From Drone Warfare to the AI Arms Race with Rob Joyce

This week, Elisa opens with a roundup of the latest national security news, including developments in Ukraine and Iran, emerging AI and biosecurity concerns, quantum readiness, and growing competition between U.S. and Chinese AI models. From there, the episode returns to a recent conversation between Elisa and former NSA Cybersecurity Director Rob Joyce, offering a broader perspective on how the national security community is adapting to rapid technological change. Drawing on his 34-year career at the NSA, Joyce offers a measured perspective on where the most significant risks are emerging, how government and industry can respond, and what it will take to stay ahead of the next generation of threats.Rob Joyce is the founder of Joyce Cyber LLC and a former senior NSA cybersecurity leader who served more than 34 years at the agency, including as head of Tailored Access Operations and the Cybersecurity Directorate.References:Meta – The Future Is for EveryoneThe Wall Street Journal – Iran’s Secret Plan to Escalate the WarFinancial Times – How Ukrainian Drone Expertise Is Helping Colombian NarcosArc Institute – Evo 2 and AI-Designed BacteriophagesMakkah Joint Defence Agreement – Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and PakistanFinancial Times – OpenAI and Anthropic in Price War as Chinese AI Rivals Gain GroundNikkei Asia – Five US Tech Giants’ Hidden Debts Soar to $1.65tn on Opaque AI FundingPost Quantum Cryptography Strategy. Department of War. April 16 2026E.O. 14413: Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation