PODCAST · business
STRAT
by Mutual Broadcasting System LLC
STRAT – Strategic Risk Assessment Talk, is a forum with a preparedness mindset. Mitigating risks, creating systems of prevention and recovery to deal with potential threats, and understanding the objectives of a Business Continuity Plan. This is the podcast for leaders who are committed to being prepared. The program is hosted by retired Marine Corps intelligence officer and strategic risk assessment professional Hal Kempfer and investment banker Mark Mansfield.
Episodes
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STRAT | 18 OCT 2026 | Ukraine, Russia and US at a Crossroads
Ukraine, Russia and the United States face a pivotal moment as shifting energy policy strains alliances and complicates the search for peace. Retired Marine Intelligence Officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer examines President Trump’s relationship with President Zelenskyy, the legacy of Trump’s first...
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STRAT | 11 OCT 2026 | The Russian Diesel Deal Dilemma
Can buying Russian diesel ease America’s fuel crunch, or will it deepen a strategic crisis? In this episode of STRAT, retired Marine Intelligence Officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer examines the proposed Russian diesel deal and the legal, political, and security questions surrounding it. He explores...
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STRAT | 06 OCT 2026 | California’s “Illegal Domestic Spying” Imbroglio
Retired Marine Intelligence Officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer examines California’s “illegal domestic spying” controversy and the questions it raises about homeland security training, federal funding, and government accountability. Drawing on his account of a 2008 training moratorium and later court...
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STRAT | 01 OCT 2026 | 9-11 Remembered, and How California Countered Counterterrorism
Twenty-five years after September 11, retired Marine Intelligence Officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer reflects on the attacks and examines California’s evolving approach to terrorism prevention. Drawing on his experience with the Terrorism Early Warning program, he traces the origins of Terrorism Liaison...
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STRAT | 27 SEP 2026 | CRINK on the Brink
Could mounting economic and security pressures fracture the informal alignment of China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea? On this episode of STRAT, retired Marine Intelligence Officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer examines CRINK and the dependencies connecting four American adversaries. Kempfer explores how...
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STRAT | 23 SEP 2026 | What Happens in Vegas… Happens in Cuba?!
Could a transformed Cuba redraw the economic map of the American Southwest? On STRAT, retired Marine intelligence officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer explores a scenario in which a capitalist, pro-American Cuba emerges as a major destination for tourism, investment, and development. From Havana’s…
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STRAT | 18 SEP 2026 | Russia’s War With NATO
In this episode of STRAT, retired Marine intelligence officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer examines what the program describes as an escalating Russian hybrid warfare campaign targeting NATO countries—and increasingly reaching into the United States. From a newly disclosed federal murder-for-hire case to...
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STRAT | 12 SEP 2026 | What About Bab…el-Mandeb
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints—and renewed Houthi activity could make it even more consequential. In this episode of STRAT, retired Marine Intelligence Officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer examines the Houthis’ reported expansion along…
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STRAT | 07 SEPT 2026 | The Other 1989
Could the geopolitical upheavals of 1989 offer a roadmap for understanding what is happening today? In this episode of STRAT, retired Marine intelligence officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer revisits two defining events of that extraordinary year: the Tiananmen Square protests in China and the collapse of...
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STRAT | 26 AUG 2026 | Ukraine’s Strategic Gambit
Ukraine’s deep-strike campaign is reaching farther into Russia, targeting refineries, warehouses, defense plants, air-defense systems, and critical infrastructure with growing frequency. In this episode of STRAT, retired Marine intelligence officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer examines whether Ukraine’s...
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STRAT | 22 AUG 2026 | Economic D-Day with Iran
In this episode of STRAT, retired Marine intelligence officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer examines what the White House is calling “Economic D-Day,” a major escalation of economic pressure against Iran. Kempfer assesses why anticipated public resistance to Tehran’s government has not materialized, how...
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STRAT | 19 AUG 2026 | Consequence Management and the Super El Nino
In this episode of STRAT, retired Marine intelligence officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer examines consequence management and warns of the risks he associates with a potential Super El Niño. Drawing on decades of work with military commands, FEMA, DHS, intelligence organizations, and state and local...
