Explore every episode of the podcast Intel at the Edge
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI as the Sixth Intelligence Discipline: Rethinking Analytic Tradecraft with Kendrick Escobar | 23 Sep 2026 | 00:40:22 | |
Host Chip Usher sits down with Kendrick Escobar — former intelligence officer, founder of MAIK AI, and author of AI as the Sixth Intelligence Discipline — to explore how generative AI is reshaping the craft of intelligence analysis. Kendrick lays out his three-phase framework for AI's evolving role (tool, intelligence discipline, and peer), explains why AI-generated outputs deserve to be treated as a distinct new source of intelligence alongside SIGINT, HUMINT, and OSINT, and makes the case that AI agents will eventually function as true "digital peers" rather than mere tools. The conversation digs into tradecraft for evaluating AI outputs, how mentorship — not prompting — will define the analyst's future role, the persistent challenge of hallucinations, and who ultimately bears responsibility when an AI-assisted product fails. A candid look at where human judgment still matters most as the intelligence community adapts to an AI-augmented future. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||
| From Light Tables to AI: Shelby Pierson on the Future of Imagery Analysis | 09 Sep 2026 | 00:42:43 | |
In this episode of Intel at the Edge, host Chip Usher sits down with Shelby Pierson, former Director for Analysis at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA). Shelby joined the intelligence community in 1999 as an imagery analyst and rose through the ranks — working Iraq ground forces analysis, denial and deception, election security as the DNI's lead, and ultimately serving as NGA's Director of Analysis. Shelby recently authored "Sensing the Threat: Operationalizing Computer Vision for Intelligence and Warfighting," and in this conversation she unpacks how AI and computer vision are reshaping the discipline — from the days of physical light tables and film to today's data deluge of commercial, national, and airborne collection. Topics covered include: 🎧 Listen and subscribe for more conversations on how emerging technology is reshaping intelligence, defense, and national security. 00:00 - Introduction: Shelby Pierson & "Sensing the Threat" Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||
| Beyond LLMs: How Jumptuit's Don Leka Is Building AI for the Physical World | 26 Aug 2026 | 00:35:21 | |
In this episode of Intel at the Edge, host Chip Usher sits down with Don Leka, Founder and CEO of Jumptuit, to explore a different kind of artificial intelligence — one built not on text, but on real-time data from the physical world. Don shares his journey from building the Glide OS cloud platform in 2004, to founding Jumptuit, a company using a large dynamic reasoning model to track physical-world signals — from shipping movements and port activity to refinery output and geopolitical indicators — in near real time.
The conversation covers: - Why Jumptuit's approach differs fundamentally from large language models - How cross-sector data intersections can reveal probable events before they happen - Using comparative, causal, and analogical reasoning to forecast geopolitical and economic shifts - Case studies: Russia's GDP resilience despite sanctions, shifting oil demand, and instability in Niger and Albania - What the intelligence community could gain from live, empirical, physical-world data - A must-listen for anyone interested in AI, geopolitical forecasting, and the future of intelligence analysis beyond large language models.
