CNA Talks: A National Security Podcast

Analyzing Hollywood Portrayals of Emergency Management

This episode examines various depictions of emergency management in Hollywood movies and asks what the consequences are of inaccurate portrayals. Guest Biographies Heather Marshall is a Senior Research Specialist with CNA's Center for Emergency Management Operations. Sydney Stewart [https://www.cna.org/our-experts/stewart-sydney] is an expert in emergency management and homeland security, specializing in large-scale incident planning and response and resilience of critical community lifeline networks and infrastructure systems. Further Reading House of Dynamite Trailer [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wpw2QHJNco] Twister (1996) Trailer [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beHzfQPaTaw] DON'T LOOK UP trailer [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbIxYm3mKzI&t=2s]

The Strait of Hormuz: A Maritime Chokepoint

This episode examines the effort to revitalize America's shipping and shipbuilding capacity in the context of the current crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. Guest Biographies Bill Komiss [https://www.cna.org/our-experts/komiss-william] is an expert in economic analysis of operational energy and infrastructure. He specializes in statistical modeling of military construction projects and facility life cycles, as well as structural modeling of energy supply and demand in wartime scenarios. Josh Tallis [https://www.cna.org/our-experts/tallis-joshua] is CNA's Future Fleet Coordinator and Director of CNA's Ally and Partner Affairs Program. He previously served as the scientific analyst to the Chief of Naval Operations. Further Reading The Economic Implications of Disruptions to Maritime Oil Chokepoints [https://www.cna.org/analyses/2011/economic-implications-to-disrupting-oil-chokepoints]

The End of Orban's Regime

With the inauguration of Péter Magyar, Hungary has a new prime minster for the first time in 16 years. This episode explores what this means for the nation and for Europe. Guest Biographies Julian G. Waller is an expert in Russian political-military affairs, elite strategic decision-making, adversary systems of governance, and civil-military relations outside the West. He is also a scholar of the politics of authoritarian rule, authoritarian political and social orders, and illiberal/postliberal ideologies globally. Further Reading Julian's Substack: Political Order(s) [https://politicalorders.substack.com/]

How Can Playing a Game Improve Police Officer Wellness?

This episode covers Balance, a learning game that helps law enforcement supervisors protect the emotional well-being of their officers. Guest Biographies Brittany Cunningham [https://www.cna.org/our-experts/cunningham-brittany] is an expert in scientific research and analysis and has more than a decade of experience designing, implementing and managing rigorous research studies and evaluations at the local, state and national level. Geoff Smith [https://www.cna.org/our-experts/smith-geoffrey] is a former police chief and an expert on law enforcement and fire policies, operations and oversight. He has substantial expertise in technology, including deployment of in-car and body-worn camera systems, cell phone forensics, as well as active shooter training. Further Reading CNA—Balance: A Command Operations and Resilience Game [https://www.cna.org/quick-looks/2026/03/Balance-A-Command-Operations-and-Resilience-Game.pdf] If you are interested in running Balance at your agency you can contact Brittany at Cunninghamb@cna.org [Cunninghamb@cna.org].

How Can the US Strengthen, Improve, and Expand the DIB?

This episode explores CNA's Arsenal of Policy wargame, which is designed to explore opportunities to strengthen, improve, and expand the US defense industrial base (DIB). Guest Biographies Sarah Fusco [https://www.cna.org/our-experts/fusco-sarah] is a specialist in international and non-traditional security threats. Her work focuses on emergent security challenges such as increasing partner capabilities in maritime security and domain awareness, countering violent extremism, and analyzing complex challenges through wargaming. Kaia Haney [https://www.cna.org/our-experts/haney-kaia] is an expert in African security, specializing in strategic competition on the continent and the African security environment. She has played a leading role in CNA wargames on the defense industrial base and the African operational environment. Further Reading CNA Report—Arsenal of Policy: Defense Industrial Base Wargame Final Report [https://www.cna.org/analyses/2025/11/arsenal-of-policy]