The Department of Defense has begun the difficult process of swinging its attention from counterinsurgency to great power competition. The most recent evidence of that shift is the 2021 Annual Threat Assessment of the U-S Intelligence Community. Admiral Sandy Winnefeld (USN ret.) is former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He’s my guest this week to look at how well the Department is positioned to manage the challenges of Great Power competition presented by competitors who have not rested on their laurels over the past two decades.  Is the Department's current trajectory up to the task, or is fundamental change needed?

President Biden completed his first meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week. About the same time two Iranian ships that reports indicate were headed for Venezuela have changed course. No one is suggesting those events are connected, but those Iranian ships in the Atlantic Ocean remind the world that Iran wants to project power all over its region - and that its connections to Russia are strong. General Chuck Wald (US Air Force ret.) is President of the Jones Group Middle East. He’s former Deputy Commander of United States European Command. In this episode, he surveys the landscape in the Middle East now, and assesses the current and future allies and partners that could work with the United States to effectively contain Iran.

The new Defense Department budget request includes a dramatic reimagining of the Air Force. The force wants to retire more than 200 aircraft… and buy fewer fighter aircraft than Congress has imagined in the past. General Hawk Carlisle, USAF retired, is former Commander of Air Combat Command… and before that… commander of Pacific Air Forces. He’s now the President and CEO of the National Defense Industrial Association. On this episode, Gen. Carlisle describes the inventory, personnel, and capability the service needs to contribute to the joint force. He also reveals his favorite airplane in the Air Force's fleet.

The Commander of U.S. Africa Command, Army Gen. Stephen Townsend, says a Chinese naval base in Djibouti has a pier that will accommodate an aircraft carrier. It’s the latest move by China to establish itself as a naval power all over the world. And it’s another marker of China’s attempt to assert itself on the African continent. General Carter Ham (USA ret.) is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Association of the U-S Army. He’s former Commander of U-S Africa Command. In this episode, he examines the continent of Africa, the US's closest allies there, and the potential to both counter China and expand our own partnerships and alliances on the continent.

The National Defense Strategy is due for an update. But Great Power Competition is likely to continue to be its focus, since America’s competitors keep spreading influence around the world. Russia is militarizing the Arctic; China is building bases, or trying to, all around the world. Adm. Foggo examines the landscape DoD officials both civilian and uniformed face today, and how that might inform the next NDS.

Episode 2 - Adm. Paul Zukunft, USCG ret., 25th Commandant of the US Coast Guard. Each of the military services is working on, or has released, an Arctic strategy. The service with the greatest forward presence in the Arctic is the Coast Guard. Admiral Zukunft will discuss the strategic importance of that region, and why you’re probably hearing more about the Arctic now than you ever have before. Who are our allies and adversaries in a region of the world that will look much different in 20 years than it does today?

Episode 1 - Gen. Larry Spencer, USAF ret., former Vice Chief of Staff, US Air Force. Sec. Austin recently ordered a "stand down" to address and combat extremism in the ranks. And the broader discussion on race and diversity has permeated the Defense Department, especially at the flag and general officer level. Gen. Spencer will discuss how to grow diversity in the flag and general officer corps, and a reasonable timeline to see the results of the effort; and how to effectively evaluate and implement the results of the stand down.