Vital Interests Podcast
Hosted by Karen Greenberg. Brought to you by the Center on National Security, Vital Interests Podcast was designed to help you think about security in its many dimensions, from pandemic to climate change, from terrorism to population migration, from war to peace - all with an eye towards the rule of law, the protection of human rights and the respect for civil liberties. Twitter: @VI_PodcastCNS, @KarenGreenberg3.
Thu, March 10, 2022
Rebroadcast: John Brennan and Ali Soufan on The U.S. and Today's Foreign Policy Challenges
Host Karen J. Greenberg welcomed CNS Distinguished Fellow for Global Security and former CIA Director John Brennan and former FBI Supervisory Special Agent Ali Soufan at CNS on February 15, 2022 for a conversation on The U.S. and Today's Foreign Policy Challenges. The full webinar can be watched on our website at CenterOnNationalSecurity.org/events.
Fri, October 22, 2021
Richard Conn on Letting Go of Religion and Embracing Reality
What will it take for the world to renounce religious dogma and discover humanity’s place in it through science and reason? Can it save our societies from perpetual conflict? Attorney and investment fund manager Richard Conn joins this episode of Vital Interests Podcast to discuss his new book, The Earthbound Parent: How (and Why) to Raise Your Little Angels Without Religion.
Fri, September 17, 2021
Anthony Romero on Post-9/11 Challenges
ACLU Director Anthony Romero joins our special series on 9/11 to discuss the challenges, accomplishments and persistent hurdles experienced by the ACLU and the country in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Tue, September 14, 2021
The Guantanamo Docket: New York Times Journalists Carol Rosenberg and Charlie Savage on Keeping a Record of Guantanamo
Who remains at Guantanamo Bay? What’s more to be known? And can the Biden administration finally close the notorious detention center? Journalists Carol Rosenberg and Charlie Savage discuss lessons culled from nearly two decades of reporting on the prison as part of Vital Interest’s special-edition “9/11-Twenty Years Later.”
Mon, September 13, 2021
Spencer Ackerman on the Perpetual Shadow of 9/11
In his new book, Reign of Terror: How the 9/11 Era Destabilized America and Produced Trump, journalist Spencer Ackerman traces America’s response to 9/11 to the violence, vitriol and instability the country faces today, part of Vital Interests Podcast Season three, “9/11 – Twenty Years Later.”
Fri, September 10, 2021
Peter Bergen on the Life and Impact of Osama Bin Laden
Journalist Peter Bergen has spent decades reflecting on the man responsible for the attacks on 9/11. Now, twenty years after that fateful day, he joins our commemoration series to provide insights into Osama bin Laden’s life, his lasting influence, and the enduring War on Terror.
Thu, September 09, 2021
Richard Clarke on the Mistakes Made Before 9/11 and the Lessons We Have Yet to Learn
What were the failures in the lead up to the attacks on 9/11? What lessons should we take from that fateful event and our response to it to better prepare for the crises of the future? Former White House terrorism advisor Richard Clarke joins our special series 9/11 – Twenty year later to discuss.
Tue, June 08, 2021
Journalist Craig Unger on Spies, Lies, and the Threats to American Democracy
How do America’s top leaders use power to enrich themselves and further their interests? From the Bush administration to the GOP and the Trump presidency, Craig Unger has spent the last twenty years uncovering the “unseen” ways in which power works. He joins this episode of Vital Interest Podcast to discuss what it means for our democracy.
Tue, May 25, 2021
Joshua Dratel on Reforming America’s Criminal Justice System
Many Americans think that U.S. criminal justice system is unfair, ineffective, and broken. So how do we fix it? Joshua Dratel, a leading criminal defense attorney, joins this episode of Vital Interests Podcast to discuss.
Tue, May 11, 2021
Ken Wainstein - Thinking about National Security Twenty Years Ago and Now
Twenty years after 9/11, Ken Wainstein, Homeland Security Advisor to George W. Bush, reflects on security and 21st century challenges.
Tue, April 27, 2021
Clint Watts on How Social Media Changed the Internet, Distorts Reality, and Fuels Extremism
How can America counter group mentality? Clint Watts, a national security, counterterrorism, and cybersecurity expert, joins this episode of Vital Interests Podcast to discuss disinformation, conspiracy theories, and domestic terrorism.
Tue, April 13, 2021
Hina Shamsi on Protecting Human Rights in an Era of Heightened Global Security
Twenty years after 9/11, with President Biden in the White House, are we ready for a new approach to security and justice? Hina Shamsi joins this episode of Vital Interests Podcast to discuss the ICC, the no fly list, the First Amendment, and today’s terrorism.
