Peace Through Strength Podcasts by American Security Council Foundation

PTS host Joy Votrobek discusses with ASCF Sr. Fellow Alan Dowd the importance of a strong defense for lasting peace. Investing in military defense plays a crucial role in establishing deterrence. Allocating resources to strengthen armed forces isn't always popular; there will be tradeoffs, but the U.S. must be ready to respond to potential threats. Even with the Trump Administration's trillion-dol...

August 2025 Peace Through Strength Webinar with special guest, Dan Green, a Research Fellow for Defense Analysis with the Heritage Foundation. Dr. Green talks about the challenges with China and U.S. National Security. From concerns that the U.S. is not ready to face a China / Taiwan military conflict, to CCP propaganda infiltration and finally, how the U.S. can prepare for future confrontations....

PTS host, Tracy Steele, interviews ASCF Sr. Analyst Laurence Sanford on BRICS Brazil. BRICS is a growing alliance led by China that's challenging U.S. influence and the dollar's dominance. The latest BRICS summit in Brazil marked a significant moment for the bloc, without President Xi Jinping of China present, leaving room for speculation and theories about his absence. Putin did appear in a virtu...

ASCF senior analyst Laurence Sanford hosts Steve Robinson and an independent, investigative journalist with the Maine Wire to discuss the CCP's criminal networks in America. Starting from the Department of Homeland Security's under-estimated amount of CCP-affiliated grow houses in Maine, Steve exposes the numerous hidden grow farms in Maine and across America. The sophisticated grow operations ser...

ASCF senior analyst Laurence Sanford interviews Shukriya Bradost, an Iranian Kurdish analyst and activist for women, Kurds, and minorities in Iran. She helped establish the Women, Life, Freedom Committee in Iran in 2003. In 2004, she escaped Iran to avoid arrest. In 2016, she had to flee to the U.S. after the Islamic regime threatened her life while living in Iraqi Kurdistan. Don't miss the end of...

PTS host Joy Votrobek discusses ASCF Senior Fellow Alan Dowd's latest article called "A Half Century War." While Congress has not declared war on Iran, the U.S. has been in numerous conflicts with Iran since 1979. We explore these conflicts and the power struggle between Congress and the Executive Branch. The United States Congress has not formally declared war since World War II. The War Powers R...

What is the overall objective in this war between Iran and Israel? PTS podcast host Joy Votrobek is joined by ASCF senior analyst and returning guest, Col. (Ret.) Pete McIlwain. Col. Pete leads us through information on Operation Rising Lion and the challenges to an Regime Change in Iran. Col. Pete shares information that is not typically reported in the mainstream media. He touches on sources tha...

PTS podcast host Joy Votrobek discusses ASCF Senior Analyst Laurence Sanford's latest paper titled "Chaos Funding." They address the riots in L.A. and other parts of the U.S., as well as the potential involvement of dark money in these riots. They also discuss the No Kings peaceful protests with a mix of anti-ICE, pro-Palestinian flags, and Code Pink. Mr. Sanford is a U.S. Navy veteran who served...

PTS podcast with host Joy Votrobek, ASCF senior analyst Laurence Sanford, and returning guest Lee Boyland. Mr. Boyland said that the U.S. strike on Iran's nuclear site was well planned out with Israel and did what it was meant to do - set back Iran's nuclear program for quite some time. Even if Iran did move the uranium, the site that they needed for nuclear conversion was destroyed. There is a mi...

June 12, 2025 - U.S. Global Leadership webinar: Middle East Part III explores regional influences on the Israel-Iran tensions. This webinar was recorded the day before the Israel-Iran war commenced. Special Guest, Gregg Roman from the Middle East Forum gives an update on what led up to the Israel-Iran conflict. He then continues to address regional influences and alliances. As we can see from the...

PTS host Joy Votrobek speaks with ASCF senior analyst Laurence Sanford on new legislation introduced to deny student visas to Chinese nationals. Regardless of the outcome, attention needs to be brought to the fact that the CCP has Chinese students laundering money in the U.S. The discussion also examines the possibility that some CCP funds may be used to entice students to riot against ICE deporta...

Peace Through Strength podcast with ASCF Sr. Analyst Laurence Sanford and guest Captain Peter Petrelius (U.S. Navy Retired). Captain Petrelius said there is a lack of mariners and merchant vessels. He also states that U.S. shipyards need to be updated. China is outpacing the U.S. in shipping, shipyards, and building. Please subscribe to our newsletter at www.ascf.us for updates on our monthly Webi...

PTS Podcast host Joy Votrobek discusses D.E.I. in the military with returning guest Colonel (Ret.) Bill Prince and ASCF Sr. Analyst Laurence Sanford. Col. Prince points out that diversity may benefit some fields, but not in the military. Instead, a military unit needs teamwork and unity. Col. Prince questions why West Point offers a variety of D.E.I. minors and what the need is for them when cadet...

