Shows
The Hogan Lovells National Security PodcastEpisode 25: Cryptocurrency and National Security - Insights from Inca DigitalWe sit down with Adam Zarazinski, CEO of Inca Digital, a leading fintech company specializing in data and analytics for the digital asset ecosystem, to discuss the role of cryptocurrency in national security and intelligence operations.
Adam shares his unique journey from Interpol to the U.S. Air Force JAG Corps to founding Inca. We discuss how Inca helps government agencies and financial institutions manage cryptocurrency risks and ensuring the safety and integrity of digital asset transactions. Adam also describes the innovative ways Inca supports the national security mission, ranging from tackling terrorist financing through open source...
2024-06-2827 minThe Hogan Lovells National Security PodcastEpisode 24: In-Q-Tel and Investing in National SecurityIn this episode, we sit down with Steve Bowsher, the CEO of In-Q-Tel, the non-profit venture capital firm supporting the intelligence community. Steve shares his extensive background and provides an inside look at In-Q-Tel's mission to bridge the gap between the intelligence community and technological innovation.
We discuss the process by which In-Q-Tel identifies and invests in emerging technologies, supports startup companies, and accelerates the deployment of critical capabilities to U.S. government agencies. We explore the unique ways In-Q-Tel operates and the types of technologies it seeks including AI, cybersecurity, unmanned systems, and cutting-edge biotechnology. We a...
2024-06-1435 minThe Hogan Lovells National Security PodcastEpisode 23: Japan and International SecurityIn this episode, we cover the long standing alliance between the United States and Japan, and its future trajectory in the face of regional and global security challenges.
We discuss Japan’s evolving defense posture, highlighting significant changes since Japan’s introduction of new national defense strategies in 2023 and an increase in military spending. We explore the implications of Japan's evolving role in regional security in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in response to China's growing power and North Korea's missile program. The episode also covers Japan's potential future participation in alliances such as the Five Eyes and AUKUS, and t...
2024-05-3122 minThe Hogan Lovells National Security PodcastEpisode 22: European defense strategy and global security implicationsReturning after our long winter break, in this episode (recorded on NATO’s 75th Anniversary) we are joined by our colleague Falk Schoening from our Brussels office to discuss the European Union's (EU) €1.5 billion plan to boost defense production and the release of the EU’s first-ever defense industrial strategy. We highlight the EU's transition towards addressing security challenges collaboratively, and the significance of the EU defense strategy as a departure from previous civil-centric approaches. We explore cross-border procurement challenges and efforts to streamline regulations and foster collaboration to enhance defense industrial capabilities among EU members. We also talk about...
2024-04-1129 minThe Hogan Lovells National Security PodcastEpisode 21: U.S.-China relations and the global economyIn this episode, we are joined by our colleague Ben Kostrzewa from our Hong Kong office, who brings extensive experience in navigating the complex landscape of U.S.-China trade relations, export control, sanctions, and investment restrictions.
We discuss President Biden's recent bilateral meetings with Xi Jinping in San Francisco, signaling prospects for future discussions, albeit with lingering concerns over potential conflict triggers. We also delve into China's economic setbacks post-COVID, including a notable downturn after decades of consistent growth, and we look at Hong Kong's evolving role within China's economy and highlight Hong Kong’s e...
2023-12-2223 minThe Hogan Lovells National Security PodcastEpisode 20: U.S. Reactions to APEC and IEPF SummitsIn this episode, we are joined by our colleague Kelly Ann Shaw to discuss reactions to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit and Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) forums recently held in San Francisco. Kelly Ann shares her own experiences as the lead U.S. negotiator for APEC during the Trump administration, and we share insights into the complexities of trade negotiations, geopolitical dynamics, and the challenges faced by the Biden administration in the context of APEC and IPEF.
See our prior episode with Kelly Ann here.
