In Episode 12 of Threat & Theory, Evan and former U.S. intelligence officer Howard Hart step back from current headlines to explain how intelligence actually works at a fundamental level—without discussing classified capabilities. Howard breaks down what commanders ask first (Essential Elements of Information / EEIs), why timeliness and latency matter as much as collection, and how relay satellites help collapse delays to stay inside the enemy’s OODA loop (Observe–Orient–Decide–Act).

Then we dig into why satellites don’t work like Hollywood, the tradeoffs between low Earth orbit vs geostationary orbit, and what’s changed in the last decade with miniaturization and cheaper launch (proliferated LEO networks and resilience). Finally, Howard explains the three major forms of imagery—Electro-Optical (EO), Infrared (IR), and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)—why they don’t compete, they complement, and how each answers a different question: What is it? What is it doing? What’s there regardless of conditions?

Threat & Theory breaks down geopolitics, tradecraft, emerging tech, and the human element behind global events—so you can see pressure, power, and intent before they’re obvious.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.