National Security Law Today

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has changed the world in under 4 months, and it's still far from over. This week we feature special commentary by John Erath, the Senior Policy Director for the Center for Arms Control and Non-Proliferation. John discusses how an early end to the violence may be elusive, and what's next on Putin's agenda. How can this war end and are there good options going forward? J...

Recent advances in deepfake technology have made it harder to distinguish between real and fabricated content, posing substantial threats to public figures, organizations and our national security. This week, host Elisa is joined by Matthew Ferraro of WilmerHale to discuss the threat of synthetic media and how this technology amplifies the spread of disinformation. What potential does this technol...

Part 2 of 2 – In the struggle for transparency and accountability, whistleblowers play an invaluable role. This week, host Elisa is joined by Michael Atkinson, former Inspector General of the U.S. Intelligence Community, who, during his tenure, oversaw the investigation of the Ukraine whistleblower complaint that resulted ultimately in the first impeachment trial of former President Donald J. Trum...

In the struggle for transparency and accountability, whistleblowers play an invaluable role. This week, host Elisa is joined by Michael Atkinson, former Inspector General of the U.S. Intelligence Community, who, during his tenure, oversaw the investigation of the Ukraine whistleblower complaint that resulted ultimately in the first impeachment trial of former President Donald J. Trump. He shares h...

From ransomware to software supply chain attacks, the energy sector faces constant cybersecurity threats. This week, host Elisa, along with friend of the cast, Harvey Rishikof, welcome on Cherylene Caddy of the Department of Energy. Cheri has extensive experience in cybersecurity supply chain vulnerabilities, risk management and response. What are the key cybersecurity concerns within the energy s...

We are now entering the fourth month of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, as the evacuations and destruction continues. This week, host Elisa is joined by Yevgeny Vindman, a colonel in the U.S. Army JAG Corps and former deputy legal advisor for the White House National Security Council. Having been born in Ukraine and risen through the ranks of U.S. military leadership despite contention, Col. Vindman...

Twenty years ago, the U.S. held 37% of the world’s semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. Today, that share has dropped to just 12%. As demand for chips rises, we are faced with a pressing dilemma: rely on other nations for essential chips, or take the needed steps to bolster our semiconductor ecosystem here at home. This week, host Elisa is joined by Intel’s Tom Quillin to discuss the semicond...

(Part 2 of 2) – In honor of Law Day on May 1st, we bring you special opening remarks from ABA President, Reginald Turner, along with the second half of our interview with Russia-Eurasia expert, Professor Angela Stent. Together with Elisa, Professor Stent continues to unpack the tangled history between Russia and Ukraine, and the resulting conflict that has dominated the world stage. What role does...

In order to understand today’s tensions between Russia and Ukraine, we have to start at the beginning. This week, host Elisa is joined by Russia-Eurasia expert, Professor Angela Stent, to unpack the tangled history between these two nations, and the resulting conflict that has dominated the world stage. How have the last two decades, and the rise of Vladimir Putin, altered the Russian-Ukrainian re...

Happy Supply Chain Awareness Month! Since February of last year, the Biden Administration has spotlighted an urgent need to strengthen, secure and diversify our supply chains, both as a matter of economic prosperity and national security. While these concerns are not new, recent world events have exacerbated supply chain disruptions, exposing a range of vulnerabilities across sectors. This week, h...

How would you spend 4 minutes in suborbital space? This week, we welcome Audrey Powers of Blue Origin, who as of October 2021 became this first attorney-turned-astronaut aboard Blue Origin’s own New Shepard rocket. Her story is an inspiration for many, as she discusses her experience aboard the New Shepard, the career paths that lead her there, as well as the advantages and risks to the lawlessnes...

Behind Putin’s power is a steady flow of illegal funds. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the US and Europe have slapped numerous sanctions on Russian banks, officials, businesses, oligarchs and their families in an effort to flatten the Kremlin’s illicit financial flows. This week, host Elisa welcomes back Brian Egan of Skadden to discuss these crackdown efforts. How do kleptocrats acquire and...

