Andy talks with Michael about his June Foreign Affairs article, “The Terrorism Warning Lights Are Blinking Red Again: Echoes of the Run-Up to 9/11,” co-written with Graham Allison. Michael discusses the pre-9/11 threat and national security parallels with today’s environment. He also shares his assessment of a newly unsealed 1999 video from Saudi intelligence officer Omar al-Bayoumi, which Michael says appears to be ‘casing’ footage of the US Capitol. Additionally, Michael talks with Andy about the security vulnerabilities at the US-Mexico border.

Michael and Andy discuss their roles as daily intelligence briefers for former President George W. Bush. They share their experiences inside the Oval Office, the unique challenges of the job, and how they dealt with constant pressure and performance expectations.

Note: This episode contains an expletive.

Andy talks with Chris Miller, author of "Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology" and Associate Professor of International History at Tufts University, about semiconductor chips. Chris discusses the global supply chain of critical chip manufacturers, why the U.S. must focus on advancing semiconductor innovation, and the competition with adversaries like China in chip development. He also explains why Taiwan is a world leader in chip manufacturing and how crucial the sector is for Taiwan's political and economic security.