Dr. Kurt Campbell, former Deputy Secretary of State and an architect of the U.S. “Pivot to Asia,” joins the Burn Bag to unpack the strategic crossroads the United States faces in the Indo-Pacific. In a wide-ranging conversation, Campbell discusses the Trump administration’s ongoing tariff negotiations with key allies and partners, the shifting contours of U.S.-China competition, and why he believes the United States is underestimating Beijing’s long-term scale and capacity. Drawing from his recent Foreign Affairs essay with Rush Doshi, we explore his call for a new strategy of “allied scale” that fuses defense, trade, and technology cooperation. Campbell shares sharp insights on the future of AUKUS, the role of partners such as India, Japan, and Korea, and how the U.S. must adapt its strategy to stay competitive in a region that’s central to the 21st century.

Read Kurt's Foreign Affairs op-ed (co-authored with Rush Doshi) here.

In this episode, we’re joined by Shubhi Mishra, founder and CEO of Raft, to talk about what it takes to become a new defense prime. Shubhi challenges the dominance of legacy primes and makes the case for smaller, faster-moving companies that can deliver what the warfighter actually needs. Through her work at Raft — a defense technology company building agile, AI-driven solutions for data fusion and rapid decision-making — she’s tackling one of the most urgent problems in defense: integrating siloed, vendor-locked systems. Shubhi shares her perspective on breaking free from “innovation theater,” reforming acquisition processes, and building real, interoperable solutions at the speed of relevance.

Read more about Shubhi here.

On this episode of The Burn Bag, we unpack the U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites—marking a sharp escalation in the Israel-Iran conflict and raising fears of a wider regional war. National security expert Javed Ali joins us to trace the timeline from the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel to the Israeli strikes deep inside Iran and the decision that brought U.S. forces directly into the fight. We discuss the key turning points that drove the escalation, the role of Iran’s nuclear program in the conflict, and the potential for asymmetric retaliation from Iran’s extensive proxy network. Javed also offers insight into the precarious ceasefire announced by President Trump, what it might take to hold it, and the critical signals to watch in the weeks ahead.

In this episode, A’ndre speaks with retired four-star General Stanley McChrystal, former commander of Joint Special Operations Command and the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. Widely recognized for revolutionizing modern counterinsurgency strategy and interagency counterterrorism operations, McChrystal reflects on a lifetime of leadership, failure, resilience, and personal growth through the lens of his new book, On Character: Choices That Define a Life.

The conversation begins with McChrystal’s reflections on the defining moment of his resignation from the military and how it reshaped his understanding of identity, accountability, and integrity. He speaks candidly about navigating fear and how it presents itself in warfare and political polarization. General McChrystal also discusses leadership and accountability, drawing on the examples of prior military leaders such as General Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Topics covered include:

• The personal reckoning after his resignation and how it redefined his understanding of character
• Leading through fear, uncertainty, and moral complexity
• How belief systems and perception shape conflict, politics, and leadership
• Bridging division in a polarized society and restoring trust through integrity

You can purchase On Character here.

In this episode, A’ndre speaks with his old boss Dr. Paul Staniland, Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago and a leading authority on political violence and South Asian security, for an in-depth conversation on the recent confrontation between India and Pakistan.

Dr. Staniland analyzes the strategic logic behind India’s Operation Sindoor, launched in response to a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir that killed 26 civilians. The conversation explores the evolving nature of India and Pakistan's disputes over Kashmir, the role of militant networks, and the risks of escalation in a nuclear-armed region shaped by domestic politics and great power rivalry.

Topics covered include:

• The political and strategic rationale behind India’s cross-border strikes
• Pakistan’s relationship with armed groups and its role in crisis escalation
• Lessons from past India-Pakistan confrontations — and what may be different now
• The role of the U.S., China, and backchannel diplomacy in managing the ceasefire
• How domestic politics contributed to the confrontation

Dr. Staniland offers a uniquely grounded perspective on how South Asia’s most volatile rivalry is evolving — and what to watch for as both countries recalibrate their strategies under rising regional and global pressure.

