Best Beacon Global Strategies LLC Podcasts (2025)

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The 'Sledgehammer' to Global Trade: Kelly Ann Shaw 48:06

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2d ago48:06

48:06

Michael talks with Kelly Ann Shaw, former Deputy Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs, about President Trump’s 'sledgehammer' approach to international trade and tariffs. Kelly Ann, who also served as Trade Counsel to the House Ways and Means Committee, explains the current state of the global "trade war," the strategic de-…

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Special Episode: The Next Move in the Iran Crisis with Richard Nephew 1:03:39

3d ago1:03:39

1:03:39

In this special episode, Michael talks with Iran expert Richard Nephew, who warns of impending U.S. military strikes on Iran's deeply buried nuclear facilities—a task only the American military can achieve. The former NSC official casts doubt on Israel's regime change strategy, fearing it could backfire and lead to an even more hardline Iranian gov…

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The Iran Equation: Gen. Frank McKenzie 40:06

10d ago40:06

40:06

In this episode of NatSec Matters, we revisit Michael Allen's conversation with General (Ret.) Kenneth 'Frank' McKenzie, Jr., former commander of U.S. Central Command, about the evolving security challenges in the Middle East. They discuss Iran’s vulnerabilities, the impact of Israel’s military actions, and the strategic fallout from the assassinat…

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An Unwinnable War: Mark Montgomery 42:57

17d ago42:57

42:57

Michael Allen welcomes back RADM (Ret.) Mark Montgomery to the podcast, where he explains why—even with a ceasefire—ending the war between Russia and Ukraine could be “impossible.” He discusses the recent shifts in military gains and losses on both sides, and what it could take to change the odds in favor of either Moscow or Kyiv.…

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The Long War: Glenn Corn 55:19

24d ago55:19

55:19

Michael Allen talks with former CIA executive and US foreign policy expert Glenn Corn, a regular guest of NatSec Matters. Glenn shares insights from his recent trip to Ukraine and the outlook for US support in its fight against Russia. He also highlights smart moves by President Trump in countering the Kremlin and offers reasons for optimism for Uk…

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Palaces & Policy Shifts: Jeffrey Feltman 56:20

1M ago56:20

56:20

Michael Allen talks with former senior State Department official Jeffrey Feltman about President Trump's "new approach" to the Middle East following his recent trip to the Gulf. Jeffrey analyzes the President's focus on major investment deals, the evolving US positioning on Iran's nuclear program, the surprising U-turn on Syria, and how Mr. Trump's…

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Beijing's Long Game: Mike Studeman 46:57

1M ago46:57

46:57

Michael Allen talks with retired rear admiral and China expert Mike Studeman about the geopolitical implications of President Trump's trade negotiations with China and US policy to counter Chinese influence and threats. Mike, former Commander of the Office of Naval Intelligence, discusses how China might exploit an "America First" orientation, the …

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The Biotech Frontline: Dawn Meyerriecks 43:33

1M ago43:33

43:33

Jeremy Bash explores the biotech battleground with former CIA science and technology chief Dawn Meyerriecks. Dawn, a key voice on the National Security Commission on Emerging Biotechnology, discusses the urgent need for US leadership to address critical vulnerabilities in the country's bio-industrial base. Dawn also makes a case for why powerful go…

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Statecraft 2.0: Dennis Ross 1:03:18

2M ago1:03:18

1:03:18

Andrew Shapiro talks with former US Ambassador Dennis Ross, who argues that the country's foreign policy needs a reboot. Amb. Ross explains the principles of "Statecraft 2.0" – why the US must adapt its leadership for a challenging multipolar world, navigating the global influence and interests of China and Russia.…

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The Arctic Power Play: Iris Ferguson 43:43

2M ago43:43

43:43

Andrew Shapiro talks with former Pentagon Arctic policy head Iris Ferguson about how melting sea ice is ushering in a new era of great power competition, ending decades of 'Arctic exceptionalism.' Iris, the DOD's first Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Arctic, discusses Russia's interests, China’s pursuit of influence as a 'near-Arctic state,' and…

