Coffee & Conflict

• Season 2 Episode 1: War in the Smartphone Age: Conflict, Connectivity and the Crises at Our Fingertips with Dr. Matthew Ford

  Today on Coffee & Conflict, Joshua Huminski is joined by Dr. Matthew Ford to explore the ideas behind War in the Smartphone Age and what it means for how we understand and fight modern wars. Ford breaks down how smartphones and the digital “stack” have reshaped power on today’s battlefields, from Ukraine to Gaza, and how constant connectivity blurs the line between combatant and observer. He examines how viral videos and endless imagery can distort our sense of winning and losing, how participatory war draws civilians into the fight, and what this means for militaries trying to keep pace with hyper-connected conflict.What responsibilities do technology companies carry when their platforms and infrastructure are now deeply embedded in warfare? Has the smartphone narrowed, or widened, the gap between advanced militaries and insurgent groups? And looking ahead, how might these dynamics shape great-power conflict and the decisions of future defense leaders?You can learn more about War in the Smartphone Age: Conflict, Connectivity and the Crises at Our Fingertips, and purchase a copy of the book, here: https://www.amazon.com/War-Smartphone-Age-Connectivity-Fingertips/dp/0197829848. Check out today’s experts on Twitter:@joshuachuminski @warmattersLike what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Special Episode: Coffee & Conflict Interview with General H.R. McMaster

  Today on Coffee & Conflict, Joshua Huminski speaks with General H.R. McMaster (ret.) about the emerging axis of aggressors—Russia, China, and others—and what their coordinated challenges mean for American power and global stability. They discuss how these regimes are pushing for a return to a multipolar world, exploiting perceptions of American weakness, and contesting U.S. leadership. He also examines whether America’s 20th-century institutions are equipped for today’s geopolitical competition and why strategic empathy is essential for understanding our adversaries.What’s driving the alignment between authoritarian powers—and can the U.S. effectively counter it? Is Washington thinking creatively enough to both pressure and engage rivals like Russia and China? How should American institutions adapt to compete in an era of disinformation, proxy conflicts, and strategic influence? And as Europe takes greater responsibility for its own defense, could that shift unintentionally weaken transatlantic unity?Check out today’s experts on Twitter:@joshuachuminski from @CSPC_DC@LTGHRMcMaster from @HooverInst, @FSIStanford, @FDD_CMPP, and @HudsoninstituteLike what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Episode 8: Threat Multiplier: Climate, Military Leadership, and the Fight for Global Security with Sherri Goodman

  Today on Coffee & Conflict, Joshua Huminski is joined by Sherri Goodman, former Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Environmental Security and expert on climate and national security, to discuss her work exploring climate change as a "threat multiplier." Goodman shares insights from her career and explores how climate and environmental challenges increasingly shape U.S. military strategy and global security dynamics. Goodman delves into the evolution of the Pentagon’s approach to climate resilience, from addressing nuclear waste cleanup to incorporating environmental sustainability into defense planning. She highlights the role of ecological cooperation with Russia during the Cold War and its lessons for today’s national security challenges.How should the Department of Defense prepare for the intensifying impacts of climate change on U.S. and global infrastructure? Can environmental cooperation serve as a bridge to manage tensions with adversaries like China, even amid growing geopolitical competition? And what advice would Goodman offer to the next Secretary of Defense to ensure climate readiness remains a priority for decades to come?You can learn more about Threat Multiplier: Climate, Military Leadership, and the Fight for Global Security, and purchase a copy of the book, here: https://www.amazon.com/Threat-Multiplier-Military-Leadership-Security/dp/1642833266Check out today’s experts on Twitter:@joshuachuminski from @CSPC_DC@GoodmanSherri from @PolarInstitute, @TheWilsonCenterLike what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Episode 7: Heart of War: Misadventures in the Pentagon with Kathleen McInnis

  Today on Coffee & Conflict, Joshua Huminski speaks with Kathleen McInnis, Director, Smart Women, Smart Power Initiative and Senior Fellow, Defense and Security Department at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, about how her debut novel pulls back the curtain on the Pentagon—one of the most powerful yet misunderstood institutions in U.S. national security. Drawing from her background in defense policy, McInnis examines the personal and professional challenges faced by women navigating Washington’s corridors of power. They discuss how her experiences shaped the book’s exploration of Pentagon bureaucracy, moral dilemmas in warfare, and the toll of high-stakes decisions, while highlighting the humor, humanity, and resilience found amidst the chaos.How did your experiences in defense policy shape The Heart of War, and what does it reveal about the Pentagon’s inner workings? How does its bureaucracy hinder innovation while balancing the need for efficiency in national security? How has the landscape for women in defense evolved, and what changes are still needed to meet today’s geopolitical challenges?You can learn more about Heart of War: Misadventures in the Pentagon, and purchase a copy of the book, here: https://www.amazon.com/Heart-War-Misadventures-Pentagon/dp/1682616517 Check out today’s experts on Twitter:@joshuachuminski from @CSPC_DCKathleen McInnis from @CSISLike what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Episode 6: God, Guns, and Sedition: Far-Right Terrorism in America with Bruce Hoffman and Jacob Ware

  Today on Coffee & Conflict, Joshua Huminski sits down with Bruce Hoffman and Jacob Ware, authors of God, Guns, and Sedition, to delve into the rise of far-right terrorism in America and its threat to democracy. They explore how conspiracy theories, white supremacism, and hostility to government have fueled a violent extremist movement, culminating in attacks like the Charleston church shooting and the January 6 Capitol riot. Hoffman and Ware discuss the movement’s use of cutting-edge tactics, infiltration of institutions, and its uneasy relationship with mainstream politics, while offering practical strategies to counter this growing threat. How has far-right extremism evolved from historical events into a decentralized movement, and how has technology accelerated its growth? What role will advancements like AI play in shaping the future of this threat? How can governments and militaries balance treating far-right extremism as both a criminal and national security challenge while crafting effective countermeasures?You can learn more about God, Guns, and Sedition: Far-Right Terrorism in America, and purchase a copy of the book, here: https://www.cfr.org/book/god-guns-and-seditionCheck out today’s experts on Twitter:@joshuachuminski from @CSPC_DC@hoffman_bruce from @CFR_org@Jacob_A_Ware from @CFR_orgLike what we're doing here? Be sure to rate, review, and subscribe. And don't forget to follow @masonnatsec on Twitter! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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