In this episode, A’ndre speaks with Mark Linscott, former Assistant U.S. Trade Representative and one of Washington’s most experienced trade negotiators, for an in-depth discussion on the logic and implications of President Trump’s "reciprocal" tariffs.

With decades of experience leading U.S. trade policy across multilateral institutions and bilateral platforms, Linscott offers expert analysis on how tariffs are being used as both an economic and geopolitical tool. The conversation covers the legal basis for executive tariff authority, the mechanics behind President Trump's “reciprocal tariffs,” and how Trump administration’s actions will impact the global trade landscape.

Topics covered include:

• The fundamentals of tariff policy and the legal tools used to implement them

• The scope and possible strategy behind Trump’s April 2 “Liberation Day” tariffs

• Escalating U.S.-China trade tensions and the role of 145% tariffs

• Reactions from key partners such as India, and the broader global economic impact

• How tariffs are being increasingly intertwined with national security concerns

Mark Linscott brings a uniquely informed perspective on how current tariff policies may redefine America’s role in global trade — and what to watch as the economic and political consequences unfold.

In this episode, A’ndre speaks with Dr. Yousef Munayyer, Senior Fellow at the Arab Center Washington DC, about recent U.S. policy developments affecting pro-Palestinian activism, including efforts by the Trump administration to deport foreign students and activists involved in campus protests.

The conversation explores how the war in Gaza is shaping political expression in the United States, particularly in the context of university activism, and examines broader questions around immigration policy, civic space, and public discourse. Dr. Munayyer also provides his view on U.S. support for Israel and how this is influencing domestic debates.

Topics covered include:

• The current state of the conflict in Gaza and U.S. policy under both Biden and Trump
• The status of the two-state solution and implications of regional diplomacy
• Campus protests and public discourse surrounding Israel-Palestine
• Recent deportation efforts impacting international students
• The intersection of foreign policy, free expression, and immigration enforcement
• Possible long-term impacts on U.S. civic space and international engagement

Dr. Munayyer authored a chapter Suppressing Dissent: Shrinking Civic Space, Transnational Repression, and Palestine-Israel, which you can find here.

This week, A’ndre is joined by former National Security Advisor Ambassador John Bolton for a wide-ranging conversation on the return of Donald Trump to the White House — and how the second term is stacking up against the first.

Drawing from his front-row experience during Trump’s first administration, Bolton reflects on the decision-making process he witnessed firsthand: the role of personality, the unpredictability, and the often transactional approach to global affairs. We dig into what’s changed, what hasn’t, and what it all means for U.S. national security.

Topics include:

• How Trump’s foreign policy in term two compares to term one
• Who Trump listens to and who he does not, and how that shapes U.S. policy
• The recent NSC firings and what it may signal about who has influence
• Trump’s approach to China, NATO, and the war in Ukraine
• What to make of Trump’s renewed talk of acquiring Greenland — and why Amb. Bolton believes there are real security interests behind the idea
• How Bolton views Trump’s latest tariff decisions through the lens of his leadership style

Amb. Bolton brings his signature candor and deep institutional knowledge to the table as we explore whether the second Trump term is more strategic — or a continuation of its most unpredictable tendencies.

This week on the podcast, A’ndre is joined by renowned national security attorney Mark Zaid to unpack the rapidly unfolding scandal now known as Signalgate — a controversy sparked when a The Atlantic's Jeffrey Goldberg was accidentally added to a Signal group chat among senior Trump officials. The chat revealed detailed U.S. military strike plans against Houthi targets in Yemen just hours before the operation, raising alarm bells across Washington about operational security, the handling of sensitive information, and basic judgment at the highest levels of government.