Tue, March 30, 2021
Jessica Stern Reflects on a Career Studying Terrorism
Boston University Professor Jessica Stern joins this episode of Vital Interests Podcast to discuss how a perceived loss of status is helping to radicalize young people, and how understanding these feelings could be key to stopping them from becoming terrorists.
Tue, March 16, 2021
Colin Clarke on Countering Violent Extremism in the US and Abroad
Are we seeing something new in terrorist violence? Colin Clarke, the Director of Policy and Research at the Soufan Group, joins this episode of Vital Interests Podcast to discuss what’s changed—and what’s stayed the same—in extremist ideology and recruitment in the past two decades.
Tue, March 02, 2021
Nick Rasmussen on How to Tackle Extremism on the Internet
Nick Rasmussen, the inaugural executive director of the Global Internet Forum to Counterterrorism (GIFCT) joins this episode of the Vital Interests Podcast to discuss how his organization is helping major technology companies moderate extremist content online.
S2 E3 · Tue, February 16, 2021
Sheila Foster on the City as a Commons
In this episode of Vital Interest Podcast, Sheila Foster, a professor of urban law and policy at Georgetown University and the co-director of LabGov, reimagines traditional structures of governance in cities. She offers a new approach: the Co-City, which identifies urban space as a “commons.” Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.
Tue, February 02, 2021
Rebroadcast: Ali Soufan on January 6th and the Threat To Democracy: What Went Wrong and How Should We Respond?
Host Karen J. Greenberg welcomed Ali Soufan for a virtual event at the Center on National Security at Fordham Law titled "January 6th and the Threat To Democracy: What Went Wrong and How Should We Respond?" The full event can be watched on our website at CenterOnNationalSecurity.org/events. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.
S2 E2 · Tue, January 19, 2021
Matt Duss on the Insurrection at the Capitol and Rethinking American Foreign Policy
Matt Duss, Foreign Policy Advisor to Bernie Sanders, joins this episode of Vital Interests Podcast to discuss the Capitol Riots, Biden’s foreign policy challenges, and the legacy of 9/11. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.
S2 E1 · Wed, January 06, 2021
Annie Owens on Reforming the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel
The Justice Department’s legitimacy took a hit under the Trump administration. Can reforms within its Office of Legal Counsel—and a rule-of-law-abiding new Attorney General— help burnish its reputation? Annie Owens, a former Attorney Advisor in the OLC, joins this episode of the Vital Interests Podcast to discuss. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.
S1 E28 · Tue, December 15, 2020
Fionnuala D. Ní Aoláin on the Problems of Counterterrorism in the Post-9/11 World
Nearly 20 years after 9/11, one might ask, where do we stand now in terms of counterterrorism policies? What have we accomplished? What remains to be done? Fionnuala D. Ní Aoláin, UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms while Countering Terrorism joins this episode of Vital Interests Podcast to share her views on the counterterrorism missteps from the past, today's challenges, and best strategies for the future. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.
S1 E27 · Tue, December 08, 2020
Peter Beinart on Biden’s Foreign Policy Challenges
Journalist Peter Beinart joins this episode of Vital Interests Podcast to discuss China, multilateralism, a One-State solution for Israel – and more. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.
Tue, December 01, 2020
Rebroadcast: Seamus Hughes' Homegrown: ISIS in America
Seamus Hughes joined host Karen J. Greenberg on November 19th to discuss his new book: Homegrown: ISIS in America. The full webinar can be watched on our website at CenterOnNationalSecurity.org/events. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.
S1 E26 · Wed, November 25, 2020
Steve Blank on Expecting the Unexpected: Silicon Valley and 21st Century Warfare
Tech entrepreneur and early leader of the Lean Startup movement Steve Blank joins this episode of the Vital Interests Podcast to discuss his Stanford University course, Hacking for Defense, and how the lessons learned from successful startups in Silicon Valley should be applied to 21st century warfare and weapons manufacturing. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.
Tue, November 17, 2020
Rebroadcast: John Brennan's "Undaunted" with Samantha Power
Host Karen J. Greenberg welcomed John Brennan and Samantha Power on October 15th to discuss Brennan's new book Undaunted: My Fight Against America's Enemies, At Home and Abroad. The full event can be watched on our website at CenterOnNationalSecurity.org/events. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.
S1 E25 · Tue, November 10, 2020
Edwin Frank on Literature, the Pandemic, and our World
Edwin Frank, the editorial director for the New York Review of Books , joins the podcast to discuss his long-running collection, the NYRB Classics Series. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.
