In the premiere episode of The IWP Podcast: The AI Frontier, Dean Lane and Dr. David Bray examine how artificial intelligence is reshaping warfare, geopolitics, national security, and the global balance of power.

AI is rapidly becoming more than a technological tool. It is influencing military strategy, economic competition, political decision-making, intelligence, surveillance, and the future of work. As the United States, China, Europe, and other global powers pursue different approaches to AI development and governance, the choices being made today could determine who holds technological and strategic advantage in the decades ahead.

AI, War, and Power explores the growing competition between nations to develop and deploy artificial intelligence, from massive frontier models to smaller systems capable of operating locally and at scale. The conversation examines the military implications of autonomous systems, AI-assisted targeting, drones, rapidly changing battlefield conditions, and the evolving relationship between human decision-makers and intelligent machines.

The episode also confronts a larger challenge: institutions often struggle to recognize disruptive technologies until those technologies have already changed the strategic environment. Dean Lane and Dr. David Bray discuss the importance of challenging established assumptions, creating organizations capable of adapting quickly, and ensuring that AI strengthens human decision-making without sacrificing security, accountability, or individual liberty.

As AI accelerates across nearly every sector of society, the question is no longer whether it will change the world. The question is who will understand its power, adapt quickly enough to use it effectively, and shape the rules that govern what comes next.

In Episode 04 of the Foundations of Freedom series, America’s Forgotten Inheritance, Dr. Anne Bradley sits down with Dr. John Lenczowski, Founder, Chancellor, and President Emeritus of The Institute of World Politics, to examine why America’s founding principles still matter for national security, statecraft, and civic life.

The conversation explores the decline of civic education, the importance of studying American political philosophy, and why students preparing for careers in intelligence, diplomacy, military service, and policy need to understand the country they may one day defend or represent. Dr. Lenczowski explains why the Founders’ view of human nature shaped the Constitution, why economics must be understood as a foundation for human flourishing, and why utopian thinking can distort foreign policy judgment.

The episode also turns to the ideological challenges facing America today, including the appeal of socialism among younger generations, the consequences of historical ignorance, and the role of foreign propaganda in shaping public opinion. As America approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, this episode asks whether a nation can preserve freedom if it forgets the inheritance that made freedom possible.

In Episode 03 of the Foundations of Freedom series, The Crisis of Moral Relativism, Dr. Anne Bradley and Professor Dennis Teti examine one of the central questions behind political life, foreign policy, and the American founding: can nations and citizens still make objective judgments about good and evil, justice and injustice, freedom and oppression?

This episode explores how moral relativism weakens political judgment, why ancient debates about justice still matter, and how the American founding offered a different answer through natural law, natural rights, liberty, equality, and self-government.

The conversation also looks at America 250, the Declaration of Independence, the connection between personal virtue and political freedom, and the modern tension between self-government and rule by administrative expertise. At stake is a deeper question: if a society loses confidence in objective truth, can it still defend freedom?

In Episode 02 of the Foundations of Freedom series, Adam Smith Against the Cronies, Dr. Anne Bradley sits down with Dr. Samuel Gregg to examine Adam Smith’s critique of mercantilism, crony capitalism, and the political favoritism that distorts free markets.

The conversation explores how Smith challenged the belief that national wealth comes from gold, silver, trade manipulation, and government-backed privileges. Instead, Smith saw wealth as the ability of people to satisfy their wants and needs through productive exchange, entrepreneurship, competition, and the rule of law.

Dr. Bradley and Dr. Gregg discuss the enduring relevance of The Wealth of Nations, the dangers of zero-sum economic thinking, the rise of modern neo-mercantilism, and the ways crony capitalism corrupts both markets and political life. They also examine Smith’s view that markets depend on equality before the law, why consumers often lose when special interests gain influence, and how appeals to national security can be used to justify subsidies, protectionism, and industrial policy.

As America approaches the 250th anniversary of both The Wealth of Nations and the Declaration of Independence, this episode asks why Smith’s economic way of thinking still matters for liberty, prosperity, national security, and the future of the American republic.

In Episode 01 of the Foundations of Freedom series, Dr. Anne Rathbone Bradley sits down with Dr. Samuel Gregg to examine the remarkable convergence of two defining events in 1776: the publication of Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations and the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

As America approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration, this conversation explores how the Founders understood economic liberty as essential to political liberty, why private property, rule of law, free markets, and civil society mattered to the American founding, and how Smith’s moral and economic thought shaped debates that continue today.

Dr. Bradley and Dr. Gregg discuss the tension between Jefferson and Hamilton on trade and political economy, the moral foundations of commercial society, the role of virtue in sustaining liberty, and the importance of families, associations, and decentralized institutions in preserving a free republic.

