Intel at the Edge

FISA Section 702 is one of the most powerful — and controversial — surveillance laws in the United States. It allows the U.S. intelligence community to collect electronic communications from foreign targets passing through American company infrastructure, without a traditional warrant. In this episode, we sit down with Brett Freeman, a former attorney at the NSA, the National Counterterrorism Center, and the Department of Justice's National Security Division, who has spent years briefing the White House and Congress on exactly how this law works. /// 00:00:09 - Introduction: What is FISA Section 702? 00:01:47 - Guest Introduction: Brett Freeman 00:02:00 - Brett's Background & Career in Intelligence Law 00:04:16 - FISA 101: The History of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act 00:05:16 - How FISA Worked Before 9/11 00:06:13 - How 9/11 & the Internet Changed Everything 00:42:26 - The Reauthorization Debate in Congress 00:43:34 - Trump Administration's Stance on 702 00:44:31 - What a Clean vs. Reformed Reauthorization Means 00:45:30 - How Many Times Can 702 Be Reformed Before It Breaks? 00:47:44 - The Role of Sunset Clauses in National Security Law 00:49:06 - Artificial Intelligence & FISA Section 702 00:52:07 - Closing Remarks Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.  

With the Trump-Xi summit approaching, former CIA senior China analyst Chris Johnson joins “Intel at the Edge” to give an unvarnished assessment of Beijing's priorities, Xi Jinping's mindset, and how China is navigating an increasingly unpredictable America. Chris draws on over two decades in the US intelligence and foreign affairs communities to explain what Xi really wants from this summit, how the rare earth standoff reshaped the bilateral relationship, and why China's long-term focus is breaking America's technological chokehold — not winning a diplomatic photo op. 00:00 - Introduction & Guest Bio 01:35 - How Important Is the Summit to Xi Jinping? 03:17 - Xi's Real Goal: Stability Over Diplomacy 04:41 - How Beijing Is Briefing Xi on Trump 05:01 - Xi's Gamble: The Rare Earth Sword & Staring Trump Down 06:07 - The Other Side: US Hegemonism Is on the Prowl 07:13 - The Wounded Animal: How Beijing Reads America Right Now 07:37 - Xi's Play: Buy Trump Off & Wait Him Out 20:10 - What Xi Will Put on the Table on Taiwan 21:18 - Xi's Real Priority: Breaking the Semiconductor Chokehold 26:14 - Summit Timing & Xi's Return Visit Window 27:02 - The Atmospherics: How China Stages These Meetings 28:20 - Trump Treats Xi as an Equal — And Xi Knows It 28:40 - "Trump Sees Xi as a Badass" 29:57 - How Confident Is Beijing About Winning the Long Game? 30:21 - Short Term Confident, Long Term Uncertain 31:22 - China's Real Problems: Demographics, Debt & the Economy 32:31 - What Keeps Xi Up at Night 32:53 - Closing Remarks Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.  

China didn’t just compete with the United States — it harvested America’s innovation. In this episode of “Intel at the Edge” Andrew Badger joins Chip Usher to discuss The Great Heist — the story of how China used industrial espionage, talent recruitment, and a whole-of-society strategy to leapfrog the U.S. in critical technologies. From AI and hypersonic missiles to semiconductor manufacturing and electric vehicles, this conversation explores: • How China turned WTO entry into a collection apparatus • The rise of the Ministry of State Security’s global network • The Tesla “billion-dollar thumb drive” case • Hypersonic and the Los Alamos connection • Why economic security is national security • What the U.S. intelligence community must do differently If the 20th century was about military dominance, the 21st century is about technological power. The question is not whether China is competing — it’s whether America is prepared. 00:00 Intro – The Great Heist 02:20 From DIA to Industrial Espionage 03:15 WTO 2000: The Turning Point 06:25 The “Kaspersky Doctrine” Strategy 08:10 The Most Consequential Economic Heist in History 10:30 China’s Whole-of-Society Intelligence Model 13:20 Sun Tzu & The Cultural Mindset Behind Espionage 17:40 The Cost: $600–800 Billion a Year 21:05 The Tesla “Billion-Dollar Thumb Drive” 22:45 Hypersonic & The Los Alamos Connection 25:15 “We Let Them Do It” – Strategic Distraction 29:20 The China Initiative & Political Hesitation 31:35 AI, Quantum & Emerging Tech Theft 34:20 The Wave Energy Case Study 36:40 Semiconductor War & ASML 38:15 Economic Security = National Security 40:20 Time to Stop Playing Defense 43:30 OPSEC Mindset & Intelligence Reform 46:50 Final Thoughts Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.  