In this conversation, A'ndre asks:

• What laws were likely broken — and do they apply to former Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and others in the chat?
• Is the Trump administration’s defense that the info was “unclassified” legally sound — or dangerously misleading?
• Could a journalist face legal exposure for publishing the leaked Signal thread?
• What would’ve happened to a junior officer who made the same mistake?
• Are we in uncharted territory, legally and institutionally, as executive power is increasingly stretched?

Plus, A'ndre and Mark dig into the broader crackdown on law firms and legal professionals seen as critical of the Trump administration, and what it means for checks and balances in the years ahead.

Mark brings his decades of experience — representing whistleblowers, intelligence officers, and journalists — to help us break down the legal implications, national security risks, and systemic dangers of a White House seemingly operating outside the lines.

In this episode, A’ndre Gonawela sits down with historian and University of Utah professor Peter Roady to explore how the definition of national security has evolved over the 20th and 21st centuries. They examine how U.S. presidents have shaped national security priorities, focusing on Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s vision in the 1930s—one that included economic security as a core pillar. Roady unpacks the conservative opposition to FDR’s expansive view of national security and how this ideological struggle shaped modern policy debates. The conversation also considers how the concept of national security has expanded beyond military threats to include issues like gun violence, public health, climate change, and political extremism. Peter and A'ndre analyze whether we are seeing a return to a broader, more holistic understanding of security — similar to FDR’s vision — or if national security remains narrowly defined by foreign policy and defense concerns.

In this episode, A’ndre Gonawela sits down with Dr. Jaime Yassif, Vice President of Global Biological Policy and Programs at NTI | bio, to explore the evolving landscape of biosecurity and pandemic preparedness. They discuss key lessons from COVID-19, the ongoing Bird Flu, the growing threats posed by zoonotic spillover, bioweapons, and AI-driven bio-risks, as well as the urgent need for stronger governance frameworks. Dr. Yassif shares insights from her recent engagements at the Paris AI Action Summit and the Munich Security Conference, highlighting global efforts to regulate biotechnology and AI’s intersection with biosecurity. The conversation also examines historical lessons from the Asilomar Conference on bioscience, the balance between innovation and safety, and NTI’s work on preventing biological risks before they materialize. 

NOTE: This episode was recorded several hours before the announcement that President Trump was pausing all U.S. military aid to Ukraine.

In this episode, A’ndre Gonawela sits down with Ambassador Steven Pifer, former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine and a leading expert on U.S.-Russia relations, to dissect the fallout from President Zelenskyy’s recent visit to Washington and its impact on U.S.-Ukraine relations. They explore the broader geopolitical ramifications of Zelenskyy’s contentious meeting with President Trump, including Europe’s reaction and the shifting balance of U.S. global leadership. Ambassador Pifer provides insights into the current state of the Russia-Ukraine war, the feasibility of a ceasefire, and Ukraine’s urgent push for security guarantees. The discussion also delves into the historical context of U.S. policy on Ukraine, the evolution of military aid, and mistakes made by past administrations. Ambassador Pifer provides his candid criticisms of President Trump's approach towards Ukraine and Russia, ponders why President Trump is conciliatory towards Russia, and provides his perspective on why the U.S. should continue to aid Ukraine as it fends off the Russian invasion.

This week, A’ndre examines former President Trump’s decision to fire General CQ Brown as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, exploring the implications for U.S. military leadership, civil-military relations, and his potential replacement, LTG Dan Caine. He then turns to the U.S.-Ukraine critical minerals agreement, analyzing its potential to reshape the war effort while deepening U.S. strategic investment in the region. Lastly, he discusses the latest developments within the FBI under new Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino, viewed as political loyalists who may upend dynamics within the bureau. Also covered: North Korea’s expanded troop deployment to Ukraine, Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan’s call for the PKK to disband, and Thailand's deportation of Uyghurs.