0:00 Intro: AI Beyond LLMs & Meet Don Leka 1:16 Don Leka's Background & Building Glide OS (2004) 3:17 How Jumptuit's Approach Differs from ChatGPT & LLMs 5:10 What Data Jumptuit Collects (Persian Gulf Example) 9:50 Open Source Data & Cross-Sector Event Thresholds 10:48 Case Study: Operation Epic Fury & Iran War Assumptions 13:42 Large Dynamic Reasoning Model as Predictive Analytics Tool 16:16 Lessons from the Arab Spring & Traditional Intelligence Gaps 17:39 Why Historical Data Alone Misleads Forecasting 18:42 Case Study: Russia's GDP Resilience Despite Sanctions 21:10 Persian Gulf Tensions, Oil Prices & China's Reduced Demand 22:23 Ripple Effects: Japan, Albania & Global Instability 23:55 Is It the Data or the Algorithm? The "Secret Sauce" 24:40 Why LLMs Struggle with Outdated, Narrative-Based Data 26:25 Can Jumptuit's Model Be Distilled or Copied? 28:42 Beyond Geopolitics: Climate, Health & Individualized Intelligence 31:12 What the National Security Community Should Be Doing 32:40 How Jumptuit Complements (Not Competes With) LLMs 33:53 Key Customers: Finance, Energy, Defense & More Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||
| Narrative Intelligence: How Adversaries Weaponize Stories with Joe Stradinger | 12 Aug 2026 | 00:36:41 | |
Narrative intelligence is emerging as one of the intelligence community's most important new disciplines — and few people understand it better than Joe Stradinger. In this episode of Intel at the Edge, Joe Stradinger — founder of Edge Theory and creator of the National Center for Narrative Intelligence in Oxford, Mississippi — joins Chip to break down what narrative intelligence actually is, how it differs from traditional social media monitoring, and why he believes it's become a central front in modern cognitive warfare. They cover: • Joe's path from CPA to early internet entrepreneur to national security advisor • What "narrative intelligence" means and how it's detected, classified, and measured • The concept of "intercontinental ballistic narratives" and how adversary messaging spreads over time • How China, Russia, and other actors exploit real-world events to sow division • Washington's growing (but still unsettled) response to cognitive warfare • Why storytelling — from Joe's Mississippi Delta roots to America's own national narrative — may be the most powerful (and underused) tool in this fight Whether you work in national security, business, or just want to better understand how information shapes belief and behavior, this conversation offers a rare look inside a discipline that's quietly reshaping how the U.S. thinks about influence, deterrence, and truth. 00:00 Intro 00:44 Joe's background & how he got into this space 03:12 Mississippi, storytelling, and why fiction is a weapon 05:04 What is narrative intelligence? 09:06 Tracking narratives over time (the CCP example) 13:21 Case study: the data center narrative war 17:29 How AI has collapsed the influence chain 18:40 Case study: Iran's Hollywood-style war narratives 21:14 Attribution: tracing a narrative back to its source 24:22 Federal vs. commercial — why U.S. citizens are never targeted 26:53 Real-world exploits: Baltimore Bridge, Silicon Valley Bank 27:41 The new NSC role & "putting the I back in DIME" 30:20 Why America needs to tell its own story 34:00 Educating the next generation 36:34 The National Center for Narrative Intelligence Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||
| Iran's Nuclear Program: "Down But Not Out" with Amy McAuliffe | 29 Jul 2026 | 00:33:48 | |
Four and a half months into the Iran war, what's actually left of Iran's nuclear program — and what would it take to keep it that way? In this episode of Intel at the Edge, host Chip Usher sits down with Amy McAuliffe, who recently retired from the CIA as the Assistant Director for Weapons and Counter Proliferation. Amy also served as Chairman of the National Intelligence Council and Assistant Director of CIA for the Near East. Amy breaks down: · Why she describes Iran's program as "down but not out" after the June 2025 and 2026 strikes on Natanz and Fordow · The uncertainty around Iran's 60%-enriched uranium stockpile and where it may be located · The impact of losing key nuclear scientists — and how much technical knowledge Iran has actually retained · How the death of Supreme Leader Khamenei and the rise of new IRGC leadership could shift Iran's calculus toward weaponization · What a credible future nuclear deal would need to include, from enrichment caps to IAEA verification · Whether a purely military solution can ever fully resolve the nuclear question · Her advice for young people considering a career in the U.S. intelligence community Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||
