The Last Line of Defense
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. The podcast is produced by Marla Hiller.
Episodes
Can America’s Industrial Base Handle a Two-Front War?
Host Seth Jones sits down with the Honorable Kathleen Hicks, the 35th U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense and former director of the International Security Program at CSIS, to discuss how industrial production shapes U.S. military readiness across multiple theaters. Hicks examines the challenge China's unprecedented military modernization poses to U.S. deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, the case for a h
When Will America Wake Up? The House Intelligence Chair on Homeland Threats
Host Seth Jones sits down with United States Representative Rick Crawford (R-AR), chair of the U.S. House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI), to discuss next-generation threats to the American homeland. Drawing on HPSCI’s recently published Review of the 9/11 Commission Report, Chairman Crawford highlights the growing security challenges posed by China, drones, and misinformation.
25 Years After 9/11: Is America Prepared for the Next Crisis?
Host Dr. Seth Jones sits down with Dr. Dan Byman, director of the Warfare, Irregular Threats, and Terrorism Program at CSIS and professor at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Drawing on his experience in the U.S. intelligence community, the 9/11 Commission, and the Joint 9/11 Inquiry Staff of
Are Soldiers Obsolete? How Autonomy Will Define the Coming Conflict with China
Host Seth Jones sits down with Frank Kendall, former Secretary of the U.S. Air Force and former Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, to discuss his new book, Lethal Autonomy: The Future of Warfare Whether We Like It or Not. They explore China’s military modernization and the challenge it poses to U.S. and allied forces in the Asia-Pacific, along with lessons from
How Close Are We to World War III? A UK General on Iran, Ukraine, and the Changing Character of War
Host Seth Jones sits down with General Sir Nick Carter, who served as Chief of the Defence Staff and Chief of the General Staff in the UK military, for an assessment of the changing character of warfare. Drawing on decades of military leadership and firsthand experience commanding U.S. forces in Afghanistan, Carter offers insight into the operational lessons emerging from the wars in Iran and Ukra
From Orbit to the Battlefield: The Future of Space Capabilities
Host Seth Jones sits down with Robert Cardillo, former director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, for an assessment of space as an emerging domain of modern warfare. Drawing on decades of experience in the intelligence community and his current leadership positions in the private sector, Cardillo offers insight into the role of space assets in the wars in Ukraine and Iran, the rise o
Ex-CIA and Pentagon Chief Warns: Iran, the Homeland, and Challenges Ahead
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 national security strategy, offering insights shaped by his leadership as chairman of the Panetta Institute for Public Policy, former U.S. Secretary of De
Is Ukraine Winning? Inside the Battlefield of Drones, AI, and Autonomous Warfare
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 Russia’s frontlines.
The Surprising Truth About How Americans See NATO, China, and Iran
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 the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, and previously General Counsel and Deputy Staff Director of the U.S. House Armed Services Com
The World Turned Upside Down: The Aftermath of the Iran War
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 offers critical historical context and perspective as the Ravenel B. Curry III Distinguished Fellow in Strategy and Statesmanship at Hudson Institute, Glob
Cracks in the Armor: Russia’s Military Struggles and the G7 Aftermath
Host Seth G. Jones speaks with Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Ben Hodges, former Commanding General of U.S. Army Europe (2014–2017), about the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war. They examine key takeaways from the G7 Summit, assess conditions on the battlefield, and explore the mounting challenges confronting Russia’s military.
The Room Where It Happened: What the Media Missed About the Trump-Xi Meeting
Host Seth G. Jones sat down with Ambassador (ret.) Edgard D. Kagan, former U.S. ambassador to Malaysia and newly appointed Senior Adviser and Freeman Chair in China Studies at CSIS. Together, they dissected the recent Trump–Xi meeting, examining how the visit was portrayed in the Chinese media, the challenges behind joint statements, and the dynamics surrounding Taiwan.
China’s Win? The Missile Gap After Epic Fury
Host Dr. Seth G. Jones sat down with retired Marine Corps Colonel Mark Cancian to examine the U.S. munitions stockpiles after Operation Epic Fury, the challenges facing America’s defense industrial base, and what those shortfalls could mean in a future conflict with China.
Strategic Exhaustion: Will Iran Fold?
Norman Roule is back on the podcast with Seth Jones to provide an update on developments in Iran, including the impact of sanctions and the blockade, an assessment of who is in charge in Tehran, the current state of talks, and the role of Gulf States, Lebanon, and other countries. Mr. Roule served as the national intelligence manager for Iran at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence
Beyond the Rubble: Is China the Real Winner of the U.S.-Iran War?
Host Seth Jones sat down with Dr. Bonny Lin, CSIS Senior Adviser and Director of the China Power Project, to explore Beijing’s view of the U.S.-Iran war, including its own role, the China-Pakistan peace plan, and potential takeaways.
