The Burn Bag Podcast

In this episode, A'ndre and Ryan speak with John Brennan, the 5th Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, about the national security landscape. The conversation begins with Director Brennan's story of joining the CIA in 1980, his expertise in counterterrorism, and what the CT threat matrix looks like today. They also discuss how the US pullback from the Middle East impacts operatio...

In this episode, A'ndre and Ryan are joined by Javed Ali, a former FBI and DHS senior official to discuss the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas last week. The conversation begins with an overview of what occurred and the lapse in response. Javed then discusses how the U.S. government has worked with state and local officials since Columbine to improve training, resources, and coordination for su...

In this episode, A'ndre and Ryan talk to Khalid Payenda, the former Finance Minister of Afghanistan. Mr. Payenda, who served as Minister from January-August 2021, discusses his life, work in the Finance Ministry, and state of Afghanistan. Having fled to Pakistan as a child to flee civil war, Mr. Payenda recounts his experiences and his dedication to serving his country. The conversation then...

In this episode, Ryan talks with Adam Krzywosądzki, the Deputy Chief of Mission of the  Embassy of Poland to the United States. They discuss the Polish perspective on Russia's war against Ukraine and why Poland has been such a steadfast supporter of Ukrainian sovereignty. Adam delves into the ways in which Poland and other NATO and EU countries are pushing back against Russian aggression, but...

This week, A'ndre speaks with noted Pakistani human rights activist Gulalai Ismail on Pakistan's security forces and military power, her work on women's empowerment, and her exile from Pakistan. Gulalai, who managed to escape to the United States in 2019 after being placed on a "kill list", discusses her story, from founding Aware Girls at the age of 16 (an organization th...

To celebrate the 2022 White House Correspondents' Dinner, we're re-releasing our conversation with Zeke Miller, AP reporter and former White House Correspondents' Association President. At this year's dinner, Zeke and his colleague Mike Balsamo won the Award for Excellence in Presidential News Coverage Under Deadline Pressure - Print for their story on the CDC mask order.  Here...

In this week's episode, A'ndre and Ryan talk about Elon Musk taking Twitter private and the potential implications at home and abroad. They also consider Musk's ties to China and whether concerns raised by some regarding possible Chinese Communist Party influence is valid. The conversation then moves to the controversy surrounding the new Disinformation Governance Board within DHS, ...

This week, A'ndre and Ryan speak with renowned investigative journalist Josy Joseph , founder of Confluence Media, on the state of India's democracy in a conversation covering corruption and India's security apparatus. The first leg of the interview draws on Josy's book Feast of Vultures , as he discusses 'middle-men' -- those who manipulate government decision-making...

In this week's episode, A'ndre and Ryan began with an update on the Russo-Ukrainian War,  the U.S. military assistance package and how India is playing both sides.  They also discuss the French Presidential election and crisis in Sri Lanka. The conversation concludes with a brief conversation about the latest spike in Israeli-Palestinian tensions. 

This week, A'ndre speaks with Dr. Sanjana Hattotuwa , a leading Sri Lankan researcher and citizens journalist, on the recent mass protests that have taken ahold across the island nation against the ruling Rajapaksa Family. Sanjana, who was the Founding Editor of Sri Lanka's first and only award winning citizens journalism website Groundviews , discusses why protests against the strongman...

In this episode, A'ndre and Ryan talk to former NSA General Counsel Glenn Gerstell about the cyber aspects of the Russo-Ukrainian War. The conversation begins with an overview of Russia's use of cyber against Ukraine and the likely ramp-up of cyber capabilities as the conflict continues. Glenn also discusses his assessment of potential cyberattacks against the U.S. and how the Biden Admi...

In this episode, A'ndre and Ryan talk with LTG (ret.) Jim Clapper, former Director of National Intelligence (2010-2017). Director Clapper discusses his assessment of Russia's war against Ukraine, as well as how well the Biden Administration has responded.  Director Clapper, a retired Air Force General, breaks down the Russian offensive and failure to gain air superiority. He also respond...

In this special episode, A'ndre talks to Ukrainian student and Director of the Children of Ukraine Foundation, Sofia Polishchuk. Sofia shares her perspective and insights about Russia's war against Ukraine. The conversation discusses the situation on the ground, the diplomatic meetings in Istanbul, Ukraine's unlikely and incredible defense, and Russian propaganda. To support the Ukr...

