How Technology Has Shaped Four Years of War in Ukraine
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
This episode examines how the ubiquitous presence of drones in the Ukraine War has shaped the conflict. Guest Biographies (@sambendett) is an advisor with CNA’s . His research focuses on Russian defense and technology developments; uncrewed, robotic and autonomous military systems; artificial intelligence; and Russian military capabilities.
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Four Years of War in Ukraine
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
As we enter the fifth year of war in Ukraine, experts from CNA’s Russia Studies program sit down to discuss what the war has revealed about the Russian way of war. Guest Biographies is a Senior Research Scientist in CNA’s . He is an expert on security issues in the former Soviet Union, the Russian military, Russian foreign policy, and ethnic politics and identity. is a principal research scientist in CNA's 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...
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Iran’s Stability in the Aftermath of the Grand Bazaar Protests
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
This episode covers the most recent wave of protests in Iran, what they mean for the government’s stability, and how US regional allies are responding. 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). Further Reading CNA Talks: InDepth:
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The Oreshnik Comes to Belarus
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
The Oreshnik Comes to Belarus Belarus has become the latest stage for Russia’s military ambitions, hosting the powerful Oreshnik missile system. We discuss the specifics of this missile system, and what this deployment means for NATO. Guest Biographies Decker Eveleth is an Associate Research Analyst with CNA’s . He specializes in open-source analysis. is an Associate Research Analyst at the CNA . Her research centers on security orders, deterrence issues, and Russia’s security policy, supplemented by her significant in-country experience living in Russia, Latvia,...
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Morse Code Success Stories
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
CNA is committed to using the latest technology to help us deliver for our sponsors. In this episode, we discuss how we are integrating our LLM, Morse Code, into our research process. Guest Biographies is the Chief Research Officer within the Office of the President at the CNA Corporation. In this role, he oversees CNA's Research Office, including the life cycle of research quality excellence, our independent research program, research publications, editing, and support, human subjects research compliance, and research modernization and data governance. is CNA's chief AI officer,...
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Rebroadcast: Drone as First Responder Programs
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...
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Why Were Nine Military Officials Purged from the CCP?
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
Experts discuss the Fourth Plenum of the 20th CCP Central Committee, where nine senior military officials were expelled from the Chinese Communist Party. Guest Biographies Michael Donmoyer is a Research Analyst with CNA’s . Eduaro Jaramillo is an Associate Research Analyst with CNA’s . Further Reading CNA InDepth: CNA Report:
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Optimally Deploying Unmanned Systems
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
This episode examines a new CNA model that can help government officials optimally deploy unmanned systems, and how it overlaps with our existing tools. Guest Biographies is an expert in optimization, modeling, and simulation in CNA's . is an expert in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML) and natural language processing in CNA’s Center for Data Management Analytics. is an expert in artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML) for FAA NextGen and a specialist in data visualization and modeling in CNA’s . Further Reading UAS Cooperative...
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Women in Data Science Regional Event 2025
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
This episode features a panel of CNA’s own Gayatri Gopavajhala and Lizzy Schneider, data scientists, discussing their paths to being in their roles as data scientists at CNA. Guest Biographies Gayatri Gopavajhala is a Data Analyst in CNA's Data Science for Sustainment Program. Lizzy Schneider is a Research Analyst in CNA's Data Science for Production Program.
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Russian Concepts for Future Warfare
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
In this episode, we explore how the war in Ukraine has impacted Russian military thought on combined arms operations, naval surface warfare, and air dominance operations. Guest Biographies is a principal research scientist in CNA's 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. Paul Schwartz is a Senior Research Scientist with CNA’s is an Associate Research Analyst at the CNA . Her research centers on...
info_outlineOne of the most prominent challenges organizations face when planning for the future is grappling with how unknown external factors will impact their organization. STEEP analysis allows planners to examine future Social, technical, economic, ecological, and political factors and plan for the opportunities and threats these factors will create.
In this episode, CNA’s Melissa Gutierrez and Heleana Melendez, Captain Jose Gurule from the Denver Sheriff's Department, and Danielle Rudes from Sam Houston State University join the show to discuss applying this framework to corrections.
Guest Biographies
Melissa Gutierrez is a Senior Research Specialist with CNA’s Center for Justice Research and Innovation. She is an expert in criminal justice research with a focus on gang networks and gun violence, including gun markets. At CNA, her work includes providing training and technical assistance on violent crime reduction programs and researching technology in law enforcement. Before joining CNA, Gutierrez worked at the Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety, where she participated in projects related to program evaluation, violent death surveillance, and unintentional overdose death surveillance.
Heleana Melendez is an associate research analyst with CNA’s Center for Justice Research and Innovation. JRI works throughout the justice system, providing training and technical assistance (TTA), conducting research, and supporting nationwide organizational reform in agencies and jurisdictions. Ms. Melendez supports projects at CNA focused on violence prevention, system improvement, and use of force.
Danielle Rudes is a Professor of Criminal Justice & Criminology at Sam Houston State University in Texas. She is also Deputy Director of the Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence (ACE!). She is a Fellow with the Bureau of Justice Assistance, focusing on Enhancing Correctional Spaces and Cultures. Dr. Rudes is an expert qualitative researcher with over 20 years of experience working with corrections agencies. She is recognized for her work examining how social control organizations understand, negotiate, and at times, resist change.
Captain Jose Gurule started his career in 2009 with the Conejos County Sheriff's Office. Rising to the rank of Division Commander for the Detention Division. In 2015, he began his tenure with the Denver Sheriff's Department. He has been assigned to direct supervision, intake unit, the field training program, ADA Liaison, LGBTQ+ liaison, and the Peer Support Team. Currently, he is the medical/classification/receiving unit commander. Overseeing the inmate classification/housing of two facilities with a combined housing capacity of 2693 inmates
Future Reading
Register for the Virtual Symposium Futurescape of Justice: Improving Public Safety