In this week’s edition of What in the World?, A’ndre discusses the recent political turmoil in South Korea with his colleagues Alex Eid and Choong Hong, both experts on Korean affairs. Alex and Choong break down President Yoon Suk Yeol’s short-lived declaration of martial law in December, his subsequent impeachment, arrest, and ongoing criminal case. They also provide historical context on South Korea’s tumultuous political landscape, tracing the country’s transition to democracy since the Korean War and examining the controversies that have plagued multiple presidents.

The Burn Bag is launching a new weekly series: "The World According to A'ndre." Every Friday, A'ndre will break down some of the biggest foreign policy stories he's been tracking, offering his insights and making them accessible to you, our audience.

This week, A'ndre unpacks the latest developments in U.S.-Russia negotiations and the rising tensions between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy—highlighting why they mark a significant shift from U.S. policy since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. He also examines the impact of DOGE cuts on key federal agencies essential to national security and foreign policy, including those overseeing the U.S. nuclear stockpile, cybersecurity, and institutions like the CDC, NIH, and USAID.

Additionally, A'ndre breaks down President Trump’s latest tariff announcements since taking office on January 20 and delves into the indictment of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro over an alleged coup plot—along with shocking claims of a plot to poison incumbent President Lula.

In this episode, Dr. Anthony Fauci joins A'ndre for an in-depth conversation about his decades-long career in public health and his experiences leading the U.S. response to some of the world’s most pressing infectious disease challenges. Dr. Fauci reflects on his early work during the HIV/AIDS crisis, the evolution of treatments that saved millions of lives, and his role in launching PEPFAR, one of the most significant global health initiatives in history. He  discusses his leadership at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), navigating crises such as Ebola, Zika, H1N1, anthrax, and COVID-19, while working alongside multiple U.S. presidents to shape national and global health policies.

Beyond his career in government, Dr. Fauci shares his thoughts on the intersection of public health and national security, the growing challenges of vaccine skepticism and misinformation, and the vital role of institutions like the NIH and CDC in protecting public health. He also highlights the major health threats that remain overlooked in mainstream discourse. Now a professor at Georgetown University, Dr. Fauci reflects on his transition to academia and the importance of training the next generation of medical leaders in an era of evolving global health challenges.

You can purchase his recent memoir, On Call, here.

In this episode, A’ndre chats with his old boss Dr. Tanvi Madan, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, to examine the evolving landscape of India’s foreign policy and its relationship with the United States under a second Trump administration. Dr. Madan unpacks how India balances strategic autonomy with deepening alignments, particularly within the Indo-Pacific and the Quad. She reflects on the historical trajectory of U.S.-India ties, from India’s independence to the Modi era, highlighting key shifts in security and economic cooperation. The discussion delves into trade tensions, dissecting Trump’s renewed criticism of Indian tariffs and whether they will become a key friction point over the next four years. 

On the security front, Dr. Madan assesses the rapid growth of U.S.-India defense and technological collaboration while also addressing whether India’s longstanding relationship with Russia has hindered deeper engagement with Washington. The conversation further examines India’s recalibration of its approach to China, as New Delhi and Beijing take steps toward “normalization” following the 2020 border clashes. With Prime Minister Modi set to meet President Trump on February 13, Dr. Madan offers insights into what to expect from the summit and whether the second Trump administration is likely to deepen or complicate the U.S.-India partnership.

In this episode, A’ndre welcomes Professor Marlene Laruelle, a leading expert on Russian politics and nationalism, for a deep dive into the evolution of far-right politics in Russia. The discussion begins with a foundational exploration of fascism—how it is defined, how it differs from broader far-right politics, and whether Russia’s current trajectory aligns with historical fascist movements. Professor Laruelle traces the development of Russian far-right ideology from the Soviet collapse to the present day, analyzing its intersections with Soviet-era communism and Tsarist-era nationalism. She examines how elements of Stalinism persist in Putinism and how Russian nationalism has evolved under Putin’s leadership.

