CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast

This episode discusses the benefits of drone as first responder (DFR) programs for police departments and public safety offices. Guest Biographies Officer J. “Matt” Rowland is a 20-year veteran of the Fort Wayne Police Department (FWPD) located in Fort Wayne, IN. He was a founding member of the FWPD Air Support Unit (ASU) in 2017. He spent 15 years in the Operations division and served 6 years during that time as a hostage negotiator. He is a certified instructor both in the classroom and emergency vehicle driving. Todd Withers is a 34-year veteran of law enforcement with the last 28 years at the Beverly Hills Police Department. He is currently a Lieutenant in charge of the Real Time Watch Center and UAS/ Drone program. He holds a Master of Science Degree from California State University, Long Beach in Emergency Services Administration and is a certified FAA Part 107 UAS Pilot. Don Redmond is a retired Chula Vista Police Captain with over 25 years in law enforcement and now serves as Vice President of Drone as First Responder (DFR) at BRINC Drones. He works with public safety agencies to advance drone technology, improve response times, and save lives. During his career, he was instrumental in developing Chula Vista PD’s pioneering Drone as First Responder program, which has become a national model. Dr. Tom Christoff is a Senior Research Scientist with CNA where he is responsible for leading projects involving local assessments, research, and developing technical assistance for agencies nationwide.  Dr. Christoff recently served as a Project Director on a COPS Office project where he oversaw the development of a technology implementation guide and six case studies highlighting agencies using technology in innovative ways.

This episode covers CNA's latest research into technology competition between the US and the People’s Republic of China. Guest Biographies  April Herlevi is a senior research scientist in CNA’s China and Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Division.  Christopher Cairns is a research scientist in CNA’s China and Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Division. Further Reading Intersection Issue 15

This episode examines the political, military, and economic elements of the relationship between Russia and India. 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.  Jeffrey Kucik is a research scientist with CNA’s Strategy and Policy Analysis Program. Further Reading CNA Report — Russia-India Relations: Multipolarity in Practice

In this episode, our experts discuss the Navy’s effort to rebuild US shipbuilding and to integrate artificial intelligence and autonomous systems. Guest Biographies Joshua Tallis is CNA’s Hybrid Fleet Research Coordinator and our scientific analyst to the Chief of Naval Operations, a position he has occupied since the end of 2023.  Steven Wills is an expert in US Navy strategy and policy, and U.S. Navy surface warfare programs and platforms, and the Navalist for the Center for Maritime Strategy at the Navy League. Thank you both for being here. Further Reading Defense News: To bootstrap US maritime industrial base, link allies and innovators Center for Maritime Strategy: Returning from Ebb Tide: Renewing the United States Commercial Maritime Enterprise​

This episode explores how the Fairfax County 911 Center is using Next Generation 911 systems to better serve its jurisdiction. Guest Biographies Heleana Melendez is an expert in criminal justice research and policing. At CNA, Melendez supports projects focused on violence prevention, system improvement, crisis intervention and use of force for law enforcement agencies across the nation. Further Reading Fairfax County (Virginia) Department of Public Safety Communications: Next Generation 911

This episode covers the stability of Islamic Republic of Iran in the aftermath of the 12 Day War, and how the regime will adapt to its new reality. 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). Dov Zakheim a Senior Fellow at CNA and the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He served as Undersecretary of Defense from 2001-2004. Further Reading CNA Report: The Nuclear Programs of Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran CNA Report: The Evolving Russia-Iran Relationship CNA InDepth: Russia and China Respond—or Don’t—to the 12-Day War in Iran CNA Talks: Syria After Assad

We examine efforts to prevent the spread of resporitory viruses in America’s jails and prisons and what practices were identified from this experience.    Guest Biographies NhuNgoc Pham is a research scientist with CNA’s Center for Public Health Preparedness and Resilience. Jim Alexander is a senior advisor with CNA’s Center for Justice Research and Innovation. Darren Sieger is the Director of the Administration Broward Sheriff’s Office and has helped correctional facilities implement steps to mitigate respiratory viruses. Further Reading Bueru of Justice Assitance: Planning for Respiratory Pathogen Pandemics A Guidebook for Corrections Systems and Confinement Facilities  

