As artificial intelligence accelerates, questions about its origins—and underlying assumptions—are becoming harder to ignore. This week, Elisa sits down with filmmaker Valerie Veatch to explore her latest documentary, Ghost in the Machine, which traces the intellectual roots of AI back to the eugenics movement. Together, they examine how these early ideologies may still echo in today’s AI systems, what it means for a workforce increasingly shaped by automation, and how unchecked technological progress can lead to unintended consequences.

Valerie Veatch is a writer, director, and producer of documentary films, including Me @ the Zoo, Love Child, and her latest release, Ghost in the Machine.

References:

• McQuillan, Dan. Resisting AI: An Anti-fascist Approach to Artificial Intelligence. Bristol University Press, 2022.
• Bender, Emily M., and Alex Hanna. The AI Con: How to Fight Big Tech’s Hype and Create the Future We Want. Harper, 2025.
• Becker, Adam. More Everything Forever: AI Overlords, Space Empires, and Silicon Valley’s Crusade to Control the Fate of Humanity. Basic Books, 2025.
• Sacks, David O., and Peter Thiel. The Diversity Myth: Multiculturalism and Political Intolerance on Campus. Independent Institute, 1998.
• “Q-Day Just Got Closer: Three Papers in Three Months Are Rewriting the Quantum Threat Timeline.” The Quantum Insider, 31 Mar. 2026

When cyberattacks target hospitals, infrastructure, and everyday systems, the line between battlefield and civilian life begins to blur. This week, Elisa is joined by Ricoh Danielson, a cybersecurity expert, U.S. Army veteran, and CEO of 1st Responder Cyber, to unpack Iran’s expanding cyber operations and what they reveal about modern warfare. Drawing on recent attacks and long-standing tactics, they examine how Iran uses cyber tools to project power, exploit both human and technical vulnerabilities, and disrupt essential services.

Ricoh Danielson is a U.S. Army combat veteran, digital forensics expert, cybersecurity leader, and CEO of 1st Responder Cyber.

References:

NSLT, Ep. 416, "The Drone Disruption: How Autonomous Systems Are Reshaping the Battlefield with Dawn Zoldi". April 14 2026.

What happens when weapons that cost a few thousand dollars can rival—and even outmaneuver—systems worth millions? This week, Elisa is joined by Dawn Zoldi, a retired Air Force Colonel, attorney, and founder of P3 Tech Consulting, to break down the rapid rise of drone warfare and its growing impact on global conflict. Drawing on examples from Ukraine, Iran, and across the Middle East, they explore how inexpensive drones are transforming military strategy, how AI is reshaping their capabilities, and what it means for those operating far from the battlefield. From swarm technology to legal accountability, the conversation also looks ahead—examining how autonomous drone systems could reshape private sector and industrial roles, taking on tasks once considered too dangerous, costly, or complex for humans.

Dawn Zoldi is a retired Air Force Colonel, licensed attorney, CEO & Founder of P3 Tech Consulting, Publisher of Autonomy Global and an internationally recognized expert on uncrewed aircraft system law and policy.

Autonomy Global is the leading digital media platform providing cutting-edge insights on autonomous technologies, featuring the latest news, industry trends, policies and expert analysis on dual-use drones, eVTOLs, robotics, space, maritime and enabling technologies worldwide.

References:

• Tune in to the Dawn of Autonomy Podcast
• Subscribe to the Autonomy Global Newsletter
• Article: Zoldi, Dawn. “Burning Down the Miracles: Inside Skunk Works’ Next Long-Range Kill Chain Breakthroughs.” Autonomy Global, 26 Feb. 2026
• NSLT Ep. 123, "Drones in the Pandemic with Dawn Zoldi". May 7 2020.
• U.S. Department of War Statement on DJI Systems
• The Law of Armed Conflict Overview
• The Rules of Engagement (ROE) Overview
• XPONENTIAL 2026 – May 11th-14th in Detroit, MI

A fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran has paused active hostilities—but major questions remain about what comes next. This week, we feature a recent live panel discussion, “Assessing the War with Iran: Military Policy and Legal Perspectives,” co-hosted by the ABA Standing Committee on Law and National Security and Syracuse University’s Institute for Security Policy and Law. Moderated by Judge James Baker and featuring retired Vice Admiral Robert Murrett and Elisa Ewers, the panel examines the strategic, legal, and economic dimensions of the conflict. Recorded just prior to the ceasefire, the conversation explores U.S. military objectives, the legal authorities underpinning action, potential exit strategies, and the broader global implications of escalation in the region.

