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How is space is shaping our future, and are we ready for it?

In this episode of GNSI’s At the Boundary, host Jim Cardoso is joined by NASA astronaut Nicole Stott and space industry leader Chris Stott for a conversation that redefines what space really means for life on Earth, and why it matters now more than ever.

From GPS and global communications to climate monitoring and data security, space quietly powers the modern world. Drawing on Nicole Stott’s time aboard the International Space Station, and Chris Stott’s work building off-world data infrastructure, the discussion reveals how space has become essential to national security, economic resilience, and everyday life.

The episode explores the Moon as the next strategic frontier, the role of international cooperation in keeping space stable and secure, and how new commercial ventures, from lunar data centers to space-based solar power, could reshape global competition and resource access.

Along the way, Stott and Stott challenge the idea of space as a distant or scarce domain, offering a compelling vision of space as a source of opportunity, collaboration, and long-term abundance.

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At the Boundary  from the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida,  features global and national security issues we’ve found to be insightful, intriguing, fascinating, maybe controversial, but overall just worth talking about.

A "boundary" is a place, either literal or figurative, where two forces exist in close proximity to each other. Sometimes that boundary is in a state of harmony. More often than not, that boundary has a bit of chaos baked in. The Global and National Security Institute will live on the boundary of security policy and technology and that's where this podcast will focus.

The mission of GNSI is to provide actionable solutions to 21st-century security challenges for decision-makers at the local, state, national and global levels. We hope you enjoy At the Boundary.

Look for our other publications and products on our website publications page.

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode of At the Boundary, retired U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Mark Fedor joins GNSI’s Dr. Tad Schnaufer for a wide-ranging conversation on how space is rapidly emerging as a critical domain for national security, commercial innovation, and operational risk.

What does a retired Coast Guard Rear Admiral know about space? As it turns out, quite a lot. Fedor is currently Executive Vice President with a veteran-owned company (Operator Solutions), which specializes in rescue, recovery, and operational support services for outer space missions.

Drawing on his decades of maritime leadership and his current work supporting commercial space missions, Fedor explains why the growing launch volume is creating new demands for astronaut rescue, space vehicle recovery, and hazard response. The discussion explores space debris, private astronauts, space tourism, and the rise of space-based manufacturing and orbital supply chains with potential military and commercial applications. Fedor also draws compelling parallels between governing the maritime commons and the need for international norms in space.

As commercial activity accelerates and regulation struggles to keep pace, the episode highlights the strategic, legal, and human challenges shaping the future of space operations—and why preparedness on Earth remains essential.

Episode Links:

Operator Solutions
St. Petersburg Conference on World Affairs "Space: International Collaboration and Competition" (Feb 10-11, 2026)

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At the Boundary  from the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida,  features global and national security issues we’ve found to be insightful, intriguing, fascinating, maybe controversial, but overall just worth talking about.

A "boundary" is a place, either literal or figurative, where two forces exist in close proximity to each other. Sometimes that boundary is in a state of harmony. More often than not, that boundary has a bit of chaos baked in. The Global and National Security Institute will live on the boundary of security policy and technology and that's where this podcast will focus.

The mission of GNSI is to provide actionable solutions to 21st-century security challenges for decision-makers at the local, state, national and global levels. We hope you enjoy At the Boundary.

Look for our other publications and products on our website publications page.

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you!

Field Historian Daniel Armes explains the deep historical ties between Russia and the Ukraine, and how that context is significant to the current conflict on GNSI’s “At the Boundary” podcast.

Along with Tad Schnaufer, PhD, Armes breaks down his “Journal of Strategic Security” article which broadens the perspective of the region’s tension. The struggle between the two countries dates back to the 800s, and is influenced by the Byzantine Empire, the Great Schism of 1054, and the impact of the Mongol invasions. 

The episode also touches on how the Russia-Ukraine war affects other global and national security issues.

Links from the episode:

• Daniel Arme’s JSS Article
• USF article on research investment rising and outpacing AAU members
• Tampa Bay Business & Wealth Article on 5th Best City
• Video Series Interview with Austin Becker
• Episode 5 Generalship Series 
• SPCWA Conference
• Cyber Beacon Registration
• GNSI Tampa Summit 6 Registration 

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At the Boundary  from the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida,  features global and national security issues we’ve found to be insightful, intriguing, fascinating, maybe controversial, but overall just worth talking about.

