One CA Podcast

Today we welcome Patrick Alley, co-founder of Global Witness. Patrick Alley and his team at Global Witness are credited with countering multiple autocrats and kleptocrats worldwide.The most notable is collapsing the Khmer Rouge by exposing the illegal timber trade that was bankrolling the rebels.They created the Blood Diamond campaign to counter the De Beers diamond cartel and multiple rebel groups in Africa that used the conflict to fund some of the most brutal civil wars in the late 1990s. Their findings were also critical for getting the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on Charles Taylor in Liberia and trials for crimes against humanity. Patrick and Global Witness conducted similar operations in Europe and the Americas before he retired and published his first book, Very Bad People in 2022, and now his second book, Terrible Humans, which is available online and will be in bookstores around mid-August.This is part two of a two part episode with Mariah Yager from SMA to cohost the discussion on DOD Integrated Influence. Patrick Alley:Global Witness: https://www.globalwitness.org/Book, Terrible Humans: https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/patrick-alley/terrible-humans/9781800962385/ Book, Very Bad People: https://www.globalwitness.org/en/blog/very-bad-people-inside-story-fight-against-corruption/Ted Talk: https://youtu.be/lUIrYBtkfl4 SMA version of the interview: SMA version of the interview: https://nsiteam.com/smaspeakerseries_31july2024/ ---One CA is a product of the civil affairs association and brings in people who are current or former military, diplomats, development officers, and field agents to discuss their experiences on the ground with a partner nation's people and leadership.We aim to inspire anyone interested in working in the "last three feet" of U.S. foreign relations. To contact the show, email us at CApodcasting@gmail.com or look us up on the Civil Affairs Association website at www civilaffairsassoc.org---Special thanks to the Juanes Channel for the intro sample of Desde Que Despierto Hasta Que Duermo. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZCeqUVeRMU---

Welcome to the One CA Podcast, a product of the Civil Affairs Association. As we take a brief pause this December to recharge and reflect, we’re revisiting some of our most impactful episodes—conversations that highlight the “last three feet” of U.S. foreign relations through the voices of military professionals, diplomats, development officers, and field agents.This month’s rerun features a standout discussion from our archives, selected for its enduring relevance and insight. Whether you're tuning in for the first time or revisiting a favorite, we hope these episodes continue to inspire your work in the human domain and beyond.To learn more about the show or get involved, visit civilaffairsassoc.org or email us at CApodcasting@gmail.com.From all of us at One CA, thank you for listening—and we’ll see you with new episodes in January.

Welcome to the One CA Podcast, a product of the Civil Affairs Association. As we take a brief pause this December to recharge, we’re revisiting some of our most impactful episodes; conversations that highlight the “last three feet” of U.S. foreign relations through the voices of military professionals, diplomats, development officers, and field agents.This month’s rerun features a standout discussion from this years episodes, selected for its enduring relevance and insight. Whether you're tuning in for the first time or revisiting a favorite, we hope these episodes continue to inspire your work in the human domain and beyond.To learn more about the show or get involved, visit civilaffairsassoc.org or email us at CApodcasting@gmail.com.From all of us at One CA, thank you for listening—and we’ll see you with new episodes in January.

Investigative journalist Sam Cooper returns to the One CA Podcast to expose how Iran weaponizes criminality to advance foreign policy goals. From Hezbollah’s business affairs unit to fentanyl super-labs in Canada, Cooper traces the global footprint of Iranian-linked networks—intertwined with Chinese triads, Mexican cartels, and diaspora businessmen operating across North America.In this gripping episode, we explore:​How underground banking and hawala systems fund terror proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas​The role of vape shops, car exports, and currency exchanges in laundering money​Why Canada’s outdated laws and Charter protections hinder transnational crime enforcement​DEA wiretaps revealing command-and-control links between Latin America and Canadian cities​The growing civil society push for reform—and the political resistance it facesCooper also shares firsthand insights into speaking engagements, commercial sector concerns, and the fragile hope for legal modernization in Canada. One CA Podcast is a production of the Civil Affairs Association, featuring voices from military, diplomatic, and development communities working at the human level of global engagement.📨 Contact us at CApodcasting@gmail.com🌐 Learn more at civilaffairsassoc.org🎧 Ranked Top 10 Foreign Policy Podcast by Feedspot: See the list🎵 Music by Relax Café: Sunny Jazz Cafe & Bossa NovaSam Cooper posts on Iran criminality:https://samcooper.substack.com/p/iranian-criminal-networks-and-canadashttps://samcooper.substack.com/p/from-guangdong-peasant-to-funderhttps://samcooper.substack.comAddition: Whale Hunter article on Iran’s shadow fleet: https://whalehunting.projectbrazen.com/when-irans-invisible-fleet-lit-up-the-map/?ref=whale-hunting-newsletter#HumanDomain #IrregularWarfare #CivilAffairs #StrategicCoercion #TransnationalCrime #FentanylCrisis #InformationWarfare #SOFTraining #DefenseInnovation #OneCAPodcast

Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Joel Rubin joins host Jack Gaines to unpack the gritty realities of legislative diplomacy—from Benghazi testimony to budget battles. Rubin shares hard-won lessons on navigating Congress, shaping foreign policy, and building political will inside the State Department. This episode explores how political space becomes policy—and why human capital may be the missing link in America’s foreign affairs strategy.One CA is a product of the Civil Affairs Association and brings in people who are current or former military, diplomats, development officers, and field agents to discuss their experiences on the ground with a partner nation's people and leadership. We aim to inspire anyone interested in working in the "last three feet" of U.S. foreign relations.📨 To contact the show, email us at CApodcasting@gmail.com, or visit the Civil Affairs Association website: www.civilaffairsassoc.org🏆 Feedspot ranked One CA Podcast among the Top 10 Foreign Policy Podcasts:https://podcast.feedspot.com/foreign_policy_podcasts🎶 Music link: The Art of the Possible: Joel Rubin on Turning Political Space into Policy#ForeignPolicy #Diplomacy#Geopolitics#Congress#StateDepartment#InternationalRelations#PublicDiplomacy#GlobalSecurity#CivilAffairs#LegislativeAffairs#PoliticalStrategy#HumanCapital#PeaceCorps#ForeignAid#GlobalEngagement#PoliticalWill#InternationalDevelopment#PolicyMaking#GovernmentRelations#Benghazi#HarvardKennedySchool #GeorgetownSFS #JohnsHopkinsSAIS #ColumbiaSIPA #StanfordFSI #TuftsFletcherSchool #AmericanUniversitySIS #YaleJacksonSchool #OxfordPolitics #LSEIR #UCSDGPI #MITSecurityStudies #PrincetonSPIA #TexasA&MBushSchool #GWU_Elliott #SchillerInternationalUniversity #CarnegieEndowment #CSIS #BrookingsInstitution #AtlanticCouncil #USIP #WilsonCenter #CFR #HeritageFoundation #RANDCorporation #ChathamHouse #FriedrichEbertStiftung #MercyCorps #USAID #StateDept #PeaceCorps #UNDP #WorldBank #IFPRI #IRIglobal #NDI #OpenSocietyFoundations #EarthInstitute #Devex #InterActionOrg #GlobalAffairsCanada #DFIDUK #GIZGerman