Admiral Michael Studeman joins "Intel at the Edge " to discuss the shifting landscape of Indo-Pacific security. Drawing from his decades of experience in the U.S. Intelligence Community, including as the Director of Intelligence at Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral Studeman provides a rare inside look into how America’s intelligence services view China’s growing military power and how Beijing is positioning itself for regional and global leadership. Additionally, as Former Director of the Office of Naval Intelligence, Admiral Studeman breaks down the sudden removal of General Zhang Youxia and what it means for the future of the PLA. Is Xi Jinping clearing out "overcautious" generals to make room for "Yes Men!"? We dive deep into China's massive military modernization and why Admiral Studeman believes the "window of greatest danger" is closer than we think. 00:00:09 – Introduction: Admiral Mike Studeman’s 35-Year Career 00:01:37 – Welcome & Setting the Stage for the China Challenge 00:02:27 – The Scale and Speed of PLA Modernization 00:05:09 – China's Navy: A Peer Global Power 00:07:22 – Latent Power vs. Ready Power: How China Converts Wealth to Military Strength 00:09:58 – Comprehensive National Power & The Misdiagnosis of China’s Strategy 00:11:36 – Political Warfare: China’s "Short of War" Expansion 00:13:55 – Regional Anxiety & China’s Daily Influence Operations 00:15:25 – Analyzing the Ouster of General Zhang Youxia 00:19:56 – Xi Jinping’s Fourth Term & The Consolidation of "Yes Men" 00:21:51 – Pressure Tactics Around Taiwan: An Ongoing Cognitive War 00:25:24 – The "Window of Greatest Danger" (Late 2020s–Early 2030s) 00:29:28 – Reforming the Intelligence Community: Beyond the "Ivory Tower" 00:33:49 – Harnessing Open Source & Advanced Technology 00:39:03 – Economic Intelligence: The Blind Spot of 21st Century Security 00:41:54 – Protecting National Competitiveness through Private Sector Dialog 00:44:36 – Advice for the Next Generation: Courage and Iron Integrity 00:47:12 – Closing Remarks & Future Military Outlook Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.  

With two U.S. carrier strike groups converging on Iran and a presidential deadline looming, the clock is ticking. In this urgent episode of Intel at the Edge, host Chip Usher — Senior Director for Intelligence at the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP) — sits down with Norman Roule, former National Intelligence Manager for Iran at the CIA, to assess what may be one of the most consequential moments in U.S.-Iran relations in decades. They cover the state of diplomacy ahead of the Geneva talks, whether Iran will ever genuinely negotiate on its nuclear and missile programs, the risks of miscalculation, Iranian retaliation scenarios, regime stability, and the sweeping transformation reshaping the broader Middle East. Norman Roule spent over three decades as a senior CIA operations officer, including as the National Intelligence Manager for Iran — one of the most critical and sensitive intelligence roles in the U.S. government. 🔔 Subscribe for more expert intelligence and national security analysis from SCSP. 00:00 – Introduction: Emergency Podcast on the Iran Situation 00:40 – Guest Introduction: Norm Roule’s CIA and Intelligence Background 01:25 – Announcement: AI Plus Intelligence Summit at the Waldorf Astoria 02:03 – Current Military Posture: Carrier Strike Groups and Aircraft Deployment 02:28 – The Diplomatic Inflection Point and March Deadlines 03:38 – Core Issues: Iran’s Nuclear Program and Enrichment Deals 05:31 – U.S. Demands: Missiles and the "Axis of Resistance" 07:56 – Iran’s Missile Arsenal and ICBM Capabilities 08:33 – Upcoming Geneva Talks and Potential for Miscalculation 10:51 – Evaluating Potential U.S. Military Strikes and Iranian Retaliation 14:06 – Degradation of Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iranian Ballistic Assets 16:03 – Diplomacy vs. Military Action: What Compels Tehran to Negotiate? 18:44 – Regime Stability: Domestic Protests and Internal Pressures 20:54 – Outlook: How the Next Two Weeks Will Play Out 25:22 – Regional Dynamics: Shifting U.S. Commitments and Middle East Change 30:25 – Closing Remarks and Future Updates Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.  