| Kimi K3: What China's Latest Model Means for the US with David Lin | 28 Jul 2026 | 00:24:49 | |
Kimi K3, China's largest open-weight AI model yet, just hit the public — and it's rewriting the terms of the US-China AI race. In this emergency episode, host Chip Usher sits down with David Lin, Senior Director for Tech Platforms at SCSP and CIA veteran, to unpack what K3's release really signals. They dig into how the competition has shifted from a simple US-vs-China contest into a two-axis battle of open weights vs. closed weights, why K3 dropped right alongside Xi Jinping's World AI Conference speech, the eye-popping cost gap between K3 and frontier US models, and the question of large-scale model distillation and IP theft. They close out with a look at Nvidia's Jensen Huang and a growing coalition of US companies pushing back against a closed-weight future. It's a fast-moving landscape — and this conversation captures exactly where things stand today. 00:00 — Intro: Kimi K3 drops 01:20 — What K3 is and how it compares 03:18 — Open weights vs. closed weights 07:14 — Beijing's role and export controls 12:42 — Security risks of open weights 15:32 — Distillation and IP theft 21:22 — Nvidia and the US open-weight push 24:25 — Closing thoughts Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||
| How Agentic AI is Enabling A New Industry: Intelligence-As-A-Service with Ansel Stein | 15 Jul 2026 | 00:40:20 | |
In this episode of “Intel at the Edge”, Chip Usher sits down with Ansel Stein, Vice President of Operations at Crisis24 and a former CIA analyst, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way private-sector companies access intelligence analysis. Stein discusses how Crisis24 is delivering AI-generated intelligence directly to corporate C-suites — from geopolitical risk to tailored daily briefings built on a company's own institutional knowledge. The conversation digs into the tradecraft behind the tools: how intelligence community standards are codified into AI systems, how human oversight fits into an AI-driven analytic process, and how self-improving models are changing the relationship between analysts and decision-makers. Ansel and Chip also look ahead to how this "intelligence-as-a-service" model might eventually influence government intelligence organizations, and why deep organizational context and culture will remain a human differentiator even as raw intelligence becomes cheaper and more democratized through AI. 0:00 – Introduction 0:46 – Welcome, Ansel Stein 1:12 – Ansel's path from government to Crisis24 2:32 – Why join a company at the intersection of intel and AI 3:48 – What Crisis24 delivers 6:39 – Serving private-sector clients 6:56 – Tailoring intelligence for corporate use 8:46 – Intelligence-as-a-service for the C-suite 10:13 – How AI-generated analysis works 10:40 – Where's the human in the loop? 12:14 – The National Intelligence Priorities Framework 15:23 – Intelligence Community Directives and analytic standards 16:13 – Codifying tradecraft into AI systems 17:44 – Real-world example: a global executive's daily briefing 18:28 – Building in company-specific expertise 19:43 – Trust and adoption among clients 22:11 – Self-improving AI systems 24:27 – Speed, scale, and organizational accountability 26:15 – Correcting AI mistakes and shifting analytic lines 26:42 – Data ownership and client control 29:26 – Educating companies on the value of intelligence 29:54 – Structuring human-AI analytic teams 33:13 – Will government adopt this next? 35:07 – Where the industry is headed 36:57 – Early movers and the future of decision-making 38:39 – Why organizational culture still matters 39:15 – Closing thoughts Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||
| Why America Stopped Thinking About the Future with Ari Wallach | 06 Jul 2026 | 00:38:39 | |
Futurist Ari Wallach joins Intel at the Edge to discuss why the U.S. government canceled its long-range forecasting program — and what it costs us. From scenario planning and megatrends to AI, loneliness, and narrative warfare, Wallach makes the case for embedding foresight into how America thinks and acts. Wallach is the founder of Long Path Labs and the former host of the PBS television series A Brief History of the Future. He has advised the Department of State, the United Nations Refugee Agency, and consulted on strategic foresight — the discipline of mapping not just what is likely to happen, but what could happen, and how to recognize the early signals that tell you which future is taking shape. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||
| Inside the US-UK Intelligence Partnership with Gen. Tim Haugh & Sir Jeremy Fleming | 17 Jun 2026 | 00:39:07 | |
