National Security This Week

Host Jon Olson and Dr. Kathryn Sikkink from Harvard’s Kennedy School discuss human rights, refugees and asylum seekers.

This week, host Jon Olson talks with Nick Hayen, who leads The Orientalist Express podcast. They discuss various American national security challenges and opportunities.

Host Jon Olson discusses a wide array of international topics with Professor Anthony Becker of St. Olaf College, including the continuing impact of Covid-19 on international supply chains, the effects of Russia's war in Ukraine on oil prices, and the decision by many countries to end food exports.

Host Jon Olson talks with Mark Ritchie, the president of Global Minnesota, about how organizations like his can open global markets and improve foreign relations across the globe.

Host Jon Olson is joined this week by Lieutenant General David Deptula, USAF (ret.) as they discuss lessons being learned from the air campaign in Ukraine.

Host Jon Olson discusses Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including the consequences should Russia use tactical nuclear weapons, with Dr. Ron Krebs of the University of Minnesota.

This week, Jon Olson talks with U.S.-educated Uyghur-American lawyer, foreign policy expert, and noted human rights advocate Nury Turkel about Chinese human rights violations and related topics.

This week host Jon Olson talks with Ayana Dootalieva and Nick Cohen, editors of a new anthology, European Integration and Disintegration.

This week Host Jon Olson talks with Dr. Devashree Gupta about the recent elections in Western Europe, and how the political climate around the Western World.

Hot Jon Olson talks with Dr. Katey Walter Anthony and Janelle Sharp about the dangers of methane seepage and melting permafrost in the Arctic.

Host Jon Olson discuses hybrid warfare and its role in the current war in Ukraine and other conflicts with Professors Sean Costigan and Michael Hennessy 

This week Jon has two guests, Dr. Namrata Goswami an expert on space policy and Air Force Lt. Col Peter Garretson, who has worked with several research groups on space issues. 

Jon Olson’s guest this week is Air Force Brigadier General E. John Teichert, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs. 

This week, host Jon Olson talks with Dr. Mark Deets from The American University in Cairo about the many recent coup d’etats in Africa.

Host Jon Olson talks with guest Ross Wilson who has previously served as the Chargé d'Affaires of the United States to Afghanistan (2020-21) and as the Ambassador to Turkey (2005-08). Together they discuses the important of Turkey in global affairs. 

This week, Jon Olson's guests are Brian Eyler and Alan Basist from the Stimson Center. They discuss the strategic importance of the Mekong River in southeast Asia.

Host Jon Olson talks with retired State Department Foreign Service Officer Alan Carlson about nuclear treaties, arms negotiations, and related topics.

This week Jon's guest is Dr. Thomasm Mahnken who is thepresi dent and chief executive officer of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments and a senior research professor The Johns Hopkins University’s, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). Together the two discuses Dr. Mahnken's plan for deterring China. 

Host Jon Olson discusses the Russian invasion of Ukraine with former commander of US Army European forces with guest Lt General Ben Hodges (Ret.)

Dr. James Densley from Metropolitan State University and host Jon Olson discuss the role gangs play in transnational organized crime.

Host Jon Olson talks with retired Foreign Service Officer Margo Squire about Public Diplomacy and its role in foreign affairs.

Host Jon Olson discusses the impact of illicit drugs, international drug cartels, and career opportunities in the Drug Enforcement Administration with Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Angela von Trytek from the Minneapolis Office of the DEA.

Host Jon Olson talks with Mark Jorgensen who worked previously with the CIA and State Department. Jorgensen's most recent assignment was to the U.S. Embassy in Minsk, Belarus. Together the two discuss  about the economic and security situation in Belarus and its role in Eastern Europe. 

Host jon Olson talks about the intersection of economics and national security with author, columnist with the Financial Times, Rana Foroohar.

Host Jon Olson talks with Dr. David Burbach from the US Naval War College about space policy, the US Space Force, and related topics.

Host Jon Olson's guest is Ambassador Ross Wilson, who served as Charge d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan during the final year of America’s involvement in that nation.

Jon discusses the Chinese interests in the South China Sea with Dr. Raymond Kuo of the RAND Corporation.

Jon discusses the tumultuous political past and present of the Balkans region with retired Foreign Service Officer Alan Carlson.

