At the Water's Edge

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In this episode, Scott interviews Ethan Thornton, the 21-year-old CEO of Mach Industries, a defense technology startup focused on creating innovative unmanned systems. They discuss the transition from traditional defense strategies to a new era of great power competition, the challenges of government contracting, and the importance of decentralized manufacturing. Ethan shares insights on the development of their products, Viper and Glide, and the cultural shifts needed within the defense sector to foster innovation and agility.

Mach Industries Website

takeaways

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Mock Industries and Its Mission

06:13
Innovative Defense Technologies and Their Importance

09:24
The Viper: A Game-Changer in UAV Technology

12:17
Funding and Growth: From Idea to Reality

15:21
Navigating Government Contracts and Market Dynamics

18:26
Manufacturing Challenges and Strategies for Success

29:18
Contracting Vehicles and Prototyping Challenges

32:26
Balancing Capacity and Usability in Product Design

35:54
Business Models: The Key to Disruption in Defense

39:49
Building a Mission-Driven Team

42:44
Cultural Shifts Needed in the Defense Industrial Base

46:44
The Role of Unmanned Warfare in Modern Conflict

50:58
The Impact of Cultural Change on the Defense Sector

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Insights from Jamie Miller shed light on how Trump’s foreign policies align with the sentiments of his voter base. This episode reveals the evolving perceptions of national security among Americans and explores the implications behind Trump's strategic decisions.

• Unpacking Trump's "America First" philosophy 
• The shift in Republican foreign policy strategy 
• Voter perceptions on immigration, safety, and national security 
• Understanding the implications of cabinet picks for Trump’s second term 
• The possible risks of hardline immigration policies on geopolitics 
• The evolving nature of America's role in global affairs 

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Jamie Miller's Blog: https://reasonablearguments.com/

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In this conversation, Dr. John Klein discusses the evolution of space warfare, the importance of maritime doctrine in understanding space strategy, and the complexities of military and civilian infrastructure in space. He emphasizes the need for the US Space Force to adapt to the changing landscape of space competition, the significance of spectrum control, and the intersection of space and cyber warfare. Klein also highlights the role of commercial entities in space and the challenges of managing risks associated with technological innovations. The discussion concludes with insights on the necessity of understanding rival perspectives to navigate the future of space as a tool of national power.

Get John's book here

takeaways

titles

Sound Bites

Chapters

00:00
The State of Space Warfare Today

01:50
Evolution of Space Warfare Concepts

04:51
Maritime Doctrine Applied to Space Warfare

07:34
Spectrum Control and Cyber Warfare

10:48
Military and Civilian Infrastructure in Space

13:39
Emerging Competition and Proxy Warfare in Space

16:34
Commercialization of Space and Globalization Risks

19:50
Capabilities for Great Power Competition in Space

22:57
Deterrence Strategies in Space Warfare

26:23
Embargo and Blockade in Space

28:07
Understanding Space Force's Role

31:35
Commercial Integration and Space Strategy

33:58
Building a Space Force Identity

38:46
Space Force as a Hegemon in Space

42:45
Navigating Competition and Cooperation

49:31
Cultural Understanding in Deterrence

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summary

In this conversation, Ethan Brown discusses the evolution of close air support (CAS) and the critical role of Joint Terminal Attack Controllers (JTACs) and Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) members during the Global War on Terror. He highlights the importance of air-ground integration, the lessons learned from past operations, and the future challenges faced by the TACP community in an era of great power competition. The discussion emphasizes the trust dynamic between ground forces and JTACs, the technological advancements in air power, and the need for continued prioritization of close air support capabilities within the Air Force.

contact the show: [email protected]

takeaways

Sound Bites

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to TacP and Close Air Support

04:43
Understanding Close Air Support

08:04
The Role of JTACs in Modern Warfare

10:57
The Importance of TacP Training and Knowledge

13:42
Challenges and Risks in Close Air Support

16:39
Lessons Learned from Historical Incidents

19:47
The Dynamics of Trust in Air-Ground Integration

35:27
Building Trust in Combat Operations

43:38
The Evolution of Close Air Support

46:51
Real-Life Examples of Close Air Support

52:33
The Future of JTACs in Modern Warfare

01:02:34
The Air Force's Commitment to Close Air Support

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In this  episode, Scott interviews Tim Mak, an American journalist living in Ukraine, about the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. Tim runs a publication called The Counter Offensive, which focuses on telling the stories of the Russian invasion in Ukraine through human interest stories. They discuss various topics including the state of the conflict, the role of the international community, the impact on the Ukrainian people, and the long-term effects of the war.