2023-12-0823 minThe Hogan Lovells National Security PodcastEpisode 19: U.S. expanded export controls on semiconductorsWe are joined by our colleague Ajay Kuntamukkala on this one-year anniversary of the October 2022 semiconductor export control rules to discuss two new interim final rules (IFRs) by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) aimed at closing perceived loopholes in the 2022 restrictions.
The first IFR covers restrictions on advanced computing items and supercomputers (available here), and the second IFR covers restrictions on semiconductor manufacturing equipment (available here) – both of these rules become effective on November 17, 2023.
We unpack how these new rules amend the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) with new restrictions on the exp...
2023-11-0724 minThe Hogan Lovells National Security PodcastEpisode 18: Innovation and DoD Replicator InitiativeIn this episode we discuss defense innovation and DoD’s announcement of the “Replicator” initiative. We explore the history of the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and how its success has sparked the creation of similar offices throughout DoD. We explain efforts to overcome the “valley of death” between developing an idea and deploying a capability to the warfighter. We also touch on In-Q-Tel and other government seed capital programs, incubators, technology accelerators, challenge programs, and the Defense Innovation Marketplace. We review Deputy Secretary of Defense Hicks' announcement of “Replicator” whose goal is to field “attritable” autonomous systems at a scale of multiple t...
2023-10-1227 minThe Hogan Lovells National Security PodcastEpisode 17: Telecoms and National SecurityWe are joined by our colleague, Charles Mathias, former Deputy Chief in the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, to discuss national security and the telecommunications industry. We cover cybersecurity, supply chain risks, and the overlap of the FCC Covered List (which designates entities that pose an unacceptable risk to national security) with the 2019 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Section 889 prohibitions on certain telecommunications equipment and services. We explore the FCC’s “rip and replace” program under the Secure Networks Act. Finally, in a wide ranging technology discussion, we discuss Open Radio Access Network (ORAN) and cybersecurity concerns...
2023-09-1928 minThe Hogan Lovells National Security PodcastEpisode 16: Outbound Investment ScreeningIn this episode, we are joined once again by our colleagues Brian Curran and Anne Salladin, to discuss the release of the long awaited Executive Order (EO) on outbound investment screening. Our March episode with Brian & Anne previewing the outbound investment program is here.
We discuss what is covered in the EO and the related Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) issued by Treasury that solicits input from the public on the proposed framework for the regime, including the expected timing for developing implementing regulations.
We delve into the three advanced technologies covered in the...
2023-08-2241 minThe Hogan Lovells National Security PodcastEpisode 15: Information Flows and Secrecy: Where is the Chinese Foreign Minister?In this episode we discuss the strange continued disappearance from public view of Qin Gang, the Chinese Foreign Minister (FM), and former Ambassador to the United States.
At the time of this recording, China announced that Mr. Qin was formerly removed as FM (although he still has not re-appeared in public), and his boss, Wang Yi, the Director of the Central Foreign Affairs Office of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), would act as FM. Mr. Qin’s disappearance was originally attributed to undefined health issues (which still remain the only official reason for his absence), but rumors ha...
2023-08-0321 minThe Hogan Lovells National Security PodcastEpisode 14: The Nuclear Power Industry and National SecurityIn this episode we are joined by our HL colleague and Global Energy Practice Leader Amy Roma to discuss the nuclear energy industry.
We discuss global trends in the transition away from fossil fuels and the supply chain security implications and benefits of nuclear power. We examine how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has triggered a strong emphasis on energy security and resilience for countries not just in Europe but all across the globe, including an uptick of countries looking into nuclear capability that have no prior history with nuclear power. We consider how the sig...
2023-07-1729 minThe Hogan Lovells National Security PodcastEpisode 13: Quantum ComputingIn this episode, like Ant-Man and the Wasp we dive into the quantum realm - specifically, quantum computing. We explain what a “qubit” is (a quantum bit) and how quantum mechanics could deliver exponential leaps forward in computer processing power and surpass conventional supercomputers. We discuss the Biden administration’s March release of National Security Memorandum 10 - which seeks to drive U.S. leadership in quantum information science while also acknowledging the threat large scale quantum computers will pose to today’s encryption standards – while also touching on the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) efforts to develop a post-quan...
