CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast
CNA’s experts understand today’s complex and dynamic national security environment. On CNA Talks, you’ll find analysis of globe-shaping conflicts, foreign policy and shifting alliances, regional breakdowns, pandemics and other health crises, environmental disasters, homeland security concerns, and the future of strategic competition. Follow CNA Talks to go behind the headlines and learn from data-driven, objective, discussions on the factors shaping today’s national security landscape.
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Syria After Assad
01/22/2025
Syria After Assad
This episode covers the fall of the Assad regime and what it means for Syria, Russia, Iran, and Turkey. Guest Biographies is a specialist in Russia and the Middle East in CNA’s Russia Studies Program. His primary area of expertise is the armed forces of Iran and Russia, and he has published extensively on these topics both inside and outside of CNA. Jeffrey Edmonds is an expert on Russia and Eurasia in CNA’s Russia Studies Program. Edmonds previously served as the Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, covering topics in Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and Africa. Jeff also served as acting Senior Director for Russia on the National Security Council. Further Reading CNA’s
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Ukraine Today, Taiwan Tomorrow
01/08/2025
Ukraine Today, Taiwan Tomorrow
This episode covers how Taiwan applies lessons from the Ukraine War to prepare for a potential invasion from the People’s Republic of China. Guest Biographies April A. Herlevi is a Senior Research Scientist in CNA’s China Studies program. She is an expert on the People’s Republic of China (PRC) foreign and security policy, economic statecraft for technology acquisition, and the increasing role of PRC commercial, economic, and military actors globally. Dr. Pollpeter is the Director of Research at the Air University’s China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI). Kevin Pollpeter is an internationally recognized expert on China's space program and has been widely published on national security issues related to China. Before joining CASI he was the Senior Research Scientist at CNA. He previously served as the deputy director of a project on innovation and technology in China for the University of California’s Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation. Further Reading CNA Report: CNA’s
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Rebroadcast: The Navy and Strategic Competition with China
12/25/2024
Rebroadcast: The Navy and Strategic Competition with China
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 Staff. is the vice president and director of CNA’s . 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. Further Reading CNA:
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A New Tool to Analyze the Shipbuilding Plan
12/11/2024
A New Tool to Analyze the Shipbuilding Plan
This episode covers RShiny, a CNA-funded dashboard government leaders can use to examine the Navy Shipbuilding Plan. Guest Biographies Rachel Hartley is a research analyst for CNA’s Force Optimization and Readiness Generation program. She specializes in performance-to-plan Human Resources and addressing recruiting crises. Further Reading
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Rebroadcast: AUKUS
11/27/2024
Rebroadcast: AUKUS
In this episode, Ralph Espach and Stephanie Stapleton join the show to discuss their assessment of AUKUS’s implementation. Guest Biographies is an expert in U.S.-Latin American relations, U.S. security assistance and cooperation in Latin America, and the assessment, monitoring, and evaluation of U.S. strategies and programs. His work focuses on U.S. security relations across the Americas, maritime security and naval issues, U.S. security cooperation efforts, and strategic risks such as Chinese and Russian regional relations and climate change. is a nuclear policy specialist. Her research topics include strategic deterrence and competition, multipolarity, nuclear arms control, risk reduction, and US nuclear policy. Before joining CNA, she was the managing editor of the academic journal Peacebuilding and Development and taught at Georgia Highlands College.
