Episodes
Michael talks about the 'Russian mindset' with former CIA Moscow chief Rolf Mowatt-Larssen. He explains how his experience in the former Soviet Union could offer a glimpse into how Russia views its war on Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin's nuclear threats, and the adversity Russians have faced over the decades.   
Published 02/07/24
Andy talks with Silicon Valley venture capitalist and software engineer Marc Andreessen about how the American tech sector can innovate for the national interest and how new technologies like AI can improve warfare and defense.  Send us your feedback at [email protected].
Published 01/31/24
Andy talks about the complexities and goals of China's cognitive warfare program with Josh Baughman, an analyst at the China Aerospace Studies Institute at Air University. 
Published 01/24/24
Andy talks with former Chief of the CIA's Counterproliferation Division's Special Activities Unit Jim Lawler about the agency's efforts targeting the 'Father of Pakistan's Nuclear Program' the late Abdul Qadeer Khan. Andy also talks with Jim about his espionage novels including 'Living Lies', 'In the Twinkling of an Eye' and 'The Traitor's Tale'. Send us your feedback at [email protected].
Published 01/17/24
Michael talks with Taiwan expert Bonnie Glaser, who is managing director of the German Marshall Fund's Indo-Pacific Program, ahead of Taiwan's elections January 13. Also, Michael and Andy want to hear from you. Send us your feedback at [email protected]. We'll also read some of your reviews of the podcast from Apple onair.
Published 01/09/24
In this special episode, Beacon Global Strategies Managing Director Michael Allen turns the microphones on Michael and Andy and interviews them about their forecasts for national security and intelligence in 2024. 
Published 01/03/24
Andy talks with Beacon Global Strategies's Klon Kitchen about artificial intelligence and national security. Klon leads the firm's Global Technology Policy Practice. Andy and Klon also talk about the recent Executive Order on AI. 
Published 12/27/23
Andrew talks with Gen. David Petraeus about his new book "Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Ukraine" which was co-authored with acclaimed military historian Andrew Roberts. Andrew and the former CIA Director discuss decades of U.S. military strategy, China, Iraq, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and the Israel-Gaza War. 
Published 12/20/23
Michael speaks to two former White House National Security Advisors: Tom Donilon and Steve Hadley. They discuss the NSC advisory process, the Israel-Gaza War, China and Russia, and 21st century challenges to intelligence and national security. 
Published 12/13/23
Deputy Assistant to the President & White House Deputy Homeland Security Advisor Josh Geltzer returns to Intelligence Matters to discuss with Michael the urgent need for Congress to reauthorize FISA Section 702, before it's due to sunset at the end of the month. 
Published 12/06/23
Michael talks with former Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence Mike Vickers about his career chronicled in his new book “By All Means Available: Memoirs of a Life in Intelligence, Special Operations, and Strategy."  
Published 11/29/23
Michael speaks with the Director of the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency Vice Admiral Frank "Trey" Whitworth. They discuss new technologies in satellite imagery and data analysis, careers at NGA, and the vital roles officers at NGA serve in protecting the United States. 
Published 11/22/23
As President Biden prepares to meet today (Wednesday November 15) with Chinese Premier Xi Jingping in San Francisco on the sidelines of APEC, Michael speaks with CEO of China Strategies Group Chris Johnson about relations between the two countries, what they are expected to discuss, and how they might work together and against each other.
Published 11/15/23
Andy talks with Andrea Kendall-Taylor, she's a former CIA analyst and is now a Senior Fellow and Director of the Transatlantic Security Program at CNAS. They discuss what's at stake in Russia's war on Ukraine, and what could be next. 
Published 11/08/23
Former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta joins Michael to discuss the Israel-Gaza war, and the threats to democracy around the world. 
Published 11/01/23
Michael talks with Josh Geltzer, Deputy Assistant to the President, Deputy White House Counsel, & Legal Advisor to the Nation Security Council, about the pending reauthorization of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Unfortunately, our recording of Josh falls short of reflecting how he sounds as true to life as he does in person. We'll fix that the next time Josh joins Michael.  
Published 10/25/23
Michael introduces new co-host of Intelligence Matters: The Relaunch, Andrew Makridis. The former CIA Chief Operating Officer, who retired in 2022, discusses with Michael what could be next for Israel, Hamas, Gaza, the West Bank, Iran and the US. It comes as Israel mounts its assault on Hamas, following the deadly surprise attack by the Palestinian militant group that has been designated as a terrorist organization by the US. 
Published 10/18/23
In the debut episode of Intelligence Matters: The Relaunch, Michael speaks with former National Security Advisor to Israeli Prime Ministers Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid, Eyal Hulata, about the Israel-Gaza war following a weekend surprise attack by Hamas. 
Published 10/11/23