The Navy and Strategic Competition with China
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
Release Date: 12/06/2023
Modeling Climate Change in New Orleans
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
Climate change is a complex and multifaceted problem that no actor can address alone. How can governments understand the impact of various actors in their jurisdiction and ensure that solutions are rolled out effectively and sustainably? Dawn Thomas joins the show to discuss her work using ecosystem models to examine New Orleans’ efforts to tackle climate change. Guest Biography is a co-director of the Center for Emergency Management and Operations and director of the Center for Critical Incident Analysis. She is an expert in large-scale incident planning and response. She has worked on a...
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Independence Day Special: The Continental Navy's Legacy
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
The United States Navy is the most powerful naval force on earth, able to project power in every corner of the globe, but this mighty forces has humble beginings. Just in time for Independence Day, Steve Wills, joins the show to discuss the Continetial Navy’s role in the American Revolution and how its legacy is reflected in the modern day US Navy. Biographies is an expert in U.S. Navy strategy and policy, and U.S. Navy surface warfare programs and platforms. As a Navy historian, his research interests include the history of U.S. Navy strategy development over the Cold War and...
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Pride @ CNA
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
In this special Pride Month episode of CNA Talks, three members of CNA’s LGBTQ+ Affinity Group, Pride @ CNA, join the show! They discuss their experiences as members of the LGBTQ+ community at CNA and research that CNA is exploring on interactions between community members and law enforcement. Biographies (they/them) is a Research Scientist with CNA’s Center for . Cait research interests include mental health-related interventions in the criminal justice system, juvenile justice, evidence-based policing in small, rural, and tribal jurisdictions, and the experiences of LGBTQ individuals in...
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Vladimir Putin's New Defense Minister Andrey Belousov
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
The Russian Federation is an example of a large authoritarian state whose military is subordinate to its civil government. But since the onset of the War in Ukraine, tensions have been growing between civilian and military leaders. In this episode, Julian Waller joins John to discuss the current state of civil-military relations in Russia’s government and how the Wagner Group rebellion fits into this puzzle. Biography is a Research Analyst with CNA’s Program. He is an expert in the politics of authoritarian regimes in post-Soviet Eurasia and Europe, focusing on Russian and Ukrainian...
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Law Enforcement Officer Deaths by Suicide with Karen Solomon from First H.E.L.P
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
Law Enforcement officers regularly confront traumatic circumstances that can adversely affect their mental and emotional health. In some cases, this can increase their risk of death by suicide. In late 2023, the CNA partnered with First H.E.L.P. to undertake the first comprehensive analysis of its extensive dataset on law enforcement officer deaths by suicide. In this episode, CNA's Jessica Dockstader and First H.E.L.P's Karen Solomon join the show to discuss this report. Guest Biographies is an Associate Research Analyst with CNA’s Center for . She is an expert in officer...
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China's Economic Activities in Africa
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
Over the past 20 years, the People’s Republic of China has invested billions of dollars in African nations. But what impact have these investments had on the continent, and how have things changed in the wake of the dual global shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine? Tim Ditter joins the show to answer these questions and discuss his research into China’s presence in Africa. Guest Biographies Timothy Ditter is a research scientist in CNA’s . His work covers PLA amphibious warfare, China’s military modernization and expansion, China’s growing nuclear...
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The Impact of Extreme Weather on Vulnerable Populations
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
Climate change increases the frequency, severity, and cost of extreme weather events. However, these events are not felt by everyone equally. Existing inequalities in our society exasperate the risks for vulnerable populations. In this episode, Leola Abrahams and Mark Roberts discuss how extreme weather events impact older adults and Native Americans and how protecting our most vulnerable populations protects everyone. Biographies is the program manager of CNA’s . She focuses on climate change, emergency management, public health, and justice reform. Leola is a senior...
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Conventional Missiles in the Ukraine War
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
The Russia‑Ukraine war marks the first large‑scale deployment and use of conventional ballistic and cruise missile technology. Because of this, the theater has become a test bed for missile technology and strategy and has revealed the strengths and weaknesses of contemporary missile forces and doctrines. In this episode, Fabien Hoffman and Gabriela Rosa Hernandez join the show to discuss how both sides have used conventional weapons during the Ukraine War and the war's impact on strategic stability. Biographies Fabian Hoffmann is a Doctoral Research Fellow at the...
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Department of the Navy Deputy Principal Cyber Advisor Joshua Reiter on the Department's Cyber Strategy
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
Military operations in the physical domains all depend on the cyber domain. To ensure the success of traditional naval capabilities, the Navy and Marine Corps must project power in and through cyberspace while defending their systems and assets from adversary cyber capabilities. The side that most effectively sequences and synchronizes cyber effects will have a decisive advantage. Department of the Navy (DON) Deputy Principal Cyber Advisor Joshua Reiter and CNA’s Ariel Michelman-Ribeiro join the show to discuss the DON Cyber Strategy. Guest Biographies...
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Zero Trust: Modernizing in a Classified Environment
CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
In an age when the risks of cyberattacks are increasingly clear, the Zero Trust security model, built on the principle of “never trust, always verify,” is the new standard for cyber security. Like many organizations, CNA is working to implement the model throughout our organization. Rizwan Jan, CNA’s Chief Information Officer, and cybersecurity expert Adam Monsalve join the show to discuss CNA’s journey to implement Zero Trust, how we can use that experience, and how we have leveraged this experience to better serve our clients and sponsors. Biographies is CNA's...
info_outlineThe 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
David M. Finkelstein is vice president and director of CNA's China and Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Division. 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 Staff.
Gordon Jaquith is the vice president and director of CNA’s Systems, Tactics and Force Development Division. He formerly served as director of the Strategic, Defensive, and Science/Technology Division at the Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (CAPE) office within the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
Ann Parcell is the Director of CNA’s Navy Human Resources Program.
Further Reading
CNA: The Department of the Navy and Strategic Competition with the People’s Republic of China