In the Interest of National Security

Jaksot

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  Intelligence and the Evolution of National Security Threats: With Jason Speck 01.10.2026 50min

  Jason Speck, recently retired FBI Supervisory Intelligence Analyst and professor with UVU’s Center for National Security Studies, joins the podcast to discuss his career and experiences in intelligence and counterterrorism. He shares insights from his work around the world, explores how terrorism and national security threats continue to evolve, and offers advice for students interested in careers in intelligence and national security.
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  Peace through Strength, with Congressman Blake Moore 14.09.2026 37min

  Congressman Blake Moore joins Ryan Vogel and Sam Fletcher to talk about what's actually driving national security decisions on Capitol Hill. His central argument: the national debt, not any foreign adversary, is now America's biggest security threat, since interest payments have already outpaced the entire defense budget. Moore also breaks down the bipartisan work behind keeping bases like Hill Air Force Base funded, and what it takes to get defense priorities through a divided Congress.
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  Reflecting on 10 Years of National Security Studies at UVU 03.09.2026 23min

  As Utah Valley University celebrates the 10th anniversary of its National Security Studies program, Professor Jonathan Rudd sits down with the program's founder and director, Professor Ryan Vogel, to reflect on its beginnings, growth, and impact. Ryan shares how an idea inspired by his experience at the Pentagon grew from a single class with four students into one of the country’s largest and most comprehensive national security programs. Their conversation explores key milestones, the importance of experienced faculty and student engagement, the program’s emphasis on practical and experiential learning, and its continuing mission to prepare the next generation of national security professionals.
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  Nuclear Strategy: Energy Security and Global Influence with Ted Jones 02.04.2026 21min

  Our guest for this episode is Ted Jones, Senior Director for National Security and International Programs at the Nuclear Energy Institute in Washington, D.C., the premier policy organization driving the nuclear industry forward. With a background spanning policy, law, and international energy markets, Jones has built a career at the intersection of national security and nuclear strategy.He holds a bachelor’s degree from Birmingham-Southern College, studied graduate history at the University of Georgia, and received his legal training from Georgetown University Law Center, reflecting a strong foundation in policy, history, and law.Before his current role, Jones served as Policy Director at the U.S.-India Business Council, where he led a major effort to reform U.S. law and international regulations, helping integrate India into global commercial nuclear trade. Today, he works on nuclear energy exports, including cooperation agreements, export controls, finance, and broader strategic initiatives, while serving as a key liaison across nuclear policy and national security communities.In this interview, we focus on the strategic role of nuclear exports, how they function as a tool of U.S. influence, and how global competition is shaping the future of nuclear diplomacy.Listen as Mr. Jones breaks down the evolving landscape of nuclear policy, and where he sees nuclear energy fitting into the future of national security.
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  OSINT Tradecraft: Credibility and Collection in Online Spaces with Nico Dekens 06.03.2026 24min

  Our guest for this episode is Nico Dekens, a veteran practitioner of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), cyber intelligence, and online investigations with 20+ years in Dutch law enforcement as an all-source intelligence analyst.  Now the owner of Dutch OSINT Guy Intelligence Services and Director of Intelligence & Collection Innovation at ShadowDragon, Dekens is widely known in the OSINT community as @Dutch_OsintGuy and as a co-founder of OSINTCurio.us.  He has trained thousands of government personnel, helped stand up OSINT units, and is recognized for blending operational experience with hands-on instruction as a SANS Instructor and Lead Author. In this interview, we focus on how OSINT is being operationalized, how analysts should think about trust and ethics in anonymous digital environments, and how emerging threats like AI-enabled manipulation are changing verification standards.  Listen as Mr. Dekens digs into collection innovation and what’s actually changing at the tools-and-methods level and where Dekens thinks OSINT is headed strategically for government and security stakeholders.  
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  The Role of Semiconductors in U.S. Military Power and Technological Leadership with Grant Amacher 30.05.2025 35min

  Our guest today is Grant Amacher, a distinguished graduate of Electrical Engineering from the University of Utah. With over 30 years of executive leadership at Intel Corporation, Mr. Amacher brings a wealth of expertise in the advanced semiconductor and chip industry. Before his tenure at Intel, he served as a lead engineer at EDO Corporation (now part of L3 Harris), where he contributed to the design of navigation and communication systems for U.S. military satellites, aircraft, and submarines. As a subject matter expert, Mr. Amacher offers invaluable insights into the potential implications of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan on the global advanced technology industry and its significant impact on U.S. military operations. Listen as Mr. Amacher discusses Taiwan’s critical role in global semiconductor manufacturing, the strategic importance of advanced chips to U.S. military systems, and the broader implications of a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan. How would such a conflict impact U.S. defense capability? What challenges does the U.S. face in building domestic chip production? And how does the race for artificial intelligence intersect with the national security strategy? Learn all this, and more, in this episode of In the Interest of National Security. 
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  The Cutting Edge of Cybersecurity: Evolving Threats and Evolving Tools with Mathew Toussain 18.04.2025 33min