In this episode, A'ndre and Ryan talk to Jim Lawler, who served for 25 years as a CIA operations officer. The conversation begins with Jim's story of joining the CIA and how he found himself working on nonproliferation issues. Jim details how he and his team disrupted the A.Q. Khan network and the threats of state and non state actors. They also discuss Jim's novels, Living Lies and...

In this episode, A'ndre and Ryan talk with Toby Harnden about his new book, First Casualty: The Untold Story of the CIA Mission to Avenge 9/11 . The conversation begins with Toby's inspiration to write about this incredible story, including his interactions with the former CIA officers on Team Alpha. They then discuss how the eight CIA officers on Team Alpha were dropped into the mountai...

In this episode, Dr. Ken Dekleva returns for a conversation on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Ken, who served as a Regional Medical Officer/Psychiatrist with the State Department,  dissects Vladimir Putin's formative experiences and core characteristics, as well as Putin's inner circle.  Dr. Dekleva digs into what he sees as happening with Putin’s leadership during the Ukraine-Russia...

In this episode, A'ndre talks to Jeff Kosseff, Associate Professor of Cybersecurity Law at the US Naval Academy, about his forthcoming book, The United States of Anonymous: How the First Amendment Shaped Online Speech. Professor Kosseff discusses how the right to anonymity has shaped American values, politics, business, security, and discourse, particularly as technology has enabled people to...

In this episode, A'ndre and Ryan talk with Admiral (Ret.) Mike Rogers about the cyber aspects of Russia's war against Ukraine.  Admiral Rogers, who served as  NSA Director and CYBERCOM Commander (2014-2018), breaks down Russia's cyber capabilities, how Ukraine can defend itself, and the potential implications of NATO involvement in cyberspace. Admiral Rogers points to Russia's...

In this episode, A'ndre and Ryan discuss Russia's invasion of Ukraine. They breakdown where analysts (and Ryan) went wrong, how the offensive has unfolded, and what the next days and weeks may look like. Please check out these Twitter accounts to stay up-to-date on the war: Rob Lee Micheal Kofman Christopher Miller Illia Ponomarenko Neil Hauer

In this episode, Ryan is joined by former ODNI General Counsel Jason Klitenic. Jason begins by providing an overview of his career, noting why he joined the US government and what is was like working to stand up DHS after 9/11. He then discusses the structure of the ODNI and how the interagency process works in practice. Jason, who served as a senior official and counsel to the DNI, talks about wh...

With all eyes on China for the 2022 Beijing Olympics, we decided to rerelease our conversation with Professor Sean Roberts on the Uyghur cultural genocide. This episode, originally published in November 2020,  discusses the history of the Uyghurs, how China came to view them as a threat, and what the international community can do to stop this cultural genocide. Our conversation is based on Profes...

In this week's episode, A'ndre and Ryan react to reports that US intelligence belie Putin has decided to invade Ukraine. They also discuss the use of seized Afghan Central Bank funds for humanitarian aid and a 9/11 victim fund, the banning of the hijab in an Indian state, and the Canadian trucker protest. 

This week, we speak with Johns Hopkins Professor Gigi Gronvall, a leading biosecurity expert who has tracked and monitored the scientific response to COVID-19, in addition to having served on and led varying government sponsored committees/groups advising the Defense Department on varying global health issues. Professor Gronvall discusses the response to COVID-19, asserting that the now years-long...

In this week's episode, A'ndre and Ryan breakdown the US-led operation in Syria that killed the leader of ISIS with Javed Ali. They also discuss how the US release of a Russian false flag plans impacts the current crisis and delegitimizes any Russian claims of defense. The conversation ends with an update on British PM Johnson and the kickoff of the Beijing Olympics. 

In this week's episode, A'ndre and Ryan speak with former U.S. Ambassador to OSCE Ian Kelly on the question of whether Russia will invade Ukraine. Ambassador Kelly, who also served as chief diplomat to Georgia, discusses the 2008 Russo-Georgian War and Russia's perspective on NATO expansion. Ambassador Kelly also covers the War in Ukraine's Donbas and speaks on the Russian-back...