Tehran’s Calculus: Iran’s Strategy Amidst the Storm
Host Seth Jones speaks with Ambassador Ryan Crocker to unpack Iran’s complex political landscape, regional power dynamics, and the role of U.S. allies as the conflict unfolds. Drawing on decades of diplomatic experience, Ambassador Crocker offers a deeply informed perspective shaped by his past service as U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, Kuwait, and Lebanon.
The Iran Endgame: Iran's Nuclear Program, View from Tehran & U.S. Ground Troops
Host Seth Jones sits down with Face the Nation's Margaret Brennan to break down Iran’s nuclear program and offers an overview of the domestic and international politics shaping the future of this conflict in the Middle East.
Beyond the Air War: What Are the Global Risks of the Iran Conflict?
Host Seth Jones sits down with General David H. Petraeus, retired U.S. Army general and former director of the CIA, to discuss the latest developments in Iran, including ongoing military operations and the escalating challenge of countering drone and missile threats. They also explore the international response — from Gulf States and NATO allies to China, Russia, and regional proxies — and the wid
A Widening War with Iran: What Are the U.S. Military's Next Steps
Host Seth Jones sits down with retired General Joseph Votel, former commander of U.S. Central Command, about the evolving situation in Iran after Operation Epic Fury. They break down the military operations, Iran’s targeting strategy, regional fallout, U.S. munitions, and the broader strategic outlook.
Why Putin’s "Inevitable" Victory in Ukraine is a Myth
Host Seth Jones speaks with Kate Bachelder Odell of The Wall Street Journal about the state of Russia’s war in Ukraine as it nears its fifth year. They discuss recent remarks by J.D. Vance and Marco Rubio, Ukraine’s battlefield resilience, Russia’s mounting casualties, and the prospects for negotiations and a potential peace deal.
Locked and Loaded: What Are U.S. Military Options for Iran?
Host Seth Jones sits down with retired Admiral Sandy Winnefeld, the ninth Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to discuss the latest developments involving Iran. They examine the U.S. military buildup near Iran and the strategic objectives of both Iran and the United States amid rising tensions.
Inside Iran's Security Apparatus: How Stable is the Regime?
Host Seth Jones speaks with Norman Roule, who served as the national intelligence manager for Iran at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence from November 2008 until September 2017. The pair discusses the ongoing protests in Iran, the regime’s response, and potential policy responses from the White House.
America Under Siege: Inside China's Espionage Campaign in the United States
Host Seth Jones explores the implications of modern Chinese espionage cases with David R. Shedd, former Deputy Director and Acting Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA).
Maduro is Gone. Now What in Venezuela?
Host Seth Jones speaks with Dr. Ryan Berg, Director of the Americas Program and Head of the Future of Venezuela Initiative at CSIS, about Venezuela’s political landscape in the post-Maduro era, examining U.S. policy goals, shifting power structures, and what’s at stake for the country’s new president, Delcy Rodríguez.
Which Military Shocks Defined 2025 — and What's Next in 2026?
Host Seth Jones sits down with Kari Bingen, Director of the Aerospace Security Project and a Senior Fellow in the Defense and Security Department at CSIS, and former Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security.
Together, they look back at major defense and military shocks of 2025, including Russia’s poor performance, Operation Midnight Hammer, and China’s military parade, among
Are the United States and Venezuela on the Brink of War?
Host Seth Jones sits down with Juan Cruz, who served in the U.S. Intelligence Community and on the National Security Council as special assistant to the president and senior director for Western Hemisphere affairs, to discuss the U.S. military’s role in the Venezuela crisis and provide an inside look at Maduro’s armed forces.
Is the U.S. Peace Plan for Ukraine a Game-Changer or Fantasy?
Host Seth Jones sits down with Douglas Lute, former U.S. Ambassador to NATO, to discuss President Trump’s proposed peace plan aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war.
This episode was recorded on November 24th, 2025.
Is Putin Winning the War or Just Buying Time?
Host Seth Jones talks with Mick Ryan, retired Australian Army Major General, about his recent visit to Ukraine's frontlines. They discuss the evolving dynamics of the war, highlighting Ukraine's successes, Russia's challenges, and key developments, including shifts in U.S. policy, the change in air defense posture, and the increasing use of long-range strikes and drones.
Trump vs. Xi. Who Won?
President Trump met with President Xi in a historic bilateral meeting amid growing tensions between the United States and China. Host Seth Jones sat down with Jude Blanchette, the Distinguished Tang Chair in China Research and the inaugural director of the RAND China Research Center, for a discussion on the outcome of the meeting and China’s defense strategy moving forward.
Introducing The Last Line of Defense
In this era of uncertainty, knowledge is power. Hosted by Dr. Seth G. Jones, The Last Line of Defense offers clear and insightful analysis on the latest national security news. Each episode provides practical solutions to the toughest security questions—from war and peace around the world to the role of emerging technology in defense.
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