The Precision-Guided Podcast

The invasion of Ukraine has shone a light on how global leaders leverage historical narratives to suit the political moment. For leaders like Vladimir Putin, the popular memory of World War II is a useful propaganda tool to legitimize its invasion. In this episode, host Ryan Wisowaty sits down with Dr. Aviel Roshwald discusses the legacies of WWII historical myth making and separates the truth of Ukrainian experiences during WWII occupation from Kremlin fiction.

As great power competition extends into space, what will be the impact on nations’ behaviors and interests both on and around the Moon?

Host Kellsie Herrmann sits down with space policy expert Kaitlyn Johnson, who walks through the political and scientific realities of the cislunar security environment.

The establishment of the U.S. Space Force, NATO's designation of space as an operational warfighting domain, and rising private sector participation signal a critical juncture. As more nations acquire space capabilities, the outer space domain appears poised to become the next frontier of international insecurity. Nicole Butler (SSP’25) hosts Jessica West, Senior Researcher at Project Ploughshares, to discuss space regulations, global governance and non-weaponization, the pros and cons of increasing private sector involvement, and the biggest threats to space security.

Spyware threatens encryption and presents unique regulatory and security challenges for governments and citizens worldwide. Host Kellsie Herrmann sits down with Mike Sexton, an expert on technology and security policy at the think tank Third Way and SSP alumnus, to discuss spyware’s risks and opportunities as a surveillance tool with an eye towards the future of spyware policy.

What is the current state of the African security landscape in the context of great power competition? What is the significance of Africa to China, Russia, and the United States? Host Iku Tsujihiro invites guest Ashliyn Burgos to discuss African security and how the United States can grow its relationship with African nations.

To look at the present, it pays to study the past. No past conflict is more foundational to the field of international relations and security studies than the Peloponnesian War. The Peloponnesian War (431 BCE - 404 BCE) was fought between Greek city-states Athens and Sparta. Why is this conflict so studied 2500 years after it took place? We sit down with Doctor John H. Maurer to deduce the modern relevance of the Peloponnesian War. We discuss how the Peloponnesian War is one of the first examples of many modern security problems, including coalition warfare, ideological conflict, and long-range expeditionary operations.

The Arctic is becoming an increasingly turbulent arena for global geopolitics. Consequences of climate change are rapidly changing the region, sparking more opportunities for global powers to assert territorial claims, promote tourism, and push forward with research - often to the detriment of indigenous populations and the environment. Without any international treaties on the Arctic, the region is effectively in a state akin to the “Wild West.” Nicole Butler (SSP’25) hosts Dr. Jeremy Mathis to discuss the current state of Arctic politics and offers some creative, proactive solutions for stable Arctic policy and to protect this unique ecosystem.

Have you experienced feelings of self-doubt or inadequacy, especially after a major life transition like starting graduate school or starting a new job? If so, you could have been experiencing imposter syndrome. Our guest, Alani Bankhead, a career supervisory special agent and professional coach, explains how to recognize imposter syndrome and provides advice and tools that young professionals can use to break the cycle of thoughts, emotions, and beliefs that feed imposter syndrome.

Superhero tales captivate us through their exploration of human nature and their reminder of our duty to improve the communities around us. These themes underpin the timely anthology Power Up: Leadership, Character, and Conflict Beyond the Superhero Multiverse, where the iconic Avengers battle scene and ethos of the Unbeatable Squirrel Girl offer lessons in leadership, ethics, and conflict resolution. Editors Steven Leonard and Jonathan Klug translate imagination-sparking stories into critical teachings on decision-making, teamwork, and character. Hosts Kellsie Herrmann and Max Caplan sit down with Steven and Jonathan to dig into the inspiration for the book, critical lessons learned from our favorite superheroes, and more.

During the Global War on Terror after 9/11, the United States frequently criticized other states for exporting extremism. In recent years, however, it is the US that has seen an expansion of far-right extremism spread within its country. As some American allies have designated groups within the United States as terrorist organizations, US-based far-right groups have continued to export their ideologies and strategies for violence abroad. Guest Bruce Hoffman details the far-right ideologies that drive these groups and describes their connections with jihadist terrorist organizations. Dr. Hoffman also provides recommendations on how to prevent the spread of violent far-right terrorist organizations.

