Former CIA Acting Director Michael Morell and former CIA Chief Operating Officer Andy Makridis interview top national security leaders -- intelligence officers,...
Michael revisits his conversation with Andy about their unique experiences as CIA briefers for President George W. Bush. They share behind-the-scenes stories of preparing the President’s Daily Brief, navigating high-stakes national security discussions, and managing the delicate balance of delivering tough truths.
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41:32
Umasking the CIA: Jonna Mendez
Michael revisits his interview with former CIA officer Jonna Mendez about her memoir, In True Face: A Woman’s Life in the CIA, Unmasked. Jonna reflects on her unconventional path into the CIA, her groundbreaking work in disguise and clandestine photography, and the challenges of navigating a male-dominated field. She also discusses her work evaluating tampered packages and recounts the unique moment she demonstrated a disguise mask to President George H. W. Bush in the Oval Office.
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46:32
The Trump-China Dilemma: Chris Johnson
Michael talks with Chris Johnson, head of China Strategies Group, about Beijing’s vulnerabilities and its uneasy anticipation of Donald Trump’s return to the White House. They explore the high-stakes rivalry between the U.S. and China, including economic tensions, Xi Jinping’s grip on power, and the geopolitical flashpoints that could redefine the global order.
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40:09
Inside a Dangerous Alliance: Sara Harmouch
Michael speaks with terrorism expert and H9 Defense Founder and CEO Sara Harmouch who explores the surprising alliance between Iran and Al Qaeda, tracing their decades-long relationship and warning about the growing security threats posed by their current cooperation.
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41:56
The Antarctic 'Chessboard': Bill Muntean
Andy speaks with former State Department senior advisor Bill Muntean about how the vast, frozen continent of Antarctica has become an unexpected theater in great power competition. Bill discusses the delicate balance maintained by the 1959 Antarctic Treaty and how surprise inspections - which he personally leads - help verify Russian and Chinese compliance. As climate change and resource scarcity reshape geopolitics, they explore whether Antarctica's longstanding peace can endure amid rising tensions between global powers.
Former CIA Acting Director Michael Morell and former CIA Chief Operating Officer Andy Makridis interview top national security leaders -- intelligence officers, military leaders, and policymakers -- on the most critical security challenges of our time. Their interviews offer insights into the world's most pressing problems as well as the effectiveness of the U.S. policy response. They also delve into the biographies and careers of the individuals who have devoted their lives to protecting our nation.
USA