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CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast

CNA

CNA's experts understand today's complex and dynamic national security environments. On CNA Talks, you'll find analysis of globe-shaping conflicts, foreign policy and shifting alliances, regional breakdowns, pandemics and other health crises, environmental disasters, homeland security concerns, and the future of strategic competition. Follow CNA Talks to go behind the headlines and learn from data-driven, objective, discussions on the factors shaping today's national security landscape.

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#221
October 21 · 16 min
Drone as First Responder Programs: Do They Work?
This episode covers recent CNA research on the impact of Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs on law enforcement operations. Guest Biographies Thomas Christoff is an expert on criminology, law, and justice. Christoff has extensive experiencing working with local and state law enforcement agencies, providing technical assistance in all facets of police operations. Heleana Melendez is an expert in criminal justice research and policing. Her research areas include social network analysis, violent crime investigations, cryptomarkets and police reform. Further Reading Previous CNA Talks Episode: Drone As First Responder Programs CNA's Center for Justice Research and Innovation
#220
October 7 · 22 min
Sino–Russian Military Cooperation
This episode covers past and potential military cooperation between the People's Republic of China and Russia. Guest Biographies Elizabeth Wishnick is an expert on Sino-Russian relations, People's Republic of China and Russian security policy, Asian security, polar strategy, and resource security. Dmitry Gorenburg is an expert on security issues in the former Soviet Union, the Russian military, Russian foreign policy, and ethnic politics and identity. Further Reading CNA's Russia Studies Program CNA's China Studies Program Wishnick in China Leadership Monitor
September 23 · 27 min
Russia's Shadow Fleet
This episode explores how Russia uses shadow fleet tactics to avoid Western sanctions, and the complexities of countering these tactics under maritime law. Guest Biographies Cornell Overfield is a specialist in the relationship between maritime law and foreign policy. At CNA, he has worked on projects covering Arctic security and economic activity, improved engagement with allies and partners, and data analytics. Further Reading CNA InDepth: The Shadow Fleet's New Flags Challenge Order at Sea
September 9 · 32 min
CNA's Partnership with The National Mass Violence Center
The directors of the National Mass Violence Center join the show to discuss their work helping communities prepare for and recover from mass violence incidents. Guest Biographies Dr. Alyssa A Rheingold, Director of Response, Recovery, and Resilience at the National Mass Violence Center. Dr. Angela Moreland Director of the Improving Community Preparedness Division at the National Mass Violence Center. Lindsey Clancey, Research Scientist with CNA's Center for Justice Research and Innovation and an expert in crime, justice and victimology. Further Reading National Mass Violence Center Center for Justice Research and Innovation
August 26 · 28 min
Oregon's Worst Wildfire Season on Record
This episode covers Oregon's wildfire season and how a CNA tool provides a new resource for state emergency managers. Guest Biographies John Kearse III is a senior research specialist in CNA's Center for Emergency Management Operations. He has supported more than 10 critical incident analyzes, ranging from wildfires and floods to active shooters. Shaun Williams is an expert in geographic information systems (GIS) and data science, specializing in geospatial artificial intelligence, accessibility modeling, crime analysis, and environmental analytics. Further Reading CNA InDepth: Carey Whitehair-Conde on Using AI to Pinpoint Transportation Wildfire Risk CNA InDepth: Unique Challenges of Wildfire Cleanups Confront Los Angeles CNA Release: CNA Secures Second Place in Global Spatial AI Challenge for Wildfire Threat Detection CNA Report: Best Practices in Social Media Crisis Communications for State and Local Emergency Management Agencies CNA Talks: How Can Emergency Managers Best Utilize Social Media?
August 5 · 27 min
The Drone Blockade of Crimea
This episode explores how Ukraine is using unmanned systems to disrupt Russian logistics on the Crimean Peninsula, and how this campaign is impacting the Russia-Ukraine war. Guest Biographies Dmitry Gorenburg is an expert on security issues in the former Soviet Union, the Russian military, Russian foreign policy, and ethnic politics and identity. Samuel Bendett's research focuses on Russian defense and technology developments; uncrewed, robotic and autonomous military systems; artificial intelligence; and Russian military capabilities. Further Reading CNA's Russia Studies Program
July 22 · 34 min
Joshua Tallis: Director of CNA's Ally and Partner Security Affairs Program
Joshua Tallis joins the show to discuss the Strait of Hormuz, his time as CNA's Scientific Analyst to the Chief of Naval Operations, and CNA's new Ally and Partner Security Affairs Program. Guest Biographies Joshua Tallis is the director of CNA's Ally and Partner Security Affairs program, where he oversees research on foreign government strategies, operations, and capabilities to support US national security objectives. Further Reading CNA's Ally and Partner Security Affairs Program
July 8 · 18 min
How Can Emergency Managers Safely Integrate AI Tools?
