As pressure mounts to modernize America’s energy systems, nuclear power is back on the table. In Part 1 of this two-part episode, Elisa is joined by Dr. Koroush Shirvan, nuclear expert and professor in MIT’s Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering, to break down the fundamentals of nuclear energy and its potential role in national security. Together, they explore what powers today’s nuclear plants, how they compare to coal, and the infrastructure, training, and regulation required to bring new facilities online.

Dr. Koroush Shirvan is the Atlantic Richfield Career Development Professor in Energy Studies

References:

VIDEO: “How Does Nuclear Energy Work? – Presentation by Professor Koroush Shirvan (MIT).” YouTube, uploaded by the Australian Nuclear Association, 2024.

The recent dismissal of the Judge Advocates General of the Army and Air Force has raised new questions about the role of independent legal advice in the U.S. military. This week, we’re airing a special rebroadcast of our May 28th live program on the role of Judge Advocates General in advising military leadership and upholding the law of armed conflict.

The discussion features Rear Admiral James E. McPherson, retired 39th Judge Advocate General of the Navy and former General Counsel and Under Secretary of the Army, and John B. Bellinger III, former Legal Adviser to both the State Department and the National Security Council. Together, they explore the function of the JAG Corps, the implications of recent firings, and the importance of preserving nonpartisan legal guidance in military decision-making.

References:

Event Video: American Bar Association Discussion on President Trump Firing Judge Advocates General. C-SPAN, 28 May 2024.

In Part 2 of their conversation, Elisa and Kieran Ramsey, Chief Investigative Officer at Global Reach and former FBI Special Agent, explore how companies can better prepare their people and operations for high-threat environments. From travel security to cultural blind spots, they discuss why planning, awareness, and proactive leadership are key to staying ahead of today’s evolving threat landscape.

Kieran Ramsey is Chief Investigative Officer at Global Reach, a private company that deals with individuals wrongfully held or taken hostage around the world.

References:

The American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS)

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program

Film:The Wages of Fear(1953)

As global demand for energy surges, so do the risks for those working to meet it. In Part 1 of this two-part episode, Elisa is joined by Kieran Ramsey, Chief Investigative Officer at Global Reach and former Director of the FBI’s Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, to explore the dangers facing energy professionals operating abroad. Together, they examine the rise of hostage diplomacy, the targeting of Americans by state actors like Russia, China, and Iran, and the intelligence challenges facing companies operating in high-risk regions like Africa.

Kieran Ramsey is Chief Investigative Officer at Global Reach, a private company that deals with individuals wrongfully held or taken hostage around the world.

References:

Alterman, Jon B., and Jason Rezaian. Combating State Hostage Taking and Wrongful Detention. Center for Strategic and International Studies, 4 June 2025

As energy demands surge, protecting the U.S. power grid has become a national security imperative. In Part 2 of their conversation, Elisa and Dr. Jonathan Snodgrass of Texas A&M examine the next layer of challenges facing America’s electric grid—from the need for trained personnel to the importance of critical load prioritization. They discuss how redundancy, workforce expertise, and smarter policy conversations can shape a more secure and scalable grid for the future.

Jonathan Snodgrass is a Senior Research Engineer at Texas A&M University

References:

North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)

Federal Energy Regulatory Committee (FERC)

NSLT, Ep. 362, Elemental Power: Rethinking Nuclear—The Rise of Microreactors with Dr. Jeff Waksman (Part 1)

Is our grid capable of supporting our energy needs? In Part 1 of this two-part episode, Elisa is joined by Dr. Jonathan Snodgrass of Texas A&M to break down what the electric grid is, who maintains it, and how its vulnerabilities could impact national security. From critical military systems to daily necessities like transportation and groceries, they explore how fragile our energy infrastructure may be—and what lessons the U.S. should draw from recent international blackouts.

