Shows
At The BoundaryInside the Golden Dome: Can the U.S. Stop Missiles in Space?Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of GNSI’s At the Boundarypodcast, Dr. Tad Schnaufer sits down with Dr. Namrata Goswami, professor of space security at Johns Hopkins University, to unpack one of the most ambitious U.S. defense projects in decades: the Golden Dome missile defense system.Announced by the Trump administration in January 2025, the Golden Dome aims to protect the United States by intercepting missiles—including hypersonic threats—in both their boost and terminal phases. The system relies on a proliferated constel...
2025-08-2549 min
At The BoundaryDid Syria Prepare Russia for Hybrid Warfare in Ukraine?Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, Tad Schnaufer, PhD, speaks with John Pennell, PhD, a Senior Diplomacy Fellow with Narrative-Strategies, Senior Strategic Advisor with Pax Strategies LLC, Senior Practitioner with the Irregular Warfare Center, and author of Assessing Russia's Actions in Ukraine and Syria, 2014–2022: Implications for the Changing Character of WarPennell breaks down Russia’s military and political strategies in two key theaters, Ukraine and Syria, and the implications for NATO, the United States, and global security.Their discussion covers:
2025-08-1148 min
At The BoundaryCan BRICS Gold Reserves Challenge the US Dollar?Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, William Parker, a Business Librarian at the University of South Florida (USF) sat down with GNSI’s Strategy and Research Manager Dr. Tad Schnaufer to the newest GNSI Decision Brief, "Assessing BRICS Gold Holdings."They discussed how BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) have been increasing their gold reserves in an effort to challenge Western financial systems and reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar. The conversation also explores the role of gold in a na...
2025-07-2124 min
At The BoundaryPolitical Polarization Feels Unstoppable. Will it Destroy Democracy?Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! Polarization Feels Unstoppable. Will it Destroy Democracy? In this episode of At the Boundary, we explore how America’s deepening divides are shaking the very foundations of democracy. Dr. Josh Scacco—USF’s first-ever Carnegie Fellow and founding director of the Center for Sustainable Democracy—joins us to dissect the troubling link between political polarization, public trust, and national security. From social media echo chambers and disinformation to local political violence and eroding public health consensus, Scacco explains why polarization feels so relentless—and what it co...
2025-07-0747 min
At The BoundaryThe History of American Intelligence — Jeff Rogg on The Spy and the StateText the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, GNSI Senior Director Jim Cardoso speaks with Dr. Jeff Rogg, Senior Research Fellow at the Global and National Security Institute, about his new book The Spy in the State: The History of American Intelligence. Drawing on both history and current events, they explore the enduring coordination struggles in the U.S. intelligence community, tensions between executive and legislative oversight, and how the balance between liberty and security continues to evolve.Dr. Rogg explains why U.S. intelligence has...
2025-06-3041 min
At The BoundaryCybersecurity Without Borders: USA and FranceText the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, Dr. Nicolas Sabouret of the University of Paris-Saclay joins GNSI’s Dr. Tad Schnaufer to preview the upcoming Transatlantic Forum on Cybersecurity. Together, they explore how France and the U.S. approach cybersecurity—from technical expertise in cryptography and networks to the policy implications of securing national infrastructure. It’s a candid, international look at cybersecurity education, research, and collaboration. Whether you’re a student, policymaker, or tech enthusiast, you’ll find insights on the future of global cyber stra...
2025-06-0925 min
Why Should We Care About the Indo-Pacific?Chinese Aggression Fuels Indo-Pacific Gray Zone Wars: Bonus Crossover EpisodeIn this illuminating bonus crossover episode, co-hosts Ray Powell and Jim Carouso joined the "At the Boundary" podcast from the Global and National Security Institute to discuss the critical importance of the Indo-Pacific region for global security and implications for the second term of the Trump administration.Explore key issues, including China's territorial ambitions, the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific, and how these dynamics influence U.S. foreign policy and global stability - because China’s approach in the South China Sea is only becoming more aggressive."At the Boundary" with Jim Cardoso and Tad Sc...
