Intelligence Matters: The Relaunch Beacon Global Strategies LLC

Michael talks with Beth Sanner, a career CIA analyst who concluded her tenure with the federal government as Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Mission Integration at the ODNI from April 2019 to March 2021. She discusses the risks and potential next steps in the Israel-Gaza conflict, Iran and the Middle East, Russia's war on Ukraine, and how she rose through the CIA's ranks to become a world-class analyst specializing in South Asia.

Michael talks with retired FBI Special Agent Peter Lapp about his new book, "Queen of Cuba: An FBI Agent's Insider Account of the Spy Who Evaded Detection for 17 Years." Peter unveils the remarkable case of Ana Montes, the Defense Intelligence Agency senior analyst who was arrested 10 days after 9/11 for spying for Cuba. Together, Michael and Peter delve into Montes's audacious activities for communist Cuba, the unraveling of her espionage work, her prosecution and current whereabouts.

Andy speaks with former CIA Center for Cyber Intelligence Director Andrew Boyd about protecting systems from the most sophisticated cyber terrorism and hacking attempts. Andrew outlines the current cyber threats posed by China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and non-state actors like ransomware groups. Andy and Andrew also discuss the US cybersecurity strategy, partnerships between the government and the private sector, and challenges around emerging technologies like AI. 

Michael talks to Former Assistant Director of CIA for South and Central Asia Dave Pitts about the threat of ISIS-K. Before retiring in October, Pitts was among the last American officials on the ground during the US withdrawal from Afghstanistan in August 2021. He discusses the growing threat of ISIS-K, which has been operating in the country, and around the region. Michael and Dave also reflect on the state of Al-Qaeda. 

Michael and Andy discuss the 2024 worldwide threat report from the Intelligence Community. They discuss frontier issues including space and ISIS-K, and longtime US adversaries including Iran and China. They offer their candid reactions to the unclassified publicly released annual assessment, and what it means for the future of global security. 

Michael talks with Army Ranger veteran LTC (Ret.) James Lechner about his book "With My Shield: An Army Ranger in Somalia" about his experience on the ground in Mogadishu in 1993 during the Black Hawk Down raid. They also discuss his recent experience in Ukraine.