Host: Mark Phillips  Guest: Ambassador Michael A. Hammer, Acting Senior Vice President,  NDU Bio:   Ambassador Michael (Mike) A. Hammer became NDU's Acting Senior Vice President on 27 Oct 2017. He previously served as the Deputy Commandant of NDU's Eisenhower School and was additionally dual-hatted as the Vice Chancellor of the College of International Security Affairs.  AMB Hammer is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service class of Minister-Counselor.  He most recently served as U.S. AMB to Chile from 2014-2016. He began his diplomatic career in 1988.  Prior to his appointment in Chile, AMB Hammer served as Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs from March 2012 to August 2013.  He also served as Acting Assistant Secretary and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs. Before joining the Bureau of Public Affairs, AMB Hammer served at the White House as Special Assistant to the President, Senior Director for Press and Communications, and National Security Council Spokesman from January 2009 to January 2011.  He previously served at the National Security Council as Deputy Spokesman from 1999 to 2000 and as the Director of Andean Affairs from 2000 to 2001. AMB Hammer's overseas postings include Bolivia, Norway, Iceland and Denmark.  His other State Department assignments include the Operations Center and serving as Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs. AMB Hammer has received several awards, including a the Navy’s Distinguished Public Service Award, the State Department’s Distinguished Honor Award, the Department’s Edward R. Murrow Award for Excellence in Public Diplomacy and several Superior Honor awards. AMB Hammer earned a Bachelor's degree from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.  He also earned Master's degrees from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and from the National War College at the National Defense University. AMB Hammer grew up in Latin America, living in Honduras, El Salvador, Colombia, Venezuela, and Brazil.  He is fluent in Spanish and speaks French and Icelandic. AMB Hammer and his wife Margret Bjorgulfsdottir have three children.

Defense Matters

How the State Department's Relationship with NDU Prepares Next Generation Leaders

Host: Mark Phillips  Guest: COL Ted Donnelly, Assistant Professor, NWC  Colonel Ted Donnelly joined the NWC faculty in 2016 from the U.S. European Command’s Directorate of Strategy, Policy, Partnering, & Capabilities (J-5), where he was Chief of the Black Sea-Eurasia Regional Division. He is a 1989 graduate of the University of Virginia, where he earned a B.A. in Foreign Affairs with a concentration in the Soviet Union & Eastern Europe. Originally commissioned as an Infantry officer, he later completed training to become a Eurasian Foreign Area Officer (FAO). As a FAO, he has served as a Eurasia Political-Military Planner at European Command; as Chief of the Offices of Military Cooperation (OMC) in Kazakhstan & the Kyrgyz Republic, and as U.S. Liaison Officer to the Russian Separate Airborne Brigade in Bosnia. He was the Associate Dean of the College of International & Security Studies at the George C Marshall Center, served as Course Director of the Eurasian Security Studies Seminar and also taught Central Asian Studies. He served as Director of the U.S. Army’s Eurasian Foreign Area Officer training program. He commanded Regional Support Command – North (RSC-N), NATO Training Mission – Afghanistan (NTM-A). He earned an M.A. in International Relations from Yale University, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.

Defense Matters Episode 12- Hidden in Plain Sight: How Russia's Successful Deployment of Hybrid & Cyber Warfare Undermines International Norms and Escalates Tensions

Ft. Dr. Cynthia Watson (NWC)  - Link to bio:   & Dr. Peter Thompson (CISA) - link to bio:      

Defense Matters - Ep 11: The Sleeping Giant: How China's Revisionist aims alter the geopolitical landscape and its implications for US national security goals

Host: Mark Phillips Guest: Dr. Hassan Abbas (CISA) - Link to full bio:    

Defense Matters - Ep 010: Friend or Foe: Pakistan's role in aiding the success/failure of Trump's 2018 National Security Strategy

Host: Mark Phillips   Guests: Professor Patrick Terrell (CSWMD) -Link to full bio:    & Professor Robert J. Peters (CSWMD) - Link to full bio:     