Host: LTC Brian HancockGuests: COL Delmayca “Didi” Kramer & LTC Liz MartinezDuration: ~45 minutesProduced by: Civil Affairs AssociationRated Top 10 Foreign Policy Podcast by Feedspothttps://podcast.feedspot.com/foreign_policy_podcastsIn this episode, LTC Brian Hancock sits down with COL Delmayca Kramer and LTC Liz Martinez to explore the evolving landscape of promotion boards and the innovative Talent Management Board initiative at USACAPOC(A). From merit-based advancement to mentorship pipelines, the conversation dives deep into how the Army is adapting its personnel strategy to recognize and elevate top performers. COL Kramer shares her philosophy on excellence, while LTC Martinez discusses structural shifts and opportunities for Civil Affairs Soldiers in emerging formations like the Theater Information Advantage Detachments (TIADs).Whether you're a junior officer, senior leader, or career manager, this episode offers practical insights into how talent is identified, nurtured, and positioned for strategic impact.If you're a Lieutenant Colonel interested in participating in the USACAPOC(A) Talent Management Board, please email your Baseball Card (BBC) using the following format:Subject Line Naming Convention:Last Name, First Name, Middle Initial., Rank, Primary Branch/AOC(e.g., POWELL, MAC K., COL CA)Include the following POCs on your email:CPT Rickardo Howell: rickardo.l.howell.mil@army.milLTC Alishia Griffin: alishia.n.griffin.mil@army.milHope Norton (CIV): hope.m.norton.civ@army.milLate submissions may still be accepted through mid-September. The board convenes at the end of October.---- To visit the Civil Affairs Association: www.civilaffairsassoc.org-To contact the show: CApodcasting@gmail.com ---Feedspot, the podcast industry ranking system, rated One CA Podcast as one of the top 10 shows on foreign policy. Check it out at:https://podcast.feedspot.com/foreign_policy_podcasts/--- Special Thanks to artist Shivaree for the song "Good Night Moon" from the album "I oughtta Give You a Shot in the Head."#MilitaryLeadership #ArmyTalentManagement #CivilAffairs #USACAPOC #LeadershipDevelopment #PromotionBoard #TalentBoard #MilitaryPodcast #DefenseInnovation #PeopleFirst #StrategicLeadership #NewPodcastAlert #PodcastForChange #VeteranVoices #MilitaryCareers #ArmyStrong #ProfessionalMilitaryEducation #PodcastHost #MilitaryMentorship #OperationalExcellence

What does it take to break into foreign policy—and thrive in the “last three feet” of U.S. diplomacy? In this episode, we sit down with Vasu Vaitla, a Georgetown adjunct-associate professor whose career spans the U.S. Department of State, the United Nations, NGO Initiatives of Change, and the U.S. Air Force.Vasu shares practical advice for students and professionals seeking careers in foreign affairs, whether through government, NGOs, or multinational organizations. From classroom insights to field-tested strategies, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to serve at the intersection of policy, people, and purpose.🔗 Learn more about Vasu Vaitla: Georgetown Faculty Profile🎶 Featuring a sample of Georgetown’s fight song—drums courtesy of the Chicago Bears.One CA is a product of the Civil Affairs Association, spotlighting voices from the frontlines of diplomacy, development, and defense. Feedspot ranks us among the top 10 foreign policy podcasts—see why at Feedspot’s Foreign Policy Rankings.📬 Contact the show: CApodcasting@gmail.com🌐 Visit us: civilaffairsassoc.orgAspiring to serve in the “last three feet” of diplomacy? 🎙️ In this episode of #OneCAPodcast, Georgetown’s Vasu Vaitla shares actionable advice for launching a career in foreign policy—from the classroom to the field. Whether you're eyeing the #ForeignService, NGOs, or multilateral organizations, this is your roadmap to impact.#PublicDiplomacy #CivilAffairs #ForeignPolicyCareers #GeorgetownUniversity #USStateDepartment #InternationalRelations #DiplomacyMatters #MentorshipInAction #GlobalLeadership #FeedspotTop10 #CareerPathways #ForeignAffairs #NationalSecurity #DevelopmentDiplomacy #WomenInForeignPolicy #NextGenDiplomats #CFR #AFSA #WFPG #PDCA #AAD #FPAOrganization,HashtagOne CA Podcast,#OneCAPodcast,#LastThreeFeet,#CivilAffairsGeorgetown University,#GeorgetownUniversity,#ForeignPolicyCareers,#NextGenDiplomatsU.S. Department of State,#USStateDepartment,#ForeignService,#PublicDiplomacyUnited Nations,#UNCareers,#GlobalLeadership,#MultilateralEngagementInitiatives of Change,#InitiativesOfChange,#Peacebuilding,#CivicTrustU.S. Air Force,#USAirForce,#NationalSecurity,#DefenseDiplomacyCouncil on Foreign Relations (CFR),#CFR,#ForeignAffairs,#GlobalPolicyAmerican Foreign Service Association (AFSA),#AFSA,#ForeignServiceLife,#DiplomacyMattersWomen’s Foreign Policy Group (WFPG),#WFPG,#WomenInForeignPolicy,#MentorshipInActionPublic Diplomacy Council of America (PDCA),#PDCA,#PublicDiplomacy,#CareerPathwaysAssociation of American Diplomats (AAD),#AAD,#DiplomaticCareers,#ForeignPolicyVoicesForeign Policy Association (FPA),#FPA,#InternationalRelations,#GlobalEngagementFeedspot,#FeedspotTop10,#ForeignPolicyPodcast,#PodcastRankingsAcademic & NGO Networks,#CareerInForeignPolicy,#DevelopmentDiplomacy,#GlobalCareers