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STRAT | 14 AUG 26 | Drones Across The Homeland
Drones are transforming the security landscape across the American homeland, creating opportunities for first responders while introducing rapidly evolving threats to military installations, critical infrastructure, public safety, major venues, and communities. This STRAT episode examines…
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STRAT | 06 AUG 2026 | Missile Mayhem From Absent Ammo
This episode of STRAT with retired Marine Intelligence Officer Hal Kempfer examines the growing shortage of advanced air defense interceptors and the strategic consequences for conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and future U.S. military readiness in East Asia. Kempfer explores how Patriot and...
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STRAT | 03 AUG 2026 | Iran Stalemate & Russian Reality Check
This STRAT episode examines two of the world's most dangerous security flashpoints as events accelerate in both the Middle East and Eastern Europe. The discussion with Retired Marine Intelligence Officer Hal Kempfer explores reports of a possible U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran that was reportedly...
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STRAT | 26 JULY 2026 | The Quickly Broadening War with Iran
As military operations against Iran enter what appears to be an operational pause, the broader regional conflict is expanding in dangerous and unexpected ways. In this episode of STRAT, retired Marine intelligence officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer examines how Tehran is widening the battlefield by...
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STRAT | 18 JULY 2026 | Iran War’s Dangerous New Phase
The conflict with Iran is entering a far more dangerous stage as military operations expand beyond traditional battlefield targets and increasingly focus on critical infrastructure across the region. This episode of STRAT has retired Marine Intelligence Officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer examining the...
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STRAT | 13 JULY 2026 | Drone Dominance Reshapes Future of Modern Conflict
Drone technology is rapidly transforming the battlefield, and its strategic consequences are becoming impossible to ignore. This episode of STRAT with Hal Kempfer examines how autonomous air, sea, and ground systems are redefining military operations while reducing risks to personnel and…
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STRAT | 08 July 2026 | Global Security Calculus and Iran's Action
Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz are testing more than regional stability—they are challenging the future of global commerce, maritime security, and U.S. strategic credibility — and are provocations that have now effectively ended the ceasefire. This episode of STRAT with retired Marine...
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STRAT | 01 JULY 2026 | Strategic Reset? – Russia, Iran, Venezuela and Cuba
As geopolitical tensions continue to evolve, this episode examines four major international developments that could reshape the global strategic landscape in the months ahead. The discussion begins with STRAT host Hal Kempfer talking about Ukraine's expanding long-range drone campaign against...
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STRAT | 26 June 2026 | Venezuela Disaster: A Strategic Opportunity
A catastrophic series of earthquakes has left Venezuela facing widespread destruction, thousands of casualties, and an overwhelming humanitarian crisis. In this STRAT episode, the discussion examines not only the immediate rescue effort but also the broader strategic implications for the United...
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STRAT | 17 JUN 26 | Ukraine Momentum Shifts Amid Emerging Policy Reset
On this episode of STRAT, retired Marine intelligence officer Hal Kempfer examines emerging signs of a potential shift in U.S. policy toward the Russia-Ukraine war following developments at the G7 summit. He analyzes battlefield trends, Ukrainian deep-strike operations, Russian territorial...
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STRAT | 14 JUNE 2026 | Testing a Fragile Path Toward Stability
A reported U.S.–Iran Memorandum of Understanding could become one of the most consequential geopolitical developments in years—but only if both sides follow through. In this episode of STRAT with retired Marine Intelligence Officer Hal Kempfer, the discussion examines what is reportedly included…
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STRAT | 07 JUN 26 | Iran’s Missile Gamble Signals Growing Desperation
Iran’s latest ballistic missile attack on northern Israel may appear aggressive on the surface, but in this STRAT episode, retired Marine Intelligence Officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer examines why it could actually signal growing weakness inside the Iranian regime. The strike, launched by Iran’s...
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STRAT | 04 JUNE 2026 | Lebanon’s High-Stakes Battle Against Hezbollah
A major shift may be unfolding in the Middle East. In this episode of STRAT, retired Marine Intelligence Officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer examines the evolving conflict involving Hezbollah, Iran, Lebanon, Israel, and the United States. Founded by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps in the early 1980s,...
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STRAT | 28 MAY 2026 | America’s Cartel Crackdown Reshapes Hemisphere
In this explosive episode of STRAT, retired Marine intelligence officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer examines how aggressive U.S. operations across Latin America are transforming the region’s political, economic, and security landscape. From renewed American military activity around the Panama Canal to...
