Peace Through Strength Podcasts by American Security Council Foundation

Red Flags and Open Doors: The Visa Debate on Chinese Entry

PTS host Joy Votrobek speaks with ASCF senior analyst Laurence Sanford on new legislation introduced to deny student visas to Chinese nationals. Regardless of the outcome, attention needs to be brought to the fact that the CCP has Chinese students laundering money in the U.S. The discussion also examines the possibility that some CCP funds may be used to entice students to riot against ICE deportations.

**NOTE: This podcast was recorded yesterday, June 11th, before we learned the new trade deal that President Trump worked out with President Xi would allow Chinese nationals to continue to attend universities on student visas.

Mr. Sanford is a U.S. Navy veteran who served four years with the CIA. Ms. Votrobek has a degree in International Relations and has worked in security services for over seven years.

Charting the Future: U.S. Maritime Strategy in the Face of China's Rise

Peace Through Strength podcast with ASCF Sr. Analyst Laurence Sanford and guest Captain Peter Petrelius (U.S. Navy Retired). Captain Petrelius said there is a lack of mariners and merchant vessels. He also states that U.S. shipyards need to be updated. China is outpacing the U.S. in shipping, shipyards, and building.

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Can D.E.I. survive at West Point? Part I.

PTS Podcast host Joy Votrobek discusses D.E.I. in the military with returning guest Colonel (Ret.) Bill Prince and ASCF Sr. Analyst Laurence Sanford. Col. Prince points out that diversity may benefit some fields, but not in the military. Instead, a military unit needs teamwork and unity. Col. Prince questions why West Point offers a variety of D.E.I. minors and what the need is for them when cadets are supposed to be training for battle. T

HIS PODCAST IS PART 1 OF A SERIES OF TWO. PART II WILL BE RELEASED NEXT WEEK. Stay tuned....

Col. (Ret.) Bill Prince has been a guest on this podcast several times. He is a West Point graduate who served in Vietnam with Ranger and Special Forces units. He subsequently had a career working overseas in many hostile areas with the Central Intelligence Agency. Particularly germane to this podcast, he currently serves as the president of the MacArthur Society of West Point Graduates.

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India-Pakistan Escalation

Did you know Pakistan and Bangladesh were originally part of India? ASCF brings you a historical understanding of modern impact. PTS podcast host Joy Votrobek discusses current events and the history of India and Pakistan with ASCF senior analyst Laurence Sanford. Historical animosities, fueled by wars and militant activities, have led to a volatile security situation. The execution of Hindu tourists in the Kashmir region pushed India to retaliate, and the conflict has escalated from there.

Mr. Sanford is a U.S. Navy veteran who served four years with the CIA. Ms. Votrobek has a degree in International Relations and has worked in security services for over seven years.

 

THE THURSDAY, MAY 8TH WEBINAR MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST WAS RECORDED AND WILL BE SENT OUT TO OUR NEWSLETTER AND SUBSTACK MEMBERS.

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Risking Stability: The Vital Role of U.S. Allies & NATO

PTS podcast host Joy Votrobek discusses strained relationships with U.S. allies and NATO with ASCF senior fellow Alan Dowd. NATO has been there for the U.S. on numerous occasions, including 9/11, Iraq, Afghanistan, the war on ISIS, and recently in the Red Sea. They discuss how the current Trump Administration's comments and actions lead to uncertainty and mistrust among our partners. This shift risks regional stability and diminishes the United States' role as a global leader. There is hope that a balance can be achieved by "Making America Great Again" and not ostracizing our relationship with NATO and our allies.

 

ASCF Senior Fellow Alan Dowd is an opinion journalist. Dowd holds degrees from Butler University and Indiana University. He has also served as an adjunct professor, university lecturer, congressional aide, administrator, researcher, and writer at leading think tanks. Dowd, an award-winning writer, has been interviewed by Fox News Channel, Cox News Service, The Washington Times, The National Post, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, and numerous radio programs across North America. Follow him at twitter.com/alanwdowd.

Ms. Votrobek has a degree in International Relations and has worked in security services for over seven years.

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USS Truman was not damaged by the Houthis.

PTS host Joy Votrobek joins Sr. Analyst Laurence Sanford with a brief update on the Houthi War. They debunk the claim by the Houthis that they damaged the USS Truman. They address the claim by the Trump Administration that a Chinese satellite may be aiding the Houthis. Finally, they examine the PTS strategy of U.S. Global Leadership and Freedom of the Seas, as well as the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.

Mr. Sanford is a U.S. Navy veteran who served four years with the CIA. Ms. Votrobek has a degree in International Relations and has worked in security services for over seven years.

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Best Balanced History of Gaza with a Surprise Ending!

ASCF Sr. Analyst Laurence Sanford interviews Colonel (Ret.) Pete McIllwain. Pete’s 22-year career with the CIA also included time in Tel Aviv. He gives an excellent, balanced history of Gaza and how Hamas came to power. Pete discusses the W River Summit in Washington, D.C., where he personally spoke with Yasser Arafat about why Arafat declined a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians. He also discusses how Israel ignored a warning from Egypt that Hamas was planning something big on October 7th, 2023. Pete mentions a key theme throughout the podcast regarding the importance of the Temple Mount to all the major Middle East players.

 

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Defending Sovereignty in Ukraine and Taiwan

PTS podcast host Joy Votrobek interviews ASCF senior fellow Alan Dowd about his last two articles regarding Free World Defense and Taiwan. Alan coined the phrase "Free World Defense," premised on strength and winning to maintain an International Rules-Based Order. The 1994 Budapest Memorandum and the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act are vague security assurances and should be updated to solidify U.S. intentions to defend these sovereign nations. Other bilateral agreements and allies for Ukraine and Taiwan are possible deterrents.

 

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News Detox! Pop Culture's Influence on the Intel Community.

We are taking a break from all the news today to bring you a special guest, Brian Freeman, straight from our PTS Podcast studio. Brian Freeman, a New York Times best-selling thriller author, has chosen to carry on with The Bourne series. Brian has written 31 thrillers, 6 of which are part of The Bourne series. His latest book, "The Bourne Escape," will be released in July 2025.

What does this have to do with national security?

Brian brings up an interesting point about how pop culture can influence people's views of the intelligence community and government. We are currently seeing a lot of mistrust in the government and conspiracy theories. Maybe they're not all conspiracy theories. Brian eerily describes writing a book about fires in California before they happened this past year!

You can find all of Brian's books and more about the author at www.brianfreemanbooks.com

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Turning a Blind Eye: The World's Silence on Houthi Actions.

SUBSCRIBE, COMMENT, AND SHARE! Peace Through Strength podcast host Tracy Steele interviews ASCF Sr. Analyst Laurence Sanford about the continued Houthi Crisis and the Red Sea shipping lanes. Mr. Sanford provides a historical background of the Houthis and the civil war in Yemen between the Shi'iah and Sunni Muslim groups. The Shi'iah Houthis are a proxy of Iran. Mr. Sanford questions why the U.S. is the only country doing something about the Houthis and the shipping lane problem in the Red Sea. The U.S. Navy is stretched thin, so we must rely on our alliances to ensure Freedom of the Seas. He also believes continued bombing is not the solution; he suggests destroying the Houthi-controlled ports.

Mr. Sanford is a U.S. Navy veteran who served four years with the CIA.

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