Jonathan Snodgrass is a Senior Research Engineer at Texas A&M University

References:

North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC)

Federal Energy Regulatory Committee (FERC)

NSLT, Ep. 362, Elemental Power: Rethinking Nuclear—The Rise of Microreactors with Dr. Jeff Waksman (Part 1)

China’s growing presence in African port development is shifting global power dynamics. This week, Elisa is joined by Paul Nantulya of the Africa Center for Strategic Studies to examine China’s growing influence across the continent’s maritime infrastructure. Drawing from his recent study, they discuss how port investments tie into China’s long-term economic and military ambitions, what it means for U.S. interests, and how African nations are navigating the pressure between opportunity and sovereignty.

Paul Nantulya is a Research Associate with the Africa Center for Strategic Studies

References:

Nantulya, Paul. "Mapping China’s Strategic Port Development in Africa." Africa Center for Strategic Studies, 10 Mar. 2025

The Africa Center The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation

As misinformation fuels mistrust, the challenge ahead is restoring shared civic ground. In Part 2 of their conversation, Elisa is joined by Barbara McQuade, Professor at the University of Michigan Law School and former U.S. Attorney, to examine the legal, cultural, and educational solutions that could help strengthen democratic stability. Drawing from Attack from Within, they explore the role of bots on social media, the importance of civic education in schools, the risks of executive overreach, and how lawyers can help lead a less partisan, more principled future.

Barbara McQuade is a Professor from Practice at Michigan Law

References:

McQuade, Barbara. Attack from Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America. Seven Stories Press, 2024.

#SistersinLaw Podcast

NSLT, Ep. 337, Power and Profit: How Lobbying Shaped Washington with Brody Mullins (Part 1)

Buckley v. Valeo

Citizens United v. FEC

Haidt, Jonathan. The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. Penguin Press, 2024.

Koh, Harold Hongju. The National Security Constitution in the Twenty-First Century. Yale University Press, 2024.

Changes in how we share and receive information are reshaping democratic stability. In Part 1 of this two-part episode, Elisa sits down with Barbara McQuade, Professor at the University of Michigan Law School and former U.S. Attorney, to examine how disinformation, digital echo chambers, and the decline of civic infrastructure are reshaping public trust. Drawing from her book, Attack from Within, Barbara explores the long-term effects of polarization, the influence of algorithms, and the role lawyers and lawmakers can play in defending democratic values.

Barbara McQuade is a Professor from Practice at Michigan Law

References:

McQuade, Barbara. Attack from Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America. Seven Stories Press, 2024.

#SistersinLaw Podcast

NSLT, Ep. 229, "Broken News and the Media Rage Machine with Chris Stirewalt"

Minow, Martha. Saving the News: Why the Constitution Calls for Government Action to Preserve Freedom of Speech. Oxford University Press, 2021.

Putnam, Robert D. Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. Touchstone Books by Simon & Schuster, 2001.

FISA Section 230

S.2972 - A bill to repeal section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934

A growing number of teenage boys in the U.S. are being targeted by large-scale financial sextortion schemes. This week, Elisa sits down with cybercrime expert Paul Raffile to uncover the scale and tactics behind this global blackmail operation, how social media platforms are enabling it, and what it means for the future of America’s workforce. From loneliness to digital manipulation, they explore how the vulnerabilities of young men today could shape national security readiness tomorrow.

Paul Raffile is a cyber intelligence analyst focused on global cyber threats and transnational organized crime.

References:

Financial Sextortion Backgrounder Raffile, Paul, et al. A Digital Pandemic: Uncovering the Role of ‘Yahoo Boys’ in the Surge of Social Media-Enabled Financial Sextortion Targeting Minors. Network Contagion Research Institute, Jan. 2024.

Haidt, Jonathan. The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. Penguin Press, 2024.

Reeves, Richard V. Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do about It. Brookings Institution Press, 2022.

New Sextortion Data, NCMEC

The Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act

The Take it Down Act

FISA Section 230