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STRAT | 23 MAY 26 | Iran Crisis Reaches a Strategic Crossroads
In this episode of STRAT with Hal Kempfer, the focus turns to a major strategic inflection point involving Iran, where diplomacy and military escalation appear to be on a collision course. As reports emerge of a potential memorandum of understanding between Tehran and Washington, critical…
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STRAT | 15 MAY 2026 | Cuba Crisis Signals Hemisphere Power Shift
On this episode of STRAT, retired Marine intelligence officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer examines the growing pressure campaign against Cuba and what it could mean for the future of the Western Hemisphere. With reports that the United States is preparing a potential indictment against Raúl Castro tied to...
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STRAT | 09 MAY 26 | Russia Weakens as Ukraine Expands Strategic Reach
On this episode of STRAT, retired Marine intelligence officer Hal Kempfer examines why Russia’s much-anticipated Spring offensive is faltering and why Moscow may be in a far weaker position than many analysts realize. The discussion explores mounting Russian casualties, recruiting failures…
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STRAT | 02 May 2026 | TEHRAN’S TORMENT: Iran Regime Faces Existential Strategic Collapse
In this episode of STRAT with retired Marine Intelligence Officer Hal Kempfer, we examine Iran’s deepening crisis as mounting economic pressure, internal power struggles, and external military threats converge. The consolidation of authority by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has...
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Russia’s Road to Ruination: Ukraine, Iran and Reality
Russia faces mounting pressure as battlefield losses, economic strain, and weakening alliances converge into a growing strategic crisis. This episode of STRAT with Hal Kempfer explores how Ukraine’s expanding drone and deep-strike campaign is crippling Russian energy infrastructure and exposing...
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STRAT | 10 April 2026 | Ceasefire Ire with Iran
In this episode of STRAT, retired Marine Intelligence Officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer breaks down the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran following weeks of escalating conflict. While the agreement temporarily reduced global energy panic, Iran’s failure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz...
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STRAT | 06 APR 26 | Iran’s Looming Deadline
A critical deadline looms as tensions between the United States and Iran reached a far more destructive phase of the war. This episode of STRAT explores the implications of a stark ultimatum, examining what military, political, and strategic realities could unfold if no agreement is reached. From...
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STRAT | 28 MAR 26 | Putting Boots On The Ground In Iran
This episode of STRAT explores the growing possibility of U.S. ground operations in Iran and what those forces could be tasked to accomplish. With Marine Expeditionary Units and elements of the 82nd Airborne deploying into U.S. Central Command, military leaders now have expanded options beyond…
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Beyond Oil, Global Supply Chain Hits from the Strait of Hormuz Crisis
A growing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz is triggering far more than an oil disruption—it’s reshaping global supply chains in multiple commodities in unexpected and dangerous ways. In this episode, we examine how escalating conflict in the Middle East has choked one of the world’s most critical...
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STRAT | 17 MAR 26 | Getting it Straight on the Strait of Hormuz
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have reached a critical point, placing one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints under severe strain. This episode of STRATwith retired Marine Intelligence Officer Hal Kempfer examines how escalating conflict involving Iran, the United States, and...
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STRAT | 09 MAR 26 | Re-Wiring the Western Hemisphere
On this episode of STRAT, retired Marine intelligence officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer examines major geopolitical developments reshaping the Western Hemisphere. The discussion begins with the deteriorating situation in Cuba, where economic collapse, power shortages, and extreme poverty are placing...
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STRAT | 08 March 2026 | War in the Middle East and Boots on the Ground
On this episode of STRAT, retired Marine intelligence officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer examines the quickly evolving war across the Middle East following U.S. and Israeli strikes and the wave of Iranian retaliation that has spread across the region. Tehran has launched hundreds of ballistic missiles…
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STRAT | 20 FEB 2026 | STRIKING IRAN 2.0
In this episode of STRAT with Hal Kempfer, we examine the growing likelihood of direct U.S. military action against Iran and what such a move would legally and strategically mean. The discussion explains why air or missile strikes would constitute an act of war under international law and reviews...
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STRAT | 12 FEB 26 | How Oil Prices Are Reshaping Global Power Politics
Global oil markets are no longer just about supply and demand—they are reshaping geopolitics in real time. In this episode of the STRAT podcast, retired Marine Intelligence Officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer breaks down how oil pricing and access are being used as strategic tools with far-reaching...
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STRAT | 02 FEB 2026 | What Does Regime Change In Iran Mean?
