Small World, Big Problems

Join us for a special audio-video episode, also available in video form on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqBlbd4_1TU . Professor Edward P. Joseph sits down with rising second-year MAIR student Manolo Préstamo for a wide-ranging conversation on the geopolitics of the 2026 World Cup. As the tournament unfolds across North America, the two examine how the world's most-watched sporting event has become a mirror of global politics. They discuss the prominence of immigrant and dual-national players on national teams amid an increasingly charged global discourse on migration, and what the absence of major powers — Russia, banned from international competition, and China, unable to qualify — reveals about the shifting relationship between sporting prestige and geopolitical standing. The conversation also turns to the politics playing out in the stands, from some Iranian supporters waving pre-revolutionary monarchist flags to the broader ways fans use the tournament as a stage for contestation back home. Produced by the Phillip Merrill Center for Strategic Studies at Johns Hopkins SAIS. Produced and edited by Wasay Mir.

Sanjana Polapragada sits down with President Jakov Milatović of Montenegro, NATO’s youngest head of state, for a timely conversation on how Montenegro, as a small state, can exercise influence at a decisive moment for its EU ambitions, economic future, and role in a world shaped by geopolitical tensions and shifting alliances. From Montenegro’s push toward EU accession to its new economic growth model, President Milatović offers a candid look at the choices shaping his country’s future. The conversation explores economic diplomacy, international trade, and how governments can support those left behind by global change. It also examines the pressures Montenegro faces between East and West, including gray zone warfare and Russian and Chinese influence. At its heart, the episode explores Montenegrin identity: how unity, inclusion, and shared civic values can bind together a multiethnic and multireligious society. Blending geopolitics, governance, and personal insight, this episode offers a compelling look at leadership, resilience, and the role small states can play in shaping a more stable world order. This podcast was produced by the Philip Merrill Center for Strategic Studies at Johns Hopkins SAIS. Researched and hosted by Sanjana Polapragada; edited by Sanjana Polapragada & Vishal Gogusetti

Riley Bryant sits down with Dr. Deborah Wituski, a 20-year veteran of the CIA and an early contributor to the emerging field of private sector intelligence services. In an increasingly globalized economy, what happens when profit motives intersect with national security imperatives? How can traditional intelligence agencies adapt to incorporate these new perspectives coming out of the private sector? Drawing on case studies, policy frameworks, and her own experience, Dr. Wituski tells us about her jump from government to Google, the similarities and differences between public and private sector intelligence work, and what the future of these parallel industries may hold. This podcast was produced by the Philip Merrill Center for Strategic Studies at Johns Hopkins SAIS. Researched, hosted, and edited by Riley Bryant

Krithiga Narayanan hosts a conversation with Michael Coppedge, co-founder and principal investigator of the Varieties of Democracy Project (V-Dem), one of the world’s leading efforts to measure and analyze democratic change. Drawing on V-Dem’s latest global data, Coppedge examines how shifts within democratic systems are reshaping the international order and altering global power dynamics. The discussion explores how democratic erosion often unfolds gradually rather than through abrupt breakdowns, why electoral autocracies are becoming more common, and how changes in large and influential democracies, such as India, carry consequences that extend beyond national borders. Together, they assess whether coordination among autocratic leaders is strategic or ad hoc, what the data reveals about early warning signs of democratic decline, and where opportunities for democratic resilience still exist. Produced by the Philip Merrill Center for Strategic Studies at Johns Hopkins SAIS. Researched and hosted by Krithiga Narayanan; edited by Krithiga Narayanan

This episode was recorded on Jan 21, 2026. Wasay Mir hosts a conversation with Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute and one of the most influential voices on US-Iran relations in Washington. A Johns Hopkins SAIS PhD and author of four books on American foreign policy in the Middle East, Parsi unpacks Iran's unfolding domestic crisis in January 2026. Seven months after devastating strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, mass protests have erupted amid economic collapse and an unprecedented regime crackdown. Together, they explore whether this uprising differs from past movements like the Green Revolution or Mahsa Amini protests, what the collapse of Iran's regional proxy network means for the regime's survival, and whether Gulf states actually want a weakened Iran or fear what comes after. Parsi's personal history as the son of an outspoken academic who faced repression under both the Shah and Ayatollah Khomeini provides unique insight into Iranian authoritarianism. Produced by the Phillip Merrill Center for Strategic Studies at Johns Hopkins SAIS. Researched and hosted by Wasay Mir; edited by Vishal Gogusetti

Sanjana Polapragada hosts a two-speaker conversation with Robert Miller, a seasoned “startup statesman” who has advised companies such as CrowdAI (now acquired by Saab) and Hawkeye 360 (now valued at over a billion dollars), and Emma Bates, CEO and founder of Cachai, a dual-use tech company (for both civilian and military purposes) focused on collaborative autonomy and drone innovation in the national security space. Together, they unpack how to navigate the national security startup ecosystem, secure government contracts, and cross the many “valleys of death” that mission-driven ventures face. Aimed at anyone with a concrete, government-focused venture idea, the episode offers practical how-tos for entering and thriving in the field. If you're curious about building a mission-driven venture in national security, this episode is your starting point. Produced in partnership with the Pava Center for Entrepreneurship at Johns Hopkins. Researched and hosted by Sanjana Polapragada; edited by Vishal Gogusetti.