  Our guest today is Matthew Toussain, a recognized leader in offensive security, penetration testing, and cybersecurity training. Mr. Toussain is the founder of Open Security, a firm dedicated to real-world adversarial testing, red teaming, and advanced security education. As a former U.S. Air Force cyber warfare leader, he has spent over a decade at the cutting edge of cybersecurity, specializing in network exploitation, adversarial tactics, and threat analysis. He is also the creator of Sirius, a tactical cybersecurity vulnerability scanner. Mr. Toussain’s work is widely respected in the industry for its technical depth and practical applicability, bridging the gap between security theory and real-world execution.   Listen as Mr. Toussain discusses Sirius, pen testing, red teaming, and gives insights into the evolution of cyber threats and emerging trends. How have cyber threats evolved over time? How does Sirius contribute to future cybersecurity practices?   Learn all this and more in this episode of In the Interest of National Security. 
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  Mediating Modern Conflict: Third Party Influence and Hybrid Warfare with Dr. Rebecca Dudley 27.03.2025 30min

  Our guest today is Dr. Rebecca Dudley. Dr. Dudley is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Brigham Young University, where she teaches courses on civil wars and American foreign policy. She received her PhD in Political Science from Duke University. Her research focuses on conflict resolution and foreign policy, emphasizing the role that third parties play in the dynamics of conflict and conflict resolution.  Listen as Dr. Dudley discusses the evolving role of conflict mediation, soft power, and foreign policy in an era of hybrid warfare.  How can external actors shape the outcome of a civil war or international dispute? How do historical resistance movements compare to modern insurgencies? What role does soft power play in mitigating conflicts?  Learn all this, and more, in this episode of In the Interest of National Security.  
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  Emerging Technology and National Security with Jacques Sabrie 21.02.2025 33min

  Our guest today is Jacques Sabrie, a Principal at MITRE, a non-profit organization that operates federally funded research and development centers, which power advances in national defense and security. Mr. Sabrie has been instrumental in coordinating efforts with the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), leveraging his extensive experience in systems engineering and global intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR). Listen as Mr. Sabrie discusses how technology affects great power competition, how we balance innovation with security concerns, and the skills needed to work in national security and intelligence.  What role does technology play in this shifting landscape? How do we balance innovation with security concerns, especially when dealing with emerging technologies? What are the key skills that young professionals should develop if they want to work in national security and intelligence?  Learn all this, and more, in this episode of In the Interest of National Security.  
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  Intersections between Private Sector Industries and U.S. National Security with Andy Pierucci 30.12.2024 21min

  Our guest today is Andy Pierucci, the Head of Government Affairs for Savage Services Corporation, a global provider of supply chain solutions. Mr. Pierucci also serves as a city council member in Riverton, Utah, and teaches as an adjunct professor at Utah Valley University's Center for National Security Studies.    Listen as Mr. Pierucci discusses private industry and national security, the role that private companies play in the aerospace sector, and how supply chain companies impact national security.    What is Utah’s role in the aerospace and defense industry? How do partnerships between educational institutions, private companies, and the government impact national security? What is the biggest gap between how national security is taught and how it is practiced in the private sector?    Learn all this, and more, in this episode of In the Interest of National Security. 
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  International Intelligence Relations with Dr. Diana Bolsinger 18.10.2024 25min

  Our guest today is Dr. Diana Bolsinger. Dr. Bolsinger currently serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice and Security Studies at the University of Texas at El Paso. Dr. Bolsinger’s career includes experience with the US Department of State, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.  Listen as Dr. Bolsinger conveys the nuances associated with US-foreign intelligence sharing, the importance of open international security dialogue, and the challenges of maintaining intelligence relationships with non-democratic nations.  What determines the success or failure of global intelligence sharing? How does the US intelligence partnership with Pakistan affect the global power dynamic? How do emerging technologies and threats affect the way the US conducts its intelligence partnerships?  Learn all this, and more, in this episode of In the Interest of National Security. 
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  From the U.S. Air Force to 47G with retired Brigadier General Max Stitzer 26.09.2024 38min

  Our guest today is retired U.S. Airforce Brigadier General Max Stitzer. General Stitzer served worldwide deployments, including a combined seven years at The Pentagon and two tours with the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He currently works with 47G—an aerospace and defense organization located in Utah.   Listen as General Stitzer recounts his experiences in the US Air Force. From his days as an enlisted man, through his service at the Pentagon, and to his current position as a leading authority in the defense industry, Max charts a course for aspiring national security professionals.   What kind of opportunities do service members have to make an impact at the Pentagon? How does the relationship between the Department of Defense and private US industry shape our national defense capabilities? What kind of emerging technologies are the subject of investment by government and industry in the US?   Learn all this, and more, in this episode of In the Interest of National Security.
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  FBI/CIA: Interagency Collaboration with Retired Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn 12.09.2024 39min

