Geopolitics and Security
International affairs, wars, militaries, intelligence, and diplomacy, including Israel's wars and external security.
#567: When AI Sees Through Your Lies
How do you hide a nuclear site from a satellite that sees everything? Explore the high-tech game of orbital cat and mouse and the AI that tracks it.
#555: Walking Between Raindrops: Israel and the New Axis
Can Israel maintain its balancing act as Russia and China align with Iran? Herman and Corn dive into the "adversary entente" and its risks.
#553: The SITREP Method: AI-Powered Intelligence Briefing
Learn how to transform chaotic news cycles into high-protein intelligence using AI and the "Bottom Line Up Front" method for security reporting.
#548: Israel's Security Tax: Can a Nation Afford Both Defense and Decent Sidewalks?
Can Israel balance national security with social needs? Herman and Corn dive into the staggering math of the country’s defense budget.
#544: Engineering Sovereignty: The Two-State Geography Puzzle
Can a state function as an archipelago? Herman and Corn explore the engineering and geography behind a potential two-state solution.
#537: From State Secrets to Zero Trust: The Conceptual Bridge
Is there a master list of state secrets? Explore the evolution of government classification and its impact on modern digital security.
#532: The Architecture of Anxiety: Deterrence on the Edge
What happens when peace is built on mutual fear? Explore the fragile reality of life and tactical deterrence on Israel's northern border.
#521: Hidden in Plain Sight: Safe Houses and Front Companies
Explore the world of urban camouflage, from fake London facades to the "deep cover" front companies embedded in our global supply chain.
#512: The OPEC of Dirt: Why Israel Owns 93% of Its Land
Why does the Israeli state own 93% of the land? Herman and Corn explore the history and the impact of this unique monopoly on the housing market.
#509: The Physics of Proliferation: Iran’s Nuclear Threshold
Why is 20% enrichment actually 90% of the work? Herman and Corn break down the science and the "breakout time" of Iran’s nuclear program.
#501: The Split Embassy: When Diplomacy Needs Two Cities
Herman and Corn dive into the complex, fragmented world of U.S. diplomacy and why some embassies are split across multiple cities.
#497: The Business of Neutrality: Switzerland's "Good Offices"
Discover why Switzerland is the world’s ultimate middleman and how they turn neutrality into a powerful national brand and insurance policy.
#490: The Day the Walls Fell: Erasing Jerusalem's City Line
Explore the chaotic, high-speed demolition of the walls that divided Jerusalem for nineteen years and the "temporal vertigo" of 1967.
#486: Ink and Power: The Hidden World of Diplomatic Letters
In an era of instant messaging, why do world leaders still rely on physical letters? Discover the secret art of high-stakes diplomacy.
#474: The Price of Autonomy: Can a Nation Truly Go It Alone?
Herman and Corn explore the myth of self-reliance, from military aid and F-35 supply chains to the "calorie problem" of national food security.
#466: Inside the Silence: The Engineering of Modern SCIFs
Explore the physics of high-tech fortresses as Herman and Corn dive into the engineering, history, and future of modern SCIFs.
#461: DIY vs. Pro: Is Your Smart Home Actually Secure?
Explore whether DIY smart home setups can truly replace professional security systems in this deep dive into hardware, reliability, and redundancy.
#452: Embassies That Run Like Startups
Discover how small nations like Fiji and Papua New Guinea are reinventing diplomacy in Jerusalem through ag-tech, rugby, and lean "startup" models.
#449: Why Your Tape Fails: The Physics of Structural Bonding
Discover how the industrial-grade science behind the Burj Khalifa can help you mount heavy gear without losing your security deposit.
#432: The Data Bottleneck Above: AI and Laser Comms in Orbit
How do you process millions of kilometers of satellite data in real-time? Explore the future of orbital AI and laser communications.