Fri, November 06, 2020
Webinar Rebroadcast: Echoes from the Past: Do the post WWII Japanese War Crimes Tribunals have lessons for Guantanamo? with Michel Paradis and Carol Rosenberg
Host Karen J. Greenberg welcomed journalist Carol Rosenberg and attorney Michel Paradis at CNS on October 1st for a conversation based on Paradis’ new book Last Mission to Tokyo: The Extraordinary Story of the Doolittle Raiders and Their Final Fight for Justice. The full webinar can be watched on our website at CenterOnNationalSecurity.org/events. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.
S1 E24 · Tue, October 27, 2020
Senator Russell Feingold on the 25th Amendment, Court Packing, and the State of US Democracy
In this episode of Vital Interest Podcast, Former Democratic Senator Russell Feingold unpacks the historic challenges threatening America’s democratic system and offers four Constitutional amendments to fix “some of the glitches that exist. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.
Tue, October 20, 2020
Webinar Rebroadcast: Chris Whipple's The Spymasters: How the CIA Directors Shape History and the Future
Chis Whipple joined host Karen J. Greenberg on September 29th to discuss his new book: The Spymasters: How the CIA Directors Shape History and the Future . The full webinar can be watched on our website at CenterOnNationalSecurity.org/events. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.
S1 E23 · Tue, October 13, 2020
Richard Clarke on DHS, Governance, and the 2020 Presidential Election
The former National Security official joins this episode of Vital Interests Podcast to discuss his time in government, the need for reforms at the Department of Homeland Security, and what’s at stake in the upcoming US presidential election. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.
Tue, October 06, 2020
Webinar Rebroadcast: Ali Soufan's Declassified "The Black Banners"
Ali Soufan joined host Karen J. Greenberg on September 24th to discuss the new, declassified version of his book: The Black Banners (Declassified): How Torture Derailed the War on Terror after 9/11 . The full webinar can be watched on our website at CenterOnNationalSecurity.org/events. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.
S1 E22 · Tue, September 29, 2020
Jonathan Stevenson on US Foreign Policy, Civil Unrest at Home, and Racial Inequality
Jonathan Stevenson, senior fellow for US Defense at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, joins this episode of Vital Interests Podcast to discuss the future of the Iran Nuclear Deal, the state of the State Department under Secretary Mike Pompeo, and the Trump administration’s use of the military in responding to nation-wide protests on racial inequality and police brutality. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.
S1 E21 · Fri, September 25, 2020
Liam Collins on Ukraine, Syria, and the Future of Great Power Conflict
Liam Collins, the founding director of the Modern War Institute, joins this episode of the Vital Interests Podcast to discuss proxy wars, cyber security, and the future of global conflict. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law. Dangerous Myths: How the Crisis in Ukraine Explains Future Great Power Conflict
S1 E20 · Tue, September 15, 2020
Robert Draper on Why We Went to War in Iraq
Listen to Robert Draper, writer for the New York Times Magazine & National Geographic, on his new book To Start a War, How the Bush Administration Took America into Iraq. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.
S1 E19 · Tue, September 01, 2020
U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes on a Comprehensive Approach to Legislating in the COVID Era
Rep. Jahana Hayes, National Teacher of the Year in 2016, joins this week’s episode of Vital Interests Podcast to discuss her continued hope in American democracy, and how the COVID-19 recovery is an opportunity for systemic and inclusive change. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.
S1 E18 · Tue, August 25, 2020
Counterterrorism From Al Qaeda and ISIS to White Supremacists, with the NYPD’s Rebecca Weiner, Assistant Commissioner for the Intelligence Bureau.
A conversation with Rebecca Ulam Weiner about the evolution of terrorism, and the current challenges facing law enforcement and society at large. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.
S1 E17 · Tue, August 18, 2020
Tom Parker on Terrorism, Human Rights and Tomorrow’s Challenges
Listen as Tom Parker discusses the value of understanding the conditions that give rise to terrorism and the need for a longer time frame for measuring counterterrorism strategies. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.
S1 E16 · Tue, August 11, 2020
Peter Bergen on National Security From Al Qaeda to COVID
Join us as Peter Bergen discusses terrorism, the Iran Deal, the Taliban, a Biden presidency and America’s ever-changing national security landscape. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.
S1 E15 · Tue, August 04, 2020
Jonathan Hafetz and the Politicization of Justice, American-style
Jonathan Hafetz talks about Adham Hassoun, Enemy Combatants and today’s Department of Justice. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.
S1 E14 · Tue, July 28, 2020
War Crimes, Accountability, and Healing with Michel Paradis
Michel Paradis discusses the legacy of 9/11, war crimes, military commissions, and his new book Last Mission to Tokyo . Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.
S1 E13 · Tue, July 21, 2020
Governor Jerry Brown on COVID, Punishment, Inequality and America's Way Forward
Former California Governor Jerry Brown discusses what more states can do to respond to COVID, how we can honor the humanity in all of us, and ways to help parents in today's difficult times. Vital Interests Podcast with Karen Greenberg is brought to you by the Center on National Security at Fordham Law.