Leila Olukoga talks with Ambassador Juan Jose Gomez Camacho of Mexico. Ambassador Gomez Camacho has represented his country as ambassador to eight countries and led international negotiating efforts on a wide range of issues – ranging from politics, economics, and trade to security, disarmament, humanitarian issues, and a host of other subjects. Researched and hosted by Leila Olukoga; edited by Vishal Gogusetti

Connor Hall talks with US Air Force Brigadier General Geoffrey Weiss on the evolution of modern airpower theory, the role airpower has played in recent conflicts, and the future of manned aircraft in an environment increasingly dominated by attritable unmanned systems. General Weiss is currently serving as the Director of Regional Affairs in the office of the Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs (SAF/IA) at the Pentagon. His critically-acclaimed book The New Art of War was published in 2021 by Cambridge University Press and has been an Amazon bestseller in military history and military science. Researched and hosted by Connor Hall; edited by Emma Ding. The views expressed in this episode are those of Geoffrey Weiss and do not reflect the official stance of the US Air Force or the US Department of Defense.

Erik Schuh talks with Dr. Oriana Skylar Mastro about how China became a great power, discussing her recent book on the topic. They dive into China's rise compared to historical global powers and where the U.S.-China relationship stands today. Dr. Mastro is a Center Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies and Courtesy Assistant Professor of Political Science at Stanford University. Dr. Mastro's Book: Upstart: How China Became a Great Power Follow Dr. Mastro: https://x.com/osmastro This episode was researched and hosted by Erik Schuh; it was edited by Emma Ding.

Luke Litle talks with Dr. Ursula Wilder about the importance of understanding the psychology of foreign leaders and of ourselves, the psychology of historical figures, and the psychology of deterrence. Dr. Wilder takes us down her career path and offers invaluable advice to students and young professionals in the national security space. We explore the frontiers of the study of psychology as applied to intelligence work, such as the fields of cyber psychology and artificial intelligence. Dr. Wilder is a clinical psychologist at the Central Intelligence Agency, where she has served for 27 years. She’s done operational work with the CIA’s counter-terrorism center, analyzed the psychology of extremists in the DNI’s counter-terrorism center, and has spent considerable time assessing the psychology of world leaders for CIA.

Luke Litle talks with Dr. Mara Karlin about the development of the 2022 National Defense Strategy, various practical approaches to deterring adversaries, recent US security challenges, and potential future global security threats. Dr. Karlin is a professor of practice at SAIS and is the co-lead for the Security, Strategy, and Statecraft focus area. She has served in national security roles for six U.S. secretaries of defense, advising on policies spanning strategic planning, defense budgeting, the future of conflict, and regional affairs involving the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Most recently, she served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy, Plans, and Capabilities, leading the development and implementation of the 2022 National Defense Strategy, Nuclear Posture Review, and Missile Defense Review.

Days after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, new in office, gave the now famous Zeitenwende speech in which he proclaimed a dramatic turn in German foreign policy and national security policy in response to Russia’s full-scale aggression. The speech generated a lot of discussions and, sometimes, unrealistic optimism. Two years later, Germany has been at the forefront of supporting Ukraine militarily and economically, but as the war has turned into a war of attrition, Germany is still a long way from the ambitious undertaking of Zeitenwende and divided over the extent to which to support Ukraine. In this episode, Jeff Rathke, the President of the American-German Institute, Washington’s only think tank focusing exclusively on Germany and U.S.-German relations, discusses with Martin Makaryan Germany’s role in the security architecture of Europe and within NATO, the practical implications of Zeitenwende, the war in Ukraine, and what the future holds for U.S.-German relations and Germany’s new role in Europe. This episode was recorded by Martin Makaryan and produced by Luke Litle and Andrew Whelan.