The conversation also expands beyond Russia, addressing Moscow’s role in exporting far-right ideology to Eastern Europe and the broader rise of far-right politics across the continent. Professor Laruelle considers whether these trends reflect a broader rejection of the global liberal order or if they are driven by country-specific dynamics. A’ndre and Professor Laruelle then discuss whether growing illiberalism in Europe could signal a deeper shift towards authoritarianism. Finally, they explore whether the rise of far-right politics in the United States mirrors trends in Europe and Russia, or if these movements are shaped by unique national contexts.

NOTE: This episode was recorded on December 17, 2024.

On this week's What in the World, A’ndre chatted with Tahra Jirari, Director of Economic Analysis at the Chamber of Progress, on the devastating 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles and the urgent need for systemic reform. A'ndre and Tahra talked about the unprecedented scale of destruction caused by the wildfires, and why Tahra believes they have been exacerbated by regulatory hurdles, housing policies, and insufficient wildfire prevention efforts. Tahra explained how frameworks like the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and other regulations have inadvertently slowed crucial wildfire prevention projects, contributing to the crisis. 

Tahra outlined some of her policy recommendations, emphasizing the need for reforms to CEQA, fire-resistant construction mandates, and proactive wildfire prevention programs to address the growing risks. She also explored why urban neighborhoods tend to be more fire-resistant than suburban areas, the role of housing policy in pushing development into high-risk zones, and the implications of Proposition 103 for California’s insurance market. Tahra advocated for an Operation Warp Speed-style initiative to tackle the wildfire crisis in Los Angeles, integrating innovative solutions and regulatory reforms to build long-term resilience.

You can read Tahra's Medium op-ed, where she outlines her recommendations, here.

This episode is the second in a two-parter in collaboration with the Climate Migration Council, to highlight the Council's recent position statement on the linkages between security, climate change, and human migration.

In December, A’ndre hosted Erin Sikorsky, Director of the Center for Climate and Security and a former Deputy Director on the National Intelligence Council, for a discussion on the national security implications of climate migration. The conversation centered on a new statement from the Climate Migration Council, co-authored by Sikorsky and prominent figures such as Leon Panetta, Michael Chertoff, Michael Morell, and Sharon Burke. The statement outlines urgent recommendations to address the security risks of climate change-driven displacement, including expanding the definition of security, investing in resilience, adopting anticipatory migration policies, and integrating climate migration into risk assessments.

You can listen to A'ndre's conversation last week with Secretary Michael Chertoff on climate migration here.

This episode is the first in a two-parter in collaboration with the Climate Migration Council, to highlight the Council's recent position statement on the linkages between security, climate change, and human migration.

This week, A’ndre welcomed former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff to discuss the intersection of climate change, human migration, and national security. Reflecting on his experiences during the federal response to the 2007 California wildfires, Secretary Chertoff compared them to the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires, highlighting surprises from the current crisis and offering insights on preventing similar disasters in the future. He also explored how human migration is manifesting in the context of the fires and could do so in similar scenarios. The conversation delved into the DHS’s role in managing natural disasters, immigration, and countering threats like arson and terrorism exacerbated by climate change. Secretary Chertoff emphasized the need for bipartisan support to address climate risks, enhance community resilience, and adopt a holistic approach to these interconnected challenges.

You can listen to A'ndre's 2023 conversation with Secretary Chertoff on climate migration here.

RE-RELEASE: This episode was originally released in April 2024. The TikTok ban took effect late Saturday night, but may be revoked by President-elect Trump.