This episode launches IWP’s Foundations of Freedom series with a timely reflection on Smith, the Founders, and the enduring principles behind ordered liberty, economic freedom, and self-government.

In this new episode of The IWP Podcast, Professor John Quattrocki is joined by Paul Kepp, a former senior CIA operations officer with deep experience in the Directorate of Operations and a career shaped by years of overseas service. Together, they take a serious look at how the United States rethought counterintelligence after 9/11 and what those reforms mean today.

The discussion covers the rise of the DNI, the origins and purpose of the National Counterintelligence Executive, the debate over who should lead the mission, and the growing focus on strategic, national-level counterintelligence. It is a sharp conversation on policy, structure, and the future of U.S. counterintelligence led by two voices with real depth on the subject.

In this fourth installment of The IWP Podcast: Inside Counterintelligence Series, Professor John Quattrocki sits down with Paul Kepp, a former senior CIA operations officer with decades of experience in the Directorate of Operations, much of it overseas. The conversation takes listeners through a deep examination of the legal authorities, surveillance tools, and institutional tensions that shaped U.S. counterintelligence. The discussion traces how American counterintelligence developed across distinct historical periods, from Roosevelt-era intervention and Hoover’s expanding remit to the post-1947 national security framework, the impact of the Church Committee, FISA, Executive Order 12333, and the changing relationship between intelligence collection and criminal prosecution. The episode also explores how presidential direction, legal barriers, interagency coordination, and resource constraints shaped the modern counterintelligence mission.

Wiretaps and The Wall examines the history of U.S. counterintelligence through one of its most consequential fault lines: the struggle to balance surveillance, security, and the rule of law. This episode shows how wiretaps, courtroom realities, and government policy reshaped the roles of the FBI, CIA, and the broader intelligence community during the Cold War, the post-Cold War period, and the years after 9/11.

In this third installment of The IWP Podcast: Inside Counterintelligence Series, Professor John Quattrocki sits down with Paul Kepp, a former senior CIA operations officer with decades of experience in the Directorate of Operations, much of it overseas. The conversation moves into the Reagan era and examines a period of rapid expansion in U.S. counterintelligence, where both the FBI and CIA scaled their capabilities to confront a growing and increasingly complex espionage threat. The discussion highlights how manpower, operational demands, and interagency coordination shaped the counterintelligence mission at its peak during the final chapter of the Cold War.

Reagan to Retrenchment explores how this surge in capability exposed both strengths and vulnerabilities within the system. The episode examines major espionage cases that defined the era, the operational realities behind investigating them, and how the end of the Cold War triggered a shift in priorities that reduced resources at a critical moment. It underscores how strategic decisions, institutional pressures, and evolving threat landscapes reshaped the trajectory of U.S. counterintelligence moving into the 1990s.

In this episode of the IWP Podcast: Inside Counterintelligence series, Professors John J. Quattrocki and Paul Kepp take us through a deep examination of the history and evolution of U.S. counterintelligence. The discussion traces how American counterintelligence developed across distinct historical periods, from World War I sabotage concerns and Hoover-era domestic security practices to the post-1947 national security framework, the impact of the Church Committee, FISA, and the changing relationship between the FBI and CIA. The episode also explores how presidential direction, legal authorities, interagency cooperation, and resource constraints shaped the modern counterintelligence mission.

Secrets, Scandals, Reform explores the history of U.S. counterintelligence through the forces that shaped it most: covert threats, institutional failures, political pressure, and the reforms that followed. This episode examines how espionage, controversy, and government oversight helped redefine the roles of the FBI, CIA, and the broader American counterintelligence mission.

This is a timely and important discussion for anyone interested in intelligence, national security, espionage, and the institutional history behind how the United States detects and responds to foreign threats. The Institute of World Politics teaches counterintelligence, intelligence policy, and the instruments of statecraft as part of its graduate education in national security and international affairs.

This episode, “Myths vs Reality in U.S. Counterintelligence,” traces the evolution of CI through technical collection and oversight, including Venona’s lasting implications, why FISA uses orders rather than warrants, and how 9/11 plus the rise of the internet and mobile telephony changed the practical and legal realities of collection.

Terrorists Never Sleep, but Neither Do Soccer Moms

In this episode, Professor John Tsagronis interviews Kelley DeConciliis, a highly experienced professional in the fields of national security, intelligence, and international affairs. DeConciliis serves as the Vice Chairman of the Board of Advisors at the Institute of World Politics (IWP) and is also an Adjunct Professor at the school. She shares her fascinating background, including her work in areas like evacuation, exfiltration, and extraction operations, as well as her insights on balancing a demanding career with family life.

