Geopolitics
International affairs, defense, intelligence, and regional conflicts
#693: Decoding the Sky: How NOTAMs Telegraph Global Conflict
Think aviation alerts are just technical jargon? Discover how NOTAMs have become the ultimate open-source tool for predicting modern warfare.
#692: The 12-Day War: How Algorithms Redefined Middle East Combat
Herman and Corn revisit the 2025 12-day war, exploring how electronic warfare and regional alliances changed the face of modern combat.
#679: The Sound of Secrets: Side-Channel Attacks in AI Clusters
Is your hardware whispering your secrets? Discover how side-channel attacks turn physical signals into data leaks in modern AI clusters.
#672: The Silicon Soldier: Anthropic, Drones, and AI Warfare
Herman and Corn break down Anthropic’s move into defense and the technical reality of how AI actually pilots drones on the modern battlefield.
#662: The Geopolitical Graph: Mapping Global Power with AI
Move beyond flat maps. Discover how graph databases and AI reveal the hidden connections and second-order effects shaping our global landscape.
#645: The Return of the Big War: Mapping Global Conflict in 2026
Is the world truly more violent, or are we just more informed? Explore the data behind the global surge in conflict and the return of the "Big War."
#629: The Earth is Metadata: AI’s New Geolocation Powers
Every pixel is a secret. Herman and Corn discuss how AI and OSINT are turning clouds and shadows into a global tracking system.
#623: Inside Maximum Alert: What Happens When War is Imminent?
When a military hits "maximum alert," it’s more than words. Herman and Corn break down the literal steps from bunkers to tank grease.
#622: Ghosts in the Airwaves: The EA-18G Growler’s Invisible War
Discover the Boeing EA-18G Growler, the aircraft that dominates the electromagnetic spectrum through chaos, deception, and raw power.
#614: The Legal Maze of International Arrest Warrants
Herman and Corn break down the mechanics of ICC warrants, the role of Interpol, and why international law often clashes with global politics.
#604: Global Arteries: Guarding the World’s Maritime Chokepoints
Explore the invisible infrastructure keeping global trade alive, from secure naval chat rooms to armored ship citadels.
#582: Can We Hide Anything From a 30cm Satellite Lens?
Herman and Corn explore the "grey zone" of space, from high-res spy satellites to the terrifying reality of orbital "death hugs."
#581: The THAAD Shield: Strategic Deterrence in the Middle East
Herman and Corn dive into the THAAD deployment, exploring how this "kinetic kill" system serves as both a physical shield and a diplomatic tripwire.
#569: The End of the Blur: High-Res Satellites over Israel
From 2-meter blurs to 40cm clarity: Herman and Corn explore how shifting satellite laws are changing the face of Israeli security.
#567: The Orbital Shell Game: AI and Satellite Deception
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.
#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: The Architecture of Secrecy: From State Secrets to Zero Trust
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.
#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 Footprint: Why U.S. Diplomacy is Scattered
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.
#494: The Hidden Architecture of Power: Diplomatic Cables
Learn how the rigid structure of diplomatic cables can transform your professional reporting and help you cut through the noise.