Did you know Pakistan and Bangladesh were originally part of India? ASCF brings you a historical understanding of modern impact. PTS podcast host Joy Votrobek discusses current events and the history of India and Pakistan with ASCF senior analyst Laurence Sanford. Historical animosities, fueled by wars and militant activities, have led to a volatile security situation. The execution of Hindu touri...

PTS podcast host Joy Votrobek discusses strained relationships with U.S. allies and NATO with ASCF senior fellow Alan Dowd. NATO has been there for the U.S. on numerous occasions, including 9/11, Iraq, Afghanistan, the war on ISIS, and recently in the Red Sea. They discuss how the current Trump Administration's comments and actions lead to uncertainty and mistrust among our partners. This shift ri...

PTS host Joy Votrobek joins Sr. Analyst Laurence Sanford with a brief update on the Houthi War. They debunk the claim by the Houthis that they damaged the USS Truman. They address the claim by the Trump Administration that a Chinese satellite may be aiding the Houthis. Finally, they examine the PTS strategy of U.S. Global Leadership and Freedom of the Seas, as well as the humanitarian crisis in Ye...

ASCF Sr. Analyst Laurence Sanford interviews Colonel (Ret.) Pete McIllwain. Pete’s 22-year career with the CIA also included time in Tel Aviv. He gives an excellent, balanced history of Gaza and how Hamas came to power. Pete discusses the W River Summit in Washington, D.C., where he personally spoke with Yasser Arafat about why Arafat declined a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians....

PTS podcast host Joy Votrobek interviews ASCF senior fellow Alan Dowd about his last two articles regarding Free World Defense and Taiwan. Alan coined the phrase "Free World Defense," premised on strength and winning to maintain an International Rules-Based Order. The 1994 Budapest Memorandum and the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act are vague security assurances and should be updated to solidify U.S. int...

We are taking a break from all the news today to bring you a special guest, Brian Freeman, straight from our PTS Podcast studio. Brian Freeman, a New York Times best-selling thriller author, has chosen to carry on with The Bourne series. Brian has written 31 thrillers, 6 of which are part of The Bourne series. His latest book, "The Bourne Escape," will be released in July 2025. What does this have...

SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT, AND SHARE! Peace Through Strength podcast host Tracy Steele interviews ASCF Sr. Analyst Laurence Sanford about the continued Houthi Crisis and the Red Sea shipping lanes. Mr. Sanford provides a historical background of the Houthis and the civil war in Yemen between the Shi'iah and Sunni Muslim groups. The Shi'iah Houthis are a proxy of Iran. Mr. Sanford questions why the U.S. i...

PTS Brief on the Oval Office clash between Zelensky, Trump, and Vance. PTS podcast Joy Votrobek and Sr. Analyst Laurence Sanford speculate the possibilities of a bigger picture involving Putin and Trump. It is in Zelensky's best interest to sign a minerals deal for security reasons and continued military aid. Mr. Sanford is a U.S. Navy veteran who served four years with the CIA. Ms. Votrobek has a...

PTS Host Joy Votrobek discusses the Obstacles to Peace in Ukraine with Sr. Analyst Laurence Sanford. There is a lack of trust on both sides; a dispute over Russian-speaking territories; and finally the need for a lasting security agreement. Is it possible diplomacy could be achieved starting with the mineral rights agreement?  Mr. Sanford is a U.S. Navy veteran who served four years with the CIA....

The incoming Trump Administration had a busy week - notably deporting illegal immigrants. Colombia would have turned the plane around until Trump threatened a tariff hike. Peace Through Strength podcast host Joy Votrobek discusses the advantages and disadvantages of tariffs with ASCF Sr. Analyst Laurence Sanford. Please subscribe, comment, and share your thoughts on tariffs.   Mr. Sanford is a U.S...

PTS host Joy Votrobek and ASCF Sr. Analyst Laurence Sanford discuss Trump's Gaza plans and Erdogan's vision of a New Ottoman Empire. Both are two distinct visions yet intersecting geopolitical aspirations that highlight the complexities of regional politics. Erdogan's ambition to revive a sense of Ottoman grandeur seeks to expand Türkiye's influence across the Middle East and beyond.   Mr. Sanford...

How did January 6th impact President Trump's effectiveness as a global leader? PTS Host Joy Votrobek and ASCF Sr. Fellow Alan Dowd discuss Trump's past global leadership successes and how he may what he faces in his 2nd term. They also discuss his reasons for pulling out of global organizations and treaties. Finally, they address NATO and U.S. allies in Alan's latest article titled Trump 2.0 Faces...