At The Boundary

• Political Polarization Feels Unstoppable. Will it Destroy Democracy?

  Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! Polarization Feels Unstoppable. Will it Destroy Democracy? In this episode of At the Boundary, we explore how America’s deepening divides are shaking the very foundations of democracy. Dr. Josh Scacco—USF’s first-ever Carnegie Fellow and founding director of the Center for Sustainable Democracy—joins us to dissect the troubling link between political polarization, public trust, and national security. From social media echo chambers and disinformation to local political violence and eroding public health consensus, Scacco explains why polarization feels so relentless—and what it could ultimately cost us. He also reveals his new research on vaccine attitudes in Latino and Hispanic communities, showing how polarized messaging threatens long-term democratic resilience. Most importantly, we discuss practical ways to rebuild trust and civic engagement, starting close to home. If you’re concerned about America’s democratic future—or just curious about how communication shapes the security landscape—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Episode Links:Receive Updates on the first Florida Security Forum (Nov 4: Port and Maritime Security: Risks & Resilience)GNSI Decision Brief: Assessing BRICS Gold HoldingsThe Ubiquitous Presidency: Presidential Communication and Digital Democracy in Tumultuous TimesAt the Boundary from the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida, features global and national security issues we’ve found to be insightful, intriguing, fascinating, maybe controversial, but overall just worth talking about.A "boundary" is a place, either literal or figurative, where two forces exist in close proximity to each other. Sometimes that boundary is in a state of harmony. More often than not, that boundary has a bit of chaos baked in. The Global and National Security Institute will live on the boundary of security policy and technology and that's where this podcast will focus. The mission of GNSI is to provide actionable solutions to 21st-century security challenges for decision-makers at the local, state, national and global levels. We hope you enjoy At the Boundary.Look for our other publications and products on our website publications page.

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• The History of American Intelligence — Jeff Rogg on The Spy and the State

  Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this episode of At the Boundary, GNSI Senior Director Jim Cardoso speaks with Dr. Jeff Rogg, Senior Research Fellow at the Global and National Security Institute, about his new book The Spy in the State: The History of American Intelligence. Drawing on both history and current events, they explore the enduring coordination struggles in the U.S. intelligence community, tensions between executive and legislative oversight, and how the balance between liberty and security continues to evolve.Dr. Rogg explains why U.S. intelligence has often been accused of failure, from Pearl Harbor to 9/11, and how a lack of coordination among its many agencies, not a single department, plays a central role. The discussion also tackles the complex relationship between the intelligence community (IC) and the American public, and the growing challenges posed by domestic surveillance, new technologies, and public expectations. Key topics:• Coordination struggles and failures in U.S. intelligence• Executive vs. legislative tensions in intelligence oversight• The rise and limits of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI)• Domestic surveillance, technology, and threats to civil liberties• Public perception of intelligence and its impact on policyLinks From the episode:• Transatlantic Forum on Cybersecurity | GNSI Policy Dialogues• Axis of Resistance Episode 4: Iraq Panel | GNSI Research Initiative• "At the Boundary:" SPECIAL EPISODE Iran's Breaking Point: Missiles, Miscalculation and Reckoning• “The Spy and the State: The History of American Intelligence” by Jeffrey P. RoggAt the Boundary from the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida, features global and national security issues we’ve found to be insightful, intriguing, fascinating, maybe controversial, but overall just worth talking about.A "boundary" is a place, either literal or figurative, where two forces exist in close proximity to each other. Sometimes that boundary is in a state of harmony. More often than not, that boundary has a bit of chaos baked in. The Global and National Security Institute will live on the boundary of security policy and technology and that's where this podcast will focus. The mission of GNSI is to provide actionable solutions to 21st-century security challenges for decision-makers at the local, state, national and global levels. We hope you enjoy At the Boundary.Look for our other publications and products on our website publications page.

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• SPECIAL EPISODE Iran's Breaking Point: Missiles, Miscalculation and Reckoning

  Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! In this urgent special episode of At the Boundary, GNSI Research Fellow Dr. Arman Mahmoudian offers in-depth, real-time analysis of the rapidly escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, which has now drawn in the United States. Following a U.S. and Israeli joint strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East has shifted dramatically. Mahmoudian breaks down the consequences of the precision bombing campaign, which reportedly dealt serious blows to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, air defenses, and military leadership. He also explores Tehran’s limited response, the strategic calculus behind it, and what this means for the future of U.S. policy in the region.The conversation covers the potential collapse—or evolution—of Iran’s long-standing Axis of Resistance, the possibility of asymmetric retaliation, and the regime’s internal struggle to maintain control amid leadership losses. This episode delivers timely insights into one of the most consequential flashpoints in international affairs.Be sure to also check out the GNSI Research Initiative, Axis of Resistance, led by Dr. Mahmoudian. It's a comprehensive analysis of the small group of countries and non-state actors brought together by Iran in a loose coalition to destabilize the region.  # # # #At the Boundary from the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida, features global and national security issues we’ve found to be insightful, intriguing, fascinating, maybe controversial, but overall just worth talking about.A "boundary" is a place, either literal or figurative, where two forces exist in close proximity to each other. Sometimes that boundary is in a state of harmony. More often than not, that boundary has a bit of chaos baked in. The Global and National Security Institute will live on the boundary of security policy and technology and that's where this podcast will focus. The mission of GNSI is to provide actionable solutions to 21st-century security challenges for decision-makers at the local, state, national and global levels. We hope you enjoy At the Boundary.Look for our other publications and products on our website publications page.