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The 'Tariff Trap': Craig Singleton 42:03

2M ago42:03

42:03

Michael Allen talks with Craig Singleton, Senior Director for China at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, about whether President Trump is locked into an inescapable trade war with China's Xi Jinping. Craig discusses the high-stakes gamble each leader is making, convinced the other will fold first. They explore whether 'strategic decoupling…

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The Turkish Tightrope: Glenn Corn 50:00

2M ago50:00

50:00

Michael Allen talks with former CIA senior executive Glenn Corn about whether Turkey is a US ally or wildcard. They discuss how Turkey is navigating the conflicts in Syria and Ukraine while managing relationships with both Washington and Moscow. Glenn also explores the fall of Bashar al-Assad, the future of the Kurds, the decline of Hezbollah, and …

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Trump, Ukraine, and the Ceasefire Gamble: Peter Rough 45:08

3M ago45:08

45:08

What does President Trump's plan for peace in Ukraine look like, and what could it cost Kyiv? Michael Allen talks with Peter Rough, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, about the high-stakes diplomacy under way right now. Peter unpacks the determined push for a ceasefire, the potential shift to offering Russia more 'carrots' than 'sticks,' and …

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Economic Warfare: Eddie Fishman 45:28

3M ago45:28

45:28

Michael Allen speaks with Eddie Fishman, sanctions expert and author of Chokepoints: American Power in the Age of Economic Warfare. Eddie explains how the U.S. has wielded economic weapons against Russia, Iran, and China, and how sanctions and supply chain dominance are reshaping global power. He also explores the risks of overusing these tools, Ch…

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Guardians of the Sky: Frank Kendall 40:29

3M ago40:29

40:29

Jeremy Bash speaks with former Air Force Secretary LTC (Ret.) Frank Kendall about the future of U.S. air and space dominance amid rising threats from China and Russia. Mr. Kendall describes the Pentagon’s toughest modernization decisions, from next-generation fighter jets to autonomous combat aircraft. He also discusses the evolving role of the Spa…

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The Estonian Watchmen: Arnold Sinisalu 45:38

3M ago45:38

45:38

Michael Allen speaks with Arnold Sinisalu, former chief of Estonia’s Internal Security Service, about Estonia’s frontline role in countering Russian espionage and subversion. Arnold describes how Estonia tracks and disrupts Russian intelligence operations, from spy arrests to cyber defense. He also discusses Russia’s evolving sabotage tactics acros…

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Transatlantic Tensions: Nico Lange 44:51

4M ago44:51

44:51

Michael Allen speaks with Nico Lange, senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, about Germany’s political future and the major shifts in transatlantic security. They discuss the recent German elections, Germany’s evolving defense strategy, and Europe’s response to a changing U.S. foreign policy under President Trump. Nico also offer…

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Russia's 'Shadow War': Bojan Pancevski 49:35

4M ago49:35

49:35

Michael Allen speaks with The Wall Street Journal‘s Chief European Political Correspondent, Bojan Pancevski, about his recent article on Russia’s new ‘Department of Special Tasks.’ Panchevski reveals the unit’s clandestine operations in Europe, its motives behind acts of sabotage, and the broader geopolitical implications. He also discusses his inv…

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International Headwinds: Mark Montgomery 55:18

4M ago55:18

55:18

Michael Allen speaks with retired Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, Senior Director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. He shares insights on the Ukraine war, examining Russia’s tactical advantage, the challenges Ukraine faces amid inconsistent aid, and the vital role of international alliances. H…

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Geopolitics in Transition: Jon Finer 53:33

4M ago53:33

53:33

Jeremy Bash speaks with Jon Finer, former Principal Deputy National Security Advisor to President Biden. Jon offers candid insights on addressing Iran’s destabilization, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and China’s ambitions over Taiwan. He also previews the challenges facing the new administration.By Beacon Global Strategies, LLC