2023-06-2226 minThe Hogan Lovells National Security PodcastEpisode 12: Open Source Intelligence (OSINT)In this episode, we explore the potential of Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), which is publicly available information including (as discussed in our prior episodes) the social-media posts, smartphone photos, commercial drone videos, and commercial satellite imagery used by Ukraine to locate and target Russian forces. We discuss the challenges of integrating unclassified OSINT with more traditional forms of classified intelligence information. We address the fast-growing number of companies that are transforming publicly available data into OSINT, challenges faced by intelligence services with processing and analyzing the sheer volume of OSINT data available, and the fact that OSINT means keeping...
2023-06-0123 minThe Hogan Lovells National Security PodcastEpisode 11: Artificial Intelligence (AI)In this episode, we are joined by our colleague Scott Loughlin, co-lead of our global Privacy and Cybersecurity (PaC) practice to discuss Artificial Intelligence (AI). We compare the emerging AI regulatory frameworks in the EU, UK, and the U.S. Our discussion ranges from the more traditional national security use cases for AI, such as autonomous / semi-autonomous weapon systems and drones, to more recent examples including ChatGPT, deepfakes, surveillance, and the potential for waging disinformation campaigns. We discuss the responsible use of AI, potential privacy concerns, and mitigating human bias when training AI models. Finally, we talk about how A...
2023-05-1229 minThe Hogan Lovells National Security PodcastEpisode 10: Classified Information and LeaksGiven the developing news story around the classified information leaks by a U.S. Air National Guardsmen, we decided to publish this episode before our regularly-scheduled release date of Thursday.
We discuss what is (and is not) classified information, how the personnel security clearance (PCL) process works, and dispel some myths about the classified world. We walk through classification levels, and touch on controlled access programs, such as Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) and Special Access Programs (SAP). We then dive into the story of the current classified information leaks, comparing this to the leaks by Edward Snowden a...
2023-04-1833 minThe Hogan Lovells National Security PodcastEpisode 9: AUKUS and Submarine TechnologyWe discuss the March announcement that the Australia-United Kingdom-United States (AUKUS) security partnership will help Australia develop conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs). We go over the recent history of Australia’s position in the Indo Pacific and strategic thinking in recent years about AUS pursuing conventional submarines or nuclear powered submarines. We also address other potential areas of technological cooperation between the AUKUS parties, before diving into some specifics about the current Collins-class SSNS and the plans for these new AUKUS-SSNs.
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2023-04-0615 minThe Hogan Lovells National Security PodcastEpisode 8: Outbound Investment ScreeningIn this episode, we are joined by our colleagues Brian Curran and Anne Salladin, to discuss the anticipated “reverse CFIUS” regime from the Biden administration. We unpack the strategic rationale for creating an outbound investment screening regime that we expect will focus on key sensitive industries (e.g., semiconductors, AI, quantum-computing), and make some predictions on what the anticipated Executive Order will cover. Finally, we discuss the potential drawbacks of establishing such a “reverse CFIUS” process, including the challenges for U.S. industry as well as the U.S. government.
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2023-03-0226 minThe Hogan Lovells National Security PodcastEpisode 7: Chinese BalloonsGiven the rapidly-changing nature of this topic, we decided to publish this episode before our regularly-scheduled release date of Thursday.
In this episode, we discuss the outcry in Washington about the Chinese surveillance balloon discovered floating over Montana and the cancellation of US Secretary of State Blinken’s trip to Bejing. We touch on the technical capabilities (and limitations) of balloons as surveillance platforms. We explore what these developments mean for increasingly strained US-China relations, particularly in the wake of the announcement of expanding US military access to bases in the Philippines and the AUKUS submarine deal wi...