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China's Military Presence in Africa
11/13/2024
China's Military Presence in Africa
Timothy Ditter joins the show to discuss his report on China’s military presence in Africa, including its first overseas military base in Djibouti. Guest Biographies Timothy Ditter is a senior research scientist in CNA’s . His work covers PLA amphibious warfare, China’s military modernization and expansion, China’s growing nuclear weapons program, and China’s nascent global military presence. Further Reading CNA Report: CNA Report: CNA Report: CNA Talks:
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Russia's Shifting Nuclear Doctrine
10/30/2024
Russia's Shifting Nuclear Doctrine
This episode examines the views of three stakeholder communities within Moscow’s interconnected nuclear ecosystem and how they view Russia’s nuclear doctrine. *A previous version of this episode incorrectly stated that Russia's Security Council changed its nuclear doctrine during a September 25 meeting. The correct telling is that Russian President Vladimir Putin soft-launched proposed changes to the doctrine during this meeting. At this time, Russia has made no official changes to its nuclear doctrine. Guest Bios is a specialist in Russia's security policy. Her recent research has focused on Russian strategic deterrence, security orders, conventional and nuclear arms control in Europe, and the Russian military. is a specialist in the relationship between maritime law and foreign policy. At CNA, he has worked on projects covering Arctic security and economic activity, improved engagement with allies and partners, and data analytics. Further Reading CNA Report: CNA Talks:
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Countering Misinformation Surrounding the 2024 Hurricane Season
10/18/2024
Countering Misinformation Surrounding the 2024 Hurricane Season
This episode examines the misinformation that spread after Hurricanes Helene and Milton and how individuals and institutions can help stop it. Guest Bios Dawn Thomas 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 large array of emergency preparedness issues, helping federal, regional, state, and local agencies prepare for and respond to biological attacks, active shooters, large-scale evacuations, medical evacuations, earthquakes and tsunamis, mass casualty chemical incidents, public health outbreaks, and cyberattacks. Meg McBride is a Senior Research Scientist at CNA. Her expertise includes extremism, terrorism, radicalization, disinformation, and the evaluation of programs to prevent violent extremism. Her recent work has focused on psychological risk factors for radicalization and vulnerability and resilience to misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation. Further Reading CNA Report:
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The Kursk Offensive
10/09/2024
The Kursk Offensive
This episode explores the Kursk Offensive, Ukraine’s counter-invasion of Russia, and its implications for the United States and NATO. Guest Biography Michael Petersen is a Principal Research Scientist in CNA's Program at CNA. 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. From 2015-2023, he was Professor and founding director of the Russia Maritime Studies Institute and the Holloway Advanced Research Program at the U.S. Naval War College. He’s also served with the Defense Intelligence Agency and the National Security Council. Further Reading *There was an audio issue in a previous version of this podcast. This edition is correct.
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CNA's Large Language Model: Morse Code
09/25/2024
CNA's Large Language Model: Morse Code
This episode covers the inception, development, and potential of CNA’s internal large language model, Morse Code. Guest Biographies Gregor Goodman is the Director and Chief Technology Officer in CNA’s Chief Information Office. He has 20 years of hands-on experience with technology and cyber security, from technical administration to consulting. His expertise is understanding business goals and aligning a technology posture to drive organizational growth.
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Victim Centered Policing
09/11/2024
Victim Centered Policing
Experts discuss victim-centered policing. How can it lead to better outcomes for crime victims and investigators, and how police departments can implement the practice. Guest Biographies Nicole Carroll is the Director of the Victim Services Unit at the Louisville Metro Police Department, where she ensures the rights and needs of crime victims and witnesses are met through quality programs and services, exercising supervision of subordinate personnel, and overseeing advocacy and service provision for victims involved in the criminal justice system of Jefferson County. is a Research Scientist with CNA’s and an expert in crime, justice, and victimology. Before joining CNA, Clancey was an associate teaching professor with the University of Missouri - Kansas City, where she served as the assistant undergraduate director for the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology. is a Research Scientist with CNA’s and an expert in domestic human trafficking responses, law enforcement training, and victim advocacy. She specializes in trauma-informed law enforcement responses to crime victims, mental health crises, and community engagement.
