National Security Law Today

National Security Law Today
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National Security Law Today brings legal experts discussing the hot topics and current issues in the world of national security law right to your phone. Get information and advice for lawyers, law students or interested parties who want to dig deeper into the law that protects the country.

  1. AI on the Battlefield: Project Maven and the Future of War with Jack Shanahan

    6d ago

    AI on the Battlefield: Project Maven and the Future of War with Jack Shanahan

    Project Maven stands as one of the earliest and most consequential efforts to bring AI into military operations. This week, Elisa sits down with Lt. Gen. Jack Shanahan, former Director of the Department of Defense’s Joint Artificial Intelligence Center and founding Director of Project Maven, to explore how AI entered the battlefield and why it became a strategic priority for the U.S. military. Together, they examine the development of Project Maven, the challenges of using massive troves of defense data, the risks of data manipulation, and how the U.S. can think responsibly about AI, autonomy, and military advantage in the decades ahead. Lt. Gen. John “Jack” Shanahan, USAF Ret., is the former inaugural Director of the Department of Defense’s Joint Artificial Intelligence Center and founding Director of Project Maven, the DoD’s first operational AI program. References: Manson, Katrina. Project Maven: A Marine Colonel, His Team, and the Dawn of AI Warfare. W. W. Norton & Company, 2026.

    43 min
  2. Unchecked AI and the Exploitation of Personal Data: National Security Implications with Margaret Hu and Davi Ottenheimer (Part 1 Recast)

    May 28

    Unchecked AI and the Exploitation of Personal Data: National Security Implications with Margaret Hu and Davi Ottenheimer (Part 1 Recast)

    This week, we revisit Elisa’s conversation with Margaret Hu, Professor of Law at William & Mary, and Davi Ottenheimer, Vice President of Trust and Digital Ethics at Inrupt, to examine the vulnerabilities embedded in our digital footprints. Together, they discuss microtargeting, the exploitation of personal data, and how a stronger federal data privacy framework could better protect individuals, institutions, and public trust. Margaret Hu is the Taylor Reveley Research Professor and Professor of Law, and Director of the Digital Democracy Lab, at William & Mary Law School Davi Ottenheimer is Vice President of Trust and Digital Ethics at Inrupt References: Register: Luncheon program featuring former DOJ Assistant Attorneys General for National Security – June 4th at 12PM, at the University Club in Washington DCSubscribe to our YoutubeEp. 340, Unchecked AI and the Exploitation of Personal Data: National Security Implications with Margaret Hu and Davi Ottenheimer (Part 2)Ep. 179, Algorithms – Who's in Control? with Alex Stamos (Part 1)Ep. 180, Algorithms – Who’s in Control? with Alex Stamos (Part 2)Ep. 411, Russia’s War of Attrition: Massive Losses and Tiny Gains with Seth JonesEp. 416, The Drone Disruption: How Autonomous Systems Are Reshaping the Battlefield with Dawn ZoldiCalifornia SB 1386, OverviewThe General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)The EU Artificial Intelligence Act, Overview

    34 min
  3. Cognitive Warfare: AI, False Realities, and the Laws of War with Gary Corn

    May 22

    Cognitive Warfare: AI, False Realities, and the Laws of War with Gary Corn

    AI and the modern information ecosystem are making reality harder to verify, and easier to weaponize. This week, Elisa Poteat is joined by Gary Corn, Program Director and Adjunct Professor of Technology, Law and Security at American University Washington College of Law, to discuss his recent article, “Cognitive Warfare: Generative AI, False Realities, and International Humanitarian Law.” Together, they explore how cognitive warfare has been used throughout history, how deepfakes and synthetic media could accelerate its effects, and what international humanitarian law can, and cannot, do to address the risks AI poses to civilians, truth, and modern conflict. Professor Gary Corn is Director of the Technology, Law & Security Program and an adjunct professor of cyber and national security law and the law of armed conflict at American University Washington College of Law. References: Corn, Gary P. “Cognitive Warfare: Generative AI, False Realities, and International Humanitarian Law.” American University Washington College of Law, 2025.Sun-tzu. The Art of War. Translated by Lionel Giles, Project Gutenberg, 1994.Video Series: Operation InfeKtion. The New York Times Opinion, 2018.The Law of Armed Conflict OverviewU.S. Constitution, Article IV: Relationships Between the States. Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School.Gary Corn Articles of War Profile. Lieber Institute for Law & Warfare, United States Military Academy at West Point.NSLT, Ep. 339, "Unchecked AI and the Exploitation of Personal Data: National Security Implications with Margaret Hu and Davi Ottenheimer (Part 1)"NSLT, Ep. 411, "Russia’s War of Attrition: Massive Losses and Tiny Gains with Seth Jones"NSLT, Ep. 416, "The Drone Disruption: How Autonomous Systems Are Reshaping the Battlefield with Dawn Zoldi"