A "boundary" is a place, either literal or figurative, where two forces exist in close proximity to each other. Sometimes that boundary is in a state of harmony. More often than not, that boundary has a bit of chaos baked in. The Global and National Security Institute will live on the boundary of security policy and technology and that's where this podcast will focus.

The mission of GNSI is to provide actionable solutions to 21st-century security challenges for decision-makers at the local, state, national and global levels. We hope you enjoy At the Boundary.

Look for our other publications and products on our website publications page.

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode of "At the Boundary," GNSI's Jim Cardoso and guests Dr. Rob Burrell and Dr. Homer Harkins discuss the complex history and current state of Venezuela. They delve into the country's socio-economic evolution, from oil exploitation to democratic transition, and the rise and fall of political leaders like Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro. They detail the recent military operation that removed Maduro, highlighting the use of advanced technology and multi-domain tactics. The discussion also covers potential democratic transitions, the role of the U.S., and the importance of international support, emphasizing the need for a long-term, unbiased understanding of Venezuela's situation.

Links from the episode:

Rob Burrell on Substack

St. Petersburg Conference on World Affairs Outer Space: International Collaboration and Competition

"What Happens if Donald Trump Bombs Iran?" article by Dr. Arman Mahmoudian

GNSI Tampa Summit 6: Cracks in the Lamp - Freeing the Nuclear Genie

Other noteworthy links:

Caracas Chronicles

Maria Corina Machado on X

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At the Boundary  from the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida,  features global and national security issues we’ve found to be insightful, intriguing, fascinating, maybe controversial, but overall just worth talking about.

A "boundary" is a place, either literal or figurative, where two forces exist in close proximity to each other. Sometimes that boundary is in a state of harmony. More often than not, that boundary has a bit of chaos baked in. The Global and National Security Institute will live on the boundary of security policy and technology and that's where this podcast will focus.

The mission of GNSI is to provide actionable solutions to 21st-century security challenges for decision-makers at the local, state, national and global levels. We hope you enjoy At the Boundary.

Look for our other publications and products on our website publications page.

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode of the “At the Boundary” podcast, GNSI’s Jim Cardoso and retired Lieutenant General Michael Plehn break down the newly released 2025 National Security Strategy (NSS) from the Trump administration, and why it places unprecedented focus on the Western Hemisphere.

They explore why this NSS dedicates four full pages to the region, far more than any previous version, and what that means for U.S. national security.

The conversation examines: The expanding role of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) in humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and security cooperation, China’s growing influence in Latin America and the Caribbean through the Belt and Road Initiative, and why the U.S. military must be better educated, technologically adaptive, and ready for rapidly evolving threats.

This episode provides a clear, accessible breakdown of a major shift in U.S. strategy — and what it means for policymakers, practitioners, and the future of Western Hemisphere security.

Links from the Episode: 

• Northeastern University Global Leadership Summit 2025: GLS 2025 - An Aerial View of U.S. and Latin American Relations on Vimeo 

Other noteworthy links:

• GNSI Tampa Summit 6: Cracks in the Lamp: Freeing the Nuclear Genie

• 2026 International Security Experience

• Sign up for the GNSI Newsletter

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At the Boundary  from the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida,  features global and national security issues we’ve found to be insightful, intriguing, fascinating, maybe controversial, but overall just worth talking about.

A "boundary" is a place, either literal or figurative, where two forces exist in close proximity to each other. Sometimes that boundary is in a state of harmony. More often than not, that boundary has a bit of chaos baked in. The Global and National Security Institute will live on the boundary of security policy and technology and that's where this podcast will focus.

The mission of GNSI is to provide actionable solutions to 21st-century security challenges for decision-makers at the local, state, national and global levels. We hope you enjoy At the Boundary.

Look for our other publications and products on our website publications page.

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode of At the Boundary, GNSI Research Fellow Dr. Guido Rossi sits down with Terry Guild, a former senior U.S. Army intelligence officer with a 30–year military career and five years of experience in the defense industry at CAE and Intrinsic Ventures. Together, they unpack one of the most controversial policy debates shaping the future of U.S. military readiness: the Warrior Right to Repair Act of 2025.

For decades, military policy has restricted what soldiers can repair in the field—even when they have the skill to do so. Broken equipment often must be shipped out or serviced by contractors, creating delays, increasing costs, and reducing operational flexibility. The proposed Right to Repair Act seeks to change that by empowering warfighters to fix more of their own gear. What does this mean for proprietary source code or intellectual property? 

