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Artwork for The Last Line of Defense
Iran
China
Russia
United States
Ukraine
Venezuela
Taiwan
Donald Trump
Xi Jinping
US Military Operations
Maduro
Drug Trafficking
NATO
Rare Earth Minerals
Operation Midnight Hammer
Vladimir Putin
Cuba
Nicolás Maduro
Delcy Rodríguez
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 monthlyEpisodes24Founded9 months ago
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Artwork for The Last Line of Defense

Latest Episodes

Host Seth Jones sits down with Secretary Leon Panetta for an assessment of the Iran war, U.S. military readiness, and broader strategic challenges. Drawing on decades of experience at the highest levels of government, Panetta discusses America's nati... more

Host Seth Jones welcomes back Mick Ryan, retired Australian Army Major General, for the latest on the Ukraine-Russia battlefield. The pair discussed the Ukrainian air campaign, including the use of AI and drone warfare, as well as the conditions of R... more

On this episode, host Seth Jones discusses areas of bipartisan support for global engagement, including NATO, the threat posed by China, support for Ukraine, and more. He is joined by Roger Zakheim, who currently serves as the Washington Director of ... more

Host Seth G. Jones sits down with Walter Russell Mead to examine the war in Iran, including its political implications, the state of Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and the historical forces shaping the conflict. Drawing on decades of expertise, Mead offer... more

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Recent Guests

Leon Panetta
Former US Secretary of Defense and CIA Director; Board of Trustees at CSIS
Former U.S. Secretary of Defense, Former CIA Director
Episode: Ex-CIA and Pentagon Chief Warns: Iran, the Homeland, and Challenges Ahead
Mick Ryan
General (retired) Australian Army, discussed Ukraine war experience
Australian Army (former)
Episode: Is Ukraine Winning? Inside the Battlefield of Drones, AI, and Autonomous Warfare
Roger Zakheim
Washington Director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute
Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute
Episode: The Surprising Truth About How Americans See NATO, China, and Iran
Walter Russell Mead
Distinguished fellow in strategy and statesmanship at the Hudson Institute; Alexander Hamilton Professor of Strategy and Statecraft at the University of Florida
Hudson Institute; University of Florida
Episode: The World Turned Upside Down: The Aftermath of the Iran War
Ben Hodges
General, United States Army (former Commanding General, U.S. Army Europe)
United States Army
Episode: Cracks in the Armor: Russia’s Military Struggles and the G7 Aftermath
Edgard Kagan
Ambassador, Freeman Chair in China Studies at CSIS; former U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia and NSC official
Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
Episode: The Room Where It Happened: What the Media Missed About the Trump-Xi Meeting
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?

Host

Seth Jones
Host of The Last Line of Defense

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 17 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 States4 months ago
  • Recommend

    Wonderful show with great potential.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RJG179
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the clear-headed, balanced analysis.
Guests are credible and deeply knowledgeable.
The show delivers high-quality, data-driven security perspectives.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Is Ukraine Winning? Inside the Battlefield of Drones, AI, and Autonomous Warfare
Q: What factors are driving the extraordinary casualty rates on the Russian side?
Main factors include intensive defense investments, large-scale use of drones and counter-drone saturation, and ongoing adaptation by Russian forces to urban and front-line combat, though the strategic calculus of Putin and political willingness to endure casualties also plays a crucial role.
The Surprising Truth About How Americans See NATO, China, and Iran
Q: How is support for NATO changing among Republicans and Democrats?
Democrats show higher support for NATO (around 80%), while Republicans support NATO at a lower but still substantial level (around 60%), with MAGA Republicans showing nuanced engagement rather than outright isolationism.
The Surprising Truth About How Americans See NATO, China, and Iran
Q: What are the main divides on Iran policy according to the survey?
Democrats tend to favor a negotiated settlement, while Republicans and MAGA Republicans lean toward weakened regimes or regime change, showing a sharp partisan split on Iran policy.
The Surprising Truth About How Americans See NATO, China, and Iran
Q: How do younger Americans differ in views on China compared to older generations?
Young Americans under 30 are less alarmed by some threats and less likely to rank China as the top threat, while still expressing significant concern about issues like spying and land acquisition; the gap is notable across age groups.
The Surprising Truth About How Americans See NATO, China, and Iran
Q: What does the data say about overall American engagement in world affairs?
Americans, across parties, show a strong desire to be engaged in the world, underpinned by support for a strong military, democratic promotion, and trade with allies.

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?

Analyses focus on national security, geopolitics, and defense strategy, with a heavy emphasis on U.S. policy, global flashpoints, and how technology shapes security outcomes. Episodes frequently feature senior CSIS analysts, former diplomats, generals, and prominent journalists, offering data-driven insights, risk assessments, and practical implications for policymakers and defense professionals. Notable strengths include a rigorous, evidence-based approach, a clear balance between theory and real-world applications, and the ability to translate complex security issues into actionable takeaways for decision-makers and industry partners. The format tends to combine high-level strategic discussions with concrete implications for emerging thre... more

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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. Global Security Briefing

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

The Last Line of Defense launched 9 months ago and published 24 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. Leon Panetta
2. Mick Ryan
3. Roger Zakheim
4. Walter Russell Mead
5. Ben Hodges
6. Edgard Kagan
7. Mark Cancian
8. Norman Roule

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