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Inside Israeli Military Intel: Tamir Hayman 53:02

5M ago53:02

53:02

Michael Allen speaks with Maj. Gen. Tamir Hayman, former head of Israeli army intelligence, about the current threat landscape to Israeli national security. Tamir discusses Israel’s evolving strategic response since the October 7, 2024, attacks. He also explains the complex approach to negotiating hostage releases and the daunting challenge of gath…

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Strategic Frontlines: Gen. Frank McKenzie 41:10

5M ago41:10

41:10

Michael Allen speaks with General (Ret.) Kenneth 'Frank' McKenzie, Jr., former commander of U.S. Central Command, about the evolving security challenges in the Middle East. They discuss Iran’s vulnerabilities, the impact of Israel’s recent military actions, and the strategic fallout from the assassination of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. General…

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'Flip the Script' 58:18

5M ago58:18

58:18

Michael and Andy join Beacon Global Strategies Managing Director Michael Allen to share a major announcement about the future of Intelligence Matters. They also discuss their geopolitical forecasts for 2025, examining potential developments in the Middle East, Russia, Ukraine, and China.By Beacon Global Strategies, LLC

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Inside the President's Daily Brief 41:32

6M ago41:32

41:32

Michael revisits his conversation with Andy about their unique experiences as CIA briefers for President George W. Bush. They share behind-the-scenes stories of preparing the President’s Daily Brief, navigating high-stakes national security discussions, and managing the delicate balance of delivering tough truths.…

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Umasking the CIA: Jonna Mendez 46:32

6M ago46:32

46:32

Michael revisits his interview with former CIA officer Jonna Mendez about her memoir, In True Face: A Woman’s Life in the CIA, Unmasked. Jonna reflects on her unconventional path into the CIA, her groundbreaking work in disguise and clandestine photography, and the challenges of navigating a male-dominated field. She also discusses her work evaluat…

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The Trump-China Dilemma: Chris Johnson 40:09

6M ago40:09

40:09

Michael talks with Chris Johnson, head of China Strategies Group, about Beijing’s vulnerabilities and its uneasy anticipation of Donald Trump’s return to the White House. They explore the high-stakes rivalry between the U.S. and China, including economic tensions, Xi Jinping’s grip on power, and the geopolitical flashpoints that could redefine the …

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Inside a Dangerous Alliance: Sara Harmouch 41:56

6M ago41:56

41:56

Michael speaks with terrorism expert and H9 Defense Founder and CEO Sara Harmouch who explores the surprising alliance between Iran and Al Qaeda, tracing their decades-long relationship and warning about the growing security threats posed by their current cooperation.By Beacon Global Strategies, LLC

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The Antarctic 'Chessboard': Bill Muntean 37:00

7M ago37:00

37:00

Andy speaks with former State Department senior advisor Bill Muntean about how the vast, frozen continent of Antarctica has become an unexpected theater in great power competition. Bill discusses the delicate balance maintained by the 1959 Antarctic Treaty and how surprise inspections - which he personally leads - help verify Russian and Chinese co…

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National Security's AI Wunderkind: Alex Wang 40:38

7M ago40:38

40:38

Andy talks with Alex Wang, the founder and CEO of Scale AI, to discuss the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and its implications for national security. Forbes says Alex, at age 25, is the world's youngest self-made billionaire. He describes the three foundational pillars of AI—data, compute, and algorithms—and how advancements …

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Inside the Digital Battlefield: Dmitri Alperovitch 44:11

7M ago44:11

44:11

Andy talks with Dmitri Alperovitch, one of the brilliant minds behind CrowdStrike and a leading voice in cybersecurity. He's also author of the new book, World on the Brink: How America Can Beat China in the Race for the Twenty-First Century. In this episode, Dmitri explores the digital threats reshaping national security - from sophisticated state…