2025-06-0337 min
At The BoundaryFrom Deep Sea to Deep Policy: What's Fueling the Modern Energy Race?Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, Dr. Andrew Whiskeyman sits down with Milo McBride of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace to explore one of the most consequential issues in global security today: the race for critical minerals and the future of energy transition.From solar and battery innovation to deep sea mining and friendshoring strategies, this conversation breaks down how access to rare earth elements, lithium, and other essential materials is reshaping geopolitics, military readiness, and climate ambitions. McBride shares why China’s do...
2025-06-0237 min
At The BoundaryFrom Battlefield to Battery: The Critical Mineral Supply CrisisText the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, guest host GNSI publications coordinator Heather Ward speaks with Dr. Vlado Vivoda of the University of Queensland to explore the strategic role of critical minerals in modern technology, clean energy, and national security.Dr. Vivoda explains why minerals like lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements are vital to everything from EV batteries and smartphones to advanced defense technology. The discussion highlights the risks of supply chain vulnerability, including China’s dominance in mineral refining and global production, an...
2025-05-0539 min
chat:CYBRTad Schnaufer - chat:CYBR – Episode 11KeywordsUkrainian conflict, cyber operations, military strategy, cyber attacks, critical infrastructure, Russia, Ukraine, NATO, cybersecurity, hybrid warfareSummaryIn this conversation, James Jacobs and Tad discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, focusing on the historical context, the role of cyber operations, and the integration of cyber capabilities with military strategies. They explore the evolution of Russian cyber attacks, the defensive measures taken by Ukraine, and the implications for critical infrastructure in places like Florida. The discussion emphasizes the importance of education and preparedness in the face of cyber threats.Takeaways...
2025-04-2922 min
At The BoundaryIran’s Axis of Resistance: Can It Shift the Balance of Power?Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, host Jim Cardoso sits down with Dr. Armand Mahmoudian to introduce a major new research initiative from the Global and National Security Institute (GNSI) at the University of South Florida: Axis of Resistance.The conversation explores Iran’s growing influence across the Middle East through its network of proxies in Iraq, Lebanon, Yemen, and beyond. Mahmoudian provides historical context for Iran’s regional strategy, its support for Shia groups, and the current challenges surrounding Iran’s nuclea...
2025-04-2836 min
At The BoundaryThe Hidden Risks of a Ukraine CeasefireText the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! What’s next in the Russia-Ukraine war, and how should the U.S. respond? In this episode of At the Boundary, we listen in on a critical conversation between Dr. Arman Mahmudian, GNSI Research Fellow, and David Kramer, Executive Director of the George W. Bush Institute.Together, they examine the current state of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, explore the political landscape, and assess the potential for a ceasefire. Kramer outlines Russia’s continued aggression, the vital role of U.S. military and economic support, and the impo...
2025-04-2147 min
At The BoundaryIs Yemen Losing the War Against the Houthis?Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, guest Nadwa Al-Dawsari, a Yemen expert of the Middle East Institute, joins GNSI’s own Dr. Armand Mahmoudian to unpack the rise of the Houthis and their growing impact on regional and global security.The conversation explores the Houthis' ideological roots, inspired by the Iranian Revolution, and their strategic objectives—from dominating Yemen to targeting holy sites and calling for the destruction of Israel. With military backing and training from Iran, the Hout...
2025-04-1834 min
At The BoundaryAre U.S. Sanctions Helping the Enemy?Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! How effective are economic sanctions in shaping global behavior—and what happens when they backfire?In this episode of the At the Boundary podcast, host Jim Cardoso is joined by Dr. Zachary Selden, a leading expert on U.S. foreign policy and economic sanctions from the University of Florida. Together, they explore the evolving role of sanctions in diplomacy and global security, using both historical and current examples to examine when sanctions work—and when they don’t.Key to...
2025-04-1437 min
At The BoundaryWhy NATO Can’t Afford to Ignore Africa: The Key to Global Security Amid Rising ThreatsText the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! What role should NATO play in today’s security landscape—and how do regions like Africa factor into long-term strategy?In this episode of the "At the Boundary" podcast, host Jim Cardoso is joined by retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General Kirk Smith to explore evolving priorities in national security and defense cooperation. The conversation covers NATO’s post-counterterrorism role, the shifting dynamics of the transatlantic relationship, and why Africa has become a strategic focal point for issues like migration, terrorism, and global power compet...