Welcome back to SSP Weekly! This week, host Gareth Smythe sits down with GSSR's Associate Editor for Europe and Central Asia Arjan van Tongerlo to discuss the latest on the war in Ukraine and how Dutch elections, shifting European politics, and the world's focus on the Middle East may impact the progress of Ukraine's fight. We hope you enjoy!

It is evident that the nature of warfare has evolved, as demonstrated by the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Israel. Exponential technological acceleration is driving much of this change: multi-domain sensors are making the battlespace transparent, long-range precision munitions can accurately hit any observed target, and autonomous weapons can attack from above, hitting the weakest point of tanks and armored vehicles and reshaping how we conceive of air superiority and air control. 

How do technological advancements impact tactical warfare? How should U.S. policymakers and military leaders approach these new technologies, and what lessons should they draw from Ukraine, Israel, and other modern conflicts? 

Hosts Gareth Smythe and Miriam Pasternak Jorgensen sit down with Colonel (ret.) John Antal, a former U.S. Army Cavalry officer and author, to discuss John’s new book Next War: Reimagining How We Fight. Next War provides insights on these topics and more to guide leaders to think critically about the challenges the modern battlefield poses.

In a world increasingly polarized and facing complex challenges like climate change, distrust in institutions, and great power competition, it is vital to move beyond apathy and fear and rethink how we approach security. Kellsie Herrmann (SSP ‘24) hosts Professor Gina Bennett, a renowned former member of the intelligence community with a distinguished counterterrorism record who considers national security to encompass more than bullets and bellicose leadership. On this episode of the Precision-Guided Podcast, she explains why America must incorporate a ‘Gatherer’ mindset into traditional national security approaches to better meet the intimidating challenges of today and the future.

Welcome back to SSP Weekly! This week, host Miriam Pasternak explores the U.S.'s posture on strategic nuclear deterrence and the concept of 'tripolar deterrence’, in light of a recently published Congressional report. Miriam sits down with two guests: Shane Ward, an SSP Master’s student at Georgetown University who focuses on nuclear deterrence in his studies at SSP, and Dr. Adam Mount, an important voice and expert in the debate on U.S. nuclear deterrence strategy. Dr. Mount is a senior fellow at the Federation of American Scientists and holds a PhD from the Department of Government at Georgetown University. Earlier this week, he published his article: “A Not-So-Strategic Posture Commission” for the Arms Control Association, which sparked our interest. We hope you enjoy the episode!

In a debut format, host Shawn Rostker presents a narrated version of a peer-reviewed journal article from Nick Lekkas, a senior columnist at the Georgetown Security Studies Review and fellow SSP colleague. Nick’s article, titled “Mobilized, Forgotten, Ignored: Russia’s Control Mechanisms of its Minority Populations Amid the Russo-Ukrainian War,” explores the disproportionate effect that Russia’s conscription efforts have had on ethnic groups from the Buryat, Kuban, and Dagestan regions. Nick analyzes the Kremlin’s political motivations for sparing its Slavic population from front-line deployment, and explains why this imbalance may become a greater vulnerability for the Russian regime than it realizes.

Welcome back to SSP Weekly! This week, host Gareth Smythe sits down with guest Katherine Wells to discuss Saudi Arabia's grand strategy and how they view the current conflict in the Middle East. Next, Miriam Pasternak sits down with Veronika Melkozerova, a Ukrainian reporter for Politico, who has been providing coverage of the war in Ukraine to the biggest media outlets in the world. Veronika explains how the war is connected to the Israel-Hamas conflict, how Ukrainians view the situation today and how U.S. politics are critical for continued support to Ukraine. We hope you enjoy. 

Welcome back to SSP Weekly! This week, host Miriam Pasternak sits down with guest Harrison Durland, a fellow SSP student, focusing on tech and emergent technology, to talk about the recent U.S. export controls on China. After this, host Gareth Smythe sits down with Anna Bassoli, the Associate Editor for the Indo-Pacific at the Georgetown Security Studies Review (GSSR), about the Australian state visit to DC and the ongoing implementation of AUKUS, the trilateral partnership on submarines and emerging technology between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Welcome back to SSP Weekly! This week’s theme is the Polish elections and the surprising victory of Donald Tusk, a political giant both in Poland and the European Union. Host Miriam Pasternak sits down with Jan Gerber, a fellow SSP student born and raised in Poland. The two discuss how Donald Tusk managed to defeat the current right-winged government which has been in power since 2015, and how Tusk's return might influence European security in the coming years. 