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CNA's Force Design Lab
08/28/2024
CNA's Force Design Lab
We cover CNA’s Force Design Lab, which helps shape the Navy's future by assessing the platforms, capabilities, and concepts that enable it to perform desired missions. Guest Biographies is the Executive Director of CNA’s Department of Navy Relations and the Vice President and Director of CNA’s Systems, Tactics and Force Development Division. Before joining CNA, Gordon 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. Jon Bollinger is a Senior Research Scientist with the Surface Warfare Team in the Systems, Tactics, and Force Development Division. He has been with CNA for four and a half years. His work is focused on the capabilities of long-range and overhead sensors and developing new computational approaches to optimize the employment of Navy surface assets. Further Reading CNA:
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The Future of Corrections
08/14/2024
The Future of Corrections
One 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 is a Senior Research Specialist with CNA’s . 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. is an associate research analyst with CNA’s . 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 for the Virtual Symposium Futurescape of Justice: Improving Public Safety
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Bonus Episode: Gulf of Tonkin Incident
08/02/2024
Bonus Episode: Gulf of Tonkin Incident
Today is the 60th anniversary of the Gulf of Tonkin incident, which led to the United States’ entry into the Vietnam War. In recognition of this event, we are bringing you a special episode of CNA Talks, featuring a group of historians with uniquely valuable perspectives on the incident. This discussion was originally held on August 5, 2023.
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AUKUS
07/31/2024
AUKUS
In September 2021, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States announced a trilateral security agreement known as AUKUS. The partnership would allow Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines from the US, and it would be an agreement that the partners would collaborate on advanced technology like artificial intelligence and autonomy. In this episode, Ralph Espach and Stephanie Stapleton join the show to discuss their assessment of AUKUS’s implementation. Guest Biographies is an expert in U.S.-Latin American relations, U.S. security assistance and cooperation in Latin America, and the assessment, monitoring, and evaluation of U.S. strategies and programs. His work focuses on U.S. security relations across the Americas, maritime security and naval issues, U.S. security cooperation efforts, and strategic risks such as Chinese and Russian regional relations and climate change. is a nuclear policy specialist. Her research topics include strategic deterrence and competition, multipolarity, nuclear arms control, risk reduction, and US nuclear policy. Before joining CNA, she was the managing editor of the academic journal Peacebuilding and Development and taught at Georgia Highlands College.
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Modeling Climate Change in New Orleans
07/17/2024
Modeling Climate Change in New Orleans
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 large array of emergency preparedness issues, helping federal, regional, state and local agencies prepare for and respond to biological attacks, active shooters, large-scale evacuations, medical evacuations, earthquakes and tsunamis, mass casualty chemical incidents, public health outbreaks and cyberattacks.
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Independence Day Special: The Continental Navy's Legacy
07/03/2024
Independence Day Special: The Continental Navy's Legacy
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 immediate post-Cold War eras, and the post-World War II Navy surface fleet. He is also the Navalist for the Center for Maritime Strategy at the Navy League.
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Pride @ CNA
06/20/2024
Pride @ CNA
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 the criminal justice system. Cait serves as a principal investigator, project manager, and analyst on several federally funded research and training and technical assistance (TTA) projects related to policing and corrections. (she/her) is a Research Analyst with CNA’s Center for . Her research interests include police technology (including body-worn cameras), organizational reform, and the experiences of LGBTQ individuals in the criminal justice system. Allie serves as an analyst and deputy program manager on several federally funded research and training and technical assistance (TTA) projects related to policing and corrections. Mel Royer (they/them) is a User Computing Administrator in the Cloud Solutions Division. They provide tier 3 technical support and are system administrators for three networks. Mel is also involved in modernizing CNA's cloud footprint, and they are certified in both Azure and Amazon Web Service environments. They have been with CNA for three years and have been the LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group lead for two years. Content Warning Markers 10:15-20:00: State Violence, Suicide, Self-Harm, Sexual Assault. 20:00-23:45: State/Legal Discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals
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Vladimir Putin's New Defense Minister Andrey Belousov
06/05/2024
Vladimir Putin's New Defense Minister Andrey Belousov
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 domestic political institutions and their relation to political-military issues. Further Reading CNA:
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Law Enforcement Officer Deaths by Suicide with Karen Solomon from First H.E.L.P
05/22/2024
Law Enforcement Officer Deaths by Suicide with Karen Solomon from First H.E.L.P