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'Chip War': Chris Miller 40:22

7M ago40:22

40:22

Andy revisits his conversation with Tufts University economic historian Chris Miller, author of the bestselling book Chip War: The Fight for the World’s Most Critical Technology. Chris discusses the high-stakes race for global dominance in semiconductor development and manufacturing. He reveals the fragile and complex nature of the semiconductor su…

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'The Axis of Upheaval': Beth Sanner 57:14

8M ago57:14

57:14

Michael and Andy speak with Beth Sanner, former CIA analyst and Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Mission Integration, about the national security challenges facing the next U.S. president. They explore the complex relationships between Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea, rising tensions in the South China Sea, and the ongoing conflict…

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Securing Critical Mineral Supplies: Christine Michienzi 49:27

8M ago49:27

49:27

Andy talks with Dr. Christine Michienzi, who served as the Senior Technology Advisor for the Pentagon’s Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment and as the Chief Technology Officer for the Industrial Base Policy office. Dr. Michienzi explains the national security vulnerabilities in U.S. supply chains for essential minerals and mate…

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Lessons from a Career in Intelligence: Christy Abizaid 47:00

8M ago47:00

47:00

Michael talks with former National Counterterrorism Center Director Christy Abizaid, who shares her extensive experiences in the intelligence community. She discusses the evolution of her career from intelligence analyst to policymaker and leader in counterterrorism, emphasizing the importance of integrity, objectivity, and the need for intelligenc…

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MasterClass: The Art of Intelligence 41:46

8M ago41:46

41:46

Michael talks with former CIA Deputy Chief of Staff Nick Shapiro, former Deputy Director of CIA for Science and Technology Dawn Meyerriecks, and former Director of the agency’s elite Special Activities Center Brian Carbaugh about their new class on MasterClass: The Art of Intelligence. Nick helped organize the class on MasterClass with Michael, Daw…

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Biosecurity: Matt McKnight 46:54

8M ago46:54

46:54

Andy talks with Matt McKnight, General Manager for Biosecurity at Ginkgo Bioworks, about the new frontier of global threats posed by weaponized cell engineering. Matt discusses the need for a comprehensive global monitoring and early detection system, enhanced international cooperation, and a unified defense approach to mitigate the potentially cat…

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Israel-Lebanon Conflict: Eyal Hulata 46:02

9M ago46:02

46:02

Michael speaks with former Israeli National Security Advisor Eyal Hulata, now a senior international fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, about recent military strikes against Hezbollah, the strategic implications for Iran, and the need for a comprehensive agreement to secure long-term stability in Lebanon. Eyal also warns of the ri…

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Punishing Putin: Stephanie Baker 37:39

9M ago37:39

37:39

Michael talks with Bloomberg senior writer Stephanie Baker about her new book, Punishing Putin: Inside the Global Economic War to Bring Down Russia, which examines the unprecedented economic statecraft waged by the U.S. and its European allies in response to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. The book evaluates the effectiveness of sanctions, ho…

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Michael & Andy: World Roundup 46:50

9M ago46:50

46:50

Michael and Andy discuss their recent travels and the bleak prospects for resolving conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, Taiwan’s preparedness for a potential Chinese attack, and the unfolding crisis in Venezuela. Michael also shares his son’s podcast, "3rd & 33", which focuses on college football.By Beacon Global Strategies, LLC

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Decoding the Minds of World Leaders: Jennifer Welch 38:50

9M ago38:50

38:50

Michael explores the world of leadership analysis with former CIA analyst Jennifer Welch. Now the Chief Geoeconomics Analyst for Bloomberg Economics, Jennifer discusses the art and science of crafting detailed profiles of world leaders—from understanding their personal histories to deciphering their strategic mindsets. She reveals how leadership an…

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Israel's Intelligence Failures: Uri Bar-Jospeh 41:10

