The Shawn Ryan Show

#280 Sarah Adams - If China Isn’t the #1 Threat… Then Who Is?

186 snips
Feb 16, 2026
Sarah Adams, former CIA targeting officer and counterterrorism specialist, breaks down global and homeland threats with sharp field experience. She discusses Iran’s leadership chances, Taliban funding channels, aviation and siege-style attack risks, terrorist tradecraft on U.S. soil, and how influence operations shape narratives. Fast-paced and tactical, each topic highlights emerging risks and operational realities.
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INSIGHT

Multiple Channels Fund Adversaries

  • Multiple U.S. funding streams (humanitarian, counterterrorism, UN, WFP) flow to Taliban and allied groups, creating numerous leakage points.
  • Stopping one bucket won't halt the funding without a comprehensive freeze.
ADVICE

Reinstate Targeted Airport Screening

  • Restore and publicize targeted screening measures (e.g., shoe checks) instead of reducing them to prevent resurgence of older attack methods.
  • Reassess TSA changes and reintroduce tailored screening where threats re-emerge.
ADVICE

Train For Suicide Bombers And Hazmat

  • Train law enforcement on suicide-bomber response and hazmat protocols now, not after an incident.
  • Run multi-site active-attack drills and equip hazmat teams at scale.
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