One Decision Ex-Spy Chiefs on What to Watch for in 2026
Jan 1, 2026
Join retired U.S. Army General Joseph Votel, a strategic expert on military operations, and former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, who offers insights on counterintelligence and law enforcement. They dive into pressing global threats from Russia and China, and the dangers of AI-driven disinformation like deepfakes. The conversation also touches on China's quantum computing advancements, cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and potential geopolitical shifts in 2026, such as the fate of Venezuela and the future of Ukraine.
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Treat Chip Policy As Strategy
- Treat export controls and chip policy as strategic decisions with long-term geopolitical effects.
- Consider technological edge as central to future economic and military supremacy.
Philippines Trip Shows Strategic-Economic Mix
- Joseph Votel recounts taking businessmen to the Philippines to show local tensions with China.
- He highlights that strategic relations coexist with strong economic ties to China in the region.
Innovation Lead Is Fleeting
- The U.S. private sector leads in AI but China narrows the gap through state-driven investment.
- Leadership in technologies like quantum and AI is transient and must be actively defended.