Guest: Kelley DeConciliis, Vice Chairman of the Board of Advisors at the Institute of World Politics (IWP) and Adjunct Professor

Guest Host: John Tsagronis, Professor of Statecraft and National Security Affairs; Former Senior Director for Policy Implementation and Execution on the National Security Council Staff

Main Topics Discussed:

DeConciliis' background and how she got into the field of national security and intelligence (00:01:25)

Her experiences with evacuation, exfiltration, and extraction operations, including specific examples (00:03:05)

The challenges of being a woman in national security and the importance of mentorship (00:04:01)

DeConciliis' new course at IWP on "The Fog of War" and the practical lessons she aims to impart to students (00:23:01)

DeConciliis' personal journey, including overcoming setbacks and failures, and how they have shaped her (00:31:27)

DeConciliis' involvement with the Institute of World Politics and the Spy Museum (00:49:08)

Where to Find Kelley DeConciliis:

Institute of World Politics: https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/kelley-deconciliis/

Where to Find Professor John Tsagronis:

Institute of World Politics: https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/s-john-tsagronis/

In this episode, Professor Glancy discusses his teaching at IWP, the importance of understanding political warfare and economic statecraft, and the strategic challenges facing the United States in competition with adversaries like China, Russia, and Iran. Key topics include:

Glancy's courses at IWP on propaganda, political warfare, economic statecraft, and forecasting/risk analysis (00:01:19 - 00:02:46)

The need to relearn political warfare capabilities after the Cold War (00:03:32 - 00:04:40)

Challenges of confronting adversaries like Iran, China, and Russia that have strategic approaches to political warfare (00:04:56 - 00:07:54)

Potential for a "grand bargain" with Russia and the unlikelihood of such an approach succeeding (00:14:28 - 00:18:15)

Concerns about foreign interference in US elections and the limited impact of past efforts (00:31:38 - 00:37:41)

Debate over whether the US remains the "indispensable country" amid relative economic and military decline (00:38:49 - 00:43:41)

Where to Find the Guest:

David Glancy's faculty profile: www.iwp.edu/faculty/david-glancy

Where to Find the Host:

Jim Robbins, Dean of Academics at IWP

IWP podcast: www.iwp.edu/podcast

This podcast episode features a comprehensive discussion with Dr. Sara Vakhshouri, an expert on energy security and an adjunct professor at the Institute of World Politics (IWP). The discussion covers a wide range of topics:

-The Need for a Comprehensive U.S. National Energy Security Strategy

-The National Security Implications of Rapidly Growing Electricity Demand

-Navigating the Energy Trilemma: The Need for Diversification

-Renewable Energy: The Necessity of a Balanced Approach

-Energy Access and Equity: Ensuring Fair Distribution and Availability

The discussion also includes the close connection between energy and national security, the challenges of balancing energy security, sustainability, and affordability, the ineffectiveness of sanctions on Russia's energy exports, the interconnection between energy and food security, and the need for a balanced approach to energy that utilizes a variety of sources. Throughout the discussion, Dr. Vakhshouri, emphasizes the importance of a bipartisan, long-term national energy strategy that provides continuity and stability, rather than the radical shifts in policy that have occurred between administrations.

Where to Find Dr. Sara Vakhshouri:

- Institute of World Politics: [https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/sara-vakhshouri/]

Where to Find Host Jim Robbins:

- Institute of World Politics: [https://www.iwp.edu/leadership/james-s-robbins/]

Guest: Professor John Quattrocki, distinguished background in the FBI, DNI, the NSC, and the private sector, as well as being one of the most popular IWP professors for 13 years.

In this episode, Professor Quattrocki discusses the history and evolution of counterintelligence policy in the U.S. government, covering topics such as:

- The origins of the counterintelligence review process in the early 2000s, starting with PDD-75 under the Clinton administration (00:01:02)

- The impact of 9/11 on the counterintelligence review and the shift in focus to counterterrorism (00:16:16) 

- The lack of consensus among senior policymakers on the definition and role of counterintelligence (00:23:54)

- The challenges of resourcing counterintelligence efforts compared to the scale of the threat (00:31:05)

- The importance of offensive and strategic counterintelligence, beyond just counterespionage (00:37:18)

- The distinction between recruitment of foreign agents and the use of double agents (00:43:04)

---

Where to Find Professor Quattrocki:

- Institute of World Politics: https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/john-j-quattrocki/

Where to Find Host Jim Robbins:

- Institute of World Politics: https://www.iwp.edu/leadership/james-s-robbins/

Guest: Ambassador David Miller, Former U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania and Zimbabwe, President of the Diplomatic Studies Foundation

Guest Host: Prof. Glenn Corn, 34-year Veteran of the U.S. Intelligence and Foreign Affairs Communities

In this episode, Ambassador Miller discusses his storied career in the U.S. government and private sector, including his time serving in Vietnam, as a U.S. ambassador in Africa, and at the Department of Justice and National Security Council. He also talks about the mission and work of the Diplomatic Studies Foundation, which he co-founded to improve training and preparation for U.S. diplomats and foreign policy professionals.

