What do Iran's shadow proxy networks, China's ideological & cyber warfare, and NATO's expanding footprint in Europe all have in common? They're shaping the future of U.S. foreign policy, whether we like it or not. Host Samuel Waitt examines some of our 21st Century Adversaries: Iran, China, Russia, and ourselves—and how their ambitions are colliding with American interests. From behind-the-scenes diplomacy to cyber threats and military alliances, we'll unpack how power really works in the modern world, and what it means for all of our futures. Follow Season 2 of Waitt, What? wherever you get your favorite audio content, and together, let's try to make sense of the global chaos, because there is a lot of it!
The Invisible Warriors: An Inside Look at the Green Berets | Waitt, What? The Podcast
Who are the men quietly carrying the burden of America's longest wars? Sam Waitt sits down with Willy Stern, founder of the Legion Fund, for a rare inside look at the world of America's Green Berets. Far removed from Hollywood stereotypes, Stern explains why the Green Berets of Fifth Special Forces Group are among the military's most intellectually demanding and versatile warriors — trained not only for combat, but also diplomacy, languages, strategy, and unconventional warfare. Stern also shares how the Legion Fund supports soldiers and families behind the scenes — from emergency home repairs to long-term care for those carrying the invisible burdens of war. At the center of the conversation is a difficult but important question: What does a nation owe the people who quietly fight its wars while asking for nothing in return?
22 May 2026
A. Wess Mitchell on China, Geopolitics, and America's Biggest Mistakes | Waitt, What? The Podcast
What if the last thirty years were the exception — not the rule? Host Sam Waitt sits down with American strategist, historian and former Assistant Secretary of State A. Wess Mitchell to discuss the return of great power competition and why the world may be reverting back to something far more familiar: geopolitical rivalry between major powers. From China's rapid rise to America's strategic miscalculations after the Cold War, Mitchell argues that geopolitics never disappeared. America simply stopped treating it as central, while rivals like China never stopped thinking strategically. At the heart of the episode is a difficult question: What if peace and stability were the anomaly and history is simply returning to normal?
15 May 2026
Dr. Peter Feaver on War, Security, and the Hidden Benefits of Engagement | Waitt, What? The Podcast
What if the greatest success of American foreign policy is something most people never notice? Host Sam Waitt sits down with leading civil-military relations expert Dr. Peter Feaver to explore the real costs — and often invisible benefits — of U.S. global engagement. From Pearl Harbor and World War II to the post-9/11 era, Dr. Feaver explains how American alliances, military power, and global leadership helped prevent catastrophic conflicts that once defined the 20th century. The conversation also examines NATO, the changing nature of war, burden sharing with allies, and why modern security challenges involving China and Russia may be more dangerous than many Americans realize.
8 May 2026
Mietek Bodoszynski on the Hidden Cost of U.S. Disengagement | Waitt, What? The Podcast
What happens when the United States pulls back from the world stage? In this episode of Waitt, What?, Samuel Waitt sits down with former diplomat and foreign policy expert Mietek Boduszynski to explore the real-world consequences of American disengagement. From the Balkans to Libya, the conversation examines how diplomacy, media development, democratic institutions, and soft power shape global stability long after wars end. Boduszynski explains why hard power may create peace agreements — but soft power is often what sustains peace afterward. As global politics become increasingly unstable, this conversation asks a deeper question: What are the long-term costs when America stops showing up?
1 May 2026
Dr. Arthur Laffer on China, Tariffs & Trump's Economy | Waitt, What? The Podcast
What actually drives economic growth, and why do so many countries get it wrong? Host Sam Waitt sits down with legendary economist Dr. Arthur Laffer for a wide-ranging conversation on the principles that shape global economies. From the origins of the Laffer Curve to firsthand experiences inside the Nixon and Reagan administrations, Dr. Laffer breaks down the real impact of tax policy, incentives, and government intervention. He also shares a rare, personal perspective on China's economic rise after visiting the country in 1970 — long before it became a global powerhouse. Whether you're interested in policy, global markets, or the future of the economy, this episode offers a masterclass from one of the most influential economists of our time.
16 Sept 2025
Season 2 Recap
The podcast episode recaps Season 2 by exploring challenges from China, Russia, and Iran, while emphasizing that America's internal divisions pose a significant threat to its stability.
2 Sept 2025
Healing a Fractured Democracy: Professor Brent Nelsen on the Divided States of America
Professor Brent Nelsen of Furman University discusses Tocqueville's warnings on political polarization and how universities can foster dialogue for a healthier democracy in this interview.
19 Aug 2025
Russia, Power, and Putin: Dr. Thomas Graham on the Kremlin’s Grand Strategy
Dr. Thomas Graham, former Senior Director for Russia at the National Security Council, explains Russia's mindset and Vladimir Putin's grand strategy in this interview, offering insights into U.S.-Russia relations.
5 Aug 2025
Countering China’s Great Game: A Strategy Conversation with Michael Sobolik
Michael Sobolik, Hudson Institute senior fellow, discusses the Chinese Communist Party's global ambitions and infiltration into American society with host Sam Waitt, highlighting the urgent need for a creative U.S. response in this interview.
