Threat Status

Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, joins the show to talk about U.S. deterrence, the troop withdrawal from Niger, China-Russia military cooperation, the American-led war against Yemen's Houthi rebels, and more. Then, Ben and Guy dive into revelations that Iran tried to assassinate Donald Trump, and Guy takes us inside this week's Aspen Security Forum. Plus, the "Threat of the Week."

Ben and Guy dive into new revelations about Iran's support for anti-Israel protests on American college campuses and offer an inside look at the recent NATO summit in Washington. Then, Andrew Hallman, former deputy director for digital innovation at the CIA, joins the show to talk about cyber and digital threats to the U.S., the rise of artificial intelligence in data collection and analysis, and...

Ben and Guy discuss new threats to US military installations in Europe, the long-term future of NATO, and what foreign officials made of the Biden-Trump presidential debate. Then, Tom Kilgannon of the Freedom Alliance joins the show to talk about whether America is doing enough for its military families and how veterans of the Afghan war are coping with the way that war ended. Plus, the "Threat of...

Ben and Guy talk about the recently revealed hack of CISA, the federal government's leading anti-hacking agency. They also discuss whether small, cheap attack drones could soon lose their advantages on the battlefield. Then, David Daoud, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins the show to talk about the inevitability of an Israel-Hezbollah war and the hold that Hezbolla...

Ben and Guy dissect the historic meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. They also dive into the crumbling relationship between the Biden administration and Israel — and the domestic political crises confronting Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu at home. Then, five key U.S. lawmakers weigh in on the "Axis of Authoritarians" and what America needs to do...

Ben dives into the Defense Department's modernization plan and how the US is keeping up with China, its "pacing challenge" in the 21st century. Then, Mark Cancian, senior adviser at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, joins the show to talk about whether the US and its allies could defeat a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, if America could fight and win a two-front war, and the evolutio...

Ben and Guy dive into the latest on the Ukraine-Russia war, and how Hamas is angling to retain political power in Gaza after its war with Israel ends. Then, Anastasia Radina, head of the Ukrainian Parliament's Anti-Corruption Committee, joins the show to talk about the country's push to root out political corruption and whether her country would consider peace negotiations with Moscow. Plus, the "...

Ben and Guy dive into the high-stakes Shangri-La defense summit in Singapore and whether the U.S. should consider putting nuclear weapons back in South Korea. Then, George Barros of the Institute for the Study of War joins the show to talk about the Russia-Ukraine war, whether Kyiv can regain the momentum, and how the Biden administration's actions — and inactions — have hampered Ukraine. Plus, th...

Ben and Guy discuss President Biden's meeting with Kenyan President William Ruto, the most recent round of Chinese military drills, and potential changes coming for the U.S. defense industrial base. Then, Michael Knights of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy joins the show to talk about what's next for Iran after the death of President Ebrahim Raisi. Plus, the "Threat of the Week."

Ben and Guy speak with Dr. Asfandyar Mir of the United States Institute of Peace about the growing terrorist threats from Afghanistan and Pakistan, and how extremist groups recruit new members via social media. They also dive into the deepening ties between Russia and China, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken's musical performance at a bar in Kyiv, Ukraine. Plus, the "Threat of the Week." 

Ben reports live from the Special Operations Forces Week convention in Tampa and speaks with Wahid Nawabi, CEO of AeroVironment, about the Pentagon's Replicator program and how AI and autonomous systems will reshape warfare. Ben and Guy also dive into the latest developments in the mystery of suspended State Department official Robert Malley and the cease-fire that wasn't between Israel and Hamas....

Ben and Guy dive into President Biden's new memo on protecting critical U.S. infrastructure, the political fallout from the Israel-Hamas war, and whether Elon Musk could buy Tik Tok. Then, Justin Logan of the Cato Institute joins the show for an in-depth conversation about American foreign policy and whether Russia, Iran and ISIS-K truly pose a threat to the U.S. homeland. Plus, the "Threat of the...

Ben and Guy examine the new Ukraine aid package and what it means for Kyiv's war with Russia, and they discuss the latest wave of Houthi attacks against global shipping in the Red Sea. Bill Roggio, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins the show to talk about the rise of Islamic extremism in Africa, the threats posed by ISIS-K and al Qaeda, and America's failures in the...

Ben and Guy discuss the growing Israel-Hezbollah clash, foreign influence operations in the U.S., and geopolitical jockeying over AI. Former intelligence officer Daniel Hoffman joins the show to talk about the rise of ISIS-K, the future of the Russia-Ukraine war, and why American deterrence is failing. Plus, the "Threat of the Week."   Read Ryan Lovelace's story on alleged Iranian influence agent...

Ben and Guy dive into the complex dynamics between China, Russia and North Korea, and they discuss how Elon Musk's Starlink system has radically transformed 21st-century warfare. Then, longtime U.S. intelligence official Norman Roule joins the show to discuss Israel-Iran tensions and the possibility of a broader war in the Middle East. Plus, the "Threat of the Week."

Ben and Guy discuss Israel's use of artificial intelligence in its military campaign in Gaza, and the deepening rift between President Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Best-selling author and Washington Times reporter Bill Gertz joins the show to talk about the rise of communist China and the mysteries of Havana Syndrome. Plus, the "Threat of the Week."

Ben and Guy explore whether Russian President Vladimir Putin let the ISIS-K terrorist attack happen, and they discuss the downward turn in the U.S.-Israel relationship under President Biden. Ethan Tu, founder of Taiwan AI labs, joins the show to talk about how futuristic generative AI tools can be used to identify disinformation in the global media. Plus, the "Threat of the Week."

Ben and Guy dive into America's counterterrorism mission in Africa, the deadly ISIS-K attack in Moscow, and the growing challenges facing the country's defense industrial base. Roger Zakheim, director of the Ronald Reagan Institute, joins the show to talk about America's influence around the world and what he calls the era of "lost deterrence" under President Biden. Plus, the "Threat of the Week."

Ben and Guy dive into the crisis in Haiti, the fight over TikTok's future in America, and the growing splits inside both political parties on key national security issues. Gabriel Scheinmann, executive director of the Alexander Hamilton Society, joins the show to talk about how the TikTok debate is playing on college campuses. Then, Ben and Guy sit down for an in-depth discussion with the Brooking...

Ben and Guy examine the future of NATO and what the Russia-Ukraine war means for Europe. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Siarto and former Pentagon official Jim Townsend join the show, while the Defense Department warns of an ISIS resurgence and pushes back on UFO conspiracy theories. Plus, the "Threat of the Week."

Ben and Guy talk to Ryan Lovelace, tech reporter at The Washington Times, about the Pentagon's recent high-level AI symposium and where the U.S. stands in its artificial intelligence showdown with China. They also delve into the prospects for a Russia-Ukraine peace deal, Beijing's nuclear build-up, the future of NATO, and the dueling Trump-Biden visits to the southern border. Plus, the "Threat of...

Ben Wolfgang and Guy Taylor break down the latest news on Russia's anti-satellite weapons program and the resulting hysteria in DC. Reporter Guillaume Ptak speaks to Ben and Guy from the front lines of the Russia-Ukraine war, while exiled Russian journalist Mikhail Rubin gives his take on Vladimir Putin's state of mind. Plus, the "Threat of the Week."

An edgy and informative look at the biggest U.S. national security and geopolitical issues making headlines right now. Less about hot takes and more about depth, the Threat Status podcast is helmed by veteran Washington Times journalists Ben Wolfgang and Guy Taylor and features regular appearances by insiders with expertise on war, politics and global affairs.