We examine what happened in South Korea’s snap election and its implications for South Korea’s relations with the US, Japan, China, Russia, and North Korea. Guest Biographies Dr. Thomas Bickford is a principal research scientist in the CNA Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Program. His research has focused on Chinese maritime strategy, Chinese national security policy, and China’s relations with its neighbors. Carita Reid is the Research Assistant for the China and Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Division. Her research focuses on the Korean peninsula, and she is interested in the domestic environment of both Koreas, nuclear proliferation, democratization efforts, and human rights. Further Reading CNA Talks — South Korea: Martial Law and President Yoon’s Impeachment  

We cover the recent conflict between India and Pakistan, why they were able to desescalate so quickly, and what this tells us about nuclear deterrence and escalation.  Guest Biographies Stephanie Stapleton is a Research Scientist with CNA’s Strategy and Policy Analysis Program. She is an expert in nuclear policy and strategic deterrence, with a focus on strategic competition within the emerging two-near-peer security environment. Decker Evelth is an Associate Research Analyst with CNA’s Countering Threats and Challenges Program. He specializes in open-source analysis.  Further Reading CNA: Nuclear Research  

Two CNA field analysts discuss their work assisting operations to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.  Guest Biographies Dr. Keith Zirkle is a research scientist in CNA’s Fleet Operations and Assessments Program. He is CNA’s field representative at Naval Forces Central Command.  Kevin O'Connell is a research analyst in CNA’s Fleet Operations and Assessments Program. He is currently CNA’s field representative to Commander, Seventh Fleet, but he deployed with Carrier Strike Group 2 during the Red Sea crisis.  Further Reading CNA Field Program    

This episode examines what DeepSeek’s AI model tells us about China’s AI ecosystem, military applications for this technology, and other developments in China’s high-tech sector.  Guest Biographies  April Herlevi is a senior research scientist in CNA’s China and Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Division.  Christopher Cairns is a research scientist in CNA’s China and Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Division. Further Reading Intersections: Issue 13  To subscribe to Intersections, email Intersections@cna.org.  

Dmitry Gorenburg, winner of this year’s Trustees Award, joins the show to discuss his 20-year career at CNA and how the study of Russia has changed during that time.    Guest Biography  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. His recent research has focused on decision-making processes in the senior Russian leadership, Russia’s relationship with China, Russian naval strategy, and Russian influence operations. Further Reading News Release: CNA Trustees Award Presented to Dmitry Gorenburg CNA Report: Russian Military Mobilization During the Ukraine War CNA Report: Crafting the Russian War Economy

This episode examines how uncrewed systems have been used in the Ukraine war and how the US can use this information to develop countermeasures.  Guest Biographies Samuel Bendett 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. His analysis of Russia’s war against Ukraine has appeared in globally read news outlets such as VICE and The Washington Post.   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 InDepth: Drones Over Ukraine CNA Report: Russia’s Use of Uncrewed Systems in Ukraine

This episode explores the political, military, and economic dimensions of the relationship between Russia and Iran.  Guest Biographies Dr. Elizabeth Wishnick is an expert on China-Russian relations, Chinese foreign policy, and Arctic strategy. At CNA, Wishnick contributes her dual regional expertise on China and Russia, including professional proficiency in both languages, to research and analyze Xi Jinping’s risk-taking, Sino-Russian military cooperation, China’s Arctic policy, and Chinese and Russian disinformation. She was part of a team that won CNA’s CEO Teamwork Award for Arctic research. Dr. Julian G. Waller is a Research Analyst in the Russia Studies Program at CNA and an applied analyst of Russian political-military affairs, elite strategic decision-making, adversary systems of governance and civil-military relations, and the politics of authoritarian rule and illiberal ideologies globally. Further Reading CNA Report: The Evolving Russia-Iran Relationship CNA Talks: Syria After Assad

