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Iran
China
Russia
United States
Ukraine
Israel
National Security
Artificial Intelligence
CIA
NATO
Venezuela
North Korea
Middle East
Taiwan
Syria
Hezbollah
Turkey
Cybersecurity
Al-Qaeda
Trump Administration

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes154Founded3 years ago
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GovernmentNews

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Artwork for NatSec Matters

Latest Episodes

Michael is joined by Rear Admiral (Ret.) Mark Montgomery, Senior Director of the Center on Cyber and Technology Innovation at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD), who just concluded his seventh trip to Ukraine since the full-scale invasio... more

Michael is joined by Bojan Pancevski, Chief European Political Correspondent for The Wall Street Journal, to discuss his new book, The Nord Stream Conspiracy: The Inside Story of the Explosions That Shook the World. Drawing on direct conversations wi... more

Michael is joined by Dr. Alina Polyakova, President and CEO of the Center for European Policy Analysis, and Peter Rough, Director of the Center on Europe and Eurasia at the Hudson Institute, to discuss how the recent NATO Summit in Ankara landed. The... more

Michael speaks with Anthony Vinci, former career intelligence officer and the first Chief Technology Officer of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. They discuss Anthony's new book, "The Fourth Intelligence Revolution: The Future of Espionage... more

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Recent Guests

Bojan Pancevski
Chief European Political Correspondent for The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal
Episode: 'The Nord Stream Conspiracy' - Sabotage, Spies, and the Baltic Sea Explosion: Bojan Pancevski
Alina Polyakova
President and CEO of the Center for European Policy Analysis
Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA)
Episode: Testing the Transatlantic Security Pact: Dr. Alina Polyakova & Peter Rough
Peter Rowe
Senior Fellow and Director of the Center on Europe and Eurasia
Hudson Institute
Episode: Testing the Transatlantic Security Pact: Dr. Alina Polyakova & Peter Rough
Divyansh Kaushik
Vice President at Beacon Global Strategies, PhD in Machine Learning from Carnegie Mellon
Beacon Global Strategies
Episode: The Geopolitical Stakes of Frontier AI: Dr. Dr. Divyansh Kaushik
Jeffrey Feltman
John C. Whitehead Visiting Fellow in International Diplomacy at the Brookings Institution
Brookings Institution
Episode: Deciphering the Iran Ceasefire: Amb. Jeffrey Feltman
Nadia Schadlow
Senior Fellow at the Hudson Institute and Co-Chair of the Hamilton Commission on Securing America's National Security Innovation Base
Hudson Institute
Episode: 'Leapfrogging' Diplomacy: Dr. Nadia Schadlow
Richard Nephew
Senior research scholar at Columbia University; former director for Iran at the National Security Council
Columbia University; National Security Council
Episode: The Price of Peace in Iran: Richard Nephew
Rebecca Heinrichs
Senior Fellow and Director of the Keystone Defense Initiative, Hudson Institute
Hudson Institute
Episode: Reading Between the Lines - What's Hidden in the New Iran Agreement: Dr. Rebeccah L. Heinrichs and Rich Goldberg
Admiral Bob Harward
Former Deputy Commander of U.S. Central Command; retired Navy SEAL
U.S. Navy; Shield AI (Executive Vice President)
Episode: Operation Epic Fury 2?: Adm. Robert Harward

Host

Michael Allen
Host of NatSec Matters; Beacon Global Strategies

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 478 ratings
  • Conservative shift

    I listened to Intelligence Matters for years, and it was a balanced, thoughtful podcast that explored the most pressing issues in national security and foreign policy. However, in the last few months, the tenor of the show has changed markedly. Things are notably more conservative and hawkish with respect to foreign policy. Although there are still some interesting discussions and debates, I find that there is simply too much credibility laundering and post hoc rationalization for the foreign po... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Ryanstudent2
    United States2 months ago
  • Used to be good

    Seems to have taken a conservative bias recently when it used to be a podcast of reason.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    thedeadpoint
    United States2 months ago
  • No balance - it has a very strong agenda

    See review by makai lanai

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    HgihB
    United States2 months ago
  • Admiral Harwood

    Blatant dishonesty and bold face lies. Admiral Harwood stated the JCPOA allowed Iran to enrich to 60%, that is not true at all. The JCPOA limit was 3.67 %. Shame on you for stating that and shame on the moronic host for not questioning it!

