

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

Sep 5, 2025 • 36min
How China dominates the U.S. in rare earth elements
Ben and Guy discuss the major Chinese military parade and its geopolitical implications, the U.S. strike on an alleged drug cartel boat in the Caribbean, and much more. Then, Nick Myers, CEO and co-founder of the company Phoenix Tailings, joins the show to talk about China's dominance in rare earth elements and his company's work in helping the U.S. catch up. Plus, the "Threat of the Week."

Aug 29, 2025 • 33min
Why it's so hard to go after Russia's oil revenue
Ben and Guy break down the upcoming Chinese military parade, the incredible pace of leadership changes across the Pentagon, and the Army's short range reconnaissance drone program. Then, Emily Kilcrease, senior fellow and director of the Energy, Economics, and Security Program at the Center for a New American Security, joins the show to talk about secondary tariffs on Russia's oil sector and why it's so difficult — and geopolitically complex — for the U.S. to target Russian energy revenue. Plus, the "Threat of the Week."

Aug 22, 2025 • 35min
Could the US military function without internet access?
Ben and Guy break down China's stance on President Trump's proposed Golden Dome missile shield and the potential fallout from any peace deal that gives Russia a chunk of Ukrainian territory. Then, Tyler Saltsman, the founder and CEO of EdgeRunner AI, joints the show to talk about his company's AI assistant for U.S. troops that can function without the internet and whether the Pentagon has become too reliant on networks, satellites and other capabilities that could be targets in a conflict. Plus, the "Threat of the Week."

Aug 15, 2025 • 34min
How closely is the U.S. monitoring China's expanding activity in the Arctic?
National security reporter Vaughn Cockayne joins Guy while Ben is on leave to discuss the U.S. Coast Guard's tracking of Chinese vessels in the Arctic, new details on President Trump's Golden Dome missile shield, and the Trump-Putin summit in Alaska. Then retired U.S. Army Special Forces Col. Stu Bradin, the President and CEO of the Global SOF Foundation, joins the show for a wide-ranging discussion on Special Operations Forces.

Aug 8, 2025 • 29min
Why the Pentagon instituted a Golden Dome gag order
Ben and Guy discuss President Trump's upcoming meeting with Russian President Putin, and the behind-the-scenes dynamics around U.S.-India relations and potential secondary tariffs on India's purchases of Russian oil. Then, Guy talks to retired Army Lt. Gen. Daniel Karbler at the Space & Missile Defense Symposium in Huntsville, Ala. Plus, the "Threat of the Week."

Aug 1, 2025 • 37min
Is the Pentagon too focused on drones?
Ben and Guy discuss the dire humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the shifting attitudes of the Trump administration toward it, and they break down the Defense Department's new policy on working with top Washington think tanks. Then, retired Air Force Gen. David Deptula, dean of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, joins the show to talk about the future of American air power, whether the Pentagon is focused too heavily on drones, and why the Space Force needs a bigger budget. Plus, the "Threat of the Week."

Jul 25, 2025 • 35min
How drones could threaten World Cup, Olympics
Ben and Guy discuss the latest on Iran nuclear negotiations, the stalled Russia-Ukraine peace push, President Trump's major moves on artificial intelligence, and whether Russia deserves credit for the outcomes of the American Revolution and Civil War. Then, Rep. Michael McCaul, chair of the House Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events in the United States, joins the show to talk about potential terrorist threats to the World Cup, Olympics and other major events. Plus, the "Threat of the Week."

Jul 18, 2025 • 27min
How will the US manage space traffic?
Ben breaks down President Trump's shifting tone on Ukraine and NATO, and examines whether the president has reached the limits of his diplomatic power in negotiations with adversaries like Iran and Russia. And then Audrey Schaffer, a space policy expert and the vice president of strategy and policy at Slingshot Aerospace, joins the show to talk about the growing amount of space traffic and whether the federal government should establish a department of space. Plus, the "Threat of the Week."

Jul 11, 2025 • 35min
Inside the Trump administration divide on Ukraine aid
Ben and Guy discuss the apparent tension inside the Trump administration over aid to Ukraine, the likelihood that the U.S. could resume its bombing campaign against the Houthis, and growing cooperation between the Chinese and Russian militaries. Then, retired British Army Col. Richard Kemp joins the show to talk about his visit to the Gaza Strip and the work of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Plus, the "Threat of the Week."

Jun 27, 2025 • 32min
Here's how China pulled ahead in the hypersonics race
Ben and Guy break down the U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and their true impact, and the risk of nuclear fallout from those attacks. And they discuss President Trump's consequential trip to a NATO leaders meeting and major strides by China in quantum computing. Then, Dr. Mark Lewis, of the Purdue Applied Research Institute, joins the show to talk about hypersonic weapons research, the U.S.-China hypersonics race, and the challenges ahead for the Golden Dome missile shield. Plus, the "Threat of the Week."