This episode examines how emergency managers can reap the benefits of AI tools while avoiding some of their pitfalls, like hallucinations. Guest Biographies Jamie Biglow is a Project Manager with CNA's Center for Emergency Management Operations. She'll be speaking at the 2026 National Homeland Security Conference. Gregor Goodman is CNA's chief AI officer, acting as the end-to-end technology interlock between study sponsors and CNA on the largest high-impact projects. He works together with business and research leaders to build a technology partnership, ensuring that offered technical solutions deliver exceptional results for clients.
June 24 · 24 min
China's Influence in Pacific Island's Media
Over the past decade, China sought to deepen its ties with the Pacific Islands. This includes an effort to expand its footprint in the region's media landscape. Guest Biographies Heidi Holz is a Senior Research Scientist in CNA's China Studies Program. Her research focuses on People's Republic of China (PRC) strategic communications, propaganda, disinformation, and other global influence efforts. Genevieve Collins is a Senior Research Specialist in CNA's China Studies Program. Further Reading CNA Report: Understanding China's Footprint in the Pacific Islands' Media Landscape
June 10 · 35 min
Analyzing Hollywood Portrayals of Emergency Management
This episode examines various depictions of emergency management in Hollywood movies and asks what the consequences are of inaccurate portrayals. Guest Biographies Heather Marshall is a Senior Research Specialist with CNA's Center for Emergency Management Operations. Sydney Stewart is an expert in emergency management and homeland security, specializing in large-scale incident planning and response and resilience of critical community lifeline networks and infrastructure systems. Further Reading House of Dynamite Trailer Twister (1996) Trailer DON'T LOOK UP trailer
May 20 · 30 min
The Strait of Hormuz: A Maritime Chokepoint
This episode examines the effort to revitalize America's shipping and shipbuilding capacity in the context of the current crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. Guest Biographies Bill Komiss is an expert in economic analysis of operational energy and infrastructure. He specializes in statistical modeling of military construction projects and facility life cycles, as well as structural modeling of energy supply and demand in wartime scenarios. Josh Tallis is CNA's Future Fleet Coordinator and Director of CNA's Ally and Partner Affairs Program. He previously served as the scientific analyst to the Chief of Naval Operations. Further Reading The Economic Implications of Disruptions to Maritime Oil Chokepoints
May 13 · 35 min
The End of Orban's Regime
With the inauguration of Péter Magyar, Hungary has a new prime minster for the first time in 16 years. This episode explores what this means for the nation and for Europe. Guest Biographies Julian G. Waller is an expert in Russian political-military affairs, elite strategic decision-making, adversary systems of governance, and civil-military relations outside the West. He is also a scholar of the politics of authoritarian rule, authoritarian political and social orders, and illiberal/postliberal ideologies globally. Further Reading Julian's Substack: Political Order(s)
April 30 · 22 min
How Can Playing a Game Improve Police Officer Wellness?
This episode covers Balance, a learning game that helps law enforcement supervisors protect the emotional well-being of their officers. Guest Biographies Brittany Cunningham is an expert in scientific research and analysis and has more than a decade of experience designing, implementing and managing rigorous research studies and evaluations at the local, state and national level. Geoff Smith is a former police chief and an expert on law enforcement and fire policies, operations and oversight. He has substantial expertise in technology, including deployment of in-car and body-worn camera systems, cell phone forensics, as well as active shooter training. Further Reading CNA—Balance: A Command Operations and Resilience Game If you are interested in running Balance at your agency you can contact Brittany at Cunninghamb@cna.org.
April 15 · 26 min
How Can the US Strengthen, Improve, and Expand the DIB?
