Episode Summary:

In this episode of Understandable Insights, Sue and Eric unpack the ODNI’s renewed allegations of an Obama administration conspiracy during the 2016 election and what to make of the recently released documents. They explore if the CIA’s race to adopt AI will replace human agents, respond to the SECDEF memo on drones and the potential revolution in military affairs, if rare earth production is the right use case for government subsidies, and why a cybersecurity grant that’s set to expire could quietly leave local governments exposed.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Understandable Insights

00:31 Sue's Birthday and Podcast Support

02:50 ODNI Report on 2016 Election Interference

08:43 CIA's Push for AI in Intelligence

21:17 US Drone Production Challenges

27:52 Revolutionary Military Affairs

33:50 US Rare Earth Production Challenges

42:41 State Cybersecurity Funding Issues

47:34 Predictions and Conclusions

Links:
Defense Innovation Board (DIB) Drone Study

RAND Military Revolution Study

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Episode Summary:

In this debut episode of Understandable Insights, Eric and Sue dive into a heavy mix of headlines, from the devastation in Kerrville, TX to the energy-hungry appetite of AI, the surge in deepfake voice scams, and the whiplash of US policy in Ukraine. Through it all, they unpack what these stories really mean for national security. It’s not all doom and gloom though, there’s room for smart policy, smart investment, and a little sports banter.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:32 Sue's Health Update and Personal Reflections

02:23 National Security Headlines

02:48 Kerrville Flood and FEMA's Role

13:53 AI's Impact on Energy Grids

26:19 Qantas Hack and AI-Driven Phishing

35:22 US-Ukraine Relations and Strategic Ambiguity

40:36 Predictions and Closing

Website and Feedback:

Remember we’re here for you. Provide us feedback or suggest topics for next time: Feedback

New episodes every Tuesday. Follow or subscribe today.

Welcome to “Understandable Insights: Information to Intelligence with Sue Gordon” — the national security podcast that provides you an elemental understanding of the world as it is, not how you prefer it to be.

Each week, Eric Koepp — a former Marine, father, and entrepreneur — sits down with the Honorable Sue Gordon, the nation’s former top career intelligence officer. Together, they break down the headlines shaping our world and ask what they really mean for citizens, leaders, and institutions.

From armed conflict to emerging tech, foreign interference to the resilience of democracy — this is where raw information becomes real intelligence. Unfiltered. Candid. Unapologetically clear.

New episodes every Tuesday. Follow or subscribe today.