Main Topics Discussed:

- Ambassador Miller's background and career path, including his time in Vietnam and as a U.S. ambassador (00:03:03 - 00:08:12)

- The importance of proper training and preparation for diplomats and foreign policy professionals (00:01:13 - 00:02:26)

- The Diplomatic Studies Foundation and its "Peace Games" program to better prepare country teams for overseas deployments (00:14:52 - 00:25:25)

- The need for stronger collaboration between the U.S. government and private sector on foreign policy and national security issues (00:25:02 - 00:26:00)

- Reflections on effective presidential leadership and the sacrifices made by foreign policy families (00:27:00 - 00:52:55)

---

Where to Find Ambassador Miller:

- Diplomatic Studies Foundation: https://www.usdiplomaticstudies.foundation/

Where to Find Our Guest Host, Glenn Corn:

- https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/glenn-corn/

---

Key References and Resources Mentioned:

- Institute of World Politics (IWP)

- Hamlet Evaluation System (HES) in Vietnam

- Tet Offensive in Vietnam

- White House Fellows program

- Westinghouse Corporation

- National Security Council (NSC)

- U.S. Department of State

- U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)

- International Crisis Group (ICG)

- Ronald Reagan's leadership style

Podcast Show Notes

Guest: Dr. Anne Bradley, Professor at the Institute of World Politics and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the Fund For American Studies

In this episode, Dr. Anne Bradley discusses her new monograph "The Political Economy of Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and the War on Terror." She shares her personal experiences studying terrorism and working in counterterrorism at the CIA, as well as her economic perspective on the causes, costs, and strategies for mitigating terrorism.

Key Topics Discussed:

- [00:00:24] Dr. Bradley's background and inspiration for studying terrorism

- [00:05:02] How economic conditions contribute to the rise and perpetuation of terrorism

- [00:09:40] Effective counterterrorism strategies beyond just reducing government size

- [00:15:37] The massive financial costs of the "War on Terror" and the need for more efficient approaches

- [00:19:47] The impact of globalization on terrorism and the importance of economic development

- [00:28:44] The evolving role of technology and finance in terrorist activities and counterterrorism efforts

---

Where to Find Dr. Anne Bradley:

- Institute of World Politics: https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/anne-rathbone-bradley/

- The Fund For American Studies: https://tfas.org/staff/anne-bradley/

---

Key Terms & References:

- Al Qaeda

- 9/11 attacks

- Costs of War Project (Brown University)

- OPEC

- Cryptocurrency and terror finance

- Property rights and economic development

- Role of NGOs in development

In this episode of The IWP Podcast, Jim Robbins and his guest, Al Santoli, explore the value of the scholar-practitioner model at the Institute of World Politics (IWP), where faculty have both academic credentials and practical experience in national security and foreign policy. Professor Santoli, discusses his own background and involvement with IWP, highlighting the importance of instinct, intuition, and real-world experience that practitioners can bring to the classroom. He also shares his experiences working in the Philippines, focusing on counter-terrorism efforts and community-based initiatives to build peace. Finally, Santoli explains how he translates his practical experiences into his teaching at IWP, emphasizing the importance of introspection, character development, and preparing students for productive careers in national security and related fields.

Podcast Show Notes

Guest: Al Santoli, professor at IWP, president of the Asia America Initiative, New York Times best selling author and Pulitzer nominated author

This episode explores the value of practical experience in national security education, drawing on Al Santoli's extensive background as a practitioner in fields like counterterrorism, refugee work, and conflict resolution.