Host Jon Olson talks with retired Foreign Service Officer Mark Canning, and retired CIA officer David Sauer about the increasing tensions over Taiwan.

Host Jon Olson talks with Dr. Stephen Walt from Harvard’s Kennedy School and Dr. Ron Krebs from the University of Minnesota. They discuss whether or not America should have a grand strategy.

Host Jon Olson and Dr. David Cooper from the US Naval War College discuss nuclear deterrence and nuclear treaties for a modern era.

Host Jon Olson talks with Juan Zarate who is the former deputy national security advisor for combating terrorism during the George W. Bush administration.

Host Jon Olson talks with retired US Army Colonel Steve Miska about bringing interpreters who have served American forces in combat zones to safety.

Host Jon Olson discusses the role of the defense attaché offices in American embassies around the world, and the role of Foreign Area Officers with his guests US Air Force Colonel Brett Seiling and US Navy Commander Andrew Kotila.

Host Jon Olson talks with Jonah Simonds, Nicole Nipper, and Micalie Hunt, who earned undergraduate degrees in International Relations, about how their choice of major in college has impacted their professional lives.

Host Jon Olson discusses Poland’s critical role in European affairs with Dr. Mary Curtin from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota.

Host Jon Olson talks with retired US Air Force Major General Rick Devereaux and retired US Air Force Major Bruce Morlan about the nexus of climate change and US national security.

This episode originally aired on November 3rd 2021. 

Host Jon Olson talks with LTG Robert Ashley, US Army (Retired), the former Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency. They discuss the US Intelligence Community’s role in supporting American national security.

This episode originally aired on October 27th 2021. 

Host Jon Olson talks with Professor Ron Krebs from the University of Minnesota about civil/military relations and the importance of those relations on American national security.

This episode originally aired on Oct. 10th 2021. 

Host Jon Olson talks with Dr. Fiona Hill and they discuss both Vladimir Putin and Russia, and her new book, There is Nothing for You Here: Opportunity in the 21st Century, which launched on October 6th, 2021.

This episode originally aired on Oct. 13th 2021. 

Host Jon Olson talks with retired US Navy Rear Admiral Danelle Barrett about her time as Director of Operations at US Cyber Command. They tap into her expertise in cyber security.

This episode originally aired on Oct. 6th 2021

Host Jon Olson talks with Professor Michael Goldman from the University of Minnesota. They focus on India on this show, covering politics, economics, and defense issues.

This episode originally aired on Sept. 29th 2021. 

Host Jon Olson talks with Carleton College Professor Devashree Gupta, an expert on Western European affairs, about the United Kingdom, Ireland, Brexit, and related security issues.

This episode originally aired on Sept. 22nd 2021. 

Host Jon Olson talks with retired US Army Lieutenant General Joseph DiSalvo, the former Deputy Commander of U.S. Southern Command. They discuss the current state of affairs for SOUTHCOM, regional challenges, and opportunities in the region in support of American national security interests.

This episode originally aired on Sept. 15th 2021. 

Host Jon Olson talks with Mark Shaw, Director of the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, about how his organization is working end international criminal enterprises.

This episode originally aired on Sept. 8th 2021. 

Host Jon Olson talks with Chip Laingen, Executive Director of the Defense Alliance, a collaboration of Upper Midwest businesses in the defense and national high technology industries.

This episode originally aired on September 1st 2021. 

Host Jon Olson talks with University of Minnesota Professor Mark Bell. They continue their discussion on advanced nuclear delivery capabilities and their impact on nuclear deterrence.

This originally aired on August 15th 2021. 

This week, host Jon Olson discusses the events of the past week in Afghanistan with with retired State Department Foreign Service Officers Tom Hanson and Bill Davnie.

This episode originally aired on August 18th 2021. 

Host Jon Olson talks with Professor Federico Varese from Oxford University in the United Kingdom about the national security ramifications of transnational organized crime syndicates.

This episode originally aired on August 11th 2021. 

Host Jon Olson talks with noted crime thriller author and former CIA intelligence officer Carmen Amato about intelligence operations, the Western hemisphere, and her crime thriller novels.

This episode originally aired on August 4th 2021.