

Threat Status
The Washington Times
An edgy and informative look at the biggest U.S. national security and geopolitical issues making headlines right now. Less about hot takes and more about depth, the Threat Status podcast is helmed by veteran Washington Times journalists Ben Wolfgang and Guy Taylor and features regular appearances by insiders with expertise on war, politics and global affairs.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Apr 10, 2026 • 35min
Space-based interceptors: Golden Dome gains funding and momentum
Guy hosts the show while Ben is on leave, with national security correspondent Bill Gertz joining to discuss the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, political purges the Chinese military and the status of President Trump's Golden Dome missile shield. Then Cliff Beek, an entrepreneur and leader in the futuristic world of space infrastructure, joins the show for an eye-opening discussion on the fast-evolving intersection between space and business.

Apr 3, 2026 • 35min
What went wrong with U.S. shipbuilding?
Ben and Guy break down President Trump's address to the nation about the Iran war and the serious dangers U.S. troops would face conducting ground operations inside Iran. Then, retired Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery joins the show to talk about ways to fix American shipbuilding, the future of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and how the Pentagon has upended its relationships with other Washington institutions. Plus, the "Threat of the Week."

Mar 27, 2026 • 33min
Here's where cyber and physical threats converge
Ben is joined by Correspondent Vaughn Cockayne to break down the latest on the U.S.-Iran war, how Tehran keeps replacing key officials so quickly, and how the conflict has exposed the stunning decline of Britain's Royal Navy. Then, Tim Miller, field CTO at the company Dataminr, joins the show to explain how AI is making cyberattacks more dangerous, and he breaks down the areas in which cyber and physical threats converge. Plus, the "Threat of the Week."

Mar 20, 2026 • 34min
Why universities are a key U.S. national security asset
Ben breaks down down the latest on the U.S.-Iran conflict and the continuities of war that hold true over time. And Correspondent John T. Seward joins the show to talk about his time embedded with U.S. troops in the Arctic. Then, Daniel Diermeier, the chancellor of Vanderbilt University, explains the crucial role academic institutions play in the country's national security ecosystem. Plus, the "Threat of the Week."

Mar 13, 2026 • 28min
The Pentagon-Silicon Valley divide: Who blinks first on AI?
Ben breaks down the latest on the Pentagon-Anthropic feud and the fast-moving developments across the Mideast, including America's use of small combat drones for the first time. Then, Teresa Carlson, founding president of the General Catalyst Institute, joins the show to talk about whether the tech industry can bridge its differences with the Pentagon on AI, if a drone "bubble" is forming in the economy, and how the military can drive innovation. Plus, the "Threat of the Week."

Mar 6, 2026 • 35min
Drone fever: Is the U.S. forgetting what really wins wars?
Dr. Amos Fox, retired Army lieutenant colonel and military tech scholar. Vaughn Cockayne, Washington Times foreign affairs reporter. They tackle U.S.-Iran fighting, messy evacuations, and munitions shortages. Then a deep look at drone fever: how enthusiasm for uncrewed systems shapes doctrine, risks hollowing ground forces, and sparks ideas like 3D-printed drones and a possible drone corps.

Feb 27, 2026 • 35min
Why GPS satellites are crucial to U.S. national security
Ben and Guy discuss the fourth anniversary of the Russia-Ukraine war, the daring Mexican military operation that killed a key drug cartel leader, and Iran's attempts to fortify key nuclear sites ahead of possible U.S. airstrikes. Then, Malik Musawwir, vice president of navigation systems at Lockheed Martin, joins the show to talk about GPS satellites, their importance to national security, and what the future of GPS-powered navigation looks like. Plus, the "Threat of the Week."

Feb 20, 2026 • 33min
Here's how the Pentagon is using AI today
Ben and Guy break down the possibility of major U.S. strikes on Iran, the Pentagon's escalating feud with Anthropic, and the ramifications of a secret Chinese underground nuclear test. Then, Liz Martin, the managing director and general manager for global defense at Amazon Web Services, joins the show to talk about the company's work with the U.S. military, competition versus cooperation among defense companies, and much more. Plus, the "Threat of the Week."

Feb 13, 2026 • 37min
How the Army plans to team humans with machines in combat
Ben Wolfgang and John Seward break down the confusion around an apparent anti-drone laser weapon test that nearly shut down the El Paso airport, U.S.-Iran talks, and Russia's strategy of trading men for ground in eastern Ukraine. Then, Dr. Alex Miller, chief technology officer for the U.S. Army, joins the show to talk about soldiers training alongside autonomous systems, how much new technology to put on a soldier's plate, and how the Army is building capabilities that can withstand even the most extreme conditions. Plus, the "Threat of the Week."

Feb 6, 2026 • 38min
Why the Axis of Authoritarians is growing more dangerous
Ben and Guy discuss U.S.-Iran tensions, the death of the New START treaty, and a behind-the-scenes turf war over Space Force advocacy. Then, Brad Bowman, senior director of the Center on Military and Political Power at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, joins the show to talk about the Trump administration's National Defense Strategy, the future of the international rules-based order, and why the Axis of Authoritarians is growing more dangerous. Plus, the "Threat of the Week."