Dr. Rossi and Guild explore:

·       Why the military has historically limited soldier-level repairs

·       How contractor dependence affects readiness on modern battlefields

·       The cultural, logistical, and security concerns driving debate

From wartime efficiency to industrial politics, this episode breaks down what’s really at stake for America’s fighting forces — and whether the Pentagon is ready for a fundamental shift in how the U.S. maintains its equipment.

Links From the Episode:

• GNSI Tampa Summit 6: Cracks in the Lamp: Freeing the Nuclear Genie Pre-Registration

• “Military Right to Repair Reform Could Reshape Readiness and Innovation” Article Featuring GNSI’s Dr. Guido Rossi

• 2026 Intelligence and Tech Conference

• 2025 Warsaw Security Forum Recap

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At the Boundary  from the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida,  features global and national security issues we’ve found to be insightful, intriguing, fascinating, maybe controversial, but overall just worth talking about.

A "boundary" is a place, either literal or figurative, where two forces exist in close proximity to each other. Sometimes that boundary is in a state of harmony. More often than not, that boundary has a bit of chaos baked in. The Global and National Security Institute will live on the boundary of security policy and technology and that's where this podcast will focus.

The mission of GNSI is to provide actionable solutions to 21st-century security challenges for decision-makers at the local, state, national and global levels. We hope you enjoy At the Boundary.

Look for our other publications and products on our website publications page.

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode of At the Boundary, retired four-star General Frank McKenzie joins USF’s Dr. Tad Schnaufer to break down one of the most pressing national security questions today: Can the United States build a true “Golden Dome” to defend the homeland from nuclear missile attack?

Together, they explore how America’s past missile defense systems—from Nike and Sentinel to THAAD—shaped today’s strategic landscape, and why emerging technologies may finally make boost-phase interception realistic. The conversation dives into the potential of space-based missile defense, the growing threat of hypersonic weapons, and what future U.S. policy and NATO cooperation would require keeping pace with rapidly advancing adversaries.

General McKenzie provides a candid assessment of the U.S.–China nuclear competition, the limits of current deterrence, and what it would take to shield the American homeland in a future strategic conflict.

A must-listen episode for anyone tracking U.S. defense strategy, missile defense innovation, and global security trends.

Links from the Episode:

• Pre Register for GNSI Tampa Summit 6

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At the Boundary  from the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida,  features global and national security issues we’ve found to be insightful, intriguing, fascinating, maybe controversial, but overall just worth talking about.

A "boundary" is a place, either literal or figurative, where two forces exist in close proximity to each other. Sometimes that boundary is in a state of harmony. More often than not, that boundary has a bit of chaos baked in. The Global and National Security Institute will live on the boundary of security policy and technology and that's where this podcast will focus.

The mission of GNSI is to provide actionable solutions to 21st-century security challenges for decision-makers at the local, state, national and global levels. We hope you enjoy At the Boundary.

Look for our other publications and products on our website publications page.

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode of the At The Boundary podcast, senior director of the GNSI, Jim Cardoso, sat down for a roundtable discussion with Mark Luther, an Associate Professor at USF and the Director for the Center of Maritime and Port Studies, Mark DuPont, the Executive Director of the National Maritime Law Enforcement Academy, and Brian Langley, the Senior Executive Advisor for Cyber Florida. The four recapped the 2025 Florida Security Forum, focusing on Port and Maritime Security, and they discussed the impact of the event, the major takeaways, and planning for the future of both state and national port security.  

The main
takeaways from the Forum were the necessity of following up on conversations
with plans of action, working across the state to reinforce port-to-port
relationships, and not losing sight of traditional threats, such as natural disasters, in the
face of emerging cybersecurity and drone threats. Action is needed to remind
both state and federal lawmakers of the importance of port and maritime
security.  

Another main
theme explored how to train the next generation of maritime employees, and how
to educate the general public on port affairs.
The current lack of a Maritime Academy in Florida is concerning; it outsources
maritime education to other states, could undermine the Florida workforce, and could thus have a
negative economic impact in the future. Additionally, policymakers can become
out-of-touch when it comes to creating policies around threats to infrastructure. Educational efforts will
reinforce state and federal port security, as well as create stronger
public-private partnerships between policymakers and the maritime workforce
which will enable a more unified threat response.  