This episode explores CNA's Arsenal of Policy wargame, which is designed to explore opportunities to strengthen, improve, and expand the US defense industrial base (DIB). Guest Biographies Sarah Fusco is a specialist in international and non-traditional security threats. Her work focuses on emergent security challenges such as increasing partner capabilities in maritime security and domain awareness, countering violent extremism, and analyzing complex challenges through wargaming. Kaia Haney is an expert in African security, specializing in strategic competition on the continent and the African security environment. She has played a leading role in CNA wargames on the defense industrial base and the African operational environment. Further Reading CNA Report—Arsenal of Policy: Defense Industrial Base Wargame Final Report
April 1 · 28 min
AI Tools in the Field of Criminal Justice
Experts discuss how AI tools can address challenges in the field of criminal justice and how these tools can be used ethically. Guest Biographies Vivian Elliot is the Director of CNA's Center for Justice Research and Innovation. She is an expert in criminal justice and emergency preparedness. She specializes in law enforcement organizational reform; after-action analysis; training and technical assistance; and exercise planning, facilitation and evaluation. L. Cait Kanewske is a Research Scientist in CNA's Center for Justice Research and Innovation.
#206
March 18 · 16 min
Who is Iran's New Supreme Leader?
Iran has a new Supreme Leader for the first time in almost 37 years, Mojtaba Khamenei. This episode explores his background, education, and ideology. Guest Biographies Michael Connell is an expert in Persian-Gulf security-related issues, the armed forces of Iran, U.S.-GCC security cooperation, and adversary cyber policy and strategy. He has served as CNA's Field Analyst to Naval Forces Central Command. Further Reading CNA Talks: Iran's Stability in the Aftermath of the Grand Bazaar Protests CNA Report: The Evolving Russia-Iran Relationship
March 4 · 34 min
How Technology Has Shaped Four Years of War in Ukraine
This episode examines how the ubiquitous presence of drones in the Ukraine War has shaped the conflict. Guest Biographies Samuel Bendett (@sambendett) is an advisor with CNA's Russia Studies Program. His research focuses on Russian defense and technology developments; uncrewed, robotic and autonomous military systems; artificial intelligence; and Russian military capabilities.
February 18 · 31 min
Four Years of War in Ukraine
As we enter the fifth year of war in Ukraine, experts from CNA's Russia Studies program sit down to discuss what the war has revealed about the Russian way of war. Guest Biographies Dmitry Gorenburg is a Senior Research Scientist in CNA's Russia Studies Program. He is an expert on security issues in the former Soviet Union, the Russian military, Russian foreign policy, and ethnic politics and identity. Michael Petersen is a principal research scientist in CNA's Russia Studies Program. He is an expert on Russian military strategy, operations, and net assessments of high-intensity conflict. From 2023-2024, he served as senior advisor to Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti. Further Reading CNA Report: Russia's Evolving Threat Perceptions Since 2022
February 4 · 23 min
Iran's Stability in the Aftermath of the Grand Bazaar Protests
This episode covers the most recent wave of protests in Iran, what they mean for the government's stability, and how US regional allies are responding. Guest Biographies Michael Connell is an expert in Persian-Gulf security-related issues, the armed forces of Iran, U.S.-GCC security cooperation, and adversary cyber policy and strategy. He has served as CNA's Field Analyst to Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT). Further Reading CNA Talks: How Stable is Iran? InDepth: Russia and China Respond—or Don't—to the 12-Day War in Iran
January 21 · 32 min
The Oreshnik Comes to Belarus
The Oreshnik Comes to Belarus Belarus has become the latest stage for Russia's military ambitions, hosting the powerful Oreshnik missile system. We discuss the specifics of this missile system, and what this deployment means for NATO. Guest Biographies Decker Eveleth is an Associate Research Analyst with CNA's Countering Threats and Challenges Program. He specializes in open-source analysis. Gabriela Iveliz Rosa-Hernandez is an Associate Research Analyst at the CNA Russia Studies Program. Her research centers on security orders, deterrence issues, and Russia's security policy, supplemented by her significant in-country experience living in Russia, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, and other countries in the region. Further Reading CNA Report: When Nuclear Weapons Return to Belarus: Evolving Concepts in Russian Escalation Strategy Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: The 'Zapad' exercise and how Lukashenko learned to love the Bomb Reuters: Exclusive: Russia likely placing new hypersonic missiles at former airbase in Belarus, researchers find

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