What would regime change in Iran actually look like—and what would it mean for the United States, Europe, and global stability? In this episode of STRAT with Hal Kempfer, we examine why many analysts believe the Islamic Republic is facing its most precarious moment since 1979. From reformist…
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STRAT | 26 JAN 26 | Three Fronts of Conflict Shaping America’s Strategic Future
From America’s heartland to the Pacific coast and the Middle East, this episode of STRAT examines three arenas where pressure is building—and consequences may be closer than many realize. Retired Marine Intelligence Officer Hal Kempfer begins in Minnesota, where aggressive federal immigration...
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STRAT | 19 JAN 26 | Minneapolis, ICE, and a Nation on Edge
Protests and federal operations collide in Minneapolis after a fatal encounter between an ICE agent and a local resident. This episode of STRAT with retired Marine Intelligence Officer Hal Kempfer examines the surge of federal officers, the Minnesota National Guard’s mobilization, and warnings of...
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STRAT | 14 Jan 26 | Iran on the Brink: Protests, Power, Global Shockwaves
This STRAT episode examines a rapidly escalating crisis in Iran and why it matters far beyond the Middle East. With protests spreading across more than 100 cities, a collapsing currency, and brutal crackdowns by the regime, Iran appears to be approaching a historic breaking point. The discussion...
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STRAT | 06 January 2026 | Night Raid Reshapes Venezuela and Global Power Dynamics
In this episode, retired Marine intelligence officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer analyzes the stunning overnight U.S. operation that led to the capture of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. The mission—months in planning and executed with overwhelming air, cyber, space, and...
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STRAT | Ukraine Peace Proposals, Power Politics, and Global Strategic Fallout
In this episode of STRAT, retired Marine Intelligence Officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer breaks down the competing peace proposals aimed at ending the war in Ukraine and explains why each carries major strategic risks. The discussion examines a U.S.-backed 28-point plan that largely accommodates Russian...
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STRAT | 20 Dec 25 | America’s Return to Power Politics in the Western Hemisphere
America’s strategic focus is shifting back to its own neighborhood. In this episode of STRAT with retired Marine Intelligence Officer Hal Kempfer, we examine how U.S. policy in the Western Hemisphere is evolving into what many call “Monroe Doctrine 2.0.” Drawing on history, current events, and…
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STRAT | 7 Dec 25 | U.S. Strategy Signals Major Shift in European Security
In this episode of STRAT, retired Marine Intelligence Officer LtCol. Hal Kempfer breaks down the newly released U.S. National Security Strategy and what it means for America, Europe, and the global balance of power. The Trump Administration’s document outlines a worldview driven by “flexible...
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STRAT | 1 DEC 2025 | Rising Flashpoints Reshape Power Dynamics in Venezuela and Ukraine
In this episode of STRAT, retired Marine Intelligence Officer Hal Kempfer examines two rapidly evolving geopolitical flashpoints—Venezuela and Ukraine—each perched at critical strategic inflection points. Venezuela faces mounting U.S. military and diplomatic pressure after President Trump’s...
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November 24, 2025 | California’s Catastrophic Wildfire Mismanagement
California’s recent wildfire tragedies reveal far more than natural disaster—they expose deep failures in federal oversight, intelligence integration, emergency preparedness, and state-level accountability. In this episode, retired Marine Intelligence Officer Hal Kempfer examines why California...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
STRAT – Strategic Risk Assessment Talk, is a forum with a preparedness mindset. Mitigating risks, creating systems of prevention and recovery to deal with potential threats, and understanding the objectives of a Business Continuity Plan. This is the podcast for leaders who are committed to being prepared. The program is hosted by retired Marine Corps intelligence officer and strategic risk assessment professional Hal Kempfer and investment banker Mark Mansfield.
HOSTED BY
Mutual Broadcasting System LLC
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does STRAT have?
STRAT currently has 134 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is STRAT about?
STRAT – Strategic Risk Assessment Talk, is a forum with a preparedness mindset. Mitigating risks, creating systems of prevention and recovery to deal with potential threats, and understanding the objectives of a Business Continuity Plan. This is the podcast for leaders who are committed to being...
How often does STRAT release new episodes?
STRAT publishes regularly with 134 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to STRAT?
You can listen to STRAT on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts STRAT?
STRAT is created and hosted by Mutual Broadcasting System LLC.
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