Notre Dame International Security Center

From the experiences and viewpoints of citizens growing up in the global South to the challenges faced by policymakers in understanding the complex dynamics of a globalized world, we explore the interplay between economics, the environment, and social dynamics. Join us as we navigate through the nuanced thinking styles and biases that influence decision-making, drawing on insights from experts with diverse backgrounds and expertise.

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion against Ukraine in February 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been likened to British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The comparison is apt, but NDISC Director Michael Desch asks us to truly reckon with it.

He did so though his article in Harper's Magazine (https://harpers.org/archive/2023/10/the-tragedy-of-volodymyr-zelensky/), which prompted today's conversation between Dr. Desch and Senator Jim Webb.

Mike and Jim talk with former Lieutenant General Newbold about the recent actions of Senator Tuberville to block the president of the United States' selection of a new Commandant of the Marine Corps. In doing so, they compare the military's cultural history to today's political divide and attempt to uncover how and why they have changed.

In this episode of "Outside the Box," co-hosts Dr. Michael Desch and Sen. Jim Webb welcome Christopher Layne to discuss his recent co-authored article "Why Are We in Ukraine?" published in "Harper's Magazine" in June 2023.

Christopher Layne is University Distinguished Professor of International Affairs and the Robert M. Gates Chair in National Security at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. His fields of interest are international relations theory, great power politics, U.S. foreign policy, and grand strategy.

Read Chris Layne's and Ben Schwarz' piece in "Harper's Magazine": https://harpers.org/archive/2023/06/why-are-we-in-ukraine/

Visit the Notre Dame International Security Center: https://ndisc.nd.edu/

An Interview with Ambassador Nancy Jo Powell by Pranav Guntupalli

Interview Summary : Ambassador Nancy Jo Powell speaks about the history of US relations with South Asia including the death of American ambassador Arnold Raphel in 1988, nuclear tension in the subcontinent, and re-emerging non-alignment in India’s foreign policy today. She also recounts her experience in the foreign service and shares advice for aspiring diplomats.

Biography: Ambassador Nancy Jo Powell is one of the most distinguished diplomats in modern American history. Ambassador Powell joined the foreign service in 1977, and served with distinction for over 37 years, including assignments as the US ambassador to Uganda, US ambassador to Ghana, US ambassador to Pakistan, US ambassador to Nepal, and as the first female US ambassador to India. In 2006, Amb. Powell received one of the US government’s most prestigious awards – The Homeland Security service to America award – for her work as the State Department’s senior coordinator on the Avian and Influenza epidemics. Amb. Powell holds the rank of Career Ambassador, the highest rank in the US foreign service.

An Interview with Chaplain Col. Billy Graham of the US Army by Pranav Guntupalli

Interview Summary: In this episode of the Students Talk Security podcast, Chaplain Billy Graham speaks about his military experience and the uniqueness of chaplaincy corp. Billy explains the crucial role of a Chaplain when a soldier dies in active duty, and shares his advice for ROTC students on how to cope with grief and stay "spiritually fit". Through personal anecdotes, Billy exposes a deeply human side of the military.

Biography: Chaplain Billy Graham is an US Army War College Fellow, which is the Army strategic education forum for senior officers. He has served as an Army chaplain for 20 years and been in the Army 28 years. He has served in different locations around the world including the Pentagon and three deployments to the Middle East. He is married to Robin and they have three grown children and 10 grandchildren. He enjoys outdoor activities, military history, and biblical studies.

Episode summary – In this episode of Students Talk Security,

Notre Dame senior and NDISC Undergraduate Fellow Benjamin Erhardt sits down with retired Navy fighter pilot, admiral, and fellow podcaster James A. “Sandy” Winnefeld, Jr. Their discussion covers topics ranging from the Admiral’s storied career – including his time as unit commander of the USS Enterprise during the 9/11 terrorist attacks and his tenure as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff – to his insights on the crisis in Ukraine, the U.S.’s great power competition with China, the future of American innovation in defense, TOPGUN, Top Gun (yes, both!), and more. All throughout, Adm. Winnefeld imparts noteworthy wisdom and leadership advice for both budding and seasoned professionals in military, political, and business disciplines. He also provides timely advice on how to handle stressful decisions in today’s volatile world.

Interviewee bio – Adm. James A. Winnefeld, Jr. is a retired four-star admiral and was the ninth vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. His 37-year U.S. Navy career includes having served as commander of U.S. Northern Command and of NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command. His operational commands include having served as commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet, and of Allied Joint Command Lisbon. He also is a graduate of and former instructor at Navy Fighter Weapons School (a.k.a., TOPGUN). His awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal, and five Battle Efficiency awards.

An Interview with Major Gregory M. Scott of the US Marine Corp by Pranav Guntupalli

Interview Summary: In the first episode of the "Meet the NDISC fellows" series, Pranav Guntupalli speaks to the NDISC War College fellow, Major Gregory Scott, about his military service. They discuss his time in Okinawa (Japan) and in South America with the Embassy Security group, and Maj. Scott shares the insights he gained from his time being stationed in different countries around the world.

Biography: Major Gregory M. Scott has served as a Fire Support Officer in Okinawa, Japan, Darwin, Australia, Thailand, Crow Valley, Philippines, and Korea. He has served with the Department of State in the Marine Corps Embassy Security Group covering South America. He attended Expeditionary Warfare School in Quantico, Virginia. His last fleet tour he was stationed in San Diego California serving as a Battery Commander of a HIMARS unit in the 1st Marine Division. He has Scott deployed to Djibouti and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Major Scott participated in operation ALLIES REFUGE in Kabul Afghanistan, conducting the largest non-combatant evacuation in United States history. Currently, he is a Fellow with Notre Dame University under the Marine Corps Commandant Fellowships from Marine Corps University to the Notre Dame International Security Center.

In this episode of Outside the Box, co-host (and six-time novelist) Jim Webb switches to the interviewee seat to join University of Notre Dame English Professor, Iraq War Army veteran, and novelist Roy Scranton to talk about novels and war. In a wide-ranging discussion, the authors of Fields of Fire and War Porn discuss how their experiences in war led them to become novelists, the creative writing process, and how fiction can convey truths about war in a way that history cannot.

Recorded: April 28, 2022

Roseanne W. McManus is an Associate Professor in the Political Science Department at the Pennsylvania State University. Her research focuses on signaling and coercion in an international security context. She received her B.A. from the University of Maryland and her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Before pursuing an academic career, she was a Senior Analyst at the Defense Intelligence Agency.

Recorded: April 19, 2022