Defense Matters - Ep 009: Playing With Fire: How North Korea's increased rhetoric, capabilities escalate the probability of armed conflict & how it affects American allies in the region

Dr. Erica Marat discusses the ongoing Ukrainian conflict, how the still “hot war” has fallen off the public’s radar, and Putin’s impetus for the invasion. She also discusses Russia's international and domestic politics and their influence on other countries in the region as a whole to include Kazakhstan, Syria, the Caucasus states, and others. Defense Matters is produced by the National Defense University Foundation Inc. The National Defense University Foundation is a 501(c) 3 non profit organization with the mission of raising awareness and funds in support of the mission and scholarship of the National Defense University.    

Defense Matters - Ep. 008: Dr. Erica Marat on Ukraine, Russia, and the Ongoing Ukrainian Conflict

Dr. Denise Natali of the National Defense University's Institute of National Strategic Studies and Dr. Mark Meirowitz of the State University of New York Maritime College. The duo is discussing Turkish-US Relations in regards to President Erdogan, the fight against ISIS, and their threat perception of regional actors including Russia, Syria, the Kurds, and Iran, among others. They also debate whether Iran should or should not be considered the greatest threat to the interests of the United States and our Allies. Defense Matters is produced by the National Defense University Foundation Inc. The National Defense University Foundation is a 501(c) 3 non profit organization with the mission of raising awareness and funds in support of the mission and scholarship of the National Defense University.

Defense Matters - Ep. 007: Dr. Denise Natali and Dr. Mark Meirowitz on Turkey, Its Politics, and Its Relation to US Foreign Policy

Dr. Craig Deare of the National Defense University's College of International Security Affairs. Dr. Deare is speaking on his new book A Tale of Two Eagles: The US-Mexico Bilateral Defense Relationship Post Cold War. The book discusses briefly the history of the US-Mexico defense relationship and then digs deeper into how it has changed following the end of the Cold War. He emphasizes the importance of individual personalities and having a strong understanding of Mexico’s history with the United States when making policy changes.  Defense Matters is produced by the National Defense University Foundation Inc. The National Defense University Foundation is a 501(c) 3 non profit organization with the mission of raising awareness and funds in support of the mission and scholarship of the National Defense University.   Mentioned Publications: A Tale of Two Eagles: The US-Mexico Bilateral Defense Relationship Post Cold War

Defense Matters - Ep. 006: Dr. Craig Deare on US-Mexico Relations & A Tale of Two Eagles: The US-Mexico Bilateral Defense Relationship Post Cold War

Dr. Sean McFate of the National Defense University's College of International Security Affairs. Dr. McFate, drawing on his experiences as Private Security Contractor in the late 2000’s, discusses his views of what future warfare will look like and what role Private Security Forces will play. He discusses how private armies are not a new phenomenon but in fact most of military history is made up of privately owned armies. He also speaks on his belief that the future of warfare will not be based in technology growth as indicated with the struggles that the United States has faced in recent history. Dr. McFate also briefly discusses his new novel Deep Black to be released soon. Defense Matters is produced by the National Defense University Foundation Inc. The National Defense University Foundation is a 501(c) 3 non profit organization with the mission of raising awareness and funds in support of the mission and scholarship of the National Defense University.   Mentioned Publications: The Modern Mercenary: Private Armies and What They Mean for World Order https://www.amazon.com/Modern-Mercenary-Private-Armies-World/dp/0199360103 Shadow War: A Tom Locke Novel https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-War-Tom-Locke-Novel/dp/0062403702 Deep Black: A Tom Locke Novel https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Black-Tom-Locke-Novel/dp/0062403737

Defense Matters - Ep. 005: Dr. Sean McFate on The Future of Warfare and Mercenary Soldiers

