Intel at the Edge

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. 

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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.