Intel at the Edge

Special Competitive Studies Project - SCSP
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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. 4월 22일

    Is AI Actually Useful for Intelligence Analysis? with Wayne McCool & Bruce Frost

    Two senior CIA veterans — Wayne McCool, former Associate Deputy Director for Analysis, and Bruce Frost of "Rhombus Power" — cut through the hype. They discuss how AI is being used inside the intelligence community today, what the real limitations are, and what the future of all-source analysis looks like. 0:00:10 — Introduction & Context  0:01:24 — Panel Introductions:  Wayne McCool & Bruce Frost 0:02:28 — AI as a "Silver Bullet"? Where It's Delivering Real Value  0:05:39 — Rhombus Power's Approach: Empowering the Analyst  0:06:55 — Predicting Threats: Undersea Cables & Satellites  0:08:20 — Building Trust in AI: Human-in-the-Loop at CIA  0:09:48 — Experiment Widely, Adopt Specifically  0:11:09 — The Sourcing Problem: Can You Cite AI in Intelligence Products?  0:13:02 — Trust & Model Auditability: A Decade-Long Journey  0:14:26 — Defining Good Analysis in an AI-Augmented World  0:15:56 — Speed to Insight & the Data Overload Problem  0:18:09 — The Repeatability Problem with LLMs  0:19:32 — Retrieval-Augmented Generation & Managing Hallucinations  0:21:12 — Analyst Skepticism as a Core Tradecraft Skill  0:22:43 — Curating Data: Giving Analysts Control Over Outputs  0:24:39 — The Human Side: Will AI Replace Analyst Expertise?  0:25:46 — Automation Bias & the Risk of Eroding Critical Thinking  0:27:46 — How AI Is Changing the Editing & Review Process  0:29:07 — The Future Role of the Reviewer  0:29:52 — AI as a Training & Feedback Tool for Junior Analysts  0:31:09 — What Does the Analytic Team of the Future Look Like?  0:32:06 — Closing Thoughts & Final Takeaways Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

    33분

  2. 4월 8일

    FISA Section 702 with Brett Freeman

    FISA Section 702 is one of the most powerful — and controversial — surveillance laws in the United States. It allows the U.S. intelligence community to collect electronic communications from foreign targets passing through American company infrastructure, without a traditional warrant. In this episode, we sit down with Brett Freeman, a former attorney at the NSA, the National Counterterrorism Center, and the Department of Justice's National Security Division, who has spent years briefing the White House and Congress on exactly how this law works. /// 00:00:09 - Introduction: What is FISA Section 702? 00:01:47 - Guest Introduction: Brett Freeman 00:02:00 - Brett's Background & Career in Intelligence Law 00:04:16 - FISA 101: The History of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act 00:05:16 - How FISA Worked Before 9/11 00:06:13 - How 9/11 & the Internet Changed Everything 00:42:26 - The Reauthorization Debate in Congress 00:43:34 - Trump Administration's Stance on 702 00:44:31 - What a Clean vs. Reformed Reauthorization Means 00:45:30 - How Many Times Can 702 Be Reformed Before It Breaks? 00:47:44 - The Role of Sunset Clauses in National Security Law 00:49:06 - Artificial Intelligence & FISA Section 702 00:52:07 - Closing Remarks Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

    49분

  3. 3월 25일

    Inside Beijing's Strategy: The Trump-Xi Summit, Taiwan & the Tech War with Chris Johnson