The global effort for “going green” is creating dependency on Chinese renewable energy because China is dominating the renewable energy market. While moving forward with environmentally friendly energy alternatives is a crucial movement, should the West choose that option even if it means dependency on China? Can the West protect the environment and also win the Great Power Competition with China? Has the West already lost the game for dominance on “going green?”

Iku Tsujihiro (SSP’24) hosts Dr. Jeremy Mathis to explore the complex challenges the West faces in the current environmental security affairs. 

This week, hosts Miriam Pasternak and Gareth Smythe sit down with guest Zach Markenson to put the events in Israel and Palestine this past week into historical context. In the episode, Zach sheds light on the prolonged relationship between Israel and Hamas, provides an overview of long-term Israeli policies toward Palestine, and helps unpack the dynamics between many of the myriad actors in the region. 

Welcome back to SSP Weekly: a new format from Georgetown University’s Precision-Guided Podcast! This week, hosts Miriam Pasternak and Gareth Smythe follow up on the updates since last episode's government shutdown story, and talk about the ousting of House speaker, Kevin McCarthy. Next, we discuss the recent brewing tensions between Kosovo and Serbia, as a result of a violent attack on Kosovar police officers on September 24th. Our guest for the story is Robert Shala, a fellow graduate student from the Georgetown Security Studies Program, born and raised in what is today the Republic of Kosovo. Enjoy!

Welcome to the SSP Weekly: A new format from Georgetown University’s Precision-Guided Podcast, in which our two hosts, Miriam Pasternak and Gareth Smythe, dissect security and foreign policy stories from the week. This week, we are talking about the possibility of a US Government shutdown and its impact on national security, and the Polish-Ukrainian dispute over weapons and grain supplies. Our first guest is Christian Trotti, Associate Editor for Defense at GSSR. Our second guest, Kamil Lungu, is a graduate student in the German and European Studies Program at Georgetown. Kamil focuses on transatlantic trade, agriculture and energy policy. Enjoy!

The DPRK’s nuclear missile program is growing every day. The DPRK has conducted a number of missile tests against the ROK and Japan recently. Does the growing threat of the DPRK’s missile program destabilize the security balance in Northeast Asia? Does China’s nuclear program threaten nuclear non-proliferation in Northeast Asia? Should Japan and the ROK gain their own nuclear arsenals? Iku Tsujihiro (SSP’24) invited Dr. Keir Lieber to discuss the emerging threat of the DPRK’s nuclear missile program, and how it is changing the security perception in Northeast Asia. 

The destabilizing effects of global climate change represent key security challenges for the United States. These challenges are manifested at both the strategic level, in how climate impacts are fueling global trends like instability and mass migration, and at the tactical level, as climate change threatens critical national security infrastructure like military installations. How the United States adapts to the impacts of climate and works to mitigate further climate change has key implications for military readiness, industrial policy, and the resilience of communities across the country and around the world. 

To discuss the key intersection between climate and security, host Gareth Smythe sat down with Kate Gordon, who just completed a two-year tenure as the Senior Advisor to Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm. Kate has spent the past two decades working at the intersection of climate change, energy policy, and economic development, and is a prominent voice knitting these important aspects together into a cohesive response. Kate and Gareth discuss the place-based impacts of climate change, how climate impacts present strategic and tactical challenges to security, the role of the military in climate adaptation and resilience, how the Department of Energy’s place at the forefront of America’s 21st Century Industrial Policy can support the Department of Defense’s industrial policy work, and the role of US allies, partners, and even potential adversaries in advancing climate security. 

There have never been as many security issues facing American business as there are today. Threats from international insecurity, great power competition, and new tools like cyber and AI that allow malign actors to destabilize from a distance face nations and companies alike. This trend is especially concerning given the outsized private ownership of critical infrastructure like energy, water, and transportation that underpins the American way of life.