In this episode of “Intel at the Edge”, former NSA Director General Tim Haugh and former GCHQ Director Sir Jeremy Fleming sit down for a rare, candid conversation about one of the most consequential intelligence relationships in the world. From the wartime roots at Bletchley Park to the age of AI and quantum computing, they explore how the US-UK signals intelligence alliance has evolved over 80+ years — and what it must do to stay ahead of an increasingly complex threat landscape. Topics covered: The origins of the NSA-GCHQ SIGINT partnership How AI is transforming intelligence work China, cyber threats, and the scale of modern adversaries Space, climate change, and emerging national security domains The critical role of private sector partnerships Advice for the next generation of intelligence leaders Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||
| Why Supply Chain Blind Spots Are a National Security Problem with Brandon Daniels | 03 Jun 2026 | 00:34:06 | |
From rare earth minerals to nitrocellulose, Exiger CEO Brandon Daniels warns that invisible vulnerabilities in America's supply chains pose serious national security risks. He also makes the case for smarter public-private partnerships and AI-driven tools to close the gap before adversaries exploit it. Recorded at the AI+ Expo, Daniels draws on his experience leading one of the world's most advanced supply chain intelligence platforms to argue that the U.S. must move beyond reactive policy and invest in proactive visibility. Additionally, he shares a candid and measured assessment of where generative AI stands today — acknowledging its promise for workforce augmentation while cautioning that complex, large-scale applications still require significant human engineering talent. Topics: National Security, Critical Minerals, Public-Private Partnerships, China Competition, Supply Chain Resilience Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||
| How Israel uses AI for Intelligence & Why It's Not Enough with Amos Lahav | 20 May 2026 | 00:29:57 | |
In this episode of "Intel at the Edge", host Chip Usher is joined by Amos Lahav, founder of Airis Labs, to examine one of the most consequential questions in modern defense: what happens when AI becomes the backbone of intelligence collection and battlefield targeting? Drawing on hard lessons from the October 7th intelligence failure, the rise of systems like Gospel, and the growing threat of adversarial AI, Lahav offers a firsthand account of how the technology is changing — and sometimes failing — the people who depend on it most. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||
| Is AI Actually Useful for Intelligence Analysis? with Wayne McCool & Bruce Frost | 22 Apr 2026 | 00:32:43 | |
Two senior CIA veterans — Wayne McCool, former Associate Deputy Director for Analysis, and Bruce Frost of "Rhombus Power" — cut through the hype. They discuss how AI is being used inside the intelligence community today, what the real limitations are, and what the future of all-source analysis looks like. 0:00:10 — Introduction & Context 0:01:24 — Panel Introductions: Wayne McCool & Bruce Frost 0:02:28 — AI as a "Silver Bullet"? Where It's Delivering Real Value 0:05:39 — Rhombus Power's Approach: Empowering the Analyst 0:06:55 — Predicting Threats: Undersea Cables & Satellites 0:08:20 — Building Trust in AI: Human-in-the-Loop at CIA 0:09:48 — Experiment Widely, Adopt Specifically 0:11:09 — The Sourcing Problem: Can You Cite AI in Intelligence Products? 0:13:02 — Trust & Model Auditability: A Decade-Long Journey 0:14:26 — Defining Good Analysis in an AI-Augmented World 0:15:56 — Speed to Insight & the Data Overload Problem 0:18:09 — The Repeatability Problem with LLMs 0:19:32 — Retrieval-Augmented Generation & Managing Hallucinations 0:21:12 — Analyst Skepticism as a Core Tradecraft Skill 0:22:43 — Curating Data: Giving Analysts Control Over Outputs 0:24:39 — The Human Side: Will AI Replace Analyst Expertise? 0:25:46 — Automation Bias & the Risk of Eroding Critical Thinking 0:27:46 — How AI Is Changing the Editing & Review Process 0:29:07 — The Future Role of the Reviewer 0:29:52 — AI as a Training & Feedback Tool for Junior Analysts 0:31:09 — What Does the Analytic Team of the Future Look Like? 0:32:06 — Closing Thoughts & Final Takeaways Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||
| FISA Section 702 with Brett Freeman | 08 Apr 2026 | 00:48:39 | |
