The Precision-Guided Podcast

The invasion of Ukraine has shone a light on how global leaders leverage historical narratives to suit the political moment. For leaders like Vladimir Putin, the popular memory of World War II is a useful propaganda tool to legitimize its invasion. In this episode, host Ryan Wisowaty sits down with Dr. Aviel Roshwald discusses the legacies of WWII historical myth making and separates the truth of Ukrainian experiences during WWII occupation from Kremlin fiction.

As great power competition extends into space, what will be the impact on nations’ behaviors and interests both on and around the Moon? Host Kellsie Herrmann sits down with space policy expert Kaitlyn Johnson, who walks through the political and scientific realities of the cislunar security environment.

In recognition of NATO’s upcoming 75th Anniversary, please join us for a special episode of the Precision-Guided Podcast featuring Professor Stephen Flanagan, a distinguished figure in the field of transatlantic security and defense. Professor Flanagan sits down with hosts Gareth Smythe and Miriam Pasternak to share his insights on the resilience and evolution of the NATO Alliance, its strategic shifts, and the challenges it faces today. This episode serves as a preview for the upcoming Georgetown conference on April 8th, "NATO at 75: Charting a New Course," where Professor Flanagan will moderate a panel on NATO's future and deterrence strategies. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of NATO's significance at this milestone, the “transatlantic bargain”, and the strategic directions the Alliance might take amidst current global security challenges. And don’t forget to sign up for the conference itself: https://css.georgetown.edu/natoat75/.

The establishment of the U.S. Space Force, NATO's designation of space as an operational warfighting domain, and rising private sector participation signal a critical juncture. As more nations acquire space capabilities, the outer space domain appears poised to become the next frontier of international insecurity. Nicole Butler (SSP’25) hosts Jessica West, Senior Researcher at Project Ploughshares, to discuss space regulations, global governance and non-weaponization, the pros and cons of increasing private sector involvement, and the biggest threats to space security.

Spyware threatens encryption and presents unique regulatory and security challenges for governments and citizens worldwide. Host Kellsie Herrmann sits down with Mike Sexton, an expert on technology and security policy at the think tank Third Way and SSP alumnus, to discuss spyware’s risks and opportunities as a surveillance tool with an eye towards the future of spyware policy.

Host Gareth Smythe sits down with Joseph Lee to discuss his recent Georgetown Security Studies Review article La Bérézina: a Frenchman’s Review of Ridley Scott’s Napoleon. Gareth and Joseph discuss the legacy of Napoleon in France, Corsica, and abroad, the historical inaccuracies of Ridley Scott’s portrayal, and why it is important to understand the true events in history in order to draw conclusions from the past.

What is the current state of the African security landscape in the context of great power competition? What is the significance of Africa to China, Russia, and the United States? Host Iku Tsujihiro invites guest Ashliyn Burgos to discuss African security and how the United States can grow its relationship with African nations.

To look at the present, it pays to study the past. No past conflict is more foundational to the field of international relations and security studies than the Peloponnesian War. The Peloponnesian War (431 BCE - 404 BCE) was fought between Greek city-states Athens and Sparta. Why is this conflict so studied 2500 years after it took place? We sit down with Doctor John H. Maurer to deduce the modern relevance of the Peloponnesian War. We discuss how the Peloponnesian War is one of the first examples of many modern security problems, including coalition warfare, ideological conflict, and long-range expeditionary operations.

The Arctic is becoming an increasingly turbulent arena for global geopolitics. Consequences of climate change are rapidly changing the region, sparking more opportunities for global powers to assert territorial claims, promote tourism, and push forward with research - often to the detriment of indigenous populations and the environment. Without any international treaties on the Arctic, the region is effectively in a state akin to the “Wild West.” Nicole Butler (SSP’25) hosts Dr. Jeremy Mathis to discuss the current state of Arctic politics and offers some creative, proactive solutions for stable Arctic policy and to protect this unique ecosystem.

Have you experienced feelings of self-doubt or inadequacy, especially after a major life transition like starting graduate school or starting a new job? If so, you could have been experiencing imposter syndrome. Our guest, Alani Bankhead, a career supervisory special agent and professional coach, explains how to recognize imposter syndrome and provides advice and tools that young professionals can use to break the cycle of thoughts, emotions, and beliefs that feed imposter syndrome.

Superhero tales captivate us through their exploration of human nature and their reminder of our duty to improve the communities around us. These themes underpin the timely anthology Power Up: Leadership, Character, and Conflict Beyond the Superhero Multiverse, where the iconic Avengers battle scene and ethos of the Unbeatable Squirrel Girl offer lessons in leadership, ethics, and conflict resolution. Editors Steven Leonard and Jonathan Klug translate imagination-sparking stories into critical teachings on decision-making, teamwork, and character. Hosts Kellsie Herrmann and Max Caplan sit down with Steven and Jonathan to dig into the inspiration for the book, critical lessons learned from our favorite superheroes, and more.