Introductions by Stephen Preston, Chair of the ABAs Standing Committee on Law and National Security and Partner at WilmerHale

Moderated by Judge James Baker, Director of the Syracuse University Institute for Security Policy and Law and a Professor of Law at Syracuse University

Robert Murrett is Deputy Director of the Institute for Security Policy and Law at Syracuse University

Elisa Ewers is a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and an Adjunct Senior Fellow at RAND and the Center for a New American Security

References:

ABA Standing Committee on Law and National Security Webpage

As the conflict with Iran evolves, cyber capabilities are proving just as consequential as traditional military force. This week, Elisa sits down with Matt Suiche, founder of OnDB and a former hacker, to examine how cyber operations shape intelligence gathering, targeting, and real-time decision-making in modern conflict. Together, they explore the vulnerabilities of AI systems, the physical risks to critical infrastructure like data centers and undersea cables, and what these emerging threats reveal about the limits of technology in high-stakes warfare.

Matt Suiche is a cybersecurity researcher and founder of OnDB Inc., a data infrastructure startup for the agentic economy.

References:

• NSLT Episode: Elemental Power: Mining, Markets, and the Critical Minerals Challenge with Tommy Beaudreau (Part 1). Feb 18 2025
• NSLT Episode: Seabed Mining as a National Security Threat: The Laws of the Sea with Matt Dianni (Part 1). Jan. 13 2022
• NSLT Episode: Profiting from Polarization: The Economics of America’s Culture War. Nov. 26 2025
• The New York Times. "Meta and YouTube Found Negligent in Landmark Social Media Addiction Trial." 25 Mar. 2026

As tensions in the Strait of Hormuz disrupt global markets, they reflect a broader set of unconventional strategies Iran has deployed for decades. This week, Elisa sits down with Alamdar Hamdani, former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas and current partner at Bracewell, to examine how Iran leverages asymmetric tactics—from cyber operations and proxy forces to sanctions evasion and maritime disruption. Together, they explore how these strategies intersect with U.S. national security law, energy markets, and the evolving role of lawyers navigating global instability.

Alamdar Hamdani is a partner at Bracewell LLP and previously served as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Texas

References:

• The International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA)
• The Material Support Statute
• The Export Administration Regulations (EAR) Overview
• The International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) Overview
• "Justice Department Files Action to Protect National Security by Enforcing President’s Order of Chinese Company’s Divestment from U.S. Company." Office of Public Affairs, 10 Feb. 2026
• NSLT Episode, "Held as Leverage: Iran, Hostage Diplomacy, and the Fight for Release with Kieran Ramsey" March 18 2026.
• NSLT Episode, "From Pipelines to Prisoners: Security in the Energy Sector with Kieran Ramsey (Part 1)" June 4 2025
• NSLT Episode, "The Lawless Secrecy of International Shipping with Matthew Campbell (Part 1)" June 23 2022
• Campbell, Matthew, and Kit Chellel. Dead in the Water: A True Story of Hijacking, Murder, and a Global Maritime Conspiracy. Penguin Random House, 2022

As tensions with Iran persist, the issue of wrongful detention remains a critical but often overlooked national security concern. This week, Elisa sits down with Kieran Ramsey, former Director of the FBI’s Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell and current Chief Investigative Officer at Global Reach, to examine how countries like Iran use arbitrary detention—and how these cases are tracked and challenged on the global stage. The episode also includes audio from our recent luncheon with journalist Jason Rezaian, who recounts his 544 days of detention in Tehran’s Evin Prison and reflects on how his experience intersects with law, diplomacy, and the human cost of these high-stakes cases.

Kieran Ramsey is Chief Investigative Officer at Global Reach, a private company that deals with individuals wrongfully held or taken hostage around the world.

