 48 min · S1 E88

    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…

  31. Special Episode: The Next Move in the Iran Crisis with Richard Nephew

    · 1 h 04 min · S1 E87

    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…

  32. The Iran Equation: Gen. Frank McKenzie

    · 40 min · S1 E86

    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…

  33. An Unwinnable War: Mark Montgomery

    · 43 min · S1 E85

    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…

  34. The Long War: Glenn Corn

    · 55 min · S1 E84

    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…

  35. Palaces & Policy Shifts: Jeffrey Feltman

    · 56 min · S1 E83

    Michael Allen talks with former senior State Department official Jeffrey Feltman about President Trump's "new approach" to the Middle East following his recent trip to the Gulf. Jeffrey analyzes the President's focus…

  36. Beijing's Long Game: Mike Studeman

    · 47 min · S1 E82

    Michael Allen talks with retired rear admiral and China expert Mike Studeman about the geopolitical implications of President Trump's trade negotiations with China and US policy to counter Chinese influence and…

  37. The Biotech Frontline: Dawn Meyerriecks

    · 44 min · S1 E81

    Jeremy Bash explores the biotech battleground with former CIA science and technology chief Dawn Meyerriecks. Dawn, a key voice on the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, discusses the urgent need…

  38. Statecraft 2.0: Dennis Ross

    · 1 h 03 min · S1 E80

    Andrew Shapiro talks with former US Ambassador Dennis Ross, who argues that the country's foreign policy needs a reboot. Amb. Ross explains the principles of "Statecraft 2.0" – why the US must adapt its leadership for…

  39. The Arctic Power Play: Iris Ferguson

    · 44 min · S1 E79

    Andrew Shapiro talks with former Pentagon Arctic policy head Iris Ferguson about how melting sea ice is ushering in a new era of great power competition, ending decades of 'Arctic exceptionalism.' Iris, the DOD's first…

  40. The 'Tariff Trap': Craig Singleton

    · 42 min · S1 E78

    Michael Allen talks with Craig Singleton, Senior Director for China at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, about whether President Trump is locked into an inescapable trade war with China's Xi Jinping. Craig…

  41. The Turkish Tightrope: Glenn Corn

    · 50 min · S1 E77

    Michael Allen talks with former CIA senior executive Glenn Corn about whether Turkey is a US ally or wildcard. They discuss how Turkey is navigating the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine while managing relationships with…

  42. Trump, Ukraine, and the Ceasefire Gamble: Peter Rough

    · 45 min · S1 E76

    What does President Trump's plan for peace in Ukraine look like, and what could it cost Kyiv? Michael Allen talks with Peter Rough, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, about the high-stakes diplomacy under way…

  43. Economic Warfare: Eddie Fishman

    · 45 min · S1 E75

    Michael Allen speaks with Eddie Fishman, sanctions expert and author of Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare. Eddie explains how the U.S. has wielded economic weapons against Russia, Iran, and…

  44. Guardians of the Sky: Frank Kendall

    · 40 min · S1 E74

    Jeremy Bash speaks with former Air Force Secretary LTC (Ret.) Frank Kendall about the future of U.S. air and space dominance amid rising threats from China and Russia. Mr. Kendall describes the Pentagon's toughest…

  45. The Estonian Watchmen: Arnold Sinisalu

    · 46 min · S1 E73

    Michael Allen speaks with Arnold Sinisalu, former chief of Estonia's Internal Security Service, about Estonia's frontline role in countering Russian espionage and subversion. Arnold describes how Estonia tracks and…

  46. Transatlantic Tensions: Nico Lange

    · 45 min · S1 E72

    Michael Allen speaks with Nico Lange, senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, about Germany's political future and the major shifts in transatlantic security. They discuss the recent German elections,…

  47. Russia's 'Shadow War': Bojan Pancevski

    · 50 min · S1 E71

    Michael Allen speaks with The Wall Street Journal's Chief European Political Correspondent, Bojan Pancevski, about his recent article on Russia's new 'Department of Special Tasks.' Panchevski reveals the unit's…

  48. International Headwinds: Mark Montgomery

    · 55 min · S1 E70 · Explicit

    Michael Allen speaks with retired Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, Senior Director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. He shares insights on the Ukraine war,…

  49. Geopolitics in Transition: Jon Finer

    · 54 min · S1 E69

    Jeremy Bash speaks with Jon Finer, former Principal Deputy National Security Advisor to President Biden. Jon offers candid insights on addressing Iran's destabilization, Russia's war in Ukraine, and China's ambitions…

  50. Inside Israeli Military Intel: Tamir Hayman

    · 53 min · S1 E68

    Michael Allen speaks with Maj. Gen. Tamir Hayman, former head of Israeli army intelligence, about the current threat landscape to Israeli national security. Tamir discusses Israel's evolving strategic response since…

Shows are listed from Apple Podcasts' charts and directory, and Podcast Index where it is used. Every show and episode belongs to its publisher and plays from the publisher's own feed; this site hosts none of them. Explicit shows are for adult profiles only, and children’s profiles hear only children’s shows. More about this list.