Dr. Kim Cragin of the National Defense University's Institute for National Strategic Studies is speaking on Foreign Fighters and Their Increasing Role in Global Conflicts. Dr. Cragin discusses where the majority of fighters are coming from, how they are traveling to conflict zones, the risks of foreign fighter returnees, and what role they play in conflicts around the world. She touches on the middle east primarily but discusses how ISIS and Al Qaeda have in the past and are currently still using foreign fighters to project their agenda around the globe. Defense Matters is produced by the National Defense University Foundation Inc. The National Defense University Foundation is a 501(c) 3 non profit organization with the mission of raising awareness and funds in support of the mission and scholarship of the National Defense University.   Links for Mentioned Publications: A Strategy to Counter ISIL as a Transregional Threat Measuring the Popular Resonance of Daesh's Propaganda The November 2015 Paris Attacks: The Impact of Foreign Fighter Returnees The Clash of Civilizations? To Undermine ISIS, We Should Welcome Syrian Refugees   Defense Matters Season 1 is brought to you by a generous contribution from the United Technologies Corporation.       

Defense Matters - Ep. 004: Dr. Kim Cragin on Foreign Fighters and Their Increasing Role in Global Conflicts

Dr. Cynthia Watson of the National War College and Dr. Phillip Sanders of the Institute for National Strategic Studies on China, Their Military Reforms, and Power Projection.  They discuss the advantages and disadvantages the Chinese military has in comparison to the military of the United States including political and economic pressures. They also discuss current situations such as a nuclear North Korea and the South China Sea in which China is a major player. Both experts also touch on China's future politically, their military reform initiatives, and their economic dependence on the United States.  Defense Matters is produced by the National Defense University Foundation Inc. The National Defense University Foundation is a 501(c) 3 non profit organization with the mission of raising awareness and funds in support of the mission and scholarship of the National Defense University.   Links for Mentioned Publications: The Paradox of Power: Sino-American Strategic Restraint in an Age of Vulnerability PLA Influence on China's National Security Policymaking   Defense Matters Season 1 is brought to you by a generous contribution from the United Technologies Corporation.   

Defense Matters - Ep. 003: Dr. Cynthia Watson and Dr. Phillip Sanders on China, Their Military Reforms, and Power Projection

Dr. Denise Natali of the National Defense University's Institute of National Strategic Studies speaking on the Kurds and the Kurdish Region. Dr. Natali discusses the role the Kurd's play in international politics, the fight against ISIS, the middle east region as a whole, and the United State's national interests. She also sheds light on the political differences currently present amongst the Kurdish populations and where she foresees the Kurdish Region and its people heading in the future. Defense Matters is produced by the National Defense University Foundation Inc. The National Defense University Foundation is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization with the mission of raising awareness and funds in support of the mission and scholarship of the National Defense University.   Defense Matters Season 1 is brought to you by a generous contribution from the United Technologies Corporation. 

Defense Matters - Ep. 002: Dr. Denise Natali on The Kurds and the Kurdish Region

Dr. Joseph Collins of the National Defense University's Center for Complex Operations. Dr. Collins is speaking on his book Lessons Encountered: Learning From The Long War. The book discusses the lessons encountered during 15 years of military combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also mentions later publications including Charting A Course: Strategic Choices for a New Administration, among others. Defense Matters is a podcast series on various national defense and foreign affairs topics produced by the National Defense University Foundation Inc. The National Defense University Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with the mission of raising awareness and funds in support of the mission and scholarship of the National Defense University.   Links for Mentioned Publications: Lessons Encountered: Learning From The Long War Charting A Course: Strategic Choices For A New Administration Convergence: Illicit Networks and National Security in the Age of Globalization   Defense Matters Season 1 is brought to you by a generous contribution from the United Technologies Corporation. 

Defense Matters - Ep. 001: Dr. Joseph Collins on Lessons Encountered: Learning From The Long War

Defense Matters is a podcast series on various national defense and foreign affairs topics produced by the National Defense University Foundation Inc. The National Defense University Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with the mission of raising awareness and funds in support of the mission and scholarship of the National Defense University.

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Defense Matters

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