In this episode of Understandable Insights, Sue and Eric discuss the geopolitical threats that intersect America’s interests, continue to focus on the intersection of China, cyber, and AI, this time with a more human dimension, and finish up with a look at the recent efforts to at best undermine and at worst destroy America’s institutions that underpin our security.

Timestamps: 

00:00 Introduction to Understandable Insights

01:13 Back-to-School Memories

03:02 Geopolitical Romp Around the World: Russia and Ukraine

06:58 Geopolitical Romp Around the World:  Israel and Gaza

10:46 Geopolitical Romp Around the World:  Taiwan and China

16:03 China's Cyber Hacking and Zero Trust

29:36 The Impact of Political Decisions on Civil Service

41:04 Predictions and Scoreboard

Links: 

CFR: U.S.-Taiwan Relations in a New Era

About:

Welcome to “Understandable Insights: Information to Intelligence with Sue Gordon” — the national security podcast that provides you an elemental understanding of the world as it is, not how you prefer it to be.

Each week, Eric Koepp — a former Marine, father, and entrepreneur — sits down with the Honorable Sue Gordon, the nation’s former top career intelligence officer. Together, they break down the headlines shaping our world and ask what they really mean for citizens, leaders, and institutions.

From armed conflict to emerging tech, foreign interference to the resilience of democracy — this is where raw information becomes real intelligence. Unfiltered. Candid. Unapologetically clear.

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