In this episode of Intel at the Edge, host Chip Usher is joined by Heather Conley, a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and a leading expert on Arctic security. Together, they unpack the strategic value of Greenland and the evolving geopolitical stakes in the Arctic. In this episode, we discuss: The Strategic Imperative: Why Greenland serves as a "first line of defense" for North America, providing early warning for ballistic missiles and tracking Russian nuclear submarines. Russia & China’s Presence: How Russia has militarized the region since 2014 and China’s ambition to become a "great polar power" by 2030. The "Ownership" Debate: Analyzing the diplomatic impact of President Trump’s interest in acquiring Greenland and what it means for the 225-year relationship with the Kingdom of Denmark. The Future of the Arctic: Why the U.S. needs to prepare for the Arctic of 2040 today by investing in icebreakers, ISR sensors, and a persistent presence. 00:00 – Introduction 01:26 – Background on President Trump’s Interest 02:38 – The Strategic Value of "Eyes and Ears" 03:47 – Ownership vs. Partnership 05:15 – Russia: The Arctic Superpower 07:52 – China: The "Near-Arctic State" Ambition 09:44 – The North Pacific vs. North Atlantic Vectors 12:15 – Missile Defense and the "Golden Dome" 15:13 – Economic Potential: Critical Minerals 17:37 – The "Alaska First" Perspective 20:01 – The Icebreaker Gap 23:08 – History of U.S. Purchase Attempts 27:59 – Post-Cold War Atrophy 30:47 – NATO’s Future Role: "Arctic Sentry" 35:25 – The Next Strategic Frontiers: Seabed and Space Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.  

In this episode of Intel at the Edge, host Chip Usher sits down with retired CIA officer Alec Bierbauer, a core founder of the team that launched the agency’s revolutionary Predator drone program. Bierbauer recounts the high-stakes history of the hunt for Osama bin Laden before 9/11, revealing how a small team bypassed traditional bureaucracy to put "U.S. eyes on target" in the rugged terrain of Afghanistan. The conversation explores the technical and ethical evolution of unmanned systems, from the groundbreaking "Man in White" video captured at Turnak Farm to the rapid weaponization of the platform with Hellfire missiles. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.  

In this emergency episode of Intelligence at the Edge, host Chip Usher is joined by Jonathan Panikoff, Director of the Near East Security Initiative at the Atlantic Council and former Deputy National Intelligence Officer for the Near East. They provide a critical update on the widespread protests and severe regime crackdown that have seized Iran since late December 2025.Panikoff analyzes how this movement differs from previous uprisings, noting that while the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests were driven by social frustrations, the current unrest is fueled by a collapsing economy, soaring food prices, and a dire potable water crisis, all while the regime imposes internet blackouts to repress connectivity. The discussion explores the regime's ruthless use of force—resulting in casualties far exceeding those of 2022—and the potential for an inflection point similar to the 1979 revolution. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.  