S1 E12 · Tue, July 14, 2020
Leadership and Hope: A view from California with Lt Gov Eleni Kounalakis
California's Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis discusses immigration, trade policy, women in politics and her hopes for the future with host Karen Greenberg.
S1 E11 · Tue, July 07, 2020
Carol Rosenberg and the Forever Story of Guantanamo
Joining host Karen Greenberg, Carol Rosenberg discusses nearly two decades of reporting on Guantanamo’s detainees, its military commissions, and its military.
Bonus · Tue, June 30, 2020
Webinar Terrorism Series: Episode 2 with Gilles Kepel
Gilles Kepel joined host Karen J. Greenberg on May 20th to discuss his book: Away from Chaos: The Middle East and the Challenge to the West . The full webinar, part of our terrorism series, can be watched on our website at CenterOnNationalSecurity.org/events .
Bonus · Tue, June 30, 2020
Webinar Terrorism Series: Episode 1 with Thomas Hegghammer
Thomas Hegghammer joined host Karen J. Greenberg on May 6th to discuss his book: The Caravan: Abdallah Azzam and the Rise of Global Jihad . The full webinar, part of our terrorism series, can be watched on our website at CenterOnNationalSecurity.org/events .
S1 E10 · Tue, June 23, 2020
John Brennan on the Arab Spring, 21st Century Democracies, and the Coming Election
Former CIA Director and Presidential Advisor talks to host Karen Greenberg about the global landscape, protecting the upcoming elections and his hopes for the future.
S1 E9 · Tue, June 16, 2020
The Presidency, the Media, and the Dangers of Cynicism with David Rohde
David Rohde discusses his new book In Deep: The FBI, the CIA, and the Truth about America's "Deep State."
S1 E8 · Fri, June 12, 2020
Edward Snowden, the Surveillance State and the Future of Privacy - with Bart Gellman
Bart Gellman discusses his new book “Dark Mirror: Edward Snowden and the American Surveillance State”
S1 E7 · Tue, June 09, 2020
Jameel Jaffer on Freedom of Speech, National Security, and the Perils of Silencing Former Officials
Jameel Jaffer, Inaugural Director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, joins host Karen Greenberg to discuss national security, FOIA litigation, and the dangers facing freedom of speech today.
S1 E6 · Wed, June 03, 2020
Andrea Mitchell on Challenges Facing Today's Journalists
Andrea Mitchell, Host of MSNBC 'Andrea Mitchell Reports', talks about the challenges, past and present, of reporting on the White House, about women in journalism, and about the many pressures facing today's journalists.
S1 E5 · Tue, May 26, 2020
Peter Singer on his novel Burn-In: A Novel of the Real Robotic Revolution
Peter Singer, Strategist and Senior Fellow at New America, joins host Karen Greenberg to discuss his latest book and the practical and philosophical implications of Artificial Intelligence.
S1 E4 · Fri, May 22, 2020
David Ignatius on his spy novel The Paladin, with Richard A. Clarke
Karen J. Greenberg is joined by David Ignatius, prize-winning columnist for The Washington Post , and Richard A. Clarke, CEO of Good Harbor Security Risk Management and former National Security Official, to discuss Ignatius's latest spy novel The Paladin .
S1 E3 · Tue, May 19, 2020
Oscar Winner Carol Dysinger on making Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If you're a Girl)
Carol Dysinger, Oscar winning filmmaker and Associate Professor at the NYU Tisch School of Arts, joins Karen J. Greenberg for a discussion focusing on challenges Dysinger faced as a female documentary filmmaker since 1977 and her decision to tell the story of girls in Afghanistan through the eyes of those teaching and learning to read, write, and skateboard. Her latest film, Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If you're a Girl ) (2020), won the 2020 Oscar for a short subject documentary.
S1 E2 · Fri, May 15, 2020
Lawrence Wright on his novel The End of October and Today's COVID Crisis
Lawrence Wright, author, screenwriter, playwright, and a staff writer for The New Yorker magazine, joins Karen J. Greenberg to discuss his prescient new novel The End of October and the parallels to the current COVID-19 pandemic. Together they discuss the vulnerabilities that have led to the current crisis.
S1 E1 · Wed, May 06, 2020
Ali Soufan on Global Security and America's Leadership Role
CEO of The Soufan Group and founder of The Soufan Center, former FBI Supervisory Special Agent, and security expert, Ali Soufan speaks with Karen J. Greenberg on the global security landscape and the changing leadership challenges that face the United States during shifting global tensions and the COVID-19 crisis.
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