Given these threats, how are conceptions of corporate security evolving? How are American businesses understanding their role in safeguarding national security? What is the proper posture of government to work with the private industry to ensure resilience?

To answer these questions and more, check out our latest episode, where host Gareth Smythe sits down with Mark Freedman, the Founder and CEO of Rebel Global Security. Rebel is an innovative kind of security risk management consultancy that leverages Mark’s experience working in at high levels within the national security community to assist businesses in becoming more aware of the threat landscape and empowered to address it. 

Today, host Shawn Rostker speaks with Nathaniel Raymond, Executive Director of the Humanitarian Research Lab at the Yale School of Public Health, about his lab’s groundbreaking report documenting Russia’s systematic effort to steal and harbor at least 6,000 Ukrainian children throughout the war. They discuss Russia’s network of over 40 facilities, stretching from Crimea to Siberia, in which children are subjected to political indoctrination, cultural reeducation, and in some cases military training, and identify the state levers that enable it. The plight of the children, as well as the parents desperate to reunite with them, is told in vivid detail through documented instances of war crimes.Russia’s theft of Ukraine’s children represents the largest such campaign since the Nazi kidnappings of Jewish children during WWII that became the first prosecutions at Nuremberg. Executive Director Raymond explains the legal framework that implicates Russia in these war crimes and explains what must come next to identify and return the thousands of Ukrainian children currently being held by Russia.

What is the “Quad,” and how does it serve to foster a Free and Open Indo-Pacific region? What are the main strategic challenges and opportunities that the four Quad member nations hope to use the Quad to address? Which country should be included in the Quad to help further the foreign policy goals of the member nations? 

Check out our latest episode as host Gareth Smythe sits down with Professor Mark Seip, an adjunct faculty member of the Georgetown Security Studies Program and retired Naval officer and strategist, for a discussion covering the Quad and the US’ bi- and multi-lateral relations in the Indo-Pacific region, including Japan, Australia, and India.  

Join our host, Chris Bull, as he sits down with Mike Sexton to discuss career and life advice for SSPers in the first of a new series with SSP and Georgetown alumni.

Check out Part II of host Gareth Smythe’s discussion with Dave Diaz, currently the Director of a State Department Interagency Task Force and formerly the Director of African Affairs at the National Security Council. Dave and Gareth discuss the role of education in the national security profession and how to successfully create a long-term plan for a career in foreign policy and security. The two also walk through Dave’s Patented Ten Keys of Public Service Leadership, an incredibly useful framework to orient oneself around what is required to be successful in public service.

How does the US Government effectively leverage a whole-of-government response to the multi-varied threats posed by US adversaries? What is the US’ greatest strength in working with allies and partners on key security challenges? How does the National Security Council actually work?

Check out Part I of our latest episode as host Gareth Smythe sits down with Dave Diaz, currently the Director of a State Department Interagency Task Force and formerly the Director of African Affairs at the National Security Council, in a wide-ranging discussion about the interagency process. Stayed tuned for Part II, where Dave will provide his thoughts on the value of public service and share advice for aspiring national security professionals from his 30 years of service.

Host Shawn Rostker talks with foreign affairs journalist, and SSP alumni, Mark Leon Goldberg about his career in journalism and the field of foreign policy. Mark talks at length about his experience as creator and host of the longest-running independent international affairs podcast, Global Dispatches, and offers insights and advice for anyone interested in pursuing journalistic endeavors or a career as a podcaster. They discuss how coverage and consumption of foreign affairs issues have evolved since the advent of the podcast medium and explore the role of an international affairs journalist in the contemporary environment.

What role does gender play in conflict? In this episode of the Precision-Guided Podcast, University of Georgia alumni Stephanie Cannon and Kara Joyce interview Dr. Maryann Gallagher, a senior lecturer at the University of Georgia’s School of Public and International Affairs and the director of the Security Leadership Program in the Center for International Trade and Security, to discover the ways gender impacts multiple levels of conflict and how these impacts play into gender justice.

In this episode, airing one year after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, our host Miriam Pasternak Jorgensen interviews Jill Dougherty about being a journalist in Russia. What did journalism look like in the Soviet Union? How has Russian media coverage of the war changed throughout the past year? Jill shares her insights as a Russian expert and journalist with over 50 years of experience working in the Soviet Union and Russia until March 2022.

