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Iran
China
Russia
United States
Venezuela
Ukraine
Taiwan
US Military Operations
Maduro
Xi Jinping
Donald Trump
Drug Trafficking
Operation Midnight Hammer
Vladimir Putin
Rare Earth Minerals
Cuba
Nicolás Maduro
Delcy Rodríguez
Latin America
Protests

In this era of uncertainty, knowledge is power. Hosted by Dr. Seth G. Jones, The Last Line of Defense breaks down and analyzes the latest national security news. Each episode provides practical solutions to the toughest national security questions—from war and peace around the world to the role of emerging technology in defense. Produced by Marla Hiller.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes18Founded7 months ago
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Artwork for The Last Line of Defense

Latest Episodes

Host Dr. Seth G. Jones sat down with retired Marine Corps Colonel Mark Cancian to examine the U.S. munitions stockpiles after Operation Epic Fury, the challenges facing America’s defense industrial base, and what those shortfalls could mean in a futu... more

Norman Roule is back on the podcast with Seth Jones to provide an update on developments in Iran, including the impact of sanctions and the blockade, an assessment of who is in charge in Tehran, the current state of talks, and the role of Gulf States... more

Host Seth Jones sat down with Dr. Bonny Lin, CSIS Senior Adviser and Director of the China Power Project, to explore Beijing’s view of the U.S.-Iran war, including its own role, the China-Pakistan peace plan, and potential takeaways.

Host Seth Jones speaks with Ambassador Ryan Crocker to unpack Iran’s complex political landscape, regional power dynamics, and the role of U.S. allies as the conflict unfolds. Drawing on decades of diplomatic experience, Ambassador Crocker offers a d... more

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Recent Guests

Mark Cancian
Retired Marine and Senior Advisor in the Defense and Security Department at CSIS
CSIS
Episode: China’s Win? The Missile Gap After Epic Fury
Norman Roule
Former CIA officer and National Intelligence Manager for Iran
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
Episode: Strategic Exhaustion: Will Iran Fold?
Bonny Lin
Director of the China Power Project and Senior Advisor at CSIS
Center for Strategic and International Studies
Episode: Beyond the Rubble: Is China the Real Winner of the U.S.-Iran War?
Ryan Crocker
Ambassador Crocker; former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait, Lebanon
Former U.S. Ambassador
Episode: Tehran’s Calculus: Iran’s Strategy Amidst the Storm
Margaret Brennan
Chief foreign affairs correspondent, CBS News, host of Face the Nation
CBS News
Episode: The Iran Endgame: Iran's Nuclear Program, View from Tehran & U.S. Ground Troops
David Petraeus
Retired US Army General, former commander of US Central Command and former director of the CIA
United States Army (retired); CSIS guest expert
Episode: Beyond the Air War: What Are the Global Risks of the Iran Conflict?
Joseph Votel
Former Commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM) and US Special Operations Command (SOCOM)
U.S. military (retired), previously CENTCOM and SOCOM
Episode: A Widening War with Iran: What Are the U.S. Military's Next Steps
Kate Odell
A member of the Wall Street Journal's editorial board, joined in 2013
Wall Street Journal
Episode: Why Putin’s "Inevitable" Victory in Ukraine is a Myth
Admiral Sandy Winnefeld
Former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Episode: Locked and Loaded: What Are U.S. Military Options for Iran?

Host

Seth Jones
Host and analyst focused on national security and geopolitics; affiliated with the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 14 ratings
  • Clear, Smart, and Refreshingly Balanced

    This is one of the few podcasts in this space that feels genuinely clear-headed and grounded. The conversations are thoughtful, well-informed, and never slip into slogans or talking points.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    aDevl3
    United States2 months ago
  • Recommend

    Wonderful show with great potential.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RJG179
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Insightful, data-driven analysis that helps frame complex security issues.
Some episodes are very dense; great for executives and analysts, less so for casual listeners.
High-caliber guests and thoughtful, strategic discussion.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

China’s Win? The Missile Gap After Epic Fury
Q: What are some potential low-cost alternatives to high-end missiles the U.S. could rely on if inventories are strained?
Inexpensive cruise missiles and large-scale drone programs (e.g., Lucas-type drones) could fill gaps in the near term, though numbers and production capacity are limiting; long-term planning requires developing affordable, scalable options to supplement costly munitions.
China’s Win? The Missile Gap After Epic Fury
Q: Why is this an issue for U.S. stockpiles, especially for long-range munitions?
Long-range munitions are depleted due to heavy usage in recent conflicts, limiting the U.S. ability to stand-off from enemy defenses in initial war phases; replenishment takes years and depends on system, with some like SM-6 recovering faster than others like Patriot or THAAD.
Strategic Exhaustion: Will Iran Fold?
Q: Who are the most important third-party actors in influencing a potential deal?
Beyond the United States and Iran, the most influential actors are China, Russia, and Pakistan, which Iran may use as diplomatic gateways. The guest emphasizes that these relationships can help Iran gain leverage but do not determine Iran's internal decision-making and that regional players in the Gulf—such as Qatar and the UAE—also shape the negotiating environment through economic and security considerations.
Beyond the Rubble: Is China the Real Winner of the U.S.-Iran War?
Q: What is your assessment of what lessons the Chinese leadership might be learning from the US-Israeli war with Iran?
Bonny Lin explains that China views the lessons as a moving target: initial optimism followed by recognition of potential negative repercussions, with a strong emphasis on military power and the limits of diplomacy.
Tehran’s Calculus: Iran’s Strategy Amidst the Storm
Q: Do you think there is any real negotiating space right now, or are talks merely negotiations about negotiations?
Right now there is more talk about negotiations rather than actual negotiations, with regional players talking among themselves and the major powers not in direct discussions, so substantive bargaining is not yet in play.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Last Line of Defense

What is The Last Line of Defense about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A rigorous national security show that analyzes current geopolitical and military developments with expert depth. Episodes typically feature high-level briefings on Iran, Russia, China, and regional flashpoints, paired with practical implications for policy, defense strategy, and energy markets. Noteworthy is the frequent pairing of respected former officials and renowned analysts to unpack complex threats, risks, and policy options for decision-makers. Listeners are likely seeking informed, strategic perspectives on geopolitical risk, defense posture, and the interplay between diplomacy and military power.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Last Line of Defense?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Last Line of Defense:

1. Russian Roulette
2. The Asia Chessboard
3. ChinaPower
4. Pekingology
5. The Trade Guys

How many episodes of The Last Line of Defense are there?

The Last Line of Defense launched 7 months ago and published 18 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Last Line of Defense?

Recent guests on The Last Line of Defense include:

1. Mark Cancian
2. Norman Roule
3. Bonny Lin
4. Ryan Crocker
5. Margaret Brennan
6. David Petraeus
7. Joseph Votel
8. Kate Odell

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