Peace Through Strength Podcasts by American Security Council Foundation

President Trump has a TikTok dilemma. Trump has a chance to be a hero to millions of TikTok users, but he also has the opportunity to be a strong leader in the face of a national security matter. He has given TikTok another 75 days to divest. PTS host Joy Votrobek discusses the TikTok dilemma with senior analyst Laurence Sanford. They also discuss the national security aspect of data storage and B...

PTS Webinar on National Preparedness focuses on the future of combat readiness and the role of drones and cyber warfare. Drones are being used in the ongoing Ukraine and Middle East battles. In the U.S., drone sightings are causing a stir and much speculation. This webinar fields questions about drones and cyberwarfare based on open-source research and experience. In conclusion, for a future-ready...

Peace Through Strength is not a new strategy; it has existed since the Roman Empire. President-elect Donald Trump has revived the popular phrase. The ASCF's December webinar discusses the history of "Peace Through Strength" and how Trump may differ from Reagan and the Cold War. In an age of rising superpowers, new economic alliances, and autocratic leaders' desire to revive old empires, the policy...

PTS host Joy Votrobek and ASCF Sr. Analyst Laurence Sanford address the International Criminal Court arrest warrant for Netanyahu. Prejudice within the International Criminal Court (ICC) poses significant challenges to pursuing justice and accountability. Certain cases, such as those of Netanyahu, may be influenced by political agendas or selective prosecution. The court's reliance on member state...

PTS Host Joy Votrobek speculates with Sr. Analyst Laurence Sanford on what the fall of Assad's regime in Syria means for minorities and regional stability. There is still instability in the northern part of Syria as the Turkish-backed alliance continues to fire on the Kurds. The future of minorities in Syria will depend on whether Golani will stick to his current assurances of an inclusive governm...

BRICS represents both opportunities and challenges for South America, primarily through Brazil's engagement. BRICS' influence on global economic and political dynamics is significant, and its activities can shape the future of inter-regional relations in South America. Please subscribe to our newsletter at www.ascf.us for updates on our monthly Webinars and survey polls. Please subscribe, comment,...

The durability of a ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel hinges on several complex factors, including regional dynamics, internal politics, and external pressures. Will UNIFIL turn a blind eye to Hezbollah activity, or will they help make this 60-day ceasefire stick? Historically, ceasefires in this context have been fragile, often disrupted by sporadic violence. Key to the longevity of any agre...

The American Security Council Foundation presented a BRICS Webinar on November 13, 2024. This Webinar addresses how an expanding BRICS could impact the global economy. BRICS started with Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. They have recently expanded their membership to Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Saudi has not confirmed if they will accept. As the emerging markets de...

PTS host Joy Votrobek has a panel discussion with ASCF, senior analyst Laurence Sanford and Sr. Fellow Alan Dowd regarding their thoughts on how Trump's re-election will affect Ukraine. They also review how Trump's strategy for Peace Through Strength may impact the U.S. military and U.S. allies, particularly NATO.   Subscribe to our newsletter at www.ascf.us to receive updates on our upcoming Webi...

PTS podcast host Joy Votrobek and ASCF senior analyst Laurence Sanford discuss Recep Tayyip Erdogan's aspirations to revive the Ottoman Empire and a caliphate. This revivalist sentiment is reflected in Erdogan's foreign policy, which seeks to expand Türkiye's influence in the Middle East and North Africa. Erdogan's approach could risk alienating neighboring countries and igniting nationalist tensi...

Special guest Ralph Mariani tells ASCF Sr. Analyst Laurence Sanford the story of the assassination of Richard Welch, a CIA SOS in Athens, Greece. Ralph tells the back story of Richard Welch and his time in the CIA leading up to his assassination on December 23rd, 1975. Richard Welch was assassinated by a radical Marxist Lenin group called 17 November. Mr. Mariani said the Greeks never investigated...

Peace Through Strength podcast brief on the recent Israeli precision attacks on Iranian airfields and missile defense systems. Podcast host Joy Votrobek speaks with ASCF Sr. Analyst Laurence Sanford about the conflict between Israel and Iran and Hezbollah's involvement. They also discuss how the U.S. elections may affect the next steps for both Israel and Iran. The implications of this conflict fo...

Special Peace Through Strength podcast brief on an article titled "Explaining Communism" in the kids section of our local newspaper. The article was published on October 18th, 2024, in the local Press Journal, a Treasure Coast Newspaper owned by USA Today. Our Sr. Analyst and a teacher/mother share their thoughts on the article. These criticisms highlight the complexities and potential pitfalls of...

