EDITOR’S NOTE: This episode was recorded on 24 March 2025.
Retired U.S. Army General Paul Nakasone recently addressed the resident class at the U.S. Army War College, and he also sat down for an episode of A Better Peace with host Tom Spahr. While reflecting on his time leading the National Security Agency (NSA) and U.S. Cyber Command, Nakasone provides a fascinating peek into the world of cyber intelligence. He emphasizes the critical importance of integrating signals intelligence with cyber operations to maintain speed, agility, and unity of action. The discussion also highlights the transformative power of AI in the intelligence community and the necessity of strong partnerships between the public and private sectors. Conflicts like those in Ukraine and Gaza underscore the strategic importance of adapting to modern warfare’s complexities for today’s leaders.
When you take a look at the domains of warfare, air, land, sea, space and cyberspace. The difference between cyberspace and the other 4 is the fact that it’s man made.
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Paul Nakasone is a retired U.S. Army general with over 3 decades of experience in signal intelligence and cyber operations. He took command of the U.S. Army Cyber Command in 2016 and two years later became the director of the National Security Agency and the United States Cyber Command. His final assignment spanning nearly 6 years, allowed him to lead the largest element of the U.S. intelligence community and the Department of Defense’s Cyber Force during 3 national elections, a global pandemic, and increased threats to the United States.
Thomas W. Spahr is the DeSerio Chair of Theater and Strategic Intelligence at the U.S. Army War College. He is a retired colonel in the U.S. Army and holds a Ph.D. in History from The Ohio State University. He teaches courses at the Army War College on Military Campaigning and Intelligence.
The views expressed in this presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army, or Department of Defense.
Photo Description: Retired U.S. Army General Paul Nakasone addresses the AY25 U.S. Army War College Resident Class, 24 Mar 25.
Photo Credit: U.S. Army War College