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The World of Intelligence

The World of Intelligence

Sean Corbett AVM (Retd) 133 Episodes Aug 10, 2026

The World of Intelligence, produced by Janes, explores the expanding role of unclassified intelligence in modern security and defense. Hosted by Sean Corbett, a retired Air Vice-Marshal, the show brings expert analysis and debate on how open-source information shapes strategic decisions. Each episode examines real-world intelligence challenges, from military operations to geopolitical tensions. The podcast aims to deepen understanding of intelligence as a critical tool for governments, militaries, and the public.

Episodes

NATO Beyond the Numbers: Capability, Commitment and Alliance Readiness
NATO Beyond the Numbers: Capability, Commitment and Alliance Readiness Aug 10, 2026 2927 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 tr
Intelligence in the Age of AI: Adapting for a Decade of Disruption
Intelligence in the Age of AI: Adapting for a Decade of Disruption Jul 27, 2026 3604 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 g
Energy Security in Crisis
Energy Security in Crisis Jun 25, 2026 2208 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
China’s Naval Ambition: Capability, Credibility and Global Impact
China’s Naval Ambition: Capability, Credibility and Global Impact Jun 1, 2026 2461 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,
The New Battleground: Grey Zone and Hybrid Warfare Explained
The New Battleground: Grey Zone and Hybrid Warfare Explained Apr 21, 2026 2762 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
Arctic Realities: The High North’s Strategic Balance and Why it Matters
Arctic Realities: The High North’s Strategic Balance and Why it Matters Mar 30, 2026 3196 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 th
Blurred Frontlines: Why Overlooked African Conflicts Matter to Global Security
Blurred Frontlines: Why Overlooked African Conflicts Matter to Global Security Mar 6, 2026 1856 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,
Operational lessons from Ukraine’s deep-strike campaign
Operational lessons from Ukraine’s deep-strike campaign Feb 2, 2026 1658 In this episode of World of Intelligence, hosts Kate Cox and Sean Corbett are joined by Alexander Stronell, Manager of OSINT Force Monitoring (OFM), and Miko Vranic, Lead Russia analyst, to unpack one of the most daring operations of the Ukraine-Russia conflict – ‘Operation Spiderweb’. Together, they break down how in June 2025 Ukraine executed a meticulously planned series of drone strikes reach
Iran’s Unrest, Decoded: Protests, Power, and the Nuclear Trajectory
Iran’s Unrest, Decoded: Protests, Power, and the Nuclear Trajectory Jan 22, 2026 2490 Iran’s latest wave of protests—sparked by currency collapse and rapidly shifting into anti government unrest—has been forcefully suppressed by a highly layered security apparatus. In this episode, our hosts Sean Corbett and Cristina Varriale are joined by Lewis Smart, Principal Analyst from Country Intelligence's MENA team, cut through conflicting narratives to explain why the regime remains intac
Round up of 2025
Round up of 2025 Jan 5, 2026 1262 Join hosts Sean Corbett and Cristina Varriale as they wrap up another great year for The World of Intelligence podcast. In this special episode, they look back on 19 thought-provoking discussions that explored global security trends, hard-to-reach intelligence targets, and the evolving role of open-source intelligence in modern analysis. From North Korea’s opaque dynamics to NATO’s defence pledg
Fundamentals first: The case for foundational intelligence today
Fundamentals first: The case for foundational intelligence today Nov 17, 2025 1636 In this episode of The World of Intelligence, we delve into the critical importance of foundational intelligence in defense analysis. Hosted by Kate Cox, our panel of experts, including Sean Corbett, Dylan Lurkey, and Tom Barton from Janes, explores how foundational intelligence serves as the essential building blocks for effective military analysis. We discuss its role in understanding current in
Knowledge to understanding and how to get there - part two
Knowledge to understanding and how to get there - part two Oct 21, 2025 1914 In the second part of our enlightening discussion on The World of Intelligence, host Harry Kemsley delves deeper into the intricate relationship between data tribalism and effective decision-making within military and intelligence frameworks. Joined by experts, we explore how human tribal instincts can hinder the integration of critical data across various sectors, ultimately impacting operational

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