On this episode of Intel at the Edge, host Chip Usher is joined by U.S. Congressman Pat Fallon (TX-04) to discuss the evolving landscape of national security and his first year on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Congressman Fallon emphasizes the urgent need for the Intelligence Community to embrace AI and emerging technologies to keep pace with global adversaries like China and Russia. As a leader on the Subcommittee on Open Source Intelligence, he highlights the critical value of unclassified, publicly available data and the necessity of using AI to sift through vast amounts of information to find "the needle in the Pacific. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.  

In this episode, Chip is joined by Dr. Shay Hershkovitz, professor at Georgetown University and a senior analyst at the RAND Corporation. They discuss the current intelligence landscape, key topics from Dr. Hershkovitz’s book, “The Future of National Intelligence”, intelligence in a democratic society, and advice to young professionals trying to enter national security. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.  

Joining Intel at the Edge is Cynthia Kaiser, a veteran at the Federal Bureau of Investigation for twenty years, most recently as Deputy Assistant Director at the FBI’s Cyber Division. Throughout her career, Kaiser specialized in cyber intelligence and cyber policy, also serving as a President's Daily Briefing intelligence briefer in two administrations. She is currently anti-ransomware company Halcyon's Senior Vice President of the Ransomware Research Center, which is a one-of-its-kind program that develops information sharing programs and new research into threat actor methodology and ransomware trends across the public and private sectors. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.  

In this episode of Intel at the Edge, host Chip Usher is joined by Robert Cardillo, the former Director of the NGA. They discuss the increasing role commercial companies play in imagery intelligence, how NGA is incorporating AI technologies, and the future of the US commercial space launch industry. Watch Intel at the Edge. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.  

In this episode of Intel at the Edge, taped during SCSP's AI Unlocked event, Chip is joined by Rob Joyce and Leah Siskind to explore how the PRC, Russia, and Iran are taking advantage of America's open society and economy to steal data and IP and conduct espionage.Watch Intel at the Edge. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.  

In this episode of Intel at the Edge, Chip sits down with Adam Leslie, former Australian Army and intelligence community veteran, and Aaron Brown, former U.S. Army Ranger and CIA case officer, to discuss their recent report, "The Digital Case Officer, Reimagining Espionage with Artificial Intelligence". Together, they examine the opportunities and vulnerabilities with AI shaping the future of spy craft. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.  

In this episode, Chip is joined by Garrett Berntsen, the Defense & Intelligence Data and AI Lead at Accenture Federal Services (AFS). Prior to this role, Garrett was the Deputy Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Officer for Scaled Capabilities at the Department of Defense’s Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO), preceding positions at the State Department and the National Security Council. He has a distinguished record as a public servant and expertise in hands-on AI implementation. Chip and Garrett discuss the realities of implementing advanced technologies, such as AI, in the federal government, AI’s evolving role in defense and intelligence, strategic competition, and the federal workforce. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

In this episode of Intel at the Edge, Chip is joined by Anthony Vinci, Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). Anthony is a former Chief Technology Officer and Associate Director for Capabilities at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and author of the upcoming book “The Fourth Intelligence Revolution: The Future of Espionage and the Battle to Save America”. Anthony and Chip talk about how AI, autonomous systems, and other technologies are driving change in the business of intelligence and what the future of intelligence might look like.Watch Intel at the Edge on YouTube. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.  

In the inaugural episode of our new podcast, "Intel at the Edge", host William "Chip" Usher is joined by David Cohen, former Deputy Director of the CIA and former Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Center of a New American Security (CNAS). In this episode, we will discuss his leadership in the CIA, the efficacy of sanctions, and the modern intelligence landscape in an era of emerging technologies. Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.  

Where technology meets intelligence. Intel at the Edge is a podcast by the Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP), hosted by Chip Usher, Senior Director for Intelligence. Chip explores the latest innovations transforming the intelligence community with experts who are shaping the future of national security.Subscribe to our YouTube! Intel at the Edge Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.