Sound Discussion

Ambassador Wolfgang Ischinger joins the EWI podcast to discuss a variety of topics in global diplomacy from the state of transatlantic relations, to the concept of alliances in the modern era, to the establishment of cybersecurity norms.

According to Dr. Ischinger, “No one should believe that we can continue to outsource major elements of our European security to our big partner on the other side of the Atlantic.”

Elisabeth Braw—senior consultant at the London headquarters of Control Risks and nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security—joins the EWI Podcast to discuss the current state of defense in Europe, European defense integration and new threats to European security.

Guest: Nicholas Eberstadt

Dr. Nicholas Eberstadt, Henry Wendt Chair in Political Economy at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), joins the EWI Podcast to discuss current U.S.-North Korea relations and negotiations, and security concerns on the Korean peninsula.

Guest: Roberta Stempfley

The EastWest Institute's cyberspace program chief Bruce McConnell speaks with Roberta Stempfley, Director of CERT Division at Carnegie Mellon University, on how to develop cyber secure software as many aspects in everyday life increasingly depend on IT products and services. The two also delved into the concept of "cybersecurity poverty line."

Stempfley previously served as acting assistant secretary and deputy assistant secretary, Office of Cyber Security and Communications, at the Department of Homeland Security. She also worked in the Department of Defense as CIO of the Defense Information Systems Agency and as chief of the DoD Computer Emergency Response Team, which she established.

Guest: Davis Hake

Davis Hake looks at how the public and private sectors have worked to address the issue of cybersecurity as a risk management practice rather than simply a technical problem.

"We've certainly come a long way ... but ultimately I think a lot of things are still just whacking moles," says Hake in a conversation with EWI's cyberspace program chief Bruce McConnell.

Hake is co-director of the cybersecurity expert group at the Truman National Security Project. He was director of cybersecurity strategy at Palo Alto Networks. Hake also previously designed, built, and launched strategic initiatives across the National Security Council at the White House under the Obama administration.

Guest: Khoo Boon Hui

Khoo Boon Hui, a Commissioner with the Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace (GCSC), sits down EWI cyber program chief Bruce McConnell to discuss the commission's work in promoting shared norms of behavior in cyberspace among countries around the world.

Khoo, a former Commissioner of the Singapore Police Force and served as President of INTERPOL, also shared a recently-passed cyber legislation in SIngapore considering the country's status as a major financial and transportation hub.

Guest: Udo Helmbrecht

EastWest Institute Global Vice President Bruce McConnell speaks with Udo Helmbrecht, executive director of ENISA, on a proposed mandate for the EU cyber agency to create a harmonized cybersecurity certification scheme in Europe.

Helmbrecht has been in the position since 2009. Prior to his appointment, he served as the President of the German Federal Office for Information Security.

Guest: Ian Bremmer

Noted political scientist Ian Bremmer shares his thoughts in a lively discussion with Ambassador Cameron Munter on globalism and its interconnection with current geopolitical trends around the world — including populism, migration, automation and elections.

The discussion delves into Bremmer's latest book "Us Versus Them: The Failure of Globalism.” Bremmer is the president and founder of Eurasia Group — one of the world’s leading political risk consultancies.

Guest: Dr. Irene Finel-Honigman

Euroscepticism is on the rise, and strong opposition to EU policies in the United Kingdom, France, Greece, and Italy have put the future of the organization in doubt. Meanwhile, the United States has not appointed an ambassador to the European Union, and both German Chancellor Angela Merkel and European Council President Donald Tusk have expressed grave concern over ongoing EU-U.S. relations.

Dr. Irene Finel-Honigman, an expert on international finance and economic policy, joins Cameron Munter for a timely discussion on past and present fissures in the European Union and the path forward. Dr. Finel-Honigman is a Professor of International Finance and Economic Policy at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs, frequently providing commentary on Bloomberg News, the Huffington Post and NPR discussing Brexit and U.S.-EU Relations. She also served as the Senior Advisor on finance policy to the Clinton Administration.

Guest: Steve Coll

America's war in Afghanistan has proven to be enduring and even, as many say, unwinnable. Meanwhile, the relationship with Pakistan has also taken a worse turn in the last few years. Competing factions, rivaling neighbors, poor governance and consistent threat of terrorism have continued to mar the region with conflict. Cameron Munter discusses the root of these problems and the policy failures of the United States with Steve Coll, who recently released his latest book titled "Directorate S: The C.I.A. and America's Secret Wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan.”

Coll is the dean of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. He is also a staff writer for The New Yorker and a recipient of two Pulitzer Prize Awards.