Peace Through Strength podcast host Joy Votrobek speaks with ASCF Sr. Fellow Alan Dowd and Sr. Analyst Laurence Sanford regarding Iran's rocket attack on Israel, alliances, NATO, and Ukraine. They start by discussing the barrage of rockets fired from Iran at Israel on October 2nd, 2024 and how Israel may retaliate. They continue to speak to NATO's beginnings, current preparedness, and future cyber...

American Security Council Foundation Sr. Analyst Laurence Sanford interviews Commander (Ret) Peter Bissett on the Navy Junior ROTC program as an investment in our youth. Commander Bissett is a former Navy pilot engineer who heads the Navy Junior ROTC program at Sebastian High School. He discusses how the Junior ROTC program is more than preparation for military service; it encourages good citizens...

PTS Brief on Hezbollah pager detonations with host Joy Votrobek and ASCF Sr. Analyst Laurence Sanford. Hezbollah's pager detonations bring more questions than answers. Who purchased this batch of pagers and communication devices, and from what company or companies? It was a sophisticated and well-organized attack. Israel has not claimed responsibility, but it is very likely having a psychological...

American Security Council Foundation senior analyst Laurence Sanford discusses the situation in Venezuela and the questionable election results. ASCF Director of Operations and PTS Podcast host Joy Votrobek facilitates the webinar and fields guests' questions for Mr. Sanford. The ASCF holds one Webinar a month. The webinar and poll results will be sent to our members. Feedback and action plans are...

Peace Through Strength podcast host Joy Votrobek discusses reciprocity with ASCF senior analyst Laurence Sanford. They discuss reciprocity regarding the U.S. de minimus laws. China exploits the U.S. de minimus law to ship cheap clothing and fentanyl to the U.S. Mr. Sanford also addresses opening the sale of oil to Europe to lessen dependency on Russia. Finally, they discuss how the U.S. can recipr...

American Security Council Foundation senior analyst Laurence Sanford gives an overview of free speech and social media platforms, including the arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Dorov, the censorship of "X," Facebook's admission they were pressured by the American government to censor the COVID pandemic, and the Hunter Biden laptop story. Mr. Sanford makes the case that Free Speech and the freedom...

Peace Through Strength podcast host Joy Votrobek and cohost Laurence Sanford meet with West Point graduate Matthew Newgent and discuss how cultural Marxism has manifested at West Point in the form of DEI. Matthew explains how important it is for USMA to keep Duty, Honor, and Country in its mission statement. Matthew stated that West Point removed Duty, Honor, and Country from its mission statement...

Peace Through Strength podcast host Joy Votrobek speaks to ASCF Sr. Analyst Laurence Sanford about Israel's reciprocity and resilience toward Iran and proxies. They discuss Israel's ability to sustain another attack from Iran, Hezbollah's domestic issues in Lebanon, and the CCP's attempts to be a diplomat in the Middle East.   Please follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Substack, YouTube, and Rumble. ...

ASCF Sr. Analyst Laurence Sanford interviews Colonel (Ret.) Pete McIllwain. Pete served as Chief of the CIA’s Clandestine Services during the opening days of the Afghan War, where he coordinated CIA operations with the U.S. Army Special Forces.   Pete’s 22-year career with the Agency included serving as Deputy Chief of Base in Berlin during the fall of the Berlin Wall and Chief of Base in Peshawar...

PTS Host Joy Votrobek speaks to ASCF Sr. Fellow Alan Dowd about "Threats Abroad, Worries at Home." They highlight the aggressive actions of autocratic regimes such as Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran, which pose threats to democratic nations. Furthermore, they address the worrisome decline in free governments worldwide and the internal challenges within the U.S., including apathy towards freed...

PTS host Joy Votrobek discusses the pro-Palestinian movement with ASCF senior analyst Laurence Sanford. They discuss who is funding these protests, which include U.S. taxpayer dollars from the EPA. The Climate Justice Alliance (CJA) received a $50 million grant from the EPA. The CJA supports the Free Palestine movement. The podcast concludes with a discussion on the need for moral leadership at Am...

PTS podcast host Joy Votrobek speaks to ASCF Sr. Analyst Laurence Sanford about Iran and its proxies' disdain for Western civilization. While Israel may enter trade agreements with Arab countries, they know Islam is no friend. Iran has openly called for the destruction of Israel, and Hamas has indoctrinated Gazans. They discuss Iran's nuclear capability and whether they would actually use it on Is...