NatSec Matters

• National Security's Arctic Frontier: Iris Ferguson

  After a summer of action in the Arctic, Andrew Shapiro re-visits his conversation with former Pentagon Arctic policy head Iris Ferguson about this strategic frontier. Iris explains how melting sea ice is ushering in a new era of great power competition, ending decades of 'Arctic exceptionalism.' Iris, the DOD's first Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Arctic, discusses Russia's interests, China’s pursuit of influence as a 'near-Arctic state,' and the US imperative to bolster homeland defense, domain awareness, and alliances from Greenland to Alaska. 

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• The New Frontiers of the US-China Tech Competition: Craig Singleton

  Michael Allen talks with Craig Singleton, China Program Senior Director and Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, about the new frontiers of the US-China tech competition. Craig explains that while trade talks are in a "tactical pause," China's dominance in rare earth minerals and its willingness to use them as leverage reveal a key US vulnerability. The conversation also explores the debate over US semiconductor export controls. He argues that selling advanced chips like Nvidia's H20 to China's military and intelligence apparatus undermines America's technological edge. Craig also explores China's market-dominating strategies in materials like polysilicon and technologies such as LIDAR and display technologies, which pose risks related to supply chain choke points and potential cyber-physical vulnerabilities.

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• Cartel Threats - A National Security Challenge: David Fitzgerald

  Michael Allen is joined by David Fitzgerald, a career intelligence officer with 38 years of service, to discuss the rapidly evolving dynamics of cartel operations at the U.S. southern border. David addresses whether these criminal organizations constitute a national security threat by examining their history and the capacity of authorities to monitor and counter them.

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• Critical Lines - The Geopolitics of Undersea Cables: Erin Murphy

  Andrew Shapiro talks with CSIS researcher (and undersea cable enthusiast) Erin Murphy about the threats facing these critical transmission paths at the bottom of the world’s oceans. Erin explains why undersea cables are vital to military communications, financial systems, and healthcare—and how they’ve evolved into strategic targets. She also discusses the roles of China and Russia, and how the commercial interests of the infrastructure’s private owners stack up against national security concerns.

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• Deterring Pyongyang: Syd Seiler

  Michael speaks with Syd Seiler, former U.S. National Intelligence Officer for North Korea and one of the U.S. government’s most experienced Korea hands. Seiler unpacks the long arc of Kim Jong Un’s strategy, the roots of North Korea’s provocations, and why the regime sees nuclear weapons as essential to its survival. He also discusses the limits of diplomacy, the myth of a quick breakthrough, and how U.S. policy should adapt for the long game.

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