2025-04-0754 min
At The BoundaryInside the Secret World of the Five Eyes: A Conversation with Richard KerbajText the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! Award-winning documentary producer and investigative journalist Richard Kerbaj joins Dr. David Oakley at the University of South Florida to discuss the intricate history of the Five Eyes intelligence alliance. Kerbaj, renowned for his BAFTA-winning documentary My Son, the Jihadi and his recent television work on Litvinenko, provides a deep dive into his latest book, The Secret History of the Five Eyes: The Untold Story of the International Spy Network. Over six years of research and more than 100 interviews—including conversations with two British and two Australian Prime Mi...
2025-03-2450 min
At The BoundarySPECIAL EPISODE: Good News and Bad News in Syria Following the Collapse of Bashar al-AssadText the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! GNSI Executive Direct and former Commander of U.S. Central Command, retired Marine Corps General, Frank McKenzie joins the podcast for a special episode examining the explosive situation and developments in Syria, following the victory by rebel forces in overthrowing the country's government. Former President, Bashar al-Assad has fled the country, receiving asylum in Moscow. The rebel forces who have waged a ten-year war against Assad's government, resulting in nearly half a million deaths, are now in control, led by Abu Mohammad al-Julani, the emir of Hayat...
2024-12-1013 min
At The BoundaryReflections on “Rethinking Afghanistan”: A GNSI Group Discussion on Lessons LearnedText the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! Delve into the aftermath of the recent Policy Dialogue, "Rethinking Afghanistan: Strategic Competition in the Heart of Asia," with insights from event organizers: GNSI Senior Director, Jim Cardoso; Strategy and Research Manager, Tad Schnaufer, PhD; Academic Director, David Oakley, PhD, and Future Strategist Program student, Jamie Preston. Explore critical takeaways on Afghanistan's shifting geopolitical landscape, lessons from U.S. operations, and strategies for a collaborative future. This episode of "At the Boundary" offers a thought-provoking analysis of one of the most pressing global challenges.Subscribe...
2024-11-1844 min
At The BoundaryAnalyzing Ukraine’s Historic Advance into Kursk with Dr. Tad SchnauferText the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this special edition, “At the Boundary” analyzes the historic invasion of Russia’s Kursk Region by Ukrainian forces. As of our recording, Ukrainian troops have advanced over seven miles along a 25-mile front—a significant development, considering it’s been over 80 years since Russia last faced such an invasion during World War II.Join Dr. Tad Schnaufer, GNSI’s strategy and research manager, as he breaks down the implications of this bold move. The conversation explores potential Ukrainian military objectives, anticipated reactions from Vladimir Putin and Ru...
2024-08-1619 min
At The BoundaryRussia's Alliance with North Korea with Political Science Expert Dr. Jongseok WooText the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! Tune in to "At the Boundary" for an in-depth discussion with special guest, Dr. Jongseok Woo, an expert on political science at the University of South Florida. Dr. Woo and GNSI’s Dr. Tad Schnaufer examine the recent NATO-style provision formed by Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. Gain valuable perspectives on Russia's economic relations with South Korea, Japan's defense policies, and political corruption in East Asia. Dr. Jongseok Woo is an assistant professor of Political Science at the University of...
2024-07-1542 min
At The BoundaryInside the Life of a Four-Star with General (Ret) Frank McKenzieText the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! On GNSI’s “At the Boundary” this week, former Commander of United States Central Command, General (Ret) Frank McKenzie and host Tad Schnaufer, PhD, give rare insight into the life of a four-star general. They discuss daily routines, pivotal decisions, and leadership in the U.S. military. Explore the realities and responsibilities of high-level strategic decision-making. Don't miss out on this enlightening discussion!General (Ret) Frank McKenzie retired as Commander of United States Central Command in March 2022, concluding a distinguished 42-year career in the U.S. Mar...
2024-07-0835 min
At The BoundaryA Discussion of Russia's Illegal Invasion of Ukraine with GNSI Strategy and Research Manager, Tad Schnaufer II, PhDText the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In Episode 14 of “At the Boundary,” we recognize the two-year anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine in February of 2022. Actually, as we learn in this episode, a strong case can be made that this is the 10th anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.We also discuss a recent Guest Essay written by GNSI Executive Director, General (Ret) Frank McKenzie, for the New York Times. In that essay, titled “It’s Not Time for Our Troops to Leave the Middle East,” McKenzie lay...
2024-02-1934 min