The Counter Offensive: https://www.counteroffensive.news/

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Guest David Kilcullen. The conversation explores the reasons behind America's failure in Afghanistan and the consequences of the Taliban retaking Kabul. It delves into the concept of counterinsurgency and its application in different contexts. The discussion highlights the mistakes made in Afghanistan, such as the failure to negotiate a peace settlement with the Taliban, the expansion of ISAF without understanding the local dynamics, and the attempt to replicate the surge strategy from Iraq. The disconnect between military leaders and civilian decision-makers, as well as the lack of accountability, are also discussed. The conversation with Dave Kilcullen explores the failures and lessons learned from the war in Afghanistan. Kilcullen highlights the lack of accountability within the institution and the inability to adapt to changing environments. He emphasizes the importance of a fighting force that can critique conventional wisdom and adapt when necessary. The collapse of the Afghan government and military is attributed to a focus on central government institutions rather than local governance systems. The relationship with Pakistan is discussed, with Kilcullen noting their fear of strategic encirclement and their desire to keep Afghanistan weak. He also emphasizes the need for better civilian-military coordination, political engagement, and a willingness to learn from past mistakes in future conflicts.

Counterinsurgency by David Kilcullen
The Ledger: Accounting for Failure in Afghanistan by David Kilcullen and Greg Mills

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The conversation explores the concept of readiness in the military and the challenges of balancing people-first initiatives with the pursuit of readiness. It delves into the definition of readiness and its various components, such as individual and unit training, equipment functionality, and supply. The conversation also discusses the Army's training cycle and the role of CTC rotations in preparing units for deployment. The impact of funding on readiness is explored, particularly in relation to personnel shortages and the need for modernization. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the tension between taking care of soldiers and maintaining readiness, highlighting the trade-offs between quality of life issues and training priorities. The conversation explores the challenges of balancing training and readiness with the well-being of soldiers and their families. It highlights the need for predictability and stability in training schedules to support soldiers and their families. The conversation also discusses the loss of training management mastery in the Army's officer corps and the focus on immediate results rather than long-term readiness. The impact of toxic leadership and the officer career track on training cycles and decision-making is also examined. The conversation concludes with a call for a better balance between training and soldier well-being, as well as the need for metrics that measure morale and command culture. 

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In this episode Scott interviews Leo Blanken (PhD), an associate professor of defense analysis at the Naval Postgraduate School, about innovation as a tool of national security. They discuss the need for innovation in the rapidly changing strategic and technological landscape, the challenges faced by the US military in adapting to these changes, and the importance of a comprehensive national security strategy. They also explore the role of the defense industrial base and the relationship between the government and the private sector in fostering innovation. Dr. Blanken emphasizes the need for the military to slow down and be more thoughtful in its approach to innovation, focusing on purpose and capability rather than just grabbing technology for its own sake. The conversation highlights the importance of culture and incentives in driving innovation and transformation in the United States. It emphasizes the need for the military to leverage education opportunities as a way to foster mid-range innovation and develop strategic assets. The discussion also touches on the challenges of partnering with foreign forces and the need to understand their specific needs and priorities. The conversation concludes by addressing the issue of sacred cows in the defense budget and the importance of having tough conversations to drive innovation and question traditional approaches.

Leo Blanken (PhD) website: https://faculty.nps.edu/ljblanke/

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The conversation explores the competition and strategic implications of space exploration and activities between states. It discusses the role of the US Space Force, the reasons for the increasing focus on space as a domain of competition, and the activities of geopolitical rivals such as China and Russia. The conversation also delves into the concept of irregular warfare in space and the potential impact of privatization on space activities. Overall, the discussion highlights the need for strategic thinking and cooperation in the space domain.

Takeaways

Link to Buy "Fight for the Final Frontier: Irregular Warfare in Space" https://a.co/d/jgiT0Ce

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Liza Tobin, Senior Director of the Economy Team at the Special Competitive Studies Project, discusses China's systemic rivalry with the United States and the need for a strong American industrial policy. She explains why China is the main geopolitical rival and outlines its goals for global dominance. Tobin also highlights the challenges the US faces in competing with China's brute force economics and the need for a coherent counter strategy. She emphasizes the importance of investing in the basic building blocks of AI leadership and the role of the US government in buying down risk and enabling companies to scale up. The conversation explores the role of government funding in research and development (R&D) and the challenges of relying on the private sector for critical national needs. It highlights the risks of dependency on China for critical infrastructure and the importance of investing in national objectives. The discussion concludes with a call to rebuild industrial capacity and an invitation to the AI Expo 

Link to AI Expo: https://expo.scsp.ai/about/

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