government
Hosted by Sasha Shtern · government · EN
The Buffer State is about geopolitical power in the age of computation. We examine how software, computing power, and access to space reshape the instruments of trade, deterrence, and coercion.
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Contact path
Public web form
Booking probability
27%
Guest openness
Selective
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Signup to Generate a PitchThe Buffer State is about geopolitical power in the age of computation. We examine how software, computing power, and access to space reshape the instruments of trade, deterrence, and coercion.
The Buffer State is hosted by Sasha Shtern. The show has published 11 episodes to date.
Recent episodes include "The Unexpected Winners of Russia's War" (21 October 2026, 58 minutes), "How does AI affect geopolitical power of smaller states?" (16 October 2026, 62 minutes), and "Some Diplomacy Is Theater and That's Why It Works" (7 October 2026, 44 minutes).
The Buffer State publishes roughly weekly, with episodes averaging 53 minutes across 11 episodes.
Booking probability for The Buffer State is 27%, and the host is rated Selective on guests. The Buffer State requires a Pod Score of 80 or higher. The Buffer State's contact route on record: public web form.
The strongest fits for The Buffer State are Defense & International Affairs. The Buffer State has a government audience.
Sasha Shtern hosts The Buffer State, a government podcast with 11 episodes published.
Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.
The Buffer State
Russia's war in Ukraine has created unexpected economic opportunities for some of its neighbors. Now, the Iran war is accelerating interest in a trade route that bypasses both countries.In this episode of Buffer State...
The Buffer State
What does it mean to win the US? In this episode of Buffer State, Sasha Shtern, Reid Smith, Justin Logan, and Christopher discuss how artificial intelligence could reshape geopolitics, military power, and competition...
The Buffer State
When Donald Trump meets Vladimir Putin, Kim Jong Un, or Xi Jinping, what does the image itself accomplish before any deal is signed?In this episode of Buffer State, Sasha Stern and Reid Smith sit down with Minseon Ku to...
Why does U.S. foreign policy stay stuck even when Washington knows its prioritieshave changed? As China becomes the central long-term challenge, the United States remains heavily committed to the Middle East and Europe...
Episode #7
American foreign policy is supposed to be made through presidents, Congress, cabinet agencies, and the National Security Council. In practice, the process is far messier.In this episode of Buffer State, Sasha Stern...
Nuclear deterrence depends on convincing adversaries that escalation could become dangerously costly. But as the United States extends that protection across Europe and East Asia, can its allies continue relying on the...
<p>China’s advantage in critical minerals may not come down to geology, subsidies, or control of processing alone. Chinese mining companies may also be moving faster and operating more efficiently than their Western...
China’s advantage in critical minerals may not come down to geology, subsidies, or control of processing alone. Chinese mining companies may also be moving faster and operating more efficiently than their Western...
<p>The era of unquestioned American primacy may be ending. So what should U.S. foreign policy look like in a world where power is increasingly shared among rival states, regional powers, and allies?In this episode of...
The era of unquestioned American primacy may be ending. So what should U.S. foreign policy look like in a world where power is increasingly shared among rival states, regional powers, and allies?In this episode of...
Energy is not just a commodity. It is the physical foundation beneath prosperity, industry, military power, and the computational economy. In this episode of Buffer State, Sasha Stern and Reed Smith sit down with Ron...
<p><br></p><p>Energy is not just a commodity. It is the physical foundation beneath prosperity, industry, military power, and the computational economy.</p><p>In this episode of Buffer State, Sasha Stern and Reed Smith...
<p>America is the most secure great power in modern history. But does that security make it more careful — or more willing to fight?</p><p><br />In this episode of Buffer State, Sasha Stern and Reed Smith sit down with...
America is the most secure great power in modern history. But does that security make it more careful — or more willing to fight? In this episode of Buffer State, Sasha Stern and Reed Smith sit down with Justin Logan...
America is the most powerful country in the world. But what should that power actually be used for? In this episode of Buffer State, Sasha Stern and Reed Smith sit down with Ed King, founder and president of Defense...
<p>America is the most powerful country in the world. But what should that power actually be used<br />for?</p><p><br />In this episode of Buffer State, Sasha Stern and Reed Smith sit down with Ed King, founder and...
Recent guests on The Buffer State. Study who booked and why before you pitch.
Claire Tow Professor of Political Science at Barnard College, Columbia University
Director of Defense and Foreign Policy Studies, Cato Foundation
George Mitchell Professor in Law and Public Policy at Georgetown University, Aluminight Custom Outdoor Lighting
senior fellow at the Stimson Center and assistant professor at Georgetown University, Reimagining US Grand Strategy program at the Stimson Center
PitchCentric classifies The Buffer State under these industries. Guests from them are the closest fit, and each links to the best podcasts in that industry.
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