FISA Section 702 is one of the most powerful — and controversial — surveillance laws in the United States. It allows the U.S. intelligence community to collect electronic communications from foreign targets passing through American company infrastructure, without a traditional warrant. In this episode, we sit down with Brett Freeman, a former attorney at the NSA, the National Counterterrorism Center, and the Department of Justice's National Security Division, who has spent years briefing the White House and Congress on exactly how this law works. /// 00:00:09 - Introduction: What is FISA Section 702? 00:01:47 - Guest Introduction: Brett Freeman 00:02:00 - Brett's Background & Career in Intelligence Law 00:04:16 - FISA 101: The History of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act 00:05:16 - How FISA Worked Before 9/11 00:06:13 - How 9/11 & the Internet Changed Everything 00:42:26 - The Reauthorization Debate in Congress 00:43:34 - Trump Administration's Stance on 702 00:44:31 - What a Clean vs. Reformed Reauthorization Means 00:45:30 - How Many Times Can 702 Be Reformed Before It Breaks? 00:47:44 - The Role of Sunset Clauses in National Security Law 00:49:06 - Artificial Intelligence & FISA Section 702 00:52:07 - Closing Remarks Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||
| Inside Beijing's Strategy: The Trump-Xi Summit, Taiwan & the Tech War with Chris Johnson | 25 Mar 2026 | 00:32:57 | |
With the Trump-Xi summit approaching, former CIA senior China analyst Chris Johnson joins “Intel at the Edge” to give an unvarnished assessment of Beijing's priorities, Xi Jinping's mindset, and how China is navigating an increasingly unpredictable America. Chris draws on over two decades in the US intelligence and foreign affairs communities to explain what Xi really wants from this summit, how the rare earth standoff reshaped the bilateral relationship, and why China's long-term focus is breaking America's technological chokehold — not winning a diplomatic photo op. 00:00 - Introduction & Guest Bio 01:35 - How Important Is the Summit to Xi Jinping? 03:17 - Xi's Real Goal: Stability Over Diplomacy 04:41 - How Beijing Is Briefing Xi on Trump 05:01 - Xi's Gamble: The Rare Earth Sword & Staring Trump Down 06:07 - The Other Side: US Hegemonism Is on the Prowl 07:13 - The Wounded Animal: How Beijing Reads America Right Now 07:37 - Xi's Play: Buy Trump Off & Wait Him Out 20:10 - What Xi Will Put on the Table on Taiwan 21:18 - Xi's Real Priority: Breaking the Semiconductor Chokehold 26:14 - Summit Timing & Xi's Return Visit Window 27:02 - The Atmospherics: How China Stages These Meetings 28:20 - Trump Treats Xi as an Equal — And Xi Knows It 28:40 - "Trump Sees Xi as a Badass" 29:57 - How Confident Is Beijing About Winning the Long Game? 30:21 - Short Term Confident, Long Term Uncertain 31:22 - China's Real Problems: Demographics, Debt & the Economy 32:31 - What Keeps Xi Up at Night 32:53 - Closing Remarks
Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||
| China’s Greatest Heist: How Beijing Stole America’s Technology with Andrew Badger | 11 Mar 2026 | 00:48:39 | |
China didn’t just compete with the United States — it harvested America’s innovation. In this episode of “Intel at the Edge” Andrew Badger joins Chip Usher to discuss The Great Heist — the story of how China used industrial espionage, talent recruitment, and a whole-of-society strategy to leapfrog the U.S. in critical technologies. From AI and hypersonic missiles to semiconductor manufacturing and electric vehicles, this conversation explores: • How China turned WTO entry into a collection apparatus • The rise of the Ministry of State Security’s global network • The Tesla “billion-dollar thumb drive” case • Hypersonic and the Los Alamos connection • Why economic security is national security • What the U.S. intelligence community must do differently If the 20th century was about military dominance, the 21st century is about technological power. The question is not whether China is competing — it’s whether America is prepared. 00:00 Intro – The Great Heist 02:20 From DIA to Industrial Espionage 03:15 WTO 2000: The Turning Point 06:25 The “Kaspersky Doctrine” Strategy 08:10 The Most Consequential Economic Heist in History 10:30 China’s Whole-of-Society Intelligence Model 13:20 Sun Tzu & The Cultural Mindset Behind Espionage 17:40 The Cost: $600–800 Billion a Year 21:05 The Tesla “Billion-Dollar Thumb Drive” 22:45 Hypersonic & The Los Alamos Connection 25:15 “We Let Them Do It” – Strategic Distraction 29:20 The China Initiative & Political Hesitation 31:35 AI, Quantum & Emerging Tech Theft 34:20 The Wave Energy Case Study 36:40 Semiconductor War & ASML 38:15 Economic Security = National Security 40:20 Time to Stop Playing Defense 43:30 OPSEC Mindset & Intelligence Reform 46:50 Final Thoughts Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||
| How U.S. Intelligence Views China’s Military Power with Admiral Michael Studeman | 25 Feb 2026 | 00:47:26 | |
