Will U.S. Allies Hedge? Should They?
Chris, Zack, and Melanie have a discussion about how America's allies and partners, after decades of relying on the US for security, are derisking from what they view as an increasingly unpredictable ...
12 Mar 1h
A Broadside Against Battleships
Chris, Melanie, and Zack debate the wisdom of President Trump's proposal for a Golden Fleet of new American "battleships." They question the strategic logic, timelines, cost estimates, and political d...
26 Feb 57min
Is Resolute Global Leadership the Right Grand Strategy for the United States?
In this episode, Chris, Melanie, and Zack, discuss a recent Council on Foreign Relations special report which explores varies grand strategies, and proposes an alternative known as "Resolute Global Le...
12 Feb 57min
New Denial Strategy? Assessing the 2026 NDS
Zack, Melanie, and special guest Kelly Grieco take a look at the Department of War's 2026 National Defense Strategy. What does a "decent peace" with China look like? Is that what China wants? What doe...
29 Jan 1h 5min
Crude Awakening: Maduro's Seizure and Venezuela's Future
Fresh off the shock of the U.S. operation to capture Nicolás Maduro, the Net Assessment team debates the merits of the operation and what it means for Venezuela's future. They also discuss why it caug...
15 Jan 56min
Farewell 2025, Hello 2026
In this special bonus episode, the Net Assessment crew – Chris, Melanie, and Zack - looks back on the highs (and lows) of 2025, and makes a few predictions for 2026. Thanks all around to our listeners...
1 Jan 42min
What Does the United States Want From China and Why Can't We Get It?
In this episode, Chris, Melanie, and Zack look at U.S. policy toward China. What does the United States, that is Donald Trump, want from China? What should the Trump administration be willing to compr...
25 Des 202544min
'Safer, Richer, Freer, Greater'? Trump's New Strategy for American Power
Chris, Zack, and Melanie take a look at the Trump administration's newly-released US National Security Strategy. Is it a coherent strategy? How will diplomacy, military might, and economic power be de...
11 Des 20251h 8min
