Coercive Capital with Elaine Dezenski

Andrew King, Executive Director of Future Union, joins Coercive Capital to expose how authoritarian financial flows are quietly reshaping democratic institutions—from pensions and universities to policy circles.In this 50-minute interview, King breaks down:– The origins of Future Union and why clean capital is essential– The real-world risk of foreign influence in American finance– The Clean Capital Pledge and how reform is starting to take hold– Concrete examples of capture—and what we can do about itSubscribe for more conversations at the intersection of finance, power, and democracy.Visit: illicitedge.comQuestions? Contact: elaine@illicitedge.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How did the Chinese Communist Party build near-total control over the world’s most critical battery inputs? And how can the U.S. respond before it’s too late?Josh Birenbaum of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) joins Elaine Dezenski on Coercive Capital to discuss their new report which breaks down the CCP’s strategic capture of the global battery supply chain—and outline what it will take for the United States to regain control.Based on FDD’s July 2025 report, “Unplugging Beijing,” this episode offers a practical, urgent blueprint for restoring American battery independence. Topics include:How China cornered the lithium, nickel, and graphite marketsThe role of state-backed firms in Beijing’s battery dominanceWhy market solutions alone won’t solve the problemWhat U.S. policymakers must do now—and who’s already behind Hosted by Elaine Dezenski.New episodes weekly on Coercive Capital.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the jungles of Mindanao to the back alleys of Damascus, Tom Sanderson has gathered intelligence the hard way. This episode of Coercive Capital is a behind-the-scenes look at the realities of global risk, drawn from firsthand encounters in conflict zones worldwide. Host Elaine Dezenski and Sanderson explore: The role of fieldwork in modern intelligenceHow proxy networks and non-state actors shape today’s power landscapeThe blind spots that leave institutions vulnerableWhat Sanderson is watching nextEssential listening for anyone navigating today’s complex risk environment.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Episode 13 of Coercive Capital, host Elaine Dezenski is joined by Behnam Ben Taleblu, Senior Director of FDD’s Iran Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and an expert on Iranian security and sanctions. They explore the cost and consequences of confronting the Islamic Republic—from the legacy of the U.S. “maximum pressure” campaign to the internal economic crises gripping Iran’s ruling regime. As nuclear diplomacy falters and regional tensions rise, financial institutions and compliance teams must adapt. What tools and insights are needed to understand Iran’s future trajectory? And how can policymakers and global markets stay ahead of the next flashpoint?----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Coercive Capital’s Proud Sponsors: This episode of Coercive Capital is brought to you by Hummingbird. Hummingbird is hosting a live, virtual webinar on Everyday AI for Compliance & Registration. In this session, experts will walk you through the best practices for leveraging artificial intelligence to streamline compliance processes and registration requirements, helping businesses save time and stay ahead of regulatory changes. To join the conversation and learn more about the webinar, visit Hummingbird’s website.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Illicit Edge: Breaking News for Financial Crime Coercive Capital explores the intersection of U.S. economic and national security and global financial reform. Global adversaries are weaponizing our trade and financial systems, while Illicit financial flows, kleptocracy, and organized crime continue to erode democratic systems and destabilize economies. Elaine Dezenski brings together experts who understand these emerging threats and provide insights into the risks and emerging opportunities to strengthen our collective response.#finance #iran #complianceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When the Kuwaiti government wanted to track down Saddam Hussein’s stolen assets, in 2003, who did they call? Or the public funds amassed by kleptocrats like Ferdinand Marcos and “Baby Doc” Duvalier? Negotiating kidnapping cases in Brazil and exposing digital criminals in Japan? Corporate malfeasance? Info Leaks? Workplace investigations? You get the idea. His name is Jules Kroll, and his name is synonymous with the private investigative industry. Coercive Capital host, Elaine Dezenski recently spoke with Jules about how it all started, some of his well-known cases, and how he sees the role of corporate intelligence and private investigation in today’s geopolitical moment. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Among the dizzying number of executive orders, tariff negotiations, and Doge activity since the inauguration, the America First Investment Policy requires a specific focus to better understand the potential impact on foreign investment in the United States, from both allies and hostile nations.Nova J. Daly is a Senior Public Policy Advisor at Wiley Rein, LLP. He formerly served in the Treasury Department as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS.) Coercive Capital host, Elaine Dezenski, recently spoke with Nova about America First, what it means for capital flows, U.S. companies, and the broader seismic shift in the global trade order. Coercive Capital’s Proud Sponsors: At K2 Integrity, we are more than risk managers and compliance experts—we are architects of integrity. We understand that critical moments define an organization’s success. These moments offer an opportunity to achieve higher standards, build smarter systems, enhance financial and institutional integrity, reduce risk, and uncover the truth.Our team—former regulators, law enforcement officials, and industry experts—combines deep subject-matter expertise with advanced technology to solve today’s most pressing challenges. From cyber defense and financial crime risk management to white-collar investigations, we deliver intelligence-driven solutions that foster trust, transparency, and economic security in an increasingly complex world.We believe every engagement has the potential to create a better, more resilient future for our clients. To learn more about K2 Integrity, visit www.k2integrity.com or follow us on LinkedIn and X.