(Part 2 of 2) – It’s the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. And in just 4 weeks, Putin’s playbook has proven to grossly violate international law. This week, host Elisa is joined by Judge James Baker to breakdown the laws and treaties that apply to Russia and this conflict. Which international agreements are at play, and which have been violated? And as this conflict escalates...

It’s the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II. And in just 3 weeks, Putin’s playbook has proven to grossly violate international law. This week, host Elisa is joined by Judge James Baker to breakdown the laws and treaties that apply to Russia and this conflict. Which international agreements are at play, and which have been violated? And as this conflict escalates, what options a...

(Part 2 of 2) - As the world watches the evolving situation in Ukraine, many experts question the mindset and stability of Vladimir Putin. Are his tactics pure madness, or is this a more calculated strategy than we realize? This week host Elisa is joined by former CIA official Robert Dannenberg to dissect Putin’s history, current behaviors, and future intentions. What is Putin thinking and what is...

As the world watches the evolving situation in Ukraine, many experts question the mindset and stability of Vladimir Putin. Are his tactics pure madness, or is this a more calculated strategy than we realize? This week host Elisa is joined by former CIA official Robert Dannenberg to dissect Putin’s history, current behaviors, and future intentions. What is Putin thinking and what is his endgame? Ro...

The deep ocean is the last great wilderness on Earth. Vast and largely unexplored, the CCZ alone covers 1.7 million square miles of abyssal plain. At its chilling depths you’ll find crushing pressure, zero sunlight, and a sweeping array of life living amongst some of the most coveted minerals on Earth. This week we bring you the hard science of the ocean floor. Host Elisa is joined by marine ecolo...

With great power…come great batteries. While to some they may seem like a ubiquitous technology, the fact is that batteries may very well hold the key to our energy revolution and a new electrified economy. This week, host Elisa is joined by University of Michigan battery expert Greg Less to breakdown the battery production process and how this involves the seabed. What minerals are needed to buil...

Over 95% of the world’s data travels along a network of roughly 430 subsea cables. These cables, at about the thickness of a garden hose, are responsible for powering our wireless world. What happens when these cables are in harm's way? In this week’s continuation of our seabed mining series, host Elisa sits down with Kent Bressie, undersea cable industry expert, to discuss the risks of seabed min...

If the Clarion Clipperton Zone is the next frontier for critical mineral mining, what share of the pie does the U.S. currently have? The answer may surprise you. This week, host Elisa is joined by two U.S. State Department officials, Greg O’Brien and Kate Gorove, to talk all things U.S. interests when it comes to the seabed. What laws and treaties govern the international seabed and CCZ? Are we me...

In our fourth installment of the seabed mining series, we loop back with Scott Segal, co-chair of the Policy Resolution Group at Bracewell LLP, for the second half of his perspective on seabed mining as a future source of critical minerals. As an industry professional, in Scott’s eyes the issue is a no-brainer; the global benefits of seabed mining are impressive, and, as he puts it, “No form of ge...

In our third chapter of the Seabed Mining as a National Security Threat series, we welcome back Matt Gianni, Co-Founder, Political and Policy Advisor for the Deep Sea Conservation Commission, to hear the second part of his perspective on mining the deep seabed. Matt further explains the risks involved with mining the CCZ, signaling out the legal gray areas that have not yet been addressed by the I...

Batteries require minerals, a fact many of us forget. In our second installment of the Seabed Mining as a National Security Threat series, co-hosts Elisa and Yvette sit down with Scott Segal, co-chair of the Policy Resolution Group at Bracewell LLP. Scott’s experience representing major companies in the renewable energy field includes The Metals Company, a Canadian mining startup and a major playe...

In our first episode of the Seabed Mining as a National Security Threat series, co-hosts Elisa and Yvette welcome on Matthew Gianni, Co-Founder, Political and Policy Advisor for the Deep Sea Conservation Commission. With over 30 years experience in marine conservation, Matt breaks down the fundamentals of seabed mining with a focus on the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ). What laws and treaties gover...

It’s a new year for national security law! To kick things off, co-hosts Elisa and Yvette dive into the latest international topics, from advanced Russian missile testing, to developments on the Horn of Africa, tensions in the Red Sea, and the announcement of our upcoming series on the world of seabed mining and its importance to national security law.