Admiral Michael Studeman joins "Intel at the Edge " to discuss the shifting landscape of Indo-Pacific security. Drawing from his decades of experience in the U.S. Intelligence Community, including as the Director of Intelligence at Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral Studeman provides a rare inside look into how America’s intelligence services view China’s growing military power and how Beijing is positioning itself for regional and global leadership. Additionally, as Former Director of the Office of Naval Intelligence, Admiral Studeman breaks down the sudden removal of General Zhang Youxia and what it means for the future of the PLA. Is Xi Jinping clearing out "overcautious" generals to make room for "Yes Men!"? We dive deep into China's massive military modernization and why Admiral Studeman believes the "window of greatest danger" is closer than we think. 00:00:09 – Introduction: Admiral Mike Studeman’s 35-Year Career 00:01:37 – Welcome & Setting the Stage for the China Challenge 00:02:27 – The Scale and Speed of PLA Modernization 00:05:09 – China's Navy: A Peer Global Power 00:07:22 – Latent Power vs. Ready Power: How China Converts Wealth to Military Strength 00:09:58 – Comprehensive National Power & The Misdiagnosis of China’s Strategy 00:11:36 – Political Warfare: China’s "Short of War" Expansion 00:13:55 – Regional Anxiety & China’s Daily Influence Operations 00:15:25 – Analyzing the Ouster of General Zhang Youxia 00:19:56 – Xi Jinping’s Fourth Term & The Consolidation of "Yes Men" 00:21:51 – Pressure Tactics Around Taiwan: An Ongoing Cognitive War 00:25:24 – The "Window of Greatest Danger" (Late 2020s–Early 2030s) 00:29:28 – Reforming the Intelligence Community: Beyond the "Ivory Tower" 00:33:49 – Harnessing Open Source & Advanced Technology 00:39:03 – Economic Intelligence: The Blind Spot of 21st Century Security 00:41:54 – Protecting National Competitiveness through Private Sector Dialog 00:44:36 – Advice for the Next Generation: Courage and Iron Integrity 00:47:12 – Closing Remarks & Future Military Outlook Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||
| Emergency Update on Iran with Norman Roule | 24 Feb 2026 | 00:31:27 | |
With two U.S. carrier strike groups converging on Iran and a presidential deadline looming, the clock is ticking. In this urgent episode of Intel at the Edge, host Chip Usher — Senior Director for Intelligence at the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) — sits down with Norman Roule, former National Intelligence Manager for Iran at the CIA, to assess what may be one of the most consequential moments in U.S.-Iran relations in decades. They cover the state of diplomacy ahead of the Geneva talks, whether Iran will ever genuinely negotiate on its nuclear and missile programs, the risks of miscalculation, Iranian retaliation scenarios, regime stability, and the sweeping transformation reshaping the broader Middle East. Norman Roule spent over three decades as a senior CIA operations officer, including as the National Intelligence Manager for Iran — one of the most critical and sensitive intelligence roles in the U.S. government. 🔔 Subscribe for more expert intelligence and national security analysis from SCSP. 00:00 – Introduction: Emergency Podcast on the Iran Situation 00:40 – Guest Introduction: Norm Roule’s CIA and Intelligence Background 01:25 – Announcement: AI Plus Intelligence Summit at the Waldorf Astoria 02:03 – Current Military Posture: Carrier Strike Groups and Aircraft Deployment 02:28 – The Diplomatic Inflection Point and March Deadlines 03:38 – Core Issues: Iran’s Nuclear Program and Enrichment Deals 05:31 – U.S. Demands: Missiles and the "Axis of Resistance" 07:56 – Iran’s Missile Arsenal and ICBM Capabilities 08:33 – Upcoming Geneva Talks and Potential for Miscalculation 10:51 – Evaluating Potential U.S. Military Strikes and Iranian Retaliation 14:06 – Degradation of Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iranian Ballistic Assets 16:03 – Diplomacy vs. Military Action: What Compels Tehran to Negotiate? 18:44 – Regime Stability: Domestic Protests and Internal Pressures 20:54 – Outlook: How the Next Two Weeks Will Play Out 25:22 – Regional Dynamics: Shifting U.S. Commitments and Middle East Change 30:25 – Closing Remarks and Future Updates Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||
| The "High Ground" of the North Atlantic: Why Greenland is the Next Frontier of Global Competition with Heather Conley | 11 Feb 2026 | 00:37:32 | |