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 wellness with experience in the areas of suicide prevention, emotional wellness support, and substance use. She also supports a Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance-funded research project focused on officer safety and wellness. Karen Solomon is co-founder of and author of Hearts Beneath the Badge and The Price They Pay. Her focus is the stories of the families who have lost an officer to suicide and the officers who suffer from the feeling that they have nowhere to turn. Karen was a member of the 2018 Officer Safety and Wellness Group Meeting, co-chairing the Data and Research Committee of the National Consortium on Law Enforcement Suicide Prevention, and is currently on the FBI task force to implement the Law Enforcement Suicide Data Collection Act. Further Reading : Law Enforcement Deaths by Suicide
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China's Economic Activities in Africa
05/08/2024
China's Economic Activities in Africa
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 weapons program, and China’s nascent global military presence. Further Reading CNA: CNA:
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The Impact of Extreme Weather on Vulnerable Populations
04/24/2024
The Impact of Extreme Weather on Vulnerable Populations
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 communications practitioner with over 20 years of professional experience advising federal, state, and local government leaders, nonprofit organizations, and universities to deliver national and global programs and campaigns. is a Research Scientist with CNA’s and an expert in domestic safety and security. He is a certified GIS Professional specializing in geospatial and supply chain analyses. His past work for CNA includes developing and facilitating a hybrid workshop for the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine on prioritizing infrastructure resilience along the Gulf of Mexico. Further Reading : The Impacts of Extreme Weather on Older Adults
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Conventional Missiles in the Ukraine War
04/10/2024
Conventional Missiles in the Ukraine War
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 Oslo Nuclear Project (ONP). His research focuses on missile technology, nuclear strategy, and defense policy. His Ph.D. project examines the implications of conventional long-range strike weapons on nuclear strategy. Gabriela Iveliz Rosa Hernandez 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, Estonia, Poland, and other countries in the region. Her commentary has been featured in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine, and other media. Further Reading CNA:
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Department of the Navy Deputy Principal Cyber Advisor Joshua Reiter on the Department's Cyber Strategy
03/27/2024
Department of the Navy Deputy Principal Cyber Advisor Joshua Reiter on the Department's Cyber Strategy
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 Ariel Michelman-Ribeiro is a Principal Research Scientist in the and has been with CNA for 13 years. In addition to directing projects, she is also CNA's Coordinator. is the Deputy Principal Cyber Advisor (PCA) for the Department of the Navy, In this role, he is responsible for supporting the PCA in advising the Secretary of the Navy, Chief of Naval Operations, and Commandant of the Marine Corps, and implementing the Department of Defense Cyber Strategy within the Department of the Navy. Further Reading
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Zero Trust: Modernizing in a Classified Environment
03/13/2024
Zero Trust: Modernizing in a Classified Environment
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 Chief Information Officer. He leads our technology and security practices while strengthening information systems. As CIO, he ensures the delivery of all information and technology capabilities required to successfully achieve CNA's mission. is a Systems Engineer at CNA’s Center for Enterprise Systems Modernization. He is a cybersecurity expert who specializes in the intersection of uncrewed technologies and cybersecurity for multiple federal government clients. Further Reading : Zero Trust Architecture : Zero Trust Maturity Model
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Civilian Harm Mitigation is a Moral Imperative and a Strategic Priority
02/28/2024
Civilian Harm Mitigation is a Moral Imperative and a Strategic Priority
The DOD Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response Action Plan (CHMR-AP) represents a significant step forward for global efforts to reduce civilian harm. The plan recognizes that reducing civilian harm is not just a moral imperative but a strategic priority. It lays out concrete steps that the Department of Defense can take to mitigate civilian harm caused by its operations. Larry Lewis, Marla Keenan, and Sabrina Verleysen join John Stimpson in this episode. They discuss the CHMR-AP and the decades of work on civilian harm mitigation that made it possible. Biographies is a Principal Research Scientist in CNA’s Operations Division. Dr. Lewis spearheaded the first data-based approach to protecting civilians in conflict by analyzing military operational data in conjunction with open-source data. He has worked extensively with militaries—including the U.S., NATO allies, and key U.S. partners—to help reduce civilian harm in their operations and strengthen their institutional capacity to mitigate such harm. is a Principal Advisor to CNA and an expert in human security, the protection of civilians, civilian harm mitigation and response, and civil-military relations in armed conflict. She has conducted high-level advocacy with international and regional organizations, including the United Nations, African Union, and NATO. She formerly led all international programs for the Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC), working directly with civilians caught in conflict and militaries to support improved protection outcomes. is a Senior Specialist in Strategic Development and brings expertise in government relations and Indonesian civilian-military relations. She supports the CHM portfolio as an analyst, builds partnerships, and convenes interagency stakeholders to improve information sharing and collaboration on CHMR. Further Reading DOD: CNA:
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How Can Emergency Managers Best Utilize Social Media?
