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Formerly known as Intelligence Matters, the NatSec Matters podcast features former senior national security officials Michael Allen, Jeremy Bash, and Andrew Shapiro as they interview top leaders in national security, including intelligence officers, military leaders, and policymakers, on the most critical security challenges of our time. Their interviews offer insights into the world's most pressi... more

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Latest Episodes

Michael speaks with Michael Doran, Director of the Hudson Institute's Center for Peace and Security in the Middle East and a former senior director in the National Security Council, about the outlook for U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran. Mr. Doran explai... more

Michael discusses the rapidly developing conflict in the Middle East with General Joseph Votel, former commander of CENTCOM and U.S. Special Operations Command. General Votel analyzes the strategic implications of Iran blocking the Strait of Hormuz a... more

Michael Allen discusses Iran's new Supreme Leader with Jeffrey Feltman, a visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution and former UN Under-Secretary-General. Feltman examines the sudden rise of Mojtaba Khamenei following the death of his father, Ali ... more

In an exclusive conversation, Michael talks to former National Security Council Director for Iran Richard Nephew about the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and the regime's response. Richard, a fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Polic... more

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Recent Guests

Ryan Berg
Director of the Americas Program and Head of the Future of Venezuela Initiative at CSIS
Center for Strategic and International Studies
Episode: Eliminating 'El Mencho' & Re-Engineering the Americas: Dr. Ryan Berg
Gregory Brew
Senior analyst with the Eurasia Group's Energy, Climate and Resources team, focusing on the geopolitics of oil and gas and country analyst for Iran.
Eurasia Group
Episode: US-Iran Summit - Taming Mideast Volatility: Gregory Brew
Richard Goldberg
Senior advisor at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies
Foundation for the Defense of Democracies
Episode: The Iranian Regime's Long Goodbye: Richard Goldberg
Dr. Ryan Berg
Director of the Americas Program and Head of the Future of Venezuela Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies
Center for Strategic and International Studies
Episode: Venezuela After Maduro - U.S. Intervention, Cartels, and the Road Ahead: Dr. Ryan Berg
Yaakov Katz
Former editor-in-chief of the Jerusalem Post and military reporter
Episode: Israel's Intelligence Breakdowns: Yaakov Katz
Roger Zakheim
Washington Director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute
Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute
Episode: The Reagan Survey: Public 'Firepower' for National Security
Dr. Kirill Shamiev
Non-resident fellow at the Kennan Institute and policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations
European Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: Skepticism and Survival in Moscow: Dr. Kirill Shamiev
Nico Lange
Non-resident Senior Fellow with the Transatlantic Defense and Security Program at the Center for European Policy Analysis and a Senior Fellow at the Munich Security Conference
Episode: Pressuring Putin Towards a Ceasefire in Ukraine: Nico Lange
Sara Schuman
Managing Director of Beacon's International Trade Practice, previously Senior Trade Representative for China at the Office of the US Trade Representative.
Beacon Global Strategies
Episode: After Asia - The President's Trip Fortifying US Economic Security: Sara Schuman

Host

Michael Allen
Host of NatSec Matters, Beacon Global Strategies

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 455 ratings
  • Excellent podcast on current events with insights you don’t typically hear

    The deep dives with all the guests makes it very enjoyable to learn about current events from people with exceptional knowledge who have spent years in their respective fields. Would be great to hear about more domestic security issues, but I enjoy the excellent coverage of multiple theaters of operation.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chadillac253
    United States2 months ago
  • Unlabeled reruns hold it back

    The podcast hosts and guests are fine for the topic, but timeliness and transparency are major opportunities. In fact, this podcast will post reruns of old episodes without any disclosure that it is a rerun in the title (or audio or description!). So, for example, you may listen to December’s rerun of an August episode with Craig Singleton and wonder why Craig keeps making forecasts about things in the past (“…through November”, “…this Fall”, etc.). Until a podcast successfully executes the bas... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Byrd Nick
    United States2 months ago
  • What a joke

    Surely they can’t be serious? Very entertaining though, fun to hear the excuses, justifications and contradictions they come up with. Not sure I’d want to hire those dudes to advise my business though :D

    Lots of hot air and conspiracies, it’s those evil Marxists pulling the strings behind the scenes :D

    Also, describing the current more liberal drug policies in Latin America as “failures” is a bit hypocritical without examining decades of hardline and military/police efforts, which have led us to... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Fredomator
    Hong Kong5 months ago
  • Dr. Karako interview!

    An outstanding discussion on missile defensive/offensive capabilities. Well done.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Steve-MASS
    United States9 months ago
  • Excellent analysis

    Fulsome analysis looking at all the evidence.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    >>l
    United Kingdom9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise high-quality, thought-provoking analysis and access to experts.
Episodes are seen as credible and informative by many, with strong praise for guest expertise.
Some criticisms note timeliness and transparency issues with reruns.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#9
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#15
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#16
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#5
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#11
Germany/Government
Apple Podcasts
#18
France/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Exclusive - The Iranian End Game: Richard Nephew
Q: Is a ceasefire likely, and under what conditions?
A ceasefire could be possible if the target list is reduced and oil/gas market pressures force a pause; however, such a pause may be tactical and not a durable solution, with risk of a resumption later.
Exclusive - The Iranian End Game: Richard Nephew
Q: What did you think of the strike and where do you see things now?
The strikes were not surprising given the context, but the bigger issue is the unclear end state and how long hostilities might continue; there is a tension between signaling a threat and achieving a clear objective.
The Lurking Escalation with Iran & the Future of the Mideast: Tamir Hayman
Q: How are things changing and where has Israel settled?
Israelis are satisfied that Israel is taking control over its security interests but are frustrated that threats from groups like Hamas remain unresolved after recent military actions.
The Lurking Escalation with Iran & the Future of the Mideast: Tamir Hayman
Q: What do you think he's rushing here to say to the president?
Netanyahu is rushing to explain the Israeli interest that any negotiation deal should include strategic threats like ballistic missiles and the regional terror network.
The Lurking Escalation with Iran & the Future of the Mideast: Tamir Hayman
Q: Would you go for instruments of regime repression including IRGC? Would you also go for IRGC Navy and other things that I keep hearing here in the United States or on our target list?
I would first of all ask the president, what do you want to achieve? State the mission and I'll tell you what the method.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About NatSec Matters

What is NatSec Matters about and what kind of topics does it cover?

NatSec Matters presents high-level conversations with former senior national security officials and policy leaders. Episodes center on contemporary security challenges, geopolitics, and US policy responses, featuring insider perspectives on Iran, Russia, China, Latin America, and regional crises. The show stands out for its access to practitioners and policymakers, offering pragmatic impact-focused analysis and scenario planning, often with a sharp emphasis on U.S. strategy, deterrence, and defense posture. Potential sponsors and guests can expect a rigorous, policy-driven audience interested in defense, intelligence, diplomacy, and national security strategy.

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How many subscribers and views does NatSec Matters have?

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Which podcasts are similar to NatSec Matters?

These podcasts share a similar audience with NatSec Matters:

1. The Foreign Affairs Interview
2. SpyCast
3. Global Security Briefing
4. Battleground
5. Irregular Warfare Podcast

How many episodes of NatSec Matters are there?

NatSec Matters launched 2 years ago and published 130 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact NatSec Matters?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for NatSec Matters?

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What guests have appeared on NatSec Matters?

Recent guests on NatSec Matters include:

1. Ryan Berg
2. Gregory Brew
3. Richard Goldberg
4. Dr. Ryan Berg
5. Yaakov Katz
6. Roger Zakheim
7. Dr. Kirill Shamiev
8. Nico Lange

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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