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• Could the U.S. Bring Back the Draft?

  Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! It’s been over 50 years since the U.S. transitioned to an all-volunteer military force. But with rising threats from China, the demands of modern warfare, and persistent recruiting shortfalls, is it time to ask the unthinkable: Could the draft return? In this episode of At the Boundary, GNSI’s Dr. Guido Rossi sits down with Katherine Kuzminski, Director of Studies at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), to explore whether the U.S. military is prepared to scale up in a great-power conflict. Together, they discuss: • Legal, cultural, and logistical roadblocks to reinstating the draft • The gender equity questions that could halt a draft in court • What history (and “Nifty Nugget”) teaches us about readiness • Why deterrence might depend on preparing for the very thing we hope to avoid Kuzminski draws on her experience to unpack what mobilization really requires, including processing capacity, civilian coordination, and a whole-of-government draft authority. With America's defense industrial base under pressure, this conversation tackles one of the hardest questions in U.S. national security today: If the moment comes, can we rise to meet it?Links from the episode:• The Golden Dome for America • From Attrition to Asymmetry: A Strategic Assessment of Recent Developments in the Russia-Ukraine War"What's Really Happening?" Podcast Episodes:• Is the “Golden Dome” the Future of U.S. Nuclear Missile Defense?• Is Operation Spiderweb a Glimpse Into the Future of Conflict? At the Boundary from the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida, features global and national security issues we’ve found to be insightful, intriguing, fascinating, maybe controversial, but overall just worth talking about.A "boundary" is a place, either literal or figurative, where two forces exist in close proximity to each other. Sometimes that boundary is in a state of harmony. More often than not, that boundary has a bit of chaos baked in. The Global and National Security Institute will live on the boundary of security policy and technology and that's where this podcast will focus. The mission of GNSI is to provide actionable solutions to 21st-century security challenges for decision-makers at the local, state, national and global levels. We hope you enjoy At the Boundary.Look for our other publications and products on our website publications page.

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• Can Deep Sea Mining Meet the World’s Critical Mineral Demand?

  Text the ATB Team! We'd love to hear from you! Found over 4,000 meters below the ocean’s surface, polymetallic nodules may hold the key to powering the future. In this episode, Dr. Mark Luther, Director of the Ocean Monitoring and Prediction Lab at USF and President Elect of the International Marine Mineral Society, joins us to explore how deep seabed mining could help meet global demand for critical minerals like cobalt, manganese, and iron.What is deep seabed mining, and how does it compare to land-based mining?What kinds of minerals are harvested—and why is cobalt so vital for battery safety and energy transition?How are these resources collected from the seafloor, and what are the environmental risks, including sediment plumes and disruption of deep-sea ecosystems?Dr. Luther shares insights on how close we are to commercial operations, including updates from the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ), and why the Cook Islands could potentially meet all global battery mineral needs for the next 30 years. He also explains the ongoing development of the international mining code, the role of the International Seabed Authority, and how the U.S might  be signaling new deep sea mining ambitions through recent executive orders.What investments and policies should the U.S. prioritize now to stay competitive in deep sea mineral access? And can we mine the ocean responsibly without repeating the mistakes of land-based extraction?Register for the Transatlantic Forum on Cybersecurity here! Presented by the GNSI at USF,  in partnership with the University of Paris-Saclay, the Florida Center for Cybersecurity and the USF Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and ComputingLearn more about Dr. Luther and his work: 🌐USF College of Marine Science 🌐USF Center for Maritime and Port Studies 🌐International Marine Mineral SocietyJSS – Special Issue on AfghanistanRead the issue here.GNSI Signs Academic Agreement with Poland’s War Studies UniversityRead press release here. Boundless Bulls: At the Boundary from the Global and National Security Institute at the University of South Florida, features global and national security issues we’ve found to be insightful, intriguing, fascinating, maybe controversial, but overall just worth talking about.A "boundary" is a place, either literal or figurative, where two forces exist in close proximity to each other. Sometimes that boundary is in a state of harmony. More often than not, that boundary has a bit of chaos baked in. The Global and National Security Institute will live on the boundary of security policy and technology and that's where this podcast will focus. The mission of GNSI is to provide actionable solutions to 21st-century security challenges for decision-makers at the local, state, national and global levels. We hope you enjoy At the Boundary.Look for our other publications and products on our website publications page.

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