Links from the episode:

• WTSP TV news Story Featuring Dr. Robert Burrell: “Venezuelans in Tampa Bay think the U.S. will cause Maduro's downfall”

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At the Boundary  from the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida,  features global and national security issues we’ve found to be insightful, intriguing, fascinating, maybe controversial, but overall just worth talking about.

A "boundary" is a place, either literal or figurative, where two forces exist in close proximity to each other. Sometimes that boundary is in a state of harmony. More often than not, that boundary has a bit of chaos baked in. The Global and National Security Institute will live on the boundary of security policy and technology and that's where this podcast will focus.

The mission of GNSI is to provide actionable solutions to 21st-century security challenges for decision-makers at the local, state, national and global levels. We hope you enjoy At the Boundary.

Look for our other publications and products on our website publications page.

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode of the At the Boundary podcast, Dr. Guido Rossi speaks with Dr. Peter Mansoor, a professor and the General Raymond E. Mason Jr. Chair in Military History at The Ohio State University. Their conversation delves into counterinsurgency warfare and preparing the American military for future threats. 

Mansoor opens with the state of U.S. counterinsurgency doctrine, referencing Field Manual 23-4 and the foundations of counterinsurgency warfare, such as population persuasion. He notes that the wars between Ukraine and Russia and between Israel and Palestine do not qualify as counterinsurgencies and warns of the potential for larger scale hybrid conflicts in the United States’ future. He argues that the American military needs to stay educated and trained in counterinsurgency warfare, as well as continue to evolve its strategy to include drone warfare. In the future, NATO and Pacific allyship will be crucial for countering China and Russia should they decide to pursue a large-scale conflict against Taiwan or Europe, respectively.  

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At the Boundary  from the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida,  features global and national security issues we’ve found to be insightful, intriguing, fascinating, maybe controversial, but overall just worth talking about.

A "boundary" is a place, either literal or figurative, where two forces exist in close proximity to each other. Sometimes that boundary is in a state of harmony. More often than not, that boundary has a bit of chaos baked in. The Global and National Security Institute will live on the boundary of security policy and technology and that's where this podcast will focus.

The mission of GNSI is to provide actionable solutions to 21st-century security challenges for decision-makers at the local, state, national and global levels. We hope you enjoy At the Boundary.

Look for our other publications and products on our website publications page.

Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you!

In this episode of the At the Boundary podcast, Dr. Tad Schnaufer moderates a panel discussion on key insights from the 2025 Cyber Bay Conference. Joining him are Dr. Linda Nhon, Resident Fellow at GNSI; Dr. George Burress, Professor and Chair of the Department of Criminology at the University of South Florida; and Chris Hunter, Chief Legal and Compliance Officer at IWP Family Office.

The panel took a broad look at cyber security, especially as it relates to national security, and emphasized the need to create a stronger knowledge of cyber preparedness in case of malicious attacks on critical infrastructure. Examples of past cyber-attack incidents, such as with the Salt Typhoon and Vault Typhoon groups from China, and Sandworm from Russia, gave insight into how both cyber and physical vulnerabilities can be exploited by hostile actors. Currently, most critical infrastructure in the U.S. is not prepared for a large-scale attack or grid shutdown.

As the world becomes more integrated, the panel underscored how modern tech can be exploited to take advantage of the individual user, a company, or even the government. The individual needs to be educated on how cybercrimes can affect their personal lives, and the broader community needs a plan of action for when a cyber-attack may cause a grid shutdown.

Links from the episode:

• Tampa Summit 6: Nuclear Weapons in Modern Warfare 

• Axis of Resistance Episode 8: General (ret) Frank McKenzie Interview

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At the Boundary  from the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida,  features global and national security issues we’ve found to be insightful, intriguing, fascinating, maybe controversial, but overall just worth talking about.

A "boundary" is a place, either literal or figurative, where two forces exist in close proximity to each other. Sometimes that boundary is in a state of harmony. More often than not, that boundary has a bit of chaos baked in. The Global and National Security Institute will live on the boundary of security policy and technology and that's where this podcast will focus.

The mission of GNSI is to provide actionable solutions to 21st-century security challenges for decision-makers at the local, state, national and global levels. We hope you enjoy At the Boundary.

Look for our other publications and products on our website publications page.