🎧 Welcome to the Once CA Podcast.In this episode, host Assad Raza welcomes Jim Hake, founder of Spirit of America, a nonprofit that directly supports overseas U.S. Military, Diplomatic, and Development efforts. Hake shares how his organization bridges critical gaps in foreign assistance—delivering rapid, locally tailored support that helps advance U.S. foreign policy goals in complex environments.From frontline partnerships in Ukraine and West Africa to strategic engagement in the Indo-Pacific, Hake explains how Spirit of America works alongside Civil Affairs teams and other U.S. personnel to build trust, deliver impact, and reinforce democratic values.One CA is a production of the Civil Affairs Association, featuring voices from the field—military, diplomatic, development, and intelligence professionals—who operate in the “last three feet” of U.S. foreign relations. Our goal is to inform, inspire, and elevate the role of Civil Affairs in global engagement.🔗 Learn more about Jim Hake and Spirit of America: spiritofamerica.org📩 Contact the show: CApodcasting@gmail.com🌐 Visit: civilaffairsassoc.org🏆 Ranked Top 10 Foreign Policy Podcast by Feedspot: See the list🎵 Music credit: Relaxing Rhythms CH, Album 92 Sing Song Swing Jazz: Twist Till Your Hips Hurt YouTube link---Organization,HashtagSpirit of America,#SpiritOfAmerica,#SupportOurTroops,#CivilAffairsSupportCivil Affairs Association,#CivilAffairs,#OneCAPodcast,#LastThreeFeetUSAID,#USAID,#ForeignAssistance,#DevelopmentDiplomacyU.S. Department of State,#Diplomacy,#USForeignPolicy,#DemocracySupportU.S. Army Civil Affairs,#CivilAffairsOps,#MilitarySupport,#StrategicEngagementAtlantic Council,#FrontlineDemocracy,#UkraineSupport,#WestAfricaSecurityBrookings Institution,#ForeignAid,#GlobalEngagement,#IndoPacificStrategyCarnegie Endowment,#CivilMilitaryRelations,#HumanitarianAssistance,#ConflictPreventionFreedom House,#DemocracyPromotion,#HumanRightsSupport,#UkraineSolidarityCenter for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS),#CSISLive,#GlobalSecurity,#DevelopmentMattersHarvard Belfer Center,#BelferCenter,#NationalSecurity,#CivicActionStanford Internet Observatory,#DigitalDemocracy,#CivicTech,#InformationOpsGlobal Citizen,#HumanitarianSupport,#NGOImpact,#HashtagActivismBosch Stiftung (West Africa),#LocalNGOs,#WestAfricaPeace,#CommunityResilienceUkrainian Civil Society Groups,#StandWithUkraine,#StopRussianAggression,#UkraineNGOs

Today, we welcome retired Lieutenant Colonel Seth Middleton, who served as a Civil Affairs officer in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Mali.He later went on to work for USAID, teaching the JHOC, or JointHumanitarian Operations Course, and serving as a military advisor before the agency was disbanded. We talk with Seth about his experiences at AID and his new article,"Non-Military Foreign Assistance is Now DOD’s Problem," published in the Small Wars Journal. To check out the article, I have links available in the show notesSWJ Profile:https://smallwarsjournal.com/author/seth-middleton/Article:https://smallwarsjournal.com/2025/03/21/non-military-foreign-assistance-is-now-dods-problem/ ---One CA is a product of the Civil Affairs Association andbrings in people who are current or former military, diplomats, development officers, and field agents to discuss their experiences on the ground with a partner nation's people and leadership.We aim to inspire anyone interested in working in the "lastthree feet" of U.S. foreign relations. To contact the show, email us at CApodcasting@gmail.com, or look us up on the Civil Affairs Association website at www.civilaffairsassoc.orgCAA Call for papers:https://www.civilaffairsassoc.org/_files/ugd/85da1e_74d6e5f2cd7f4e13a73d68ee76e5b192.pdfCAA 2025 Symposium:Civil Affairs Association's 2025 annual symposium will be heldin Los Angeles, California from November 13-16https://www.linkedin.com/posts/civil-affairs-association_save-the-date-the-2025-caa-annual-activity-7315538329746264065-KkDR/ ---Feedspot, the podcast industry ranking system, rated One CAPodcast as one of the top 10 shows on foreign policy. Check it out at:https://podcast.feedspot.com/foreign_policy_podcasts/--- Special Thanks to Cozy Jazz Music for the sample ofSeptember Jazz. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/N1GJvZfdDGI?feature=shared---🎯 Hashtags:#CivilAffairs #ForeignAssistance #USAID #MilitaryDiplomacy #HumanitarianOperations #JHOC #DevelopmentLeadership #ConflictZones #IraqWar #AfghanistanOps #MaliSecurity #SmallWarsJournal #StrategicEngagement #PartnerNation #LastThreeFeet #ForeignPolicyVoices #VeteranInsights #GlobalDevelopment #MilitaryAdvisor #FeedspotTop10

