Drone warfare has emerged as one of the most defining and disruptive features of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. What began as a supporting capability has now become a central element of modern combat, transforming the battlefield with swarms of low-cost UAVs conducting everything from reconnaissance and resupply to direct attacks. The implications extend far beyond Eastern Europe, as non-state actors, authoritarian regimes, and militaries worldwide take note and begin to adapt. How has the drone war in Ukraine changed military doctrine, and what does it mean for future conflicts from Gaza to the Taiwan Strait?In this episode, Paul Saunders speaks with Samuel Bendett, a defense and technology advisor at the CNA Corporation. Bendett's previous experience includes working for National Defense University, the U.S. Congress, the private sector and nonprofit organizations on foreign policy, international conflict resolution, and defense and security issues.Music by Sonican from Pixabay.

Korea’s energy sector is at an inflection point—one shaped by deepening nuclear cooperation abroad, the Trump administration's tariffs, and a presidential transition in Seoul. These developments could reshape not only Korea’s domestic energy mix but also its role in international LNG markets, global clean tech supply chains, and joint reactor exports with the U.S. Will the next Korean administration double down on renewables, microgrids, and energy storage—or stick with the current nuclear-heavy approach? And how will Washington’s tariff and trade policies influence Seoul’s long-term energy partnerships? In this episode, Paul Saunders speaks with Chinho Park, the Acting President of the Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KENTECH). Dr. Park served previously as a strategic planner at Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy.

A wave of optimism has surrounded the U.S. nuclear energy sector in recent years, but that momentum now faces mounting headwinds. Canceled data center projects, a shaky economic outlook, and uncertainty over tariffs have raised new questions about whether America’s nuclear renaissance can stay on track. With nuclear power poised to play a vital role in both the clean energy transition and global strategic competition, the stakes are high—not just for jobs and innovation, but for U.S. influence in a world increasingly shaped by Chinese and Russian state-backed exporters. Can the United States secure its place as a global nuclear leader, or is it falling behind in a high-stakes race?In this episode, Paul Saunders speaks with Dr. Jennifer Gordon, Director of the Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative at the Atlantic Council. Gordon previously co-directed the Atlantic Council's task force on U.S. nuclear energy leadership.Music by Sonican from Pixabay.