National Security This Week

Host Jon Olson discusses a wide array of international topics with Professor Anthony Becker of St. Olaf College, including the continuing impact of Covid-19 on international supply chains, the effects of Russia's war in Ukraine on oil prices, and the decision by many countries to end food exports.

Host Jon Olson talks with Mark Ritchie, the president of Global Minnesota, about how organizations like his can open global markets and improve foreign relations across the globe.

Host Jon Olson is joined this week by Lieutenant General David Deptula, USAF (ret.) as they discuss lessons being learned from the air campaign in Ukraine.

Host Jon Olson discusses Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including the consequences should Russia use tactical nuclear weapons, with Dr. Ron Krebs of the University of Minnesota.

This week, Jon Olson talks with U.S.-educated Uyghur-American lawyer, foreign policy expert, and noted human rights advocate Nury Turkel about Chinese human rights violations and related topics.

This week host Jon Olson talks with Ayana Dootalieva and Nick Cohen, editors of a new anthology, European Integration and Disintegration .

This week Host Jon Olson talks with Dr. Devashree Gupta about the recent elections in Western Europe, and how the political climate around the Western World.

Hot Jon Olson talks with Dr. Katey Walter Anthony and Janelle Sharp about the dangers of methane seepage and melting permafrost in the Arctic.

Host Jon Olson discuses hybrid warfare and its role in the current war in Ukraine and other conflicts with Professors Sean Costigan and Michael Hennessy 

This week Jon has two guests, Dr. Namrata Goswami an expert on space policy and Air Force Lt. Col Peter Garretson, who has worked with several research groups on space issues. 

Jon Olson’s guest this week is Air Force Brigadier General E. John Teichert, Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs. 

This week, host Jon Olson talks with Dr. Mark Deets from The American University in Cairo about the many recent coup d’etats in Africa.

Host Jon Olson talks with guest Ross Wilson who has previously served as the Chargé d'Affaires of the United States to Afghanistan (2020-21) and as the Ambassador to Turkey (2005-08). Together they discuses the important of Turkey in global affairs. 

This week, Jon Olson's guests are Brian Eyler and Alan Basist from the Stimson Center. They discuss the strategic importance of the Mekong River in southeast Asia.

Host Jon Olson talks with retired State Department Foreign Service Officer Alan Carlson about nuclear treaties, arms negotiations, and related topics.

This week Jon's guest is Dr. Thomasm Mahnken who is thepresi dent and chief executive officer of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments and a senior research professor The Johns Hopkins University’s, Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS). Together the two discuses Dr. Mahnken's plan for deterring China. 

Host Jon Olson discusses the Russian invasion of Ukraine with former commander of US Army European forces with guest Lt General Ben Hodges (Ret.)

Dr. James Densley from Metropolitan State University and host Jon Olson discuss the role gangs play in transnational organized crime.

Host Jon Olson talks with retired Foreign Service Officer Margo Squire about Public Diplomacy and its role in foreign affairs.

Host Jon Olson discusses the impact of illicit drugs, international drug cartels, and career opportunities in the Drug Enforcement Administration with Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge Angela von Trytek from the Minneapolis Office of the DEA.

Host Jon Olson talks with Mark Jorgensen who worked previously with the CIA and State Department. Jorgensen's most recent assignment was to the U.S. Embassy in Minsk, Belarus. Together the two discuss  about the economic and security situation in Belarus and its role in Eastern Europe. 

Host jon Olson talks about the intersection of economics and national security with author, columnist with the Financial Times, Rana Foroohar.

Host Jon Olson talks with Dr. David Burbach from the US Naval War College about space policy, the US Space Force, and related topics.

Host Jon Olson's guest is Ambassador Ross Wilson, who served as Charge d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan during the final year of America’s involvement in that nation.

Jon discusses the Chinese interests in the South China Sea with Dr. Raymond Kuo of the RAND Corporation.