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From smuggling and trafficking to cyber fraud and trade-based money laundering, the illicit economy is estimated to represent more than $2 trillion of illegal activity annually.  And the international criminal networks that drive the illicit economy have continued to evolve and grow more sophisticated with every operation. This shadow economy is massive and its real-life consequences are widespread resulting in deaths by overdose, violence in communities, and government destabilization.David M. Luna is a true expert on the illicit economy. He is the Founder and Executive Director of the International Coalition Against Illicit Economies (ICAIE). He also held senior positions with the U.S. State Department and at the White House.  and has worked internationally with the Organization of Econ and Dev. And the UN.Coercive Capital host Elaine Dezenski recently spoke with David M. Luna about the contours of the shadow economy and why breaking the corruptive power and financial power of these transnational criminal networks is a critical element of our national security strategy.Coercive Capital’s Proud Sponsors:K2 Integrity is a global leader in risk management, compliance, investigations, and monitoring, combining the expertise of industry pioneers with interdisciplinary teams and advanced technology to protect our clients’ operations, reputation, and financial security.K2 Integrity is dedicated to ensuring, strengthening, and validating financial and commercial integrity and security. We understand that critical moments define an organization’s success. We strive to build financial and institutional integrity, reduce risk, and uncover truth. Our commitment to superior intelligence, expert analysis, and insightful solutions helps our clients navigate complexity and achieve better outcomes.To learn more about how K2 Integrity is revolutionizing the management of risk, visit http://www.k2integrity.com, or follow us on LinkedIn.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Foreign adversaries’ weaponization of information is nothing new. Still, the means and modes by which rogue nations use disinformation, propaganda, and cyber-attacks to influence American public opinion are increasingly worrisome – weakening democracy, weaponizing free speech, and polarizing citizens in ways they may not recognize - like in Russia, Iran and China where governments have built a global apparatus sowing discord and a growing anti-west narrative. Dr. Ivana Stradner is a renowned security expert and Research Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Barish Center for Media Integrity, where her work examines both the psychological and technical aspects of Russian information warfare. Coercive Capital host Elaine Dezenski recently spoke with Dr. Stradner about what she describes as the “covert war for American Minds.”   Coercive Capital’s Proud Sponsors:   In the fast-paced world of fraud detection & compliance, speed and accuracy equals efficiency. That’s where Unit21 comes in.Unit21’s cutting-edge platform empowers financial institutions and Fintechs to detect, investigate, and respond to suspicious activity throughout the lifecycle of a customer account—and in real-time. Their no-code solution allows risk & compliance teams to combine data signals for robust monitoring, payment fraud prevention, and case management automation—all without engineering support. For more visit unit21.ai/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Transnational kleptocracy describes how corrupt rulers steal public funds and then launder those funds within the international financial system. It's accomplished by moving those funds from fragile states to “safer” jurisdictions—like the U.S.Many of America’s foreign adversaries operate as kleptocracies and cutting off their illicit financial flows weakens their impact on free and open societies across the globe.Anti-corruption organizations worldwide are increasingly focused on rooting out the kleptocrats, their funds, their networks, their shell corporations, and their facilitators.  One such organization, the National Endowment for Democracy, is an independent, bipartisan, non-governmental organization focused on strengthening democratic institutions worldwide.  Zoë Reiter is the Director of NED’s program on combating kleptocracy. She recently spoke with Coercive Capital host Elaine Dezenski on her work and efforts to bolster the role of a civil society in exposing the networks of kleptocrats.-----------------------------------------------------------------Coercive Capital’s Proud Sponsors: TRM offers leading blockchain intelligence for AML compliance at financial institutions, crypto businesses, and regulatory organizations alike - with sanctions support on 65 blockchains and coverage of more than 70 million digital assets.  In a recent customer survey, 85% of users agree that TRM accelerates their work. 92% of users agree that TRM provides actionable intelligence. And 83% of users agree that TRM has provided intelligence they would not otherwise have.  See for yourself why our customers rave about TRM by requesting a free trial or demo at trmlabs.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The evolution and modernization of how we manage and protect identity has moved into a new era. More than two decades after the tragic events of 9/11- when 19 hijackers used falsified identity documents to board planes, US travelers over the age of 18 will now be required to present a REAL ID compliant form of identification to board an aircraft, or access certain types of federal facilities Identity verification is also at the core of Know Your Customer requirements. And it’s why financial services providers are a key stakeholder in the evolution of digital identity.Furthermore, new digital identity infrastructure has the potential to put the customer at the center of a user-based system that will help individuals retain their personal data and reduce the risk of fraud, identity theft and account takeover.Coercive Capital host, Elaine Dezenski recently spoke with Amit Sharma, Founder and CEO of FinClusive, about the concept of sovereign ownership of identity and the integrity of personal data as a fundamental human right.