The Last Line of Defense

Center for Strategic and International Studies

In this era of uncertainty, knowledge is power. Hosted by Dr. Seth G. Jones, The Last Line of Defense breaks down and analyzes the latest national security news. Each episode provides practical solutions to the toughest national security questions—from war and peace around the world to the role of emerging technology in defense.

Produced by Marla Hiller.

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21 episodes
Updated Yesterday

Episodes21

Newest first

Yesterday · 36 min
Ex-CIA and Pentagon Chief Warns: Iran, the Homeland, and Challenges Ahead
Host Seth Jones sits down with Secretary Leon Panetta for an assessment of the Iran war, U.S. military readiness, and broader strategic challenges.
July 22 · 30 min
Is Ukraine Winning? Inside the Battlefield of Drones, AI, and Autonomous Warfare
Host Seth Jones welcomes back Mick Ryan, retired Australian Army Major General, for the latest on the Ukraine-Russia battlefield. The pair discussed the Ukrainian air campaign, including the use of AI and drone warfare, as well as the conditions of Russia’s frontlines.
July 2 · 33 min
The Surprising Truth About How Americans See NATO, China, and Iran
On this episode, host Seth Jones discusses areas of bipartisan support for global engagement, including NATO, the threat posed by China, support for Ukraine, and more.
June 22 · 30 min
The World Turned Upside Down: The Aftermath of the Iran War
Host Seth G. Jones sits down with Walter Russell Mead to examine the war in Iran, including its political implications, the state of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and the historical forces shaping the conflict.
June 17 · 28 min
Cracks in the Armor: Russia’s Military Struggles and the G7 Aftermath
Host Seth G. Jones speaks with Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Ben Hodges, former Commanding General of U.S. Army Europe (2014–2017), about the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war.
May 21 · 34 min
The Room Where It Happened: What the Media Missed About the Trump-Xi Meeting
Host Seth G. Jones sat down with Ambassador (ret.) Edgard D. Kagan, former U.S. ambassador to Malaysia and newly appointed Senior Adviser and Freeman Chair in China Studies at CSIS.
May 13 · 32 min
China’s Win? The Missile Gap After Epic Fury
Retired Marine Corps Colonel Mark Cancian joins to examine the U.S. munitions stockpiles, the challenges facing America’s defense industrial base, and what those shortfalls could mean in a future conflict with China.
April 29 · 31 min
Strategic Exhaustion: Will Iran Fold?
Norman Roule is back on the podcast with Seth Jones to provide an update on developments in Iran, including the impact of sanctions and the blockade, an assessment of who is in charge in Tehran, the current state of talks, and the role of Gulf States, Lebanon, and other countries.
April 15 · 29 min
Beyond the Rubble: Is China the Real Winner of the U.S.-Iran War?
Host Seth Jones sat down with Dr. Bonny Lin, CSIS Senior Adviser and Director of the China Power Project, to explore Beijing’s view of the U.S.-Iran war, including its own role, the China-Pakistan peace plan, and potential takeaways.
April 1 · 33 min
Tehran’s Calculus: Iran’s Strategy Amidst the Storm
Host Seth Jones speaks with Ambassador Ryan Crocker to unpack Iran’s complex political landscape, regional power dynamics, and the role of U.S. allies as the conflict unfolds.
March 20 · 28 min
The Iran Endgame: Iran's Nuclear Program, View from Tehran & U.S. Ground Troops
Host Seth Jones sits down with Face the Nation's Margaret Brennan to break down Iran’s nuclear program and offers an overview of the domestic and international politics shaping the future of this conflict in the Middle East.
March 10 · 29 min
Beyond the Air War: What Are the Global Risks of the Iran Conflict?
Host Seth Jones sits down with General David H. Petraeus, retired U.S. Army general and former director of the CIA, to discuss the latest developments in Iran, including ongoing military operations and the escalating challenge of countering drone and missile threats.
March 3 · 28 min
A Widening War with Iran: What Are the U.S. Military's Next Steps
Host Seth Jones sits down with retired General Joseph Votel, former commander of U.S. Central Command, about the evolving situation in Iran after Operation Epic Fury.
February 18 · 31 min
Why Putin’s "Inevitable" Victory in Ukraine is a Myth
Host Seth Jones speaks with Kate Bachelder Odell of The Wall Street Journal about the state of Russia’s war in Ukraine as it nears its fifth year.
February 4 · 29 min
Locked and Loaded: What Are U.S. Military Options for Iran?
Host Seth Jones sits down with retired Admiral Sandy Winnefeld, the ninth Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to discuss the latest developments involving Iran.
January 21 · 31 min
Inside Iran's Security Apparatus: How Stable is the Regime?
Host Seth Jones speaks with Norman Roule, who served as the national intelligence manager for Iran at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence from November 2008 until September 2017.
January 14 · 29 min
America Under Siege: Inside China's Espionage Campaign in the United States
Host Seth Jones explores the implications of modern Chinese espionage cases with David R. Shedd, former Deputy Director and Acting Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).
January 7 · 31 min
Maduro is Gone. Now What in Venezuela?
Host Seth Jones speaks with Dr. Ryan Berg, Director of the Americas Program and Head of the Future of Venezuela Initiative at CSIS, about Venezuela’s political landscape in the post-Maduro era, examining U.S. policy goals, shifting power structures, and what’s at stake for the country’s new president, Delcy Rodríguez.
Dec 17, 2025 · 31 min
Which Military Shocks Defined 2025 — and What's Next in 2026?
Host Seth Jones sits down with Kari Bingen to look back at major defense and military shocks of 2025, including Russia’s poor performance, Operation Midnight Hammer, and China’s military parade, among others.
Dec 4, 2025 · 31 min
Are the United States and Venezuela on the Brink of War?
Host Seth Jones sits down with Juan Cruz, who served in the U.S. Intelligence Community and on the National Security Council as special assistant to the president and senior director for Western Hemisphere affairs, to discuss the U.S. military’s role in the Venezuela crisis and provide an inside look at Maduro’s armed forces.