    With the Trump-Xi summit approaching, former CIA senior China analyst Chris Johnson joins “Intel at the Edge” to give an unvarnished assessment of Beijing's priorities, Xi Jinping's mindset, and how China is navigating an increasingly unpredictable America.  Chris draws on over two decades in the US intelligence and foreign affairs communities to explain what Xi really wants from this summit, how the rare earth standoff reshaped the bilateral relationship, and why China's long-term focus is breaking America's technological chokehold — not winning a diplomatic photo op. 00:00 - Introduction & Guest Bio  01:35 - How Important Is the Summit to Xi Jinping?  03:17 - Xi's Real Goal: Stability Over Diplomacy  04:41 - How Beijing Is Briefing Xi on Trump  05:01 - Xi's Gamble: The Rare Earth Sword & Staring Trump Down  06:07 - The Other Side: US Hegemonism Is on the Prowl  07:13 - The Wounded Animal: How Beijing Reads America Right Now  07:37 - Xi's Play: Buy Trump Off & Wait Him Out  20:10 - What Xi Will Put on the Table on Taiwan  21:18 - Xi's Real Priority: Breaking the Semiconductor Chokehold  26:14 - Summit Timing & Xi's Return Visit Window  27:02 - The Atmospherics: How China Stages These Meetings  28:20 - Trump Treats Xi as an Equal — And Xi Knows It  28:40 - "Trump Sees Xi as a Badass"  29:57 - How Confident Is Beijing About Winning the Long Game?  30:21 - Short Term Confident, Long Term Uncertain  31:22 - China's Real Problems: Demographics, Debt & the Economy  32:31 - What Keeps Xi Up at Night  32:53 - Closing Remarks   Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

    33분

  4. 3월 11일

    China’s Greatest Heist: How Beijing Stole America’s Technology with Andrew Badger

    China didn’t just compete with the United States — it harvested America’s innovation. In this episode of “Intel at the Edge” Andrew Badger joins Chip Usher to discuss The Great Heist — the story of how China used industrial espionage, talent recruitment, and a whole-of-society strategy to leapfrog the U.S. in critical technologies.  From AI and hypersonic missiles to semiconductor manufacturing and electric vehicles, this conversation explores:  • How China turned WTO entry into a collection apparatus  • The rise of the Ministry of State Security’s global network  • The Tesla “billion-dollar thumb drive” case  • Hypersonic and the Los Alamos connection  • Why economic security is national security  • What the U.S. intelligence community must do differently  If the 20th century was about military dominance, the 21st century is about technological power. The question is not whether China is competing — it’s whether America is prepared.  00:00 Intro – The Great Heist  02:20 From DIA to Industrial Espionage  03:15 WTO 2000: The Turning Point  06:25 The “Kaspersky Doctrine” Strategy  08:10 The Most Consequential Economic Heist in History  10:30 China’s Whole-of-Society Intelligence Model  13:20 Sun Tzu & The Cultural Mindset Behind Espionage  17:40 The Cost: $600–800 Billion a Year  21:05 The Tesla “Billion-Dollar Thumb Drive”  22:45 Hypersonic & The Los Alamos Connection  25:15 “We Let Them Do It” – Strategic Distraction  29:20 The China Initiative & Political Hesitation  31:35 AI, Quantum & Emerging Tech Theft  34:20 The Wave Energy Case Study  36:40 Semiconductor War & ASML  38:15 Economic Security = National Security  40:20 Time to Stop Playing Defense  43:30 OPSEC Mindset & Intelligence Reform  46:50 Final Thoughts Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