  Our guest this week is retired Special Agent in Charge Richard Quinn. Mr. Quinn began his career with the FBI in the New York Field Office where he investigated counterintelligence and international terrorism cases and would eventually serve in senior leadership positions in Chicago, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Washington DC, and at the Central Intelligence Agency.    Listen as Mr. Quinn recounts his experience combatting Osama bin Laden terrorist cells, coordinating counterintelligence missions with the CIA, and leading criminal investigations overseas.    What do the FBI and the CIA have in common? How do these agencies differ in their respective missions? How was the US intelligence community restructured after the terrorist attacks of September 11th?    Learn all this, and more, in this episode of In the Interest of National Security.
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  Putin's Russia: Insights with Area Specialist Dr. Frederick White 11.04.2024 26min

  Our guest this week is Dr. Frederick White. Dr. White is a professor of Russian and Integrated Studies at Utah Valley University, and a specialist in Russian literature, film, and culture. Listen as Professor White discusses how Vladimir Putin cemented his authority as Russian President, how Alexei Navalny challenged Putin’s authority in Russia, and how Russian territorial ambitions pose a threat to NATO and the West.    Learn all this, and more, in this episode of In the Interest of National Security. 
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  Life as an Intelligence Analyst with John McClure 29.02.2024 33min

  Our guest this week is John McClure, Deputy Director of the Center for National Security Studies at Utah Valley University. John worked at the county, state, and federal levels as an Intelligence Analyst specializing in counterterrorism investigations in the State of Utah.    Listen as Deputy Director McClure discusses his education in Terrorism Studies at St. Andrews University in Scotland, and how that led to a career as an Intelligence Analyst. Deputy Director McClure further describes his experience working at Utah’s Fusion Center, as well as his time with the Salt Lake FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF).    How do state and local governments prepare for potential terrorist attacks? In what ways do federal, state, and local agencies collaborate on issues of national security? How do investigators and analysts use open-source intelligence to conduct national security investigations?    Learn all this, and more, in this episode of In the Interest of National Security. 
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  Nuclear Strategy and Arms Control: An Overview with Kerry Kartchner 15.02.2024 34min

  Our guest this week is Dr. Kerry Kartchner, nuclear weapons policy expert, former US Department of State representative, and adjunct professor at Utah Valley University’s Center for National Security Studies.    Listen as Dr. Kartchner recounts his career beginning as an instructor at the Naval postgraduate school, his participation in the implementation of the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START), and his work with the State Department’s Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation.    How do recent actions by Russia threaten the emergence of more nuclear states? How does the modernization of the US nuclear arsenal support the goal of nonproliferation worldwide? How will ongoing conflicts in Israel and Ukraine affect the evolution of nuclear strategy?   Learn all this, and more, in this episode of In the Interest of National Security 
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  CIA/PDB/SDL: Careers in Intelligence with Matt Berrett 16.11.2023 25min

  Our guest this week is Matt Berrett, cofounder of the Center for Anticipatory Intelligence (CAI) at Utah State University, Director of Analytics at Space Dynamics Lab (SDL), and retired Assistant Director with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).   Listen as Director Berrett describes his early career with the CIA, his time directing the President’s Daily Brief (PDB), and the relationship between Space Dynamics Lab and the Department of Defense.   How do universities cooperate with the U.S. Government to provide critical research and development? What is the Center for Anticipatory Intelligence (CAI)? In what ways has the President’s Daily Brief (PDB) evolved over time? Learn all this, and more, in this episode of In the Interest of National Security.
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  DOS: Insights on the Foreign Service, Diplomacy, and the Foreign Service Institute with Dr Jared Pendleton 02.11.2023 26min

  Our guest this week is Dr. Jared Pendleton, a Civil Service officer with the U.S. Department of State and an adjunct professor at Utah Valley University’s Center for National Security Studies. Listen as Dr. Pendleton discusses graduate school in Southern California, his time as a political officer in the foreign service, and language training at the Foreign Service Institute (FSI).    What is the mission of the Department of State? How does the State Department support National Security through international relationship building? How do U.S. diplomats fulfill their mission through embracing ongoing technological developments? What can students do to prepare themselves to be future representatives of U.S. diplomacy? Learn all this, and more, in this episode of In the Interest of National Security. 
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  Israel and Hamas: Historical context with Dr. Greg Jackson 19.10.2023 33min

  Listen as Professor Greg Jackson, Senior Fellow at the Center for National Security Studies and host of the podcast, History that Doesn’t Suck, discusses the historical context behind the conflict between Israel and Hamas.    How did European colonialism set the stage for decades of violence in the region? How does the conflict reflect wider international tensions? Will the U.S. response and support of Israel help to deescalate the situation? Learn all this, and more, in this episode of In the Interest of National Security. Check out Dr. Jacksons podcast at: https://www.htdspodcast.com/
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  Chinese Government/Politics: Examining Foreign Relations with Dr Eric Hyer 28.09.2023 35min

  Listen as Dr. Eric Hyer, retired professor of political science and Coordinator of Asian Studies at the David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies at Brigham Young University, discusses his time studying in Taiwan, experience with the foreign service, research regarding Chinese border disputes, and thoughts on political leadership in China.    How does the One China Policy maintain peace on both sides of the Taiwan Strait? How can the U.S. avoid war with China amid rising tensions and worsening relations? How does President Xi Jinping’s leadership of the Chinese Communist Party compare with Chairman Mao Zedong? Learn all this, and more, in this episode of In the Interest of National Security.