The World of Intelligence

Venezuela is at a crossroads. Its leadership has changed, but many of the institutions, political actors, and power structures that defined the Maduro era remain. Is the country moving towards meaningful political transition, or is the existing system simply adapting? In this episode of the World of Intelligence podcast, Cristina Varriale and Sean Corbett are joined by Dr Pablo Uchoa and Dr Estefania Dominguez to explore what comes next for Venezuela. They examine the shifting balance of political and military power, the evolving relationship with the United States, the strategic importance of oil and critical minerals, and the political and economic pressures that could shape the country’s future. They also reveal how intelligence analysts cut through competing narratives and information noise to identify the signals that matter.

The conflict in Yemen has entered a new and dangerous phase, with renewed fighting between Ansar Allah (the Houthis) and Saudi-backed government forces. But this is more than a localised conflict. From threats to global shipping routes and energy supplies to shifting regional power dynamics, developments in Yemen have far-reaching implications. In this episode of the World of Intelligence podcast, Sean Corbett, Cristina Varriale are joined by Janes analysts Daniel Burge, and Jack Nicholls to examine the latest developments on the ground, assess Ansar Allah's military capabilities and strategic ambitions, explore the complex relationship with Iran, and discuss what may come next. They also share how intelligence analysts navigate one of the world's most challenging information environments to separate fact from narrative.

As tensions across the Middle East continue to reshape regional security dynamics, what does the conflict involving Iran reveal about China's strategic ambitions? In this episode of the Janes World of Intelligence podcast, host Sean Corbett is joined by Janes analysts Claire Chu and Sasha Chopenko to examine the evolving relationship between China and Iran, and how recent events are influencing Beijing's approach to diplomacy, security, trade, and regional influence. Together, they explore the strategic value of the partnership, China's carefully calibrated response to the conflict, and the challenges of balancing relations with Iran, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and other Gulf states. The discussion also examines what China may be learning from modern conflicts, from sanctions resilience and energy security to military modernisation, supply-chain vulnerabilities, and the growing importance of long-term strategic endurance. Finally, the speakers assess how Beijing's relationship with Iran could evolve in the years ahead, and what the implications may be for the wider international order.

NATO allies have committed to ambitious defence spending goals, but funding alone does not create military capability. In this episode, Janes analysts Guy Anderson and Andrew MacDonald join Sean Corbett and Cristina Varriale to assess what the latest NATO Summit reveals about the alliance's progress towards greater readiness, resilience and deterrence. Together, they examine defence investment trends, industrial capacity, collaborative procurement and the economic realities that could shape future outcomes. The conversation explores where progress is being made, where risks remain, and what industry should watch as governments seek to translate political commitments into meaningful capability.

In this episode of World of Intelligence, Cristina Varriale and Sean Corbett are joined by Major General Dominic Goulet, Deputy Director for Commonwealth Integration at the US Defense Intelligence Agency, and retired Major General John Howard, former Chief of Defence Intelligence for the New Zealand Defence Force. Together, they explore the future of intelligence, the role of AI in analysis, the growing importance of unclassified intelligence, and what intelligence leaders must do to adapt to an era defined by disruption, speed and information abundance.

In this episode of The World of Intelligence, we delve into the pressing issue of energy security in the context of recent global disruptions. Joined by Ben Cahill, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, we explore the current landscape of energy supply chains and the geopolitical factors at play, particularly in oil and gas markets. Ben provides insights into the unprecedented shock stemming from the Gulf region, the implications for countries reliant on these energy resources, and the complex adjustments markets are making in response. We also discuss the longer-term impacts of these disruptions on energy consumption patterns and the potential for a renewed focus on alternative energy sources. Tune in for a comprehensive analysis that sheds light on the intricacies of energy security and its critical significance for global stability.

China’s naval capabilities are expanding at pace — but scale alone does not equal power. In this episode of The World of Intelligence, Janes analyst Mike Plunkett, Senior Naval Platforms joins Sean Corbett and Cristina Varriale to examine what the rapid modernisation of the People’s Liberation Army Navy really means for regional stability and global security. Drawing on unclassified intelligence, satellite imagery and long term capability assessment, the discussion explores how China has moved from a coastal defence force to a modern fleet with global ambitions. The episode unpacks the drivers behind this transformation — from Taiwan and regional deterrence to economic security and global prestige — and assesses where capability outpaces operational credibility.

Grey zone and hybrid warfare are no longer peripheral challenges—they are shaping the security environment that democracies must navigate every day. In this episode of World of Intelligence, Christina Varriale and Sean Corbett are joined by Elisabeth Braw, Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council to unpack what grey zone and hybrid warfare really mean, and why precision in how we define them matters. The conversation explores how hostile actors operate below the threshold of armed conflict, blending kinetic and non kinetic activity to disrupt societies, undermine trust and complicate decision making. From sabotage and cyber operations to disinformation, espionage and the weaponisation of migration, the discussion examines how these tactics have evolved in scale, scope and intent—particularly since 2022. The panel considers what this means for governments, industry and society at large, including the role of public awareness, resilience and open source intelligence in identifying and mitigating grey zone activity. They also discuss why confronting conflict below the threshold is one of the defining security challenges of our time.

In this episode of World of Intelligence, hosts Cristina Varriale and Sean Corbett, Chair of the Janes Advisory Board, are joined by Professor Dr Katarzyna Zysk of the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies to examine why the High North matters for global security. They explore its strategic geography; sea based nuclear deterrent considerations; undersea cables and critical infrastructure; and the operational realities that shape ISR and communications in austere Arctic conditions.

Conflicts across Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea rarely dominate international headlines, yet their strategic importance, humanitarian consequences, and implications for global security are considerable. In this episode of World of Intelligence, host Cristina Varriale is joined by Sean Corbett, Chair of the Janes Advisory Board, along with Janes analysts Maria Lampoudi and Chris Hawkins, to examine the complex dynamics driving instability across the region. Together, they explore the realities on the ground, including the evolution of Sudan’s civil war, ongoing Ethiopia–Eritrea tensions, shifting alliances, competing armed groups, and the influence of international actors. They assess critical indicators such as military movements, political transitions, armed group capabilities, and the reliability of available information, illustrating how Janes experts anticipate future trajectories in environments where data is fragmented and misinformation is widespread.