    39 min
  4. Securing AI: Threat Models, Prompt Injections, and National Security with Shoshana Cox

    May 14

    Securing AI: Threat Models, Prompt Injections, and National Security with Shoshana Cox

    As AI becomes more deeply embedded in government and national security systems, one question grows harder to ignore: can these tools actually be secured? This week, Elisa is joined by Disesdi Shoshana Cox, CEO and Head of Research at Bermuda Hundred Strategies, to examine the cybersecurity risks behind AI integration. Together, they discuss whether AI models can be corrected after harmful inputs, how threat modeling can help secure national security use cases, and why prompt injections pose a serious risk as AI systems become more widely deployed across government. Shoshana Cox is the CEO and Head of Research at Bermuda Hundred Strategies and an AI security architect, researcher, and strategist whose work focuses on AI threat modeling, MLSecOps, and defensive architectures for mission-critical systems. References: Cox, S. Securing AIML Systems in the Age of Information Warfare. Critical Alliance, Apr. 2022Cox, S. Agentic AI Red Teaming Guide. Cloud Security Alliance, 28 May 2025Shoshana's SubstackSubscribe to Angles of Attack Newsletter

    31 min
  5. Biological Data Governance in an Age of AI with Doni Bloomfield

    May 7

    Biological Data Governance in an Age of AI with Doni Bloomfield

    AI is unlocking new speed and power in biological research, creating opportunities for medical breakthroughs while raising new questions about oversight. This week, Elisa sits down with Doni Bloomfield, Associate Professor of Law at Fordham University, to discuss his recent report, Biological Data Governance in an Age of AI, and the growing risks of training AI models on sensitive viral and genetic information. Together, they explore how AI-powered virus research could shape future treatments, while examining the biosecurity risks of open scientific access and what thoughtful oversight might require. Doni Bloomfield is an Associate Professor of Law at Fordham Law School whose work focuses on intellectual property, biosecurity, national security law, and health law. References: Bloomfield, Doni et al. “Biological data governance in an age of AI.” Science (New York, N.Y.) vol. 391,6785 (2026): 558-561Turner, Stephen D. “Tiered Access for AIxBio Governance.” Paired Ends, 9 Feb. 2026.Amodei, Dario. “The Adolescence of Technology: Confronting and Overcoming the Risks of Powerful AI.” Dario Amodei, Jan. 2026.NIH All of Us Research ProgramThe White House. America’s AI Action Plan. Washington, DC: The White House, July 2025.Supreme Court of Alabama. Laurie Ibach and Mark Stewart v. Bruce Stewart, No. SC-2025-0106, Apr. 24, 2026.

    39 min
  6. Ghost in the Machine: What AI Inherited and Why It Matters with Valerie Veatch