🎙️ Welcome to the One CA PodcastIn this episode, host Brian Hancock sits down with JohnPaul LeCedre to explore the realities of military command and share actionable insights for emerging leaders.📌 This is Part 1 of a special two-part series.🌍 About One CAProduced by the Civil Affairs Association, One CA features professionals in diplomacy, defense, development, and field operations. We highlight real-world experiences from “the last three feet” of U.S. foreign engagement—where relationship-building becomes mission-critical.📬 Contact: CApodcasting@gmail.com🔗 Visit: civilaffairsassoc.org🏅 Top 10 Foreign Policy Podcast — as ranked by Feedspot🙏 Special Thanks To Resputin e Boney M for a sample of Shuffle Dance. Retrieved from ⁠https://youtube.com/shorts/mLZerKOcsbM?feature=shared⁠---🎧 #OneCAPodcast #LeadershipAtTheEdge #MilitaryLeadership #CommandInsights #CivilAffairs #ForeignPolicy #DefenseDiplomacy #PublicAffairs #LastThreeFeet #VeteranVoices #GlobalEngagement #StrategicInfluence #NationalSecurity #TacticalLeadership #PartnerNation #MilitaryPodcast #LeadershipDevelopment #FieldExperience #ForeignService #MissionReady

Join us on the One CA Podcast as we welcome Mr. Samuel Wong, a leading China and foreign policy expert based in Washington, D.C. In this episode, we unpack Xi Jinping’s recent political maneuvers, the implications of military purges, and what these shifts mean for U.S.–China relations.One CA is a product of the Civil Affairs Association, featuring voices from the frontlines of diplomacy—military professionals, diplomats, development officers, and field agents—sharing insights from the “last three feet” of foreign engagement.📩 Contact: CApodcasting@gmail.com🌐 Learn more: civilaffairsassoc.org🏆 Ranked Top 10 Foreign Policy Podcast by Feedspot: See the list🎵 Music by Infraction: Upbeat Happy Fun Ukulele🔗 Hashtags for Spotify & Social Promotion#OneCAPodcast#XiJinping#ChinaPolitics#USChinaRelations#ForeignPolicy#CivilAffairs#Geopolitics#Top10Podcasts#DiplomacyMatters#StrategicCommunication#PodcastDrop#ListenAndLearn

Today, Brian Hancock talks with Ian Thigpen on Disaster Management.Cpt Ian Thigpen is a Captain in the U.S. Army, 353 Civil Affairs Command and works disaster management in his professional career. ---Ian Thigpen’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-michael-thigpen-mem/---One CA is a product of the Civil Affairs Association. We bringin people who are current or former military, diplomats, development officers,and field agents to discuss their experiences on the ground with a partnernation's people and leadership.We aim to inspire anyone interested in working in the "last-three feet" of U.S. foreign relations. To contact the show, email us at CApodcasting@gmail.com, orlook us up on the Civil Affairs Association website atwww.civilaffairsassoc.org ---Feedspot, the podcast industry ranking system, rated One CAPodcast as one of the top 10 shows on foreign policy. Check it out at:https://podcast.feedspot.com/foreign_policy_podcasts/--- Special Thanks to Taylor Croatia sor a sample of the instrumentalAugust. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRz8l11M_2Y#Civil_Affairs, #klamathcounty, @ianthigpen