2023-02-1322 minThe Hogan Lovells National Security PodcastEpisode 6: Critical Minerals and the Supply ChainIn this episode, we are joined by our colleague Kelly Ann Shaw, former Deputy Assistant to the President for International Economic Affairs and Deputy Director of the National Economic Council, as we delve into critical minerals and rare earths at the intersection of environmental policy, clean energy, electric vehicles, and military technologies. We explore national security concerns regarding the dependency of the U.S. manufacturing sector on foreign suppliers and processors, and vulnerabilities to supply chain disruptions. Finally, we drill down into U.S. Government efforts to stimulate domestic production and “friend shoring” initiatives with allied countries, as well as i...
2023-02-0220 minThe Hogan Lovells National Security PodcastEpisode 5: Hypersonic TechnologyIn this episode, we set the stage for future episodes on hypersonic missile technology, describing the technical differences between a hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) and a hypersonic cruise missile, and the reasons that hypersonics are more challenging for missile defense systems. We explore the operational hypersonic weapons currently deployed by Russia and China and discuss the strategic implications that the United States, while it has many hypersonic programs still in development, does not actually have a deployed hypersonic weapon system. We discuss increased Congressional attention on hypersonic programs and the need to grow the industrial base to support hypersonic...
2023-01-1925 minThe Hogan Lovells National Security PodcastEpisode 4: Battlefield Lessons from the UkraineIn this episode, we discuss the Ukraine conflict’s impact on U.S. and allied defense spending including replacement of US munitions stores to replenish High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems and ammunition, Stinger anti-aircraft missile systems and Javelin anti-armor systems; Ukrainian success with commercial off the shelf drones; and Ukrainian use of open-source intelligence (social-media posts, smartphone photos, commercial drone videos, and commercial satellite imagery) to locate and target Russian forces.
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2023-01-0527 minThe Hogan Lovells National Security PodcastEpisode 3: UAS / Drones in the National AirspaceIn this episode, we are joined by our colleague Lisa Ellman, head of our Global UAS practice, to discuss advancing UAS integration into the national airspace safely and securely. We discuss the advocacy activities of HL client Commercial Drone Alliance (CDA) as the non-profit organization urges action related to ongoing industry regulatory and policy challenges; the legal architecture of counter-UAS detection and mitigation, including the importance of extending and expanding the Preventing Emerging Threats Act (PETA); and potential upcoming Congressional and White House actions to promote US leadership in advanced aviation technology.
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2022-12-1531 minThe Hogan Lovells National Security PodcastEpisode 2: The Biden Administration’s National Security StrategyIn this episode, we react to the Biden administration’s 2022 National Security Strategy (NSS), and the Department of Defense National Defense Strategy (NDA), discuss what is (and is not) described in these documents regarding strategic competition with China and Russia, and unpack the administration’s focus on domestic industrial policy and investment.
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2022-12-0126 minThe Hogan Lovells National Security PodcastEpisode 1: U.S. and China Geopolitical CompetitionIn this inaugural episode, we discuss technology competition between the U.S. and China, focusing on dual use technologies that have both military and civilian application. We discuss the recent Party Congress and Xi Jinping securing a third term, comments by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, and recent comments by Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Alan F. Estevez. We discuss the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) new export controls on advanced computing and semiconductor manufacturing items as part of a broader discussion on balancing U.S. national security technology concerns with fostering innovation, foreign investment, a...
2022-11-1731 minThe Hogan Lovells National Security PodcastTrailer: The Hogan Lovells National Security PodcastIn this age of rapid technological advances, having a dedicated team of lawyers help navigate the challenges and threats of national security is crucial. At Hogan Lovells, national security is baked into virtually all practice areas and industries, from clothing affected by the Uyghur forced labor bill, or the myriad impacts of the Ukraine war, or political conditions in a country of importance to a client.
The Hogan Lovells National Security Podcast, hosted by Mike Scheimer and Tim Bergreen, will provide an overview of key developments as well as informative segments on issues that are affecting the...
2022-11-0900 min