Goat Rodeo #26 - RIP JCIDS, The Innovation Circus, and Power Hugs

This Episode:Xi, Putin, Modi, and Kim hug it out in China. Was it a signal of realignment, or just optics? Garrett isn’t convinced, but Simon digs into why India’s presence matters.Back in the Western Hemisphere, the crew unpacks U.S. strikes on narco targets. Are they legal? Are they moral? Are we poking a sleeping bear? And what does it mean for SOUTHCOM and NORTHCOM as resources start to flow their way?In defense tech, Vector steps out of stealth with a $61 million raise, fueling debate over what “warfare as a service” really looks like. Meanwhile, Doug Beck departs DIU, Replicator calls its Switchblade rollout a success, and Simon re-christens DICE as the Defense Innovation Circus.Finally, we tackle the bureaucratic rollercoaster inside the Pentagon. JCIDS may be dead, but its replacement looks awfully familiar. Plus, the rise of counter-UAS task forces and Project Flytrap’s push to let the Joes solve their own drone problems.Our Podcast: National security, defense tech, and geopolitics—serious topics, but that doesn’t mean we have to be boring about it. The Goat Rodeo Podcast brings you three military veterans turned defense insiders, breaking down the biggest stories shaping the future of warfare. Expect sharp insights, unfiltered debates, and the occasional defense industry hot take—because let’s be honest, this space can be a total goat rodeo.Listen on other platforms:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2mTJ1oJEgB3rCbQouCL7XD?si=9b2647b843144469Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/goat-rodeo/id1801310605 YouTube: youtube.com/@GoatRodeoPodcast