21 Jul 2025
Inside NATO: Power, Partnership, and Purpose with General William Hickman
Retired General William Hickman discusses NATO's mission, expansion, and relevance in today's global order in an interview, offering insights into the alliance's purpose.
10 Jul 2025
Confronting Iran: Sanctions, Strategy, and Security with Gabriel Noronha
Gabriel Noronha, Executive Director of POLARIS National Security, analyzes the complexities of confronting Iran, including sanctions, strategy, and security concerns, in this interview.
30 Jun 2025
Season 2: Our 21st Century Adversaries
Host Sam Waitt explores how Iran's proxy networks, China's cyber warfare, and NATO's expansion shape U.S. foreign policy, impacting global power dynamics and future interests.
24 Oct 2024
Episode 6: That's a Wrap!
Join me as I bring season one of Waitt, What? The Podcast to an end. What an opportunity! I am so thankful for my guests Jason, Marcin, Sergey, Peter, and Mark for giving me their time and sharing their knowledge with my listeners. They all continue to do wonderful work and I hope to have them back on the show in a future season. Thank you to all my supporters!
24 Oct 2024
Episode 5: Uzbekistan? Where’s That?
For those of you who have never heard of the Post-Soviet Republic of Uzbekistan, let me explain. Somewhere west of China, south of Russia, and north of Afghanistan lies the former Soviet Republic of Uzbekistan, now a proud independent country. Not only has Uzbekistan embarked on an uneven and often brutal nation-building process, but since 2017, this cotton-growing nation of more than 30 million people has begun a top-to-bottom cultural revolution that should excite Americans. In this region where more than a century of Russian rule has left an indelible legacy, Uzbekistan is trying to position itself as a country of the future. Our guest, Mark Reese, has 30 years of experience there and may have a few tales from his travels and work in Uzbekistan.
24 Oct 2024
Episode 4: Discussing the Conflict in Ukraine - One Iowan to Another
Over the last two years I am sure you have heard the soundbites: “America has sent hundreds of billions of dollars to Ukraine when we could fix our domestic challenges”. However, you probably don’t know to where our so called money to Ukraine is truly being appropriated: somewhere much closer to home. This episode’s guest, like me, hails from the Hawkeye State of Iowa. His name is Peter Rough, the Senior Fellow for Europe and Eurasia at the Hudson Institute in Washington DC. Peter is certainly not your typical elite Washington think tanker. He understands not only Europe, but also Middle America, and why security in Ukraine and Eastern Europe is vital to both.
24 Oct 2024
Episode 3: Finding Hope in the Despair of War
Ever since the Ukrainian people overthrew the corrupt regime of Viktor Yanukovych in 2014 during the Revolution of Dignity, Russian disinformation and propaganda has been working overtime to crudely insult and discredit not only Ukraine’s post Yanukovych’s governments, but also the Ukrainian people and their desire for self-determination. One of those lies has been the claim that Ukraine has taken hostile steps against Christianity. In reality, all Ukraine has done is ban the Moscow branch of the Orthodox Church, whose patriarch has denied Ukraine’s very existence. Our guest Sergey Rakhuba, whose organization supports churches in the former Soviet Union will explain that not only teaching the gospel occur in Ukraine, but it in fact thrives. Even in the darkness of Russia’s war of elimination.
24 Oct 2024
Episode 2: America’s Best Friend in Europe
Unlike Western Europe, where the memories of the American-led liberation from the Nazis have faded, many Poles still remember what life was like under Soviet-Dominated Communism. Since the end of Polish Communism in the 1980s, most Poles credit the United States as their savior from Russian domination, cementing Poland’s status as Europe’s most pro-American nation. Marcin Kusmierczyk is a Polish Geopolitical Analyst and expert with a deep knowledge of the history and affairs of the region. He can explain with brilliant detail not only why Russia is interested in Poland and would like to undo Poland’s success story but also why the United States needs Poland in the greater Eurasian strategic space. As a self-described Polonophile, this episode was a joy for me to record.
24 Oct 2024
Episode 1: Where It All Started
Before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, many Westerners had little knowledge about the Space between Germany and Russia, an area labeled by most scholars as Central and Eastern Europe. Before visiting the region in 2015, this host was one of them. Without this episode’s guest, there would be no Waitt, What? The Podcast nor would I have ever seriously considered my deep dives into the history and geopolitics of Central and Eastern Europe. He is Jason Hanson, a professor of European History at Furman University. He and I have both developed a keen interest particularly in Eastern Europe. This inaugural episode is to cover the Western Balkans, Jason’s specialty region, in the context of the brutal Russian invasion of Ukraine. Like everything in Central and Eastern Europe, the geopolitical situation in the Western Balkans is far from black-and-white.
Who has been a guest on Waitt, What? The Podcast
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Professor Brent Nelsen
Dr Thomas Graham
Michael Sobolik
General William Hickman
Gabriel Noronha
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Podcast Authority Score: 37 / 100
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