10M ago41:10

41:10

Michael talks with Israeli intelligence expert Uri Bar-Joseph, who dissects the stunning failure of Israeli intelligence ahead of the October 7th Hamas attack—a “perfect failure” that shook the foundations of Israel’s vaunted security apparatus. Tracing the roots of this debacle back decades, Bar-Joseph discusses the fatal flaw in Israel’s national…

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A Window on Russia: Rolf Mowatt-Larssen 39:16

10M ago39:16

39:16

Michael reintroduces this episode featuring his conversation with former CIA officer Rolf Mowatt-Larssen, who shares unique anecdotes that reveal the Russian mindset, from a puppet show to a symbolic Bolshoi performance. His firsthand experiences in the country explore how history, culture, and psychology shape Russia's worldview—and foreshadow its…

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Dismantling the Khan Nuclear Network: Jim Lawler 38:41

10M ago38:41

38:41

Michael reintroduces this episode featuring Andy's conversation with former CIA operative Jim Lawler, who reveals how he and his team unraveled the world's most extensive nuclear proliferation network, led by the 'father of the Islamic bomb,' A.Q. Khan.By Beacon Global Strategies, LLC

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Keeping AI in Check: Mary Ellen Callahan 39:12

10M ago39:12

39:12

Andy speaks with Mary Ellen Callahan, Assistant Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security's Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Office. They discuss a recent DHS report on reducing the risks of AI accelerating chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats. Mary Ellen explains the government's efforts to build consensus a…

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Venezuela's Presidential Election: Pedro Burelli 46:38

11M ago46:38

46:38

Michael speaks with Latin America and Venezuela expert Pedro Borelli, the Founder and Managing Director of B&V Holdings, a financial advisory firm. Pedro discusses the disputed results of Venezuela’s July 28 presidential election, in which President Nicolas Maduro claimed victory despite opposition tallies indicating that their candidate, Edmundo G…

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How China Views a Possible Harris Administration & Unpacking July's CCP Meeting: Chris Johnson 41:40

11M ago41:40

41:40

Michael talks with former CIA senior China analyst Chris Johnson, who breaks down the recent Chinese Communist Party's so-called third plenum, revealing President Xi Jinping's focus on state-led tech advances over market reforms. Chris, a CSIS Senior Fellow, shares his views on China's leading issues amidst a slowing economy. He also offers insight…

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Update on Ukraine War: Andrea Kendall-Taylor 43:25

11M ago43:25

43:25

Managing Director and Partner at Beacon Global Strategies, Michael Allen, sits in for Michael Morell and Andy Makridis this week and checks in with the Center for a New American Security’s Andrea Kendall-Taylor about the current state of Russia’s war on Ukraine and how a possible President Kamala Harris could spearhead U.S. support for Ukraine. And…

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China's 'Princeling' & the CCP: Chun Han Wong 50:35

11M ago50:35

50:35

Andy talks with Wall Street Journal Reporter Chun Han Wong, who covers Chinese politics. He has written extensively about the country's human rights record, its Communist Party, and President Xi Jinping. Chun discusses the current issues facing China and its relations with the US, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. He also offers analysis on China's po…

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North Korea: Sydney Seiler 41:34

11M ago41:34

41:34

Michael speaks with Sydney Seiler, one of the country's top experts on North Korea and Korea Chair at CSIS. Sydney served as the U.S. Special Envoy for Six Party Talks, where he led negotiations with North Korea. He also held key positions at the National Intelligence Council, ODNI, CIA, and NSA. Sydney discusses North Korea's recent treaty with Ru…

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Signals Intelligence & Cybersecurity: George Barnes 43:47

12M ago43:47

43:47

Andy talks with the former Deputy Director of the National Security Agency George Barnes about the NSA's missions focused on signals intelligence and cybersecurity, as it also adapts to emerging strategic challenges like competition from China and Russia. George also shares his take on quantum computing and AI, and discusses how the NSA tries to re…