    Apr 29

    Ghost in the Machine: What AI Inherited and Why It Matters with Valerie Veatch

    As artificial intelligence accelerates, questions about its origins—and underlying assumptions—are becoming harder to ignore. This week, Elisa sits down with filmmaker Valerie Veatch to explore her latest documentary, Ghost in the Machine, which traces the intellectual roots of AI back to the eugenics movement. Together, they examine how these early ideologies may still echo in today’s AI systems, what it means for a workforce increasingly shaped by automation, and how unchecked technological progress can lead to unintended consequences. Valerie Veatch is a writer, director, and producer of documentary films, including Me @ the Zoo, Love Child, and her latest release, Ghost in the Machine. References: McQuillan, Dan. Resisting AI: An Anti-fascist Approach to Artificial Intelligence. Bristol University Press, 2022.Bender, Emily M., and Alex Hanna. The AI Con: How to Fight Big Tech’s Hype and Create the Future We Want. Harper, 2025.Becker, Adam. More Everything Forever: AI Overlords, Space Empires, and Silicon Valley’s Crusade to Control the Fate of Humanity. Basic Books, 2025.Sacks, David O., and Peter Thiel. The Diversity Myth: Multiculturalism and Political Intolerance on Campus. Independent Institute, 1998.“Q-Day Just Got Closer: Three Papers in Three Months Are Rewriting the Quantum Threat Timeline.” The Quantum Insider, 31 Mar. 2026

    40 min
  7. Iran’s Cyber Playbook: Attacks, Proxies, and Civilian Impact with Ricoh Danielson

    Apr 21

    Iran’s Cyber Playbook: Attacks, Proxies, and Civilian Impact with Ricoh Danielson

    When cyberattacks target hospitals, infrastructure, and everyday systems, the line between battlefield and civilian life begins to blur. This week, Elisa is joined by Ricoh Danielson, a cybersecurity expert, U.S. Army veteran, and CEO of 1st Responder Cyber, to unpack Iran’s expanding cyber operations and what they reveal about modern warfare. Drawing on recent attacks and long-standing tactics, they examine how Iran uses cyber tools to project power, exploit both human and technical vulnerabilities, and disrupt essential services. Ricoh Danielson is a U.S. Army combat veteran, digital forensics expert, cybersecurity leader, and CEO of 1st Responder Cyber. References: NSLT, Ep. 416, "The Drone Disruption: How Autonomous Systems Are Reshaping the Battlefield with Dawn Zoldi". April 14 2026.

    28 min
  8. The Drone Disruption: How Autonomous Systems Are Reshaping the Battlefield with Dawn Zoldi

    Apr 14

    The Drone Disruption: How Autonomous Systems Are Reshaping the Battlefield with Dawn Zoldi

    What happens when weapons that cost a few thousand dollars can rival—and even outmaneuver—systems worth millions? This week, Elisa is joined by Dawn Zoldi, a retired Air Force Colonel, attorney, and founder of P3 Tech Consulting, to break down the rapid rise of drone warfare and its growing impact on global conflict. Drawing on examples from Ukraine, Iran, and across the Middle East, they explore how inexpensive drones are transforming military strategy, how AI is reshaping their capabilities, and what it means for those operating far from the battlefield. From swarm technology to legal accountability, the conversation also looks ahead—examining how autonomous drone systems could reshape private sector and industrial roles, taking on tasks once considered too dangerous, costly, or complex for humans. Dawn Zoldi is a retired Air Force Colonel, licensed attorney, CEO & Founder of P3 Tech Consulting, Publisher of Autonomy Global and an internationally recognized expert on uncrewed aircraft system law and policy. Autonomy Global is the leading digital media platform providing cutting-edge insights on autonomous technologies, featuring the latest news, industry trends, policies and expert analysis on dual-use drones, eVTOLs, robotics, space, maritime and enabling technologies worldwide. References: Tune in to the Dawn of Autonomy PodcastSubscribe to the Autonomy Global NewsletterArticle: Zoldi, Dawn. “Burning Down the Miracles: Inside Skunk Works’ Next Long-Range Kill Chain Breakthroughs.” Autonomy Global, 26 Feb. 2026NSLT Ep. 123, "Drones in the Pandemic with Dawn Zoldi". May 7 2020.U.S. Department of War Statement on DJI SystemsThe Law of Armed Conflict OverviewThe Rules of Engagement (ROE) OverviewXPONENTIAL 2026 – May 11th-14th in Detroit, MI

    50 min
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National Security Law Today brings legal experts discussing the hot topics and current issues in the world of national security law right to your phone. Get information and advice for lawyers, law students or interested parties who want to dig deeper into the law that protects the country.

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  • Creator
    National Security Law Today
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    427
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