During the Global War on Terror after 9/11, the United States frequently criticized other states for exporting extremism. In recent years, however, it is the US that has seen an expansion of far-right extremism spread within its country. As some American allies have designated groups within the United States as terrorist organizations, US-based far-right groups have continued to export their ideologies and strategies for violence abroad. Guest Bruce Hoffman details the far-right ideologies that drive these groups and describes their connections with jihadist terrorist organizations. Dr. Hoffman also provides recommendations on how to prevent the spread of violent far-right terrorist organizations.

Welcome back to SSP Weekly! This week, host Gareth Smythe sits down with GSSR's Associate Editor for Europe and Central Asia Arjan van Tongerlo to discuss the latest on the war in Ukraine and how Dutch elections, shifting European politics, and the world's focus on the Middle East may impact the progress of Ukraine's fight. We hope you enjoy!

It is evident that the nature of warfare has evolved, as demonstrated by the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Israel. Exponential technological acceleration is driving much of this change: multi-domain sensors are making the battlespace transparent, long-range precision munitions can accurately hit any observed target, and autonomous weapons can attack from above, hitting the weakest point of tanks and armored vehicles and reshaping how we conceive of air superiority and air control. How do technological advancements impact tactical warfare? How should U.S. policymakers and military leaders approach these new technologies, and what lessons should they draw from Ukraine, Israel, and other modern conflicts? Hosts Gareth Smythe and Miriam Pasternak Jorgensen sit down with Colonel (ret.) John Antal, a former U.S. Army Cavalry officer and author, to discuss John’s new book Next War: Reimagining How We Fight. Next War provides insights on these topics and more to guide leaders to think critically about the challenges the modern battlefield poses.

In a world increasingly polarized and facing complex challenges like climate change, distrust in institutions, and great power competition, it is vital to move beyond apathy and fear and rethink how we approach security. Kellsie Herrmann (SSP ‘24) hosts Professor Gina Bennett, a renowned former member of the intelligence community with a distinguished counterterrorism record who considers national security to encompass more than bullets and bellicose leadership. On this episode of the Precision-Guided Podcast, she explains why America must incorporate a ‘Gatherer’ mindset into traditional national security approaches to better meet the intimidating challenges of today and the future.

Welcome back to SSP Weekly! This week, host Miriam Pasternak explores the U.S.'s posture on strategic nuclear deterrence and the concept of 'tripolar deterrence’, in light of a recently published Congressional report. Miriam sits down with two guests: Shane Ward, an SSP Master’s student at Georgetown University who focuses on nuclear deterrence in his studies at SSP, and Dr. Adam Mount, an important voice and expert in the debate on U.S. nuclear deterrence strategy. Dr. Mount is a senior fellow at the Federation of American Scientists and holds a PhD from the Department of Government at Georgetown University. Earlier this week, he published his article: “A Not-So-Strategic Posture Commission” for the Arms Control Association, which sparked our interest. We hope you enjoy the episode!

In a debut format, host Shawn Rostker presents a narrated version of a peer-reviewed journal article from Nick Lekkas, a senior columnist at the Georgetown Security Studies Review and fellow SSP colleague. Nick’s article, titled “Mobilized, Forgotten, Ignored: Russia’s Control Mechanisms of its Minority Populations Amid the Russo-Ukrainian War,” explores the disproportionate effect that Russia’s conscription efforts have had on ethnic groups from the Buryat, Kuban, and Dagestan regions. Nick analyzes the Kremlin’s political motivations for sparing its Slavic population from front-line deployment, and explains why this imbalance may become a greater vulnerability for the Russian regime than it realizes.

Welcome back to SSP Weekly! This week, host Gareth Smythe sits down with guest Katherine Wells to discuss Saudi Arabia's grand strategy and how they view the current conflict in the Middle East. Next, Miriam Pasternak sits down with Veronika Melkozerova, a Ukrainian reporter for Politico, who has been providing coverage of the war in Ukraine to the biggest media outlets in the world. Veronika explains how the war is connected to the Israel-Hamas conflict, how Ukrainians view the situation today and how U.S. politics are critical for continued support to Ukraine. We hope you enjoy.

Welcome back to SSP Weekly! This week, host Miriam Pasternak sits down with guest Harrison Durland, a fellow SSP student, focusing on tech and emergent technology, to talk about the recent U.S. export controls on China. After this, host Gareth Smythe sits down with Anna Bassoli, the Associate Editor for the Indo-Pacific at the Georgetown Security Studies Review (GSSR), about the Australian state visit to DC and the ongoing implementation of AUKUS, the trilateral partnership on submarines and emerging technology between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Welcome back to SSP Weekly! This week’s theme is the Polish elections and the surprising victory of Donald Tusk, a political giant both in Poland and the European Union. Host Miriam Pasternak sits down with Jan Gerber, a fellow SSP student born and raised in Poland. The two discuss how Donald Tusk managed to defeat the current right-winged government which has been in power since 2015, and how Tusk's return might influence European security in the coming years.