This week, A'ndre is joined by Lindsay Gorman, the Managing Director & Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund’s GMF Tech, to delve into the controversies surrounding TikTok and its implications for national security. Lindsay sheds light on ByteDance, the company behind TikTok, and discusses the concerns surrounding its data storage practices. A'ndre and Lindsay explore the concept of data sovereignty and discuss whether China can access ByteDance's data at will, and why it's different from how the U.S. Government engages with U.S.-based social media companies. Lindsay outlines the types of user data TikTok gathers, and touches upon how China can exploit this collected data. The conversation extends to China's history of leveraging social media platforms for targeting dissenters and the workings of TikTok's algorithms in content recommendation -- particularly with regards to misinformation and polarization. Lindsay offers insights into the likelihood of a TikTok divestiture (and why it's not a ban), legal challenges it might face, and the possibility of a U.S.-based firm acquiring TikTok. The discussion concludes with an examination of China's reaction to the scrutiny, and what Lindsay sees as the biggest myths surrounding TikTok.

CORRECTION: A'ndre referenced a dispute between the FBI and Apple, incorrectly attributing it to the Boston Bombing investigation, when in actuality it was the 2015 San Bernardino Terror Attack

On Friday, A’ndre chatted with Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky, a presidential historian and Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library, to explore President Jimmy Carter’s presidential and post-presidential foreign policy legacy following his passing at age 100. The discussion began by addressing public reactions to Carter’s death and why the dichotomy of a “failed presidency but outstanding post-presidency” is misleading. Dr. Chervinsky highlighted Carter’s foreign policy achievements, including the Camp David Accords, normalization of relations with China, handling of the Cold War, and the Panama Canal Treaty, as well as Carter's difficulties in dealing with the Iranian Hostage Crisis and inflation.

They examined Carter’s presidency in the context of the geopolitical landscape of the late 1970s and his approach to diplomacy, contrasting his administration with the subsequent Reagan era. The conversation also touched on Carter’s post-presidential influence on foreign policy through the Carter Center and drew parallels between his legacy redefinition and that of John Quincy Adams.

On January 2nd, A'ndre sat down with former U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper (2019-2020) to discuss key security challenges facing the United States in 2025 and the Department of Defense's preparedness in addressing them. They began their conversation with a focus on the Middle East, analyzing the aftermath of Assad's ouster and the HTS takeover in Syria, exploring the potential regional consequences of these developments. Secretary Esper also shared his insights on the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and explained why he believes Iran is weaker than previously thought.

The discussion then shifted to U.S.-China relations, with Secretary Esper offering his assessment on why the U.S. must do more to deter China in both security and economic spheres. A'ndre and Secretary Esper also delved into the state of innovation within the Department of Defense, examining the effectiveness of innovation initiatives in the U.S. Armed Forces. Secretary Esper reflected on his experience establishing Army Futures Command during his time as Secretary of the Army and discussed the challenges facing the U.S. defense industrial base, including potential munitions shortages related to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

The conversation concluded with A'ndre asking Secretary Esper about Ukraine's struggles on the battlefield against Russia, why a negotiated settlement appears increasingly likely, and some of the overlooked threats facing the incoming Trump administration.

You can find Secretary Esper's auto-biography, A Sacred Oath, here.

A'ndre sat down with former CIA Director General (Ret.) David Petraeus to discuss the evolution of warfare since 1945, covering conflicts from World War II to Vietnam and the current wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. General Petraeus examines how warfare considerations shifted after World War II and explores the "wars of decolonization" that followed. Drawing on his experience commanding U.S.-led coalition forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, he reflects on what went right and wrong in those operations, disputing comparisons to the Vietnam War, which he describes as unsustainable. He also shares insights on why the War in Ukraine is unique, highlighting both its World War II-era tactics and the use of emerging technologies like unmanned vehicles. The conversation extends to the ongoing War in Gaza and the broader Middle East, where Petraeus offers his perspective on the nature of Israel's warfighting. A'ndre and General Petraeus conclude with a discussion on how he would advise the next President on national security, emphasizing the importance of the Indo-Pacific region.

You can purchase the newest edition of General Petraeus' book Conflict: The Evolution of Warfare from 1945 to Gaza here.