    49분

  5. 2월 25일

    How U.S. Intelligence Views China’s Military Power with Admiral Michael Studeman

    Admiral Michael Studeman joins "Intel at the Edge " to discuss the shifting landscape of Indo-Pacific security. Drawing from his decades of experience in the U.S. Intelligence Community, including as the Director of Intelligence at Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral Studeman provides a rare inside look into how America’s intelligence services view China’s growing military power and how Beijing is positioning itself for regional and global leadership.  Additionally, as Former Director of the Office of Naval Intelligence, Admiral Studeman breaks down the sudden removal of General Zhang Youxia and what it means for the future of the PLA. Is Xi Jinping clearing out "overcautious" generals to make room for "Yes Men!"? We dive deep into China's massive military modernization and why Admiral Studeman believes the "window of greatest danger" is closer than we think. 00:00:09 – Introduction: Admiral Mike Studeman’s 35-Year Career  00:01:37 – Welcome & Setting the Stage for the China Challenge  00:02:27 – The Scale and Speed of PLA Modernization  00:05:09 – China's Navy: A Peer Global Power  00:07:22 – Latent Power vs. Ready Power: How China Converts Wealth to Military Strength  00:09:58 – Comprehensive National Power & The Misdiagnosis of China’s Strategy  00:11:36 – Political Warfare: China’s "Short of War" Expansion  00:13:55 – Regional Anxiety & China’s Daily Influence Operations  00:15:25 – Analyzing the Ouster of General Zhang Youxia  00:19:56 – Xi Jinping’s Fourth Term & The Consolidation of "Yes Men"  00:21:51 – Pressure Tactics Around Taiwan: An Ongoing Cognitive War 00:25:24 – The "Window of Greatest Danger" (Late 2020s–Early 2030s)  00:29:28 – Reforming the Intelligence Community: Beyond the "Ivory Tower"  00:33:49 – Harnessing Open Source & Advanced Technology  00:39:03 – Economic Intelligence: The Blind Spot of 21st Century Security  00:41:54 – Protecting National Competitiveness through Private Sector Dialog  00:44:36 – Advice for the Next Generation: Courage and Iron Integrity  00:47:12 – Closing Remarks & Future Military Outlook Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

    47분

  6. 2월 24일

    Emergency Update on Iran with Norman Roule

    With two U.S. carrier strike groups converging on Iran and a presidential deadline looming, the clock is ticking. In this urgent episode of Intel at the Edge, host Chip Usher — Senior Director for Intelligence at the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) — sits down with Norman Roule, former National Intelligence Manager for Iran at the CIA, to assess what may be one of the most consequential moments in U.S.-Iran relations in decades.  They cover the state of diplomacy ahead of the Geneva talks, whether Iran will ever genuinely negotiate on its nuclear and missile programs, the risks of miscalculation, Iranian retaliation scenarios, regime stability, and the sweeping transformation reshaping the broader Middle East. Norman Roule spent over three decades as a senior CIA operations officer, including as the National Intelligence Manager for Iran — one of the most critical and sensitive intelligence roles in the U.S. government.  🔔 Subscribe for more expert intelligence and national security analysis from SCSP.  00:00 – Introduction: Emergency Podcast on the Iran Situation  00:40 – Guest Introduction: Norm Roule’s CIA and Intelligence Background  01:25 – Announcement: AI Plus Intelligence Summit at the Waldorf Astoria 02:03 – Current Military Posture: Carrier Strike Groups and Aircraft Deployment  02:28 – The Diplomatic Inflection Point and March Deadlines  03:38 – Core Issues: Iran’s Nuclear Program and Enrichment Deals  05:31 – U.S. Demands: Missiles and the "Axis of Resistance"  07:56 – Iran’s Missile Arsenal and ICBM Capabilities  08:33 – Upcoming Geneva Talks and Potential for Miscalculation  10:51 – Evaluating Potential U.S. Military Strikes and Iranian Retaliation  14:06 – Degradation of Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iranian Ballistic Assets  16:03 – Diplomacy vs. Military Action: What Compels Tehran to Negotiate?  18:44 – Regime Stability: Domestic Protests and Internal Pressures  20:54 – Outlook: How the Next Two Weeks Will Play Out  25:22 – Regional Dynamics: Shifting U.S. Commitments and Middle East Change  30:25 – Closing Remarks and Future Updates Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

    31분

  7. 2월 11일

    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.

    38분

  8. 1월 28일

    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.

    45분
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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.

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  • 제작진
    Special Competitive Studies Project - SCSP
  • 방송 연도
    2025년 - 2026년
  • 에피소드
    19
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    © 2025, Intel at the Edge, Special Competitive Studies Project
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    Intel at the Edge

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