In this episode, Shawn talks to Dr. Joan Donovan, Research Director of the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy at Harvard University. Dr. Donovan specializes in disinformation and media politics. Shawn and Dr. Donovan discuss current social media and the effects of disinformation campaigns in recent history. They also dive into the concept of memetic warfare to better understand how political movements compete and battle in the online world. 

In this episode, host Shawn Rostker talks to Dr. Elizabeth Grimm about her latest book, “Terror in Transition: Leadership and Succession in Terrorist Organizations” co-written with Dr. Tricia Bacon, and dives into the importance of leadership dynamics within terrorist organizations and its relevance to the U.S. national security community. He also catches up with current SSP student Mel Madarang about her time spent as an RA in the program and what lessons and skills the experience has offered her.

What is involved in developing a National Security Strategy (NSS)? How do you balance competing priorities and build consensus? Join host, Diva Joshi, and former Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategy, Dr. Nadia Schadlow, for a discussion of the 2017 NSS, the current NSS, and advice for future security professionals.

How is populism influencing politics in India? Tune in to this episode of the Precision-Guided Podcast as our hosts, Iku and Senju, give an overview of populism in India. The discussion will encompass the early roots of the Hindu-Nationalist movement in India and its connection with the BJP party. The discussion will also look at the present-day political environment, the ramifications of the party's control on minority groups, and analogs between U.S. populism and Indian populism.

Join our host, Chris Bull, as he sits down with former FBI agents Michelle Taylor & Holden Triplett as they discuss contemporary threats to U.S. national security and the evolving challenges of future threats.

What does Russia's invasion of Ukraine mean for Europe's energy security? Find out in this Precision-Guided Podcast episode hosted by Olivia C. with today's guest, international energy expert Mr. Edward Chow.

The Biden administration recently released its new national security strategy outlining the top U.S. national security concerns and the U.S. planned approach. Join our host, Chris Bull, and guests Paula Mercado, Sirkar Tisyaketu and Rhett Rezendes as they discuss the 2022 National Security Strategy from the perspective of next-generation national security practitioners.

In light of the recent midterm elections in the United States, how do we assess the security and integrity of the US election system? What can the US do to deter foreign influence in the election process while identifying pressures that domestic actors are putting on the election system? What is the role of social media companies as arbiters of truth in the public square? What is the role of public service in this existential time? Check out our latest episode as hosts Sina Nemazi and Gareth Smythe interview Peter Strzok, current Georgetown University Professor and former Deputy Assistant Director of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division, in a wide-ranging discussion about the state of election security in the US.

What does the war in Ukraine tell us about the future of air warfare? Join our host, Connor Thode, and Stimson Center Senior Fellow Dr. Kelly Grieco as they discuss what Ukraine can teach us about emerging airpower strategies.

Listeners can learn more about Dr. Grieco at https://www.stimson.org/ppl/kelly-a-grieco/ and read the Atlantic Council’s series “Airpower after Ukraine: The future of air warfare,” at https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/programs/scowcroft-center-for-strategy-and-security/forward-defense/airpower-after-ukraine/.

What kinds of security challenges is the Security Studies Program (SSP) seeking to prepare students for? What kinds of tangible skills are SSP events and classes hoping to impart to its students? How does the leadership of SSP hope to foster community among the Center for Security Studies (CSS)? Find out answers to these questions and more in this episode of the Precision-Guided Podcast, as host Stephanie Cannon interviews CSS and SSP Director Dr. Elizabeth Stanley.

Join our host, Diva Joshi, and current Georgetown professor David Fahrenkrug (and former fighter pilot) for a discussion on cyber power.

Join host Diva Joshi for a discussion on global debt and the unfolding crisis in Sri Lanka with Professor Robert Bestani.

Join host Juan Carlos Solano for a discussion with Katie Nodjimbadem and Sofia Deak, founders of Georgetown University’s Decolonizing International Affairs student groups.

In this episode, our guests discuss the group’s focus on the colonial legacy present in international affairs theory and practice and their efforts to provide a space for students interested in learning from a variety of diverse global perspectives.

Students interested in learning more can email Katie (kn515@georgetown.edu) and Sofia (smd307@georgetown.edu) for more information.