In a first for Small World Big Problems, this week we interviewed a sitting head of state: Jakov Milatović, the 37-year-old president of Montenegro. Milatović was elected in May of 2023 on a pro-European Union, pro-democracy, and anti-corruption platform that has received record-breaking support from the people of Montenegro. In an era of weakening democracy and growing isolationism around the world, Montenegro has proven to be an exception to the rule. But why are these values important to everyday Montenegrins, and how do ongoing threats—like disinformation and organized crime—endanger the progress that has been made so far? Sitting down with President Milatović was a fantastic opportunity, and we thank him for his time. Special thanks also go to Ed Joseph, Brent Kesler, and the SAIS Foreign Policy Institute for arranging the interview. This episode was researched, hosted, and edited by Eli George, with audio support from the staff at the JHU Bloomberg Center Media Suite.

Russia has a long-fabled history of deep-cover spies in the West. Known as the Illegals Program, these spies enter Western countries under false identities to conduct espionage activities. The history of this program goes back to the earliest days of the USSR, but these spies still lurk in the shadows of universities, think-tanks, and suburban neighborhoods across the West. Why does Russia use these types of spies? Has their mission changed since the Russian invasion of Ukraine? How can private institutions protect themselves from Russian intelligence? In this episode, we discuss the answers to these questions with Professor Mark Kelton. Professor Kelton was formerly the Deputy Director of the National Clandestine Service for Counterintelligence, one of the most senior positions within the National Clandestine Service. This episode was researched, recorded, and edited by Connor Crago.

In part two of this interview with Richard "Otter" Bew, we dive deep into the challenges currently facing the defense industry. The digital revolution is upending how we approach defense; back in the day, we could plan out development on a ten or fifteen year timeline. But now, game-changing technologies are being released every few months. The militaries that can best capitalize on this revolution will be the most successful in the 21st century. How can the US keep up? And what are the stakes if we don't? This episode was researched, edited, and produced by Eli George.

The American defense industry employs over a million people—in the military, in civilian jobs, and at private companies—and every part matters. Few people have spent as much time inside this complex machine as our guest this week: Richard T. Bew, the Chief of Staff for Lockheed Martin. In part one of this two-part interview, we talk with him about his time as a Marine aviator, the importance of human capital in the civil-military relationship, and the changing character of war in the 21st century. This episode was researched, recorded, and edited by Eli George.

The EU and the US have long been steadfast partners across the Atlantic, with healthy trade relations and cooperation in numerous sectors of foreign policy, including combatting climate change, promoting the rule of law, and international security. With several international security crises taking place globally, it is important for the cooperation between the two to remain strong. However, elections on both sides of the Atlantic this upcoming year have once again raised questions of how much we can take the relationship for granted. On today’s episode, Deputy Ambassador of the EU to the US Michael Curtis discusses Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Middle-East, and relations with China, and how it has impacted his work in Washington DC. This interview is conducted by Miloš Maggiore, and researched by Camilla Manning, Juliette Verlaque, and Ryan Sheets.

Over the last 15 years, Bolivia has experienced political and economic ups and downs. The MAS, a socialist part with a leftist agenda, led a period of high growth and a vibrant new political party structure. Now, the party is experiencing internal conflict and the country has a mighty foreign exchange crisis on its hands. If Bolivia plays its cards right, though, it could improve its economic, and thus political standing. In discussing Bolivia's current challenges and future opportunities, Noah Martin sits down with Dr. Calla Hummel to get a better understanding of the country’s political economy and what’s in store going forward. Research, hosted, and edited by Noah Martin. Produced by Noah Martin and Dylan Yachyshen.

We are joined by Sergey Radchenko, a Wilson E. Schmidt Distinguished Professor at SAIS Europe, and Director of the Bologna Institute for Policy Research. An expert on Sino-Soviet relations, Soviet and Chinese foreign policies, he discusses the State of Sino-Russia Relations in the wake of a raging war in Ukraine. Connor Crago conducted this interview. The episode was researched and produced by Benie Kwarteng and Adi Baurzhanuly.

Cyber operations are becoming increasingly ubiquitous as a means for nation state and non-nation state actors to engage in intelligence collection, subversion, and strategic competition more broadly. As our world becomes more thoroughly networked and as more data travels throughout cyberspace, the potential power of cyber operations and the urgency of cyber security grow exponentially. Cyberspace has increasingly become a heated, persistent domain of competition between nation state and non-nation state actors alike, and both the US government and private sector are working feverishly to increase their capacity to understand it and operate within it. Luke Litle sits down with Prof. Andrew Boyd, who recently retired as the director of the CIA's Center for Cyber Intelligence (CCI) and is now serving as an adjunct professor in the Alperovitch Institute at JHU SAIS. They discuss his transition from the human intelligence field to cyber intelligence, the ways US competitors and adversaries are using cyber tools to advance their national interest, current US efforts to develop and define its own cyber policy, the fusion of public and private sector cyber security efforts, and opportunities to serve in the cyber realm within the US government and private sector.