Our partners from the FAA’s Center for Excellence’s ASSUREd Safe join the show to discuss integrating uncrewed aerial systems into the national airspace.  Guest Biographies BJ McClenton is the Associate Director of ASSUREd Safe, brings over 20 years of first responder and emergency service experience as a firefighter and emergency medical technician. Prior to joining ASSUREd Safe, he spent 15 years working with Mississippi State University Extension conducting adult education and outreach programs. Michelle Hanlon is the Executive Director of the Air and Space Law Program at the University of Mississippi. She is the Editor-in-Chief of both the Journal of Space Law and the Journal of Drone Law & Policy. As a key partner with ASSURE, the FAA’s Center of Excellence for UAS Research, Michelle drives advancements in drone policy, from airspace integration to beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. Steven Habicht is the director of CNA’s Center for Enterprise Systems Modernization.  Further Reading CNA: Agent-Based Modeling of Uncrewed Aircraft System Flight Planning for Airspace Fairness CNA: Port Security and Emergency Response Using Autonomous Systems: Virginia Pilot Program  

This episode covers South Korean President Yoon’s December 3 declaration of martial law, his impeachment, and what this means for US/ROK security cooperation.  Guest Biographies Dr. Thomas Bickford is a principal research scientist in the CNA Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Program. His research has focused on Chinese maritime strategy, Chinese national security policy, and China’s relations with its neighbors. Carita Reid is the Research Assistant for the China and Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Division. Her research focuses on the Korean peninsula, and she is interested in the domestic environment of both Koreas, nuclear proliferation, democratization efforts, and human rights.

This episode covers technological innovation in the People’s Republic of China, including developments in AI, subsea sensors, and the commercial space industry.  Guest Biographies  April Herlevi is a senior research scientist in CNA’s China and Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Division.  Christopher Cairns is a research scientist in CNA’s China and Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Division. Further Reading Intersections: Issue 12  To subscribe to Intersections, email Intersections@cna.org.   

Experts from across CNA join the show to discuss their research on challenges the industrial base faces in meeting U.S. government demands.  Guest Biographies  Dr. Charles A. Cartier is a research scientist in CNA’s Gaming and Integration Program. He was a lead analyst and co-designer of the CAMOLAND wargame on Clothing and Textiles for the Defense Logistics Agency.  Dawn Thomas is a co-director of the Center for Emergency Management and Operations and director of the Center for Critical Incident Analysis. She is an expert in large-scale incident planning and response. April Cho is a research scientist in CNA’s Data Science Predictive Analytics Program. She has worked on various projects supporting the Navy, including the munitions industrial base study for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition.    Further Reading CNA Report: Camoland Clothing and Textile Industrial Base Wargame Report The Blue Book Project Registration Link: Blue Book TV Hosts: Planning for National Security Emergencies

This episode covers the fall of the Assad regime and what it means for Syria, Russia, Iran, and Turkey.  Guest Biographies Michael Connell is a specialist in Russia and the Middle East in CNA’s Russia Studies Program. His primary area of expertise is the armed forces of Iran and Russia, and he has published extensively on these topics both inside and outside of CNA. Jeffrey Edmonds is an expert on Russia and Eurasia in CNA’s Russia Studies Program. Edmonds previously served as the Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, covering topics in Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and Africa. Jeff also served as acting Senior Director for Russia on the National Security Council.  Further Reading  CNA’s Russia Studies Program

This episode covers how Taiwan applies lessons from the Ukraine War to prepare for a potential invasion from the People’s Republic of China.  Guest Biographies April A. Herlevi is a Senior Research Scientist in CNA’s China Studies program. She is an expert on the People’s Republic of China (PRC) foreign and security policy, economic statecraft for technology acquisition, and the increasing role of PRC commercial, economic, and military actors globally. Dr. Pollpeter is the Director of Research at the Air University’s China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI). Kevin Pollpeter is an internationally recognized expert on China's space program and has been widely published on national security issues related to China. Before joining CASI he was the Senior Research Scientist at CNA. He previously served as the deputy director of a project on innovation and technology in China for the University of California’s Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation.  Further Reading CNA Report: Taiwan Lessons Learned  from the Russia-Ukraine War CNA’s Innovation Incubator