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sanctions enforcement is at the forefront of modern economic statecraft and the challenges are escalating. As governments confront increasingly-sophisticated evasion tactics and geopolitical challenges, the need for robust collaboration with the private sector has never been greater. Whether focusing on the latest sanctions targeting Russian financial institutions and tracing their impact on global financial networks, or examining how Russia’s sanctions-evasion strategies are interconnected with the tactics of China, Iran, and North Korea, creating a web of illicit activity that tests the limits of enforcement, understanding these complex threats is paramount.  Cari Stinebower, is a Partner and Chair of the International Trade Practice at Winston and Strawn, with over 25 years of experience in both government and the private sector. Cari recently spoke with Coercive Capital host Elaine Dezenski and helped to break down and examine the tools, strategies, and partnerships necessary to strengthen enforcement and safeguard the integrity of international commerce. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reading the tea leaves of the US-China relationship is challenging, even in times of relative calm. From anticipating supply chain disruptions and the risk of military conflict... to considering the impact of tariffs and how the US banking sector’s assessment of doing business in China may diverge from the US government's prevailing view.... understanding and managing the risks for US companies doing business in China is no small task.There is perhaps no more articulate voice on navigating the challenges ahead for US companies operating in China than Isaac Stone Fish. Isaac is a scholar, author, and expert on doing business in China. He's the Founder and CEO of Strategy Risks .... a research and data company focused on reducing US companies’ exposure to China.   Coercive Capital host Elaine Dezenski recently spoke with Isaac on the evolving risks of doing business in China and his Strategy Risks’ index... The SR 250....  that tracks China risk exposure of the top 250 public companies in the U.S.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Coercive Capital, Elaine Dezenski hosts David Rader, Senior Advisor at the Office of the Secretary of Defense and Adjunct Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies along with Wes Spurlock, Senior Advisor and Co-Founder of the Office of Strategic Capital at the Department of Defense and a former U.S. Air Force Military Officer. They discuss the supply chain economics of the Department of Defense, adversarial capital, and much more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 1970s, corruption in the U.S was often not considered a problem. Or it was viewed as a problem that happened “over there”.... in other parts of the world. But in retrospect, the reality and our perception of corruption has changed.   And even though anti-corruption legislation like the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act was implemented to help combat the issue, corruption continues and grows in ways that no one could have predicted. Kleptocrats around the world are uniting to attack us- in Russia, China, Venezuela, North Korea, and Iran- use their power to attack their neighbors, and destabilize the global economy… allowing dictators and criminals to leverage our own system against us – hiring lobbyists, lawyers, and corporate service agents to influence our elections, buy off our politicians, move dirty money, compromise our economy, and weaken our resilience.To help understand the urgency of these new risks and the tools needed to protect America, democracy, and, maybe, the world, Coercive Capital host Elaine Dezenski speaks with Scott Greytak, the Director of Advocacy of Transparency International US, and Casey Michel, Director of the Combating Kleptocracy Program at the Human Rights Foundation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ongoing fentanyl crisis in America shows few signs of abating. Roughly 200 people per day, more than 75,000 Americans per year, lose their lives due to fentanyl use. But how do we stem the tide?  Looking through a financial and national security lens to follow the money, Coercive Capital host Elaine Dezenski and Ray Donovan, a 28-year veteran of the DEA, serving as its Head of Operations, and a leading voice on the matter take a deep dive on the Chinese underground money laundering networks and manufacturers of precursor chemicals that ensure that criminal networks get paid and that chemicals flow to the Mexican cartels producing and distributing fentanyl in the United States.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the debut episode of Coercive Capital, Elaine Dezenski hosts Juan Zarate, who served as the Deputy National Security Advisor for Counterterrorism in the George W. Bush administration and is also the Co-Founder and Chairman of the Center on Economic and Financial Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. In a wide-ranging discussion, Elaine and Juan discuss today’s economic security landscape, America’s complex and vulnerable relationship with China, and the growing weaponization of trade. They also discuss transparency, ally-shoring, and new economic alliances as well as the critical role that private capital and American companies play in the global economic realignment that is shaping our world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coercive Capital explores the intersection of U.S. economic and national security and global financial reform. Global adversaries are weaponizing our trade and financial systems, while Illicit financial flows, kleptocracy, and organized crime continue to erode democratic systems and destabilize economies. Elaine Dezenski brings together experts who understand these emerging threats and provide insights into the risks and emerging opportunities to strengthen our collective response.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.