Defense One Radio

In this episode, recorded on Thursday, May 10, 2018, we discuss: • Bye, bye Iran Deal: Israel carried out a series of airstrikes inside Syria just two days after President Trump pulled the U.S. out of the Iran nuclear deal; • U.S. State Secretary Mike Pompeo returned from North Korea with three released American prisoners — in just his second week on the job; • The president’s pick to lead the CIA traveled to Capitol Hill to interview for her new job; • Air Force officials spoke up about the rising number of crashes; • And seven months after it happened, we finally have a better picture of what happened in Niger back in October. • Then later, we’ll speak with two nuclear weapons experts — Melissa Hanham (33:49) and Joshua Pollack (39:00) — about the future of U.S. relations with Iran and North Korea.  Today's roundtable participants include:  • Kevin Baron, executive editor for Defense One; • Caroline Houck, staff correspondent; • Marcus Weisgerber, global business editor; • And Ben Watson, news editor. Tell us what you think! Send your questions or comments our way via the-d-brief@defenseone.com, or call us at (757) 447-4596 and leave a voicemail! And thanks for listening!

In this episode, recorded on Wednesday, May 2, 2018: • How President Trump and the White House are getting ready for the big (tentative) meeting with North Korea’s Kim Jong-un; • The Army secretary went to a think tank on Tuesday to talk about future weapons; • President Trump reminded us he wants a Space Force; • Aerospace Industries Association CEO Eric Fanning sits down for a chat (30:25); • Then later (47:15) we’ll speak with former Army Ranger (and sniper), Paul Scharre, who went from watching robots defuse IEDs in Iraq to investigating the cutting edge of artificial intelligence for the Pentagon. His new book, "Army of None: Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War," is in bookstores now. Today's roundtable participants include:  • Kevin Baron, executive editor for Defense One; • Brad Peniston, deputy editor; • Caroline Houck, staff correspondent; • Marcus Weisgerber, global business editor; • And Ben Watson, news editor. We'll be back next week with more caffeine, we promise! Thanks for listening, and don't forget to subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts!

We're going to talk about some of the big national security stories driving the week, and leading into the week ahead. And in this episode, that includes: • An historic first is scheduled for Friday when the leaders of North and South Korea meet near the DMZ; • In a surprise move Tuesday, President Trump nominated a familiar name as new ambassador to South Korea; • Pentagon leaders are ducking behind closed doors to talk money with lawmakers on Capitol Hill; • Also in Washington this week: the leaders of Germany and France are meeting Trump; • Then later, coming to us from Baghdad, we have an interview with the deputy commander of the war on ISIS and the ops room in Iraq. Attending this episode's roundtable discussion: • Kevin Baron, executive editor for Defense One; • Caroline Houck, correspondent; • Patrick Tucker, technology editor; • And Ben Watson, news editor. Special thanks to U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Robert "G-Man" Sofge, and to DeBraun Thomas and Daniel Mohler for our music. Read more at www.DefenseOne.com

More than 1,000 days of fighting have turned Yemen into one of the most dangerous places on the planet. Aid workers, journalists, and experts explain little-appreciated realities about the war, and how — just maybe — to help turn things around. Part One (2:20) Old lines and fallen empires Part Two (12:46) The Saudi intervention Part Three (29:34) A few ideas for saving what's left • Produced by Ben Watson. Movie clip: “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen,” CBS Films (2011). Music: "Oud Taksim" and "Isha Prayer" by Glenn Sharp; "Silencer" by Igor Dvorkin/Duncan Pittock/Ellie Kidd; "Rise of Persia" and "Past Life" by Terry Devine-King; "War Effort" and "Tensile" by Paul Mottram; "Outmanned" by Bob Bradley/Matt Sanchez/Paul Clarvis — via AudioNetwork.com Special thanks to Radhiyah Al-Mutawakkil, Elisabeth Kendall, Iona Craig, Aaron Stein and John Arterbury. Read more from our analysis of Yemen at http://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2018/01/war-yemen-and-making-chaos-state/145379/

The battle for ISIS-held Mosul, Iraq, was the largest military operation in the world in nearly 15 years. Defense One's Ben Watson spoke with current and former US military officials to better understand how the group’s nearly 3-year grip on the city was broken—and what that means for the future of the war against ISIS. | Music used by permission from David O'Brien / Paul Clarvis; Terry Devine-King; Joseph Drury; Paul Mottram; and BenSound.com Read more at http://www.defenseone.com/ideas/2017/07/what-largest-battle-decade-says-about-future-war/139245/