A New Vision for Special Operations Forces
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
Release Date: 06/08/2022
The Navy and Strategic Competition with China
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
The Chief of Staff to the Secretary of the Navy asked CNA for recommendations on how the Navy can better position itself for such competition, that is, below the threshold of armed conflict. In this episode, three experts from across CNA join the show to discuss their specific recommendations and what the future fleet needs to look like to implement them. Guest Biographies is vice president and director of CNA's . A retired U.S. Army officer, he held significant China-related positions at the Pentagon as an advisor to the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of...
info_outline
The Benefits of Body-worn Cameras in a Local Jail Setting
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
Over the past decade, police departments across the United States have adopted body-worn cameras, and evidence suggests that they can help reduce complaints and use of force incidents. This raises the question of whether they could serve a similar purpose in jails and prisons. In this episode, John Stimpson sits down with Brittany Cunningham and Bryce Peterson to discuss their research into the impact of body-worn cameras at the Loudoun County adult detention center. Guest biographies is the Assistant Director of CNA’s Center for . She specializes in using evidence-based approaches...
info_outline
How Special Operations Forces Can Help Address IUU Fishing
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
The People's Republic of China is the most significant contributor to the global problem of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing. Its distant water fishing fleet is the largest in the world and operates everywhere, from the Pacific Island Countries to the Atlantic Coast of Africa. In this episode, Heidi Holz and Cornell Overfield join John Stimpson to discuss how US Special Operations Forces can help counter the problem of Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated fishing by serving as a global connector for this issue. Guest Biographies is a Senior Research Scientist...
info_outline
Rebroadcast: Better Metrics for Better Analyses
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
What do search engine optimization, airline schedules and standardized testing have in common? They are all vulnerable to Goodhart’s law, the idea that when a metric becomes a target, it ceases to be a good metric. In this episode, Michael Stumborg and Timothy Blasius join John to discuss their report, “Goodhart’s Law: Recognizing and Mitigating the Manipulation of Measures in Analysis.” Michael Stumborg is a Principal Research Scientist with CNA’s . Timothy Blasius is a Senior Research Scientist with CNA’s . : Goodhart’s Law: Recognizing and Mitigating the...
info_outline
Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong and the future of Russia-North Korea relations
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
On September 13, North Korean Leader Kim Jong met with Russian President Vladmir Putin at the Vostochny Cosmodrome, Russia’s most advanced space launch site. The meeting sparked concern in the West that Kim could supply Russia with weapons and munitions for its war in Ukraine and speculation about what North Korea would receive in return. In this episode, Ken Gause and Paul Schwartz discuss the significance of the meeting and its implications for US policy makers. is an expert on the North Korean leadership and political system. He has written several books on North Korea, focusing on its...
info_outline
Large Scale Exercise 2023
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
Last month, the Navy and the Marine Corps held Large Scale Exercise 2023. The exercise integrates six Navy and Marine Corps component commands and seven numbered fleets across the globe. More than 10,000 Sailors and Marines across 22 time zones participated in the exercise. 48 CNA analysts supported this exercise, including 14 aboard ships in all 7 Numbered Fleets. In this episode, Josh Tallis and Mallory Ladd, who deployed during the exercise, join the podcast to discuss their experience and how this on-site analysis is central to CNA’s approach to research. Biographies is a Senior...
info_outline
DePoy Award Winner: Jerry Meyerle
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
CNA’s Phil E. DePoy Award recognizes analytic excellence, harmonious relations with colleagues and clients, and dedication to this organization. The ideal candidate produces consistently superb analysis, communicates effectively to expert and lay audiences alike, leads teams well, and influences the thinking and decisions of sponsors through their work. In this episode, this year’s winner, Jerry Meyerle, joins the podcast to discuss his deployment to Afghanistan, his work's impact, and advise new CNA analysts. is a Principal Research Scientist with CNA’s and an expert in military...
info_outline
Moving at the Speed of Innovation — Regulating Package Delivery Drones
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
Companies, including Amazon, UPS, and Domino's are all investing in package delivery drones. These systems represent a significant paradigm shift from the current air traffic control model. With the private sector moving at the speed of innovation, the government will need new tools to regulate this new airspace. In this episode, we discuss CNA’s new agent-based model, UAS Cooperative Airspace Traffic Simulation (UCATS), and how it can help the FAA and local stakeholders fairly regulate package delivery drone operations. Guest Biographies is Systems Engineer with CNA’s Center for...
info_outline
Alliance Wedge Strategies: Russia
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
In great power strategic competition, states deploy wedge strategies to divide, weaken, and prevent opposing alliances. In part two of a two-part series on the topic, host David Wallsh moderates a discussion on Russia's wedge strategies in the Global South and how the United States can address this challenge. is a Senior Research Scientist with CNA’s Russia Studies program. He is an expert on security issues in the former Soviet Union, the Russian military, Russian foreign policy, and ethnic politics and identity. He is also an associate at the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies...
info_outline
Alliance Wedge Strategies: China
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
In great power strategic competition, states deploy wedge strategies to divide, weaken, and prevent opposing alliances. In part one of a two-part series on the topic, host David Wallsh moderates a discussion on Chinese wedge strategies in the Indo-Pacific and how the United States can address this challenge. Biographies David Wallsh is a Senior Research Scientist in CNA’s Strategy, Policy, Plans, and Programs Division. Dr. Wallsh is an expert in alliance politics, Middle East security, and US security cooperation programs. is a Senior Research Scientist in CNA’s China and...
info_outlineSince the start of the global war on terror in 2001, U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) have been laser-focused on counterterrorism. But as the Department of Defense shifts its priorities to great-power competition Special Operations Command (SOCOM), is adapting to fit this new mission.
In this episode of CNA Talks, experts on Special Operations Forces sit down to discuss the Special Operations Command’s Vision and Strategy document.
Biographies
Jonathan Schroden is the Director of CNA's Special Ops Research Program. He recently directed a congressionally mandated assessment of special operations force structure.
Thomas Trask is a Senior Fellow in CNA’s Countering Threats and Challenges Program and a former Vice Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command.
Alexander Powell is a Research Scientist with CNA’s Countering Threats and Challenges Program. He is an expert on terrorist group tactics, counterterrorism, and special operations forces