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Jcs19090
    United States2 months ago
  • Poor analysis

    No proper analysis or debate.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    >>l
    United Kingdom3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Strong policy depth and industry relevance
Relaunch brought back rigorous national security conversations
Some episodes perceived as pro‑policy or partisan by critics
High-quality analysis that helps decode complex geopolitics
Insightful discussions with high-profile guests

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#26
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#29
United Kingdom/Government
Apple Podcasts
#46
Canada/Government
Apple Podcasts
#49
Australia/Government
Apple Podcasts
#56
Italy/Government
Apple Podcasts
#65
Germany/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

'The Nord Stream Conspiracy' - Sabotage, Spies, and the Baltic Sea Explosion: Bojan Pancevski
Q: What is unique about Ukrainian intelligence and its collaboration with Western agencies?
Ukraine leveraged a hybrid model combining in-house intelligence with support from Western partners like the CIA, enabling access to money, technology, and training, while maintaining a high degree of autonomy in executing sensitive operations.
'The Nord Stream Conspiracy' - Sabotage, Spies, and the Baltic Sea Explosion: Bojan Pancevski
Q: Tell us about the tactics Ukrainians used to blow up the pipeline.
The operation was planned by an elite Ukrainian special-forces unit and involved deep-dive divers, including civilians, who laid mines at about 80 meters depth, using remotely triggered timers to target the pipelines, reflecting a long-standing capability in clandestine, energy-focused operations.
Testing the Transatlantic Security Pact: Dr. Alina Polyakova & Peter Rough
Q: How real is the risk of Russian incursions into NATO territory given the current posture?
There is an active risk of mixed actions—kinetic probes, drone incursions, and hybrid pressure—especially in the Baltic and Eastern flank; a direct invasion would depend on Moscow's assessment of costs and cohesion within NATO.
Testing the Transatlantic Security Pact: Dr. Alina Polyakova & Peter Rough
Q: Alina, can we discuss how long it will take for Europeans to reach the 5% defense spending target?
It's highly variable by country; some Nordic and Central European states are moving quickly, while others lag due to different threat perceptions, political dynamics, and capacity limits—so timelines will differ by country and region.
The Geopolitical Stakes of Frontier AI: Dr. Dr. Divyansh Kaushik
Q: How do private AI labs affect national security policy and government strategy?
Private labs have become central to defense capabilities and innovations. Government must build state capacity, establish intelligence-sharing channels, and create governance mechanisms that keep up with rapid lab-led developments, while avoiding over-centralization that could stifle innovation.

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?

A deep-dish, policy-focused program that probes high-stakes national security topics through conversations with former officials, military leaders, and policy experts. Episodes frequently center on Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, sanctions, escalation risks, and diplomacy, often weighing military options against political constraints and alliance dynamics. A standout trait is the consistent emphasis on practical implications for policymakers and industry stakeholders, including energy markets and maritime security, making it a go-to for listeners who want rigorous, decision-forward analysis from practitioners with firsthand experience.

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How many listeners does NatSec Matters get?

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Which podcasts are similar to NatSec Matters?

These podcasts share a similar audience with NatSec Matters:

1. Irregular Warfare Podcast
2. Global Security Briefing
3. Modern War Institute
4. War on the Rocks
5. School of War

How many episodes of NatSec Matters are there?

NatSec Matters launched 3 years ago and published 154 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. Bojan Pancevski
2. Alina Polyakova
3. Peter Rowe
4. Divyansh Kaushik
5. Jeffrey Feltman
6. Nadia Schadlow
7. Richard Nephew
8. Rebecca Heinrichs

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