In this episode of Intel at the Edge, host Chip Usher is joined by Heather Conley, a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a leading expert on Arctic security. Together, they unpack the strategic value of Greenland and the evolving geopolitical stakes in the Arctic. In this episode, we discuss: The Strategic Imperative: Why Greenland serves as a "first line of defense" for North America, providing early warning for ballistic missiles and tracking Russian nuclear submarines. Russia & China’s Presence: How Russia has militarized the region since 2014 and China’s ambition to become a "great polar power" by 2030. The "Ownership" Debate: Analyzing the diplomatic impact of President Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland and what it means for the 225-year relationship with the Kingdom of Denmark. The Future of the Arctic: Why the U.S. needs to prepare for the Arctic of 2040 today by investing in icebreakers, ISR sensors, and a persistent presence. 00:00 – Introduction 01:26 – Background on President Trump’s Interest 02:38 – The Strategic Value of "Eyes and Ears" 03:47 – Ownership vs. Partnership 05:15 – Russia: The Arctic Superpower 07:52 – China: The "Near-Arctic State" Ambition 09:44 – The North Pacific vs. North Atlantic Vectors 12:15 – Missile Defense and the "Golden Dome" 15:13 – Economic Potential: Critical Minerals 17:37 – The "Alaska First" Perspective 20:01 – The Icebreaker Gap 23:08 – History of U.S. Purchase Attempts 27:59 – Post-Cold War Atrophy 30:47 – NATO’s Future Role: "Arctic Sentry" 35:25 – The Next Strategic Frontiers: Seabed and Space Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||
| How the CIA Launched the Predator Program with Alec Bierbauer | 28 Jan 2026 | 00:44:58 | |
In this episode of Intel at the Edge, host Chip Usher sits down with retired CIA officer Alec Bierbauer, a core founder of the team that launched the agency’s revolutionary Predator drone program. Bierbauer recounts the high-stakes history of the hunt for Osama bin Laden before 9/11, revealing how a small team bypassed traditional bureaucracy to put "U.S. eyes on target" in the rugged terrain of Afghanistan. The conversation explores the technical and ethical evolution of unmanned systems, from the groundbreaking "Man in White" video captured at Turnak Farm to the rapid weaponization of the platform with Hellfire missiles. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||
| Emergency Update on the Iran Crisis with Jonathan Panikoff | 16 Jan 2026 | 00:29:45 | |
In this emergency episode of Intelligence at the Edge, host Chip Usher is joined by Jonathan Panikoff, Director of the Near East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council and former Deputy National Intelligence Officer for the Near East. They provide a critical update on the widespread protests and severe regime crackdown that have seized Iran since late December 2025. Panikoff analyzes how this movement differs from previous uprisings, noting that while the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests were driven by social frustrations, the current unrest is fueled by a collapsing economy, soaring food prices, and a dire potable water crisis, all while the regime imposes internet blackouts to repress connectivity. The discussion explores the regime's ruthless use of force—resulting in casualties far exceeding those of 2022—and the potential for an inflection point similar to the 1979 revolution. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||
| Congressional Perspectives on Technology and Intelligence with Representative Pat Fallon of Texas | 07 Jan 2026 | 00:22:31 | |
On this episode of Intel at the Edge, host Chip Usher is joined by U.S. Congressman Pat Fallon (TX-04) to discuss the evolving landscape of national security and his first year on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Congressman Fallon emphasizes the urgent need for the Intelligence Community to embrace AI and emerging technologies to keep pace with global adversaries like China and Russia. As a leader on the Subcommittee on Open Source Intelligence, he highlights the critical value of unclassified, publicly available data and the necessity of using AI to sift through vast amounts of information to find "the needle in the Pacific. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||
| Rethinking Intelligence with Dr. Shay Hershkovitz | 17 Dec 2025 | 00:35:08 | |
In this episode, Chip is joined by Dr. Shay Hershkovitz, professor at Georgetown University and a senior analyst at the RAND Corporation. They discuss the current intelligence landscape, key topics from Dr. Hershkovitz’s book, “The Future of National Intelligence”, intelligence in a democratic society, and advice to young professionals trying to enter national security. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||
| An Update on America's Cyberdefenses with Former FBI Cyber Director Cynthia Kaiser | 04 Dec 2025 | 00:31:52 | |