References:

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)

The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention

E.O. 14248, Strengthening Efforts to Protect U.S. Nationals from Wrongful Detention Abroad

Rezaian, Jason. Prisoner: My 544 Days in an Iranian Prison. HarperCollins, 2019

Four years into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the war has become a slow-moving conflict defined by massive losses and limited gains on the battlefield. This week, Elisa sits down with Seth Jones, President of the Defense and Security Department and Harold Brown Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, to discuss findings from his latest report, Russia’s Grinding War: Massive Losses and Tiny Gains for a Declining Power. Together they examine Russia’s staggering casualty numbers, the slow pace of its advance, and what these trends reveal about Russia’s long-term economic and geopolitical trajectory.

Seth Jones is President of the Defense and Security Department and Harold Brown Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

References:

• Report: Jones, Seth G., and Riley McCabe. Russia’s Grinding War in Ukraine: Massive Losses and Tiny Gains for a Declining Power. Center for Strategic and International Studies, 27 Jan. 2026.
• VideoCast: Are Russia and Ukraine Headed to 2 Million Casualties? CSIS. Jan. 30 2026
• Stanford University's Global AI Vibrancy Tool
• The Warsaw Pact, 1955

A standoff between the Pentagon and one of the world’s leading AI companies is raising new questions about the limits of government authority. This week, Elisa sits down with Alan Rozenshtein, Associate Professor of Law at the University of Minnesota and Research Director at Lawfare, to unpack the dispute between the Department of War and Anthropic over the use of advanced AI tools. Together, they explore whether existing law can compel technology companies to cooperate with national security demands and what the Defense Production Act might mean in the age of artificial intelligence.

Alan Rozenshteinis an Associate Professor of Law at the University of Minnesota and Research Director at Lawfare

References:

• Endrias, Michael, and Alan Z. Rozenshtein. “Pentagon’s Anthropic Designation Won’t Survive First Contact with Legal System.” Lawfare, 2 Mar. 2026.
• The Defense Production Act
• DoD Directive 3000.09, “Autonomy in Weapon Systems,” November 21, 2012
• E.O. 14365, "Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence"
• 10 US Code 3252
• IEEPA
• NSLT, Ep. 392, "Empire AI: OpenAI’s Rise and the Race for Global Power with Karen Hao"
• NSLT, Ep. 399, "Crash, Bailout, or Breakthrough? The Future of America’s AI Bet"

As tensions rise and the United States surges military assets into the Middle East, a critical question emerges: what happens to a nuclear program if a government collapses? This week, Elisa sits down with David Albright, founder of the Institute for Science and International Security, to assess the risks surrounding Iran’s nuclear capabilities and the consequences of regime instability. Drawing on historical precedent and insights from his recent op-ed, they examine what sites must be secured, why advance planning is essential, and whether the U.S. and its allies are prepared to prevent sensitive nuclear material from falling into the wrong hands.

David Albright is founder and President of the non-profit Institute for Science and International Security in Washington, D.C

EVENT: Register for our in-person luncheon on March 5 in Washington, D.C., featuring journalist Jason Rezaian and attorney David Bowker on hostage diplomacy and the wrongful detention of Americans overseas. View the full program here.

References:

Albright, David, and Andrea Stricker. “The Nuclear Threat After Tehran Falls.” The Wall Street Journal, 2 Feb. 2026.

This week, we revisit a foundational conversation on the Insurrection Act, originally recorded in June 2020 with William Banks and Harvey Rishikof. Together, they trace the Act’s history, unpack the scope of presidential authority it confers, explain how it may be invoked, and examine the constitutional principles that should guide its use.

William Banks is former Chair of the Standing Committee on Law and National Security

Harvey Rishikof is Senior Counselor of the ABA Standing Committee on Law and National Security

EVENT: Register for our in-person luncheon on March 5 in Washington, D.C., featuring journalist Jason Rezaian and attorney David Bowker on hostage diplomacy and the wrongful detention of Americans overseas. View the full program here.

References:

• The Insurrection Act
• Posse Comitatus Act
• Banks, William C., and Stephen Dycus. Soldiers on the Home Front: The Domestic Role of the American Military. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2016.
• Banks, William C. “Providing ‘Supplemental Security’–The Insurrection Act and the Military Role in Responding to Domestic Crises.” Journal of National Security Law & Policy, vol. 3, Dec. 15, 2009