Key Topics Discussed:

- Al Santoli's background and experience prior to joining IWP (00:00:31 - 00:04:18)

- The founding of IWP and its "scholar-practitioner" model (00:04:41 - 00:08:18)

- The importance of having practitioners in academia (00:09:41 - 00:16:30)

- Al Santoli's work with the Asia America Initiative in the Philippines (00:27:09 - 00:46:45)

- Translating practical experience into the classroom at IWP (00:46:59 - 00:54:33)

---

Where to Find Al Santoli:

- Asia America Initiative: https://www.asiaamerica.org/

- IWP Profile: https://www.iwp.edu/faculty/al-santoli/

Where to Find the Host:

- IWP Website: https://www.iwp.edu/

---

Key References and Concepts:

- "Scholar-practitioner" model of education

- General Edward Lansdale and his work in the Philippines

- Studs Terkel and the "oral history" approach

- Counterterrorism work in the Philippines

- Conflict resolution and community-based development

- Maslow's hierarchy of needs

- Martial arts philosophy of "winning without fighting"

This episode of The IWP Podcast provides an overview of the situation in Ukraine, focusing on the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia and the ongoing conflict in the occupied territories. Elina Beketova shares her personal experiences and insights into the tactics used by Russia to control and influence the local population, particularly the youth, as well as the various forms of resistance and defiance against the occupation. The discussion also explores the challenges faced by Ukraine and the international community in addressing the crisis and the need for a more proactive and coordinated approach to deter Russia's aggression and support Ukraine's efforts to regain control of its territories.

Podcast Show Notes

Guest: Elina Beketova, Distinguished Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA)

Elina Beketova is a distinguished fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) where she has made significant contributions through her insightful articles on critical issues affecting Ukraine and Eastern Europe. Born and raised in Crimea, Elina has worked as a journalist, editor, and TV anchor in Ukraine before moving to the United States to work with CEPA.

Main Topics Discussed:

- Elina's experiences growing up in free Crimea and the changes after Russia's illegal occupation in 2014 (00:01:39)

- The tactics Russia uses to brainwash and indoctrinate youth in occupied areas of Ukraine (00:06:59)

- Examples of resistance and defiance against the Russian occupation in Crimea and other regions (00:14:36)

- Potential strategies for reintegrating Crimea and other occupied territories back into Ukraine after liberation (00:24:37)

- Challenges in getting the international community to provide Ukraine with the necessary military support to counter Russia's aggression (00:43:39)

Where to Find:

- Elina Beketova: [https://cepa.org/author/elina-beketova/]

- Host Jim Robbins: [https://www.iwp.edu/leadership/james-s-robbins/]

Key References:

- Institute of World Politics (IWP): Private independent graduate school of national security and international affairs in Washington, DC (00:00:00)

- Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA): Think tank focused on Central and Eastern Europe (00:00:43)

- Crimea: Ukrainian peninsula illegally annexed by Russia in 2014 (00:01:39)

- Unarmia and Movement of the First: Russian propaganda youth organizations operating in occupied Ukraine (00:13:20)

- Filtration centers: Checkpoints where Russia detains Ukrainians in occupied territories (00:17:40)

- Ateš: Alleged Ukrainian partisan movement operating in Crimea (00:19:52)

- National Resistance Center: Ukrainian military body coordinating partisan activities (00:22:36)

---

This episode of the IWP Podcast features a discussion on the threat of globally networked terrorism and the potential risks to events like the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. The host is Jim Robbins, Dean of Academics at the Institute of World Politics (IWP), an accredited graduate school of National Security Intelligence and International Affairs.

Main Topics Discussed:

• Recent arrests of suspected terrorists from Tajikistan who entered the U.S. through the southern border [00:00:39 - 00:01:34]
• Warnings from U.S. officials about the rising threat of international, domestic, and state-sponsored terrorism [00:02:16 - 00:04:43]
• Concerns about terrorist threats to major events like the Boston Marathon, Cricket World Cup, and 2024 Paris Olympics [00:05:33 - 00:08:03]
• The need for increased preparedness and vigilance to prevent a major terrorist attack in the U.S. [00:08:03 - 00:08:31]

Where to Find:

Host:

• Jim Robbins, Dean of Academics at the Institute of World Politics (IWP)
• Website: iwp.edu

Summary: In this episode of the IWP podcast, hosted by Jim Robbins, the discussion centers around the concept of red lines in international affairs, specifically focusing on the recent events involving the White House, Israel, and Gaza. The episode delves into how setting red lines can impact credibility, referencing historical examples like President Obama's red line on chemical weapons in Syria and President Johnson's troop limits during the Vietnam War.

Topics discussed:

The obsession of the White House press corps with President Biden's red lines for Israel and Gaza.

The ambiguity and consequences of setting red lines in international relations.

Comparisons with past instances of red lines being drawn and the subsequent credibility challenges faced by administrations.

The impact of setting arbitrary limits, like troop ceilings during the Vietnam War, on public perception and credibility.

The self-inflicted wound of the Gaza red line dispute for the current administration and its implications for future events and narratives.

References:

Institute of World Politics (IWP): iwp.edu