Orion Talks

In this OrionTalks episode, hosted by Suat Cubukcu, COL (R) Bill Edwards discusses his new book, The Perimeter Has Changed, and how drones, emerging technologies, and evolving threats are reshaping physical security. An Iraq War veteran and experienced drone and counter-drone professional, Edwards is a recognized thought leader in the robotic ecosystem, bringing more than 35 years of experience in national security, intelligence, counterterrorism, and operational security.

Drawing on his book and operational experience, Edwards explains his 3D Physical Security™ framework and why organizations must rethink the traditional security perimeter to account for threats from the low-altitude airspace. The conversation explores drones and counter-drone security, Decision Advantage, the integration of physical and cyber security, AI, and why effective security begins with governance and informed decision-making rather than simply adding more technology.

In this Orion Talks episode, hosted by Suat Cubukcu, John Sullivan, Nathan Jones, and Daniel Weisz Argomedo explore how urban warfare is reshaping modern conflict. Drawing on their book Urban Operations: War, Crime, and Conflict, they examine the increasingly blurred lines between conventional warfare, organized crime, terrorism, and criminal insurgencies in cities around the world. The conversation also explores how emerging technologies, evolving non-state actors, and the challenges of protecting civilians are transforming military operations and raising new questions for scholars and security practitioners.

This episode of Orion Talks, hosted by Marta Furlan, features Dr. Mauro Lubrano examining the rise of anti-technology extremism. He begins by distinguishing it from anti-technology activism, emphasizing that conflating the two risks discrediting legitimate concerns and may even contribute to further radicalization.

The discussion situates recent attacks on tech leaders and infrastructure within a broader and expected escalation of anti-technology violence. These acts are driven by the belief that technology poses an existential threat to humanity and the environment. Drawing on his book Stop the Machines, Lubrano traces the evolution of anti-technology thought from material concerns (e.g., job loss) to philosophical critiques, and ultimately to today’s extremist view of technology as a “mega-machine.”

The episode concludes by reflecting on the fact that anti-technology extremism is most visible in Europe and North America but has global dimensions. Lubrano argues that effectively countering this trend requires engaging seriously with non-violent activists and addressing their concerns, while clearly isolating and condemning extremist violence. Ignoring or dismissing public fears about technology, he warns, may ultimately fuel the very dynamics that lead to radicalization.

In this episode of Orion Talks, hosted by Suat Cubukcu, we are joined by Dr. Kerry Chavez to explore how drones are reshaping modern warfare and homeland security. As commercial drone technology becomes more accessible, the barriers to air power are rapidly eroding, enabling non-state actors and even lone individuals to challenge traditional military dominance. Dr. Chavez examines this shift through the lens of “precise mass,” where relatively low-cost systems can generate strategic effects at scale. The conversation also explores the broader implications of drone proliferation for global security, technological innovation, and the future character of conflict.

In this episode, host Marta Furlan talks with Juan Luis Manfredi Sánchez reflecting on the new world order that is taking shape under President Donald Trump. Manfredi Sánchez talks about an end of the liberal order and a return to “areas of influence”. He goes on to note that the recent direct US intervention in Venezuela is a clear sign of a new approach with which Latin American and European countries need to deal with. Europe, in particular, is invited to take a more proactive approach. He then discusses how energy and trade have been used, or instrumentalized, in Trump’s order of things.

In this Orion Talks episode, hosted by Suat Cubukcu, Dr. Imdat Oner joins the conversation to unpack Venezuela’s sudden political turning point following the capture of Nicolás Maduro and his transfer to the United States. Dr. Oner examines the immediate fallout in Caracas, the rise of interim president Delcy Rodríguez, and the competing forces, domestic and international, now shaping the transition. From Washington’s strategic aims and regional reactions to risks of internal conflict, the future of Venezuelan oil, and the response of Maduro’s allies in Moscow, Beijing, and Ankara, the discussion lays out three possible paths ahead—the good, the bad, and the ugly—and what a truly stable Venezuela would require in the long run.

In this episode, host Marta Furlan talks with Fola Aina about the current security situation in Nigeria and the threat posed by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province. The episode starts with Dr. Aina giving a comprehensive and detailed overview of the current status of the Boko Haram and ISWAP insurgency in Nigeria. He then moves on to talk about the recent targeting of farmers' communities and the strategic reasons behind those. He also gives important information about the funding strategy of the Islamist insurgency, reflecting on how the two groups finance their activities. To conclude the conversation, Dr. Aina reflects on the most important initiatives that have been taken to counter Boko Haram and ISWAP and gives his thoughts on how those measures should be strengthened and made more effective.

In this episode of Orion Talks, host Marta Furlan talks with Héctor Camilo Morales Muñoz about the current situation in Colombia. The conversation starts with an overview of the current political and security climate in Colombia, with some reflections on where the country stands half a year before the elections in May 2026. Morales Muñoz then proceeds to reflect on the relations between Colombia and its South American neighbors, focusing on issues of climate diplomacy and environmental peacebuilding. From there, the conversation expands to discussing the relations between Colombia and the US, which have seemed particularly tense during the latest UNGA in New York.

In this episode of Orion Talks, host Marta Furlan talks with Mehmet Metehan Ciftci about the socio-political harms linked to the mining of critical minerals. The conversation starts with Mete explaining the paradox of green minerals being extracted in the Global South, where their harmful impacts are felt, and end technologies being enjoyed in the Global North. He then reflects on conflicts surrounding lithium mining and expands on what makes lithium conflicts different from others. From there, he zooms in on the South America region and the role of Indigenous communities: while not everyone among them is against mining, many Indigenous people have been involved in conflicts and looked for innovative ways of responding to the mining. He concludes by sharing his thoughts on how the tension between the goals of the energy transition and responsible mining can be balanced.

In this episode of Orion Talks, host Marta Furlan speaks with Dr. Joshua Walker about the current conflict and peace dynamics in the Eastern DRC. Following M23’s capture of Goma and Bukavu in late January 2025, Dr. Walker starts by describing the state of the current peace processes. Highlighting the role and leverage of Qatar and the US, Dr. Walker compares their efforts with the shortcomings of past mediation efforts. He then explains how domestic politics in the DRC and regional dynamics have been influencing the M23 conflict, and their role in the current peace processes. From there, he offers his thoughts on the role that the Eastern DRC's richness in natural resources has been playing in the conflict, questioning the dominant narrative whereby the conflict is exclusively driven by natural resources.