Joining Intel at the Edge is Cynthia Kaiser, a veteran at the Federal Bureau of Investigation for twenty years, most recently as Deputy Assistant Director at the FBI’s Cyber Division. Throughout her career, Kaiser specialized in cyber intelligence and cyber policy, also serving as a President's Daily Briefing intelligence briefer in two administrations. She is currently anti-ransomware company Halcyon's Senior Vice President of the Ransomware Research Center, which is a one-of-its-kind program that develops information sharing programs and new research into threat actor methodology and ransomware trends across the public and private sectors. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||
| Implementing Digital Transformation in US Intelligence with Former Director of NGA, Robert Cardillo | 20 Nov 2025 | 00:49:06 | |
In this episode of Intel at the Edge, host Chip Usher is joined by Robert Cardillo, the former Director of the NGA. They discuss the increasing role commercial companies play in imagery intelligence, how NGA is incorporating AI technologies, and the future of the US commercial space launch industry. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||
| Understanding the Cyber Threat Environment with Rob Joyce & Leah Siskind | 05 Nov 2025 | 00:26:53 | |
In this episode of Intel at the Edge, taped during SCSP's AI Unlocked event, Chip is joined by Rob Joyce and Leah Siskind to explore how the PRC, Russia, and Iran are taking advantage of America's open society and economy to steal data and IP and conduct espionage. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||
| Can AIs Be Good Spies?: A Conversation with Adam Leslie and Aaron Brown | 29 Oct 2025 | 00:42:52 | |
In this episode of Intel at the Edge, Chip sits down with Adam Leslie, former Australian Army and intelligence community veteran, and Aaron Brown, former U.S. Army Ranger and CIA case officer, to discuss their recent report, "The Digital Case Officer, Reimagining Espionage with Artificial Intelligence". Together, they examine the opportunities and vulnerabilities with AI shaping the future of spy craft. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||
| Government at the Speed of Silicon Valley: Implementing AI Transformation Across the USIC with Garrett Berntsen | 15 Oct 2025 | 00:44:22 | |
In this episode, Chip is joined by Garrett Berntsen, the Defense & Intelligence Data and AI Lead at Accenture Federal Services (AFS). Prior to this role, Garrett was the Deputy Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer for Scaled Capabilities at the Department of Defense’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO), preceding positions at the State Department and the National Security Council. He has a distinguished record as a public servant and expertise in hands-on AI implementation. Chip and Garrett discuss the realities of implementing advanced technologies, such as AI, in the federal government, AI’s evolving role in defense and intelligence, strategic competition, and the federal workforce. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive
Studies Project.
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| The Fourth Intelligence Revolution: AI, National Security, and the Future of Intelligence Work with Anthony Vinci | 24 Sep 2025 | 00:38:39 | |
In this episode of Intel at the Edge, Chip is joined by Anthony Vinci, Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). Anthony is a former Chief Technology Officer and Associate Director for Capabilities at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and author of the upcoming book “The Fourth Intelligence Revolution: The Future of Espionage and the Battle to Save America”. Anthony and Chip talk about how AI, autonomous systems, and other technologies are driving change in the business of intelligence and what the future of intelligence might look like. Watch Intel at the Edge on YouTube. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||
| Inside Intelligence: A Conversation with Former DDCIA David Cohen | 10 Sep 2025 | 00:44:03 | |
In the inaugural episode of our new podcast, "Intel at the Edge", host William "Chip" Usher is joined by David Cohen, former Deputy Director of the CIA and former Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Center of a New American Security (CNAS). In this episode, we will discuss his leadership in the CIA, the efficacy of sanctions, and the modern intelligence landscape in an era of emerging technologies.
Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||
| Episode 0 - Welcome to Intel at the Edge | 04 Sep 2025 | 00:01:05 | |
Where technology meets intelligence. Intel at the Edge is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), hosted by Chip Usher, Senior Director for Intelligence. Chip explores the latest innovations transforming the intelligence community with experts who are shaping the future of national security. Subscribe to our YouTube!
Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project. | |||