02/14/2024
How Can Emergency Managers Best Utilize Social Media?
Climate Change is increasing both the frequency and severity of extreme weather events. Because of this, it is more important than ever that emergency management officials utilize every tool available to them to communicate effectively and clearly with the public. Jamie Biglow and Heather Marshall from CNA's Center for Emergency Management Operations join John Stimpson. They discuss how state and local officials can use social media before, during, and after a crisis to build trust with their communities, disseminate vital information, and counter misinformation. Biographies Jamie Biglow is a Project Manager with CNA’s Center for . Heather Marshall is a Senior Research Specialist with CNA’s Center for Further Reading CNA:
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A New Tool to Protect First Responders
01/31/2024
A New Tool to Protect First Responders
As cities across the country become more networked and connected with smart sensors, more data is available to first responders than ever before. But how can this data be interpreted efficiently in emergencies where every second counts? In this episode, John Crissman and Shaelynn Hales from CNA and Godfrey Nolan, founder and CEO of RIIS LLC, join the show. We discuss their award-winning First Responder Awareness Monitoring during Emergencies (FRAME) System, which takes in data from these sensors, uses machine learning to interpret the information, and aggregates that into a common data view to increase emergency situational awareness. Guest Biographies is the Managing Director of CNA’s Center for Data Management Analytics. She is an expert in systems engineering, data management, data analytics, and integrated program management support. is a Research Analyst in CNA’s Center for Data Management Analytics. He is an expert in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and natural language processing. Godfrey Nolan is the Founder and President of RIIS LLC. Further Reading Business Wire:
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Tomorrow's Technology in the Ukraine War
01/17/2024
Tomorrow's Technology in the Ukraine War
The role of AI and autonomous systems in the war in Ukraine has attracted much attention in the media and from analysts tracking the use of new technologies in warfare. But what impact has it had on the battlefield? In this episode, Margarita Konaev and Samuel Bendett join the show to discuss how these technologies impact the situation on the ground, the private sector’s role in the conflict, and what this means for the future of warfare. Biographies is an Advisor with CNA’s Russia Studies Program. His research focuses on Russian defense and technology developments, uncrewed, robotic, and autonomous military systems, artificial intelligence, and Russian military capabilities. Dr. is Deputy Director of Analysis and a Research Fellow at Georgetown’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET), interested in military applications of AI and Russian military innovation. Further Reading CNA: CNA Talks:
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A New Approach to Preventing Suicide in the Army
01/03/2024
A New Approach to Preventing Suicide in the Army
In recent years, there has been a rise in suicide attempts among army personnel and while there have been a lot of attempts to tackle this problem, it is not clear if what has been done to date is working. In this episode, Heather Wolters and Lauren Malone join John to discuss a new holistic approach to address the problem at a systemic level. Guest Biographies Dr. Heather Wolters is a Principal Research Scientist with CNA’s . Dr. Lauren Malone is a Principal Research Scientist with CNA’s . Further Reading CNA: CNA:
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