Intel at the Edge

Special Competitive Studies Project - SCSP

Where technology meets intelligence. Intel at the Edge is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), hosted by Chip Usher, Senior Director for Intelligence. Chip explores the latest innovations transforming the intelligence community with experts who are shaping the future of national security.

  1. 1D AGO

    The "High Ground" of the North Atlantic: Why Greenland is the Next Frontier of Global Competition with Heather Conley

    In this episode of Intel at the Edge, host Chip Usher is joined by Heather Conley, a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a leading expert on Arctic security. Together, they unpack the strategic value of Greenland and the evolving geopolitical stakes in the Arctic. In this episode, we discuss: The Strategic Imperative: Why Greenland serves as a "first line of defense" for North America, providing early warning for ballistic missiles and tracking Russian nuclear submarines. Russia & China’s Presence: How Russia has militarized the region since 2014 and China’s ambition to become a "great polar power" by 2030. The "Ownership" Debate: Analyzing the diplomatic impact of President Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland and what it means for the 225-year relationship with the Kingdom of Denmark. The Future of the Arctic: Why the U.S. needs to prepare for the Arctic of 2040 today by investing in icebreakers, ISR sensors, and a persistent presence.  00:00 – Introduction  01:26 – Background on President Trump’s Interest  02:38 – The Strategic Value of "Eyes and Ears"  03:47 – Ownership vs. Partnership  05:15 – Russia: The Arctic Superpower  07:52 – China: The "Near-Arctic State" Ambition  09:44 – The North Pacific vs. North Atlantic Vectors  12:15 – Missile Defense and the "Golden Dome"  15:13 – Economic Potential: Critical Minerals  17:37 – The "Alaska First" Perspective  20:01 – The Icebreaker Gap  23:08 – History of U.S. Purchase Attempts  27:59 – Post-Cold War Atrophy  30:47 – NATO’s Future Role: "Arctic Sentry"  35:25 – The Next Strategic Frontiers: Seabed and Space Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

    38 min

  2. JAN 28

    How the CIA Launched the Predator Program with Alec Bierbauer

    In this episode of Intel at the Edge, host Chip Usher sits down with retired CIA officer Alec Bierbauer, a core founder of the team that launched the agency’s revolutionary Predator drone program. Bierbauer recounts the high-stakes history of the hunt for Osama bin Laden before 9/11, revealing how a small team bypassed traditional bureaucracy to put "U.S. eyes on target" in the rugged terrain of Afghanistan. The conversation explores the technical and ethical evolution of unmanned systems, from the groundbreaking "Man in White" video captured at Turnak Farm to the rapid weaponization of the platform with Hellfire missiles. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

    45 min

  3. JAN 16

    Emergency Update on the Iran Crisis with Jonathan Panikoff

    In this emergency episode of Intelligence at the Edge, host Chip Usher is joined by Jonathan Panikoff, Director of the Near East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council and former Deputy National Intelligence Officer for the Near East. They provide a critical update on the widespread protests and severe regime crackdown that have seized Iran since late December 2025. Panikoff analyzes how this movement differs from previous uprisings, noting that while the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests were driven by social frustrations, the current unrest is fueled by a collapsing economy, soaring food prices, and a dire potable water crisis, all while the regime imposes internet blackouts to repress connectivity. The discussion explores the regime's ruthless use of force—resulting in casualties far exceeding those of 2022—and the potential for an inflection point similar to the 1979 revolution. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

    30 min

  4. JAN 7

    Congressional Perspectives on Technology and Intelligence with Representative Pat Fallon of Texas

    On this episode of Intel at the Edge, host Chip Usher is joined by U.S. Congressman Pat Fallon (TX-04) to discuss the evolving landscape of national security and his first year on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Congressman Fallon emphasizes the urgent need for the Intelligence Community to embrace AI and emerging technologies to keep pace with global adversaries like China and Russia. As a leader on the Subcommittee on Open Source Intelligence, he highlights the critical value of unclassified, publicly available data and the necessity of using AI to sift through vast amounts of information to find "the needle in the Pacific. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

    23 min

  5. 12/17/2025

    Rethinking Intelligence with Dr. Shay Hershkovitz

    In this episode, Chip is joined by Dr. Shay Hershkovitz, professor at Georgetown University and a senior analyst at the RAND Corporation. They discuss the current intelligence landscape, key topics from Dr. Hershkovitz’s book, “The Future of National Intelligence”, intelligence in a democratic society, and advice to young professionals trying to enter national security. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

    35 min

  6. 12/04/2025

    An Update on America's Cyberdefenses with Former FBI Cyber Director Cynthia Kaiser

    Joining Intel at the Edge is Cynthia Kaiser, a veteran at the Federal Bureau of Investigation for twenty years, most recently as Deputy Assistant Director at the FBI’s Cyber Division. Throughout her career, Kaiser specialized in cyber intelligence and cyber policy, also serving as a President's Daily Briefing intelligence briefer in two administrations. She is currently anti-ransomware company Halcyon's Senior Vice President of the Ransomware Research Center, which is a one-of-its-kind program that develops information sharing programs and new research into threat actor methodology and ransomware trends across the public and private sectors. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

    32 min

  7. 11/20/2025

    Implementing Digital Transformation in US Intelligence with Former Director of NGA, Robert Cardillo

    In this episode of Intel at the Edge, host Chip Usher is joined by Robert Cardillo, the former Director of the NGA. They discuss the increasing role commercial companies play in imagery intelligence, how NGA is incorporating AI technologies, and the future of the US commercial space launch industry.  Watch Intel at the Edge. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

    49 min

  8. 11/05/2025

    Understanding the Cyber Threat Environment with Rob Joyce & Leah Siskind

    In this episode of Intel at the Edge, taped during SCSP's AI Unlocked event, Chip is joined by Rob Joyce and Leah Siskind to explore how the PRC, Russia, and Iran are taking advantage of America's open society and economy to steal data and IP and conduct espionage. Watch Intel at the Edge. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

    27 min
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About

Where technology meets intelligence. Intel at the Edge is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), hosted by Chip Usher, Senior Director for Intelligence. Chip explores the latest innovations transforming the intelligence community with experts who are shaping the future of national security.

Information

  • Creator
    Special Competitive Studies Project - SCSP
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025, Intel at the Edge, Special Competitive Studies Project
  • Show Website
    Intel at the Edge