Understanding the 2025 National Security Strategy of the United States: a conversation with Joe Grogan, former White House Director of the Domestic Policy Council

In this episode, Christiaan Alting von Geusau speaks with his special guest Joe Grogan, former Director of the Domestic Policy Council at the White House during the first Trump administration, also having served in the G.W. Bush administration before that.

We discuss the background and genesis of the National Security Strategy that was published by the White House in December 2025, and the consequences this document and the resulting policies have for international affairs. We also discuss in-depth the new focus of the US administration on the Western Hemisphere - where currently the conflict with Venezuela is heating up - and the challenges in the relationship of the US with Europe. Special attention is also given to the Ukraine war and the problematic role of Russian president Vladimir Putin.

The video of Otto von Habsburg warning for Putin in 2003 (in the podcast we speak erroneously of 2006/2008): https://youtu.be/P1lj6QsqDhU?si=45MkcGFI6YtrJeA7

Description:

This series for (aspiring) legislators, government leaders, and others in public office seeks to provide timeless insights and share enduring wisdom needed in the execution of one’s daily duties and responsibilities, always aiming at justice and the advancement of the common good. Christian leadership for those holding high office is above all a fundamental way of life, consistently lived and carefully guarded, bringing lasting unity to the spheres of faith, family and public duty, unapologetically desiring and working every day to root all in a Christ-centered life of faithfulness, courage and sacrifice. As Christians in leadership positions, we have to ourselves be the change we wish you to see in our society. Throughout history, great Christian men and women of deep faith and formidable character have struggled with this challenge to uphold the principles rooted in their well-formed consciences. Episodes:

1. Who am I, what is my calling?

2. The unity of a life in Christ.

3. The meaning of virtue.

4. Conscience, duty and the law.

5. Exemplary Christians in Politics.

6. What is the Common Good?

The podcast episodes will be presented by Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau, Professor of Law and Education, President of the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN) (https://icln.world/executive-board/#christiaan) and Managing Director of Ambrose Advice e.U (https://ambrose-advice.com/profile/). He writes and speaks extensively on the topic of this course internationally. You may access some of his lectures, interviews and presentations here.

Description:

This series for (aspiring) legislators, government leaders, and others in public office seeks to provide timeless insights and share enduring wisdom needed in the execution of one’s daily duties and responsibilities, always aiming at justice and the advancement of the common good. Christian leadership for those holding high office is above all a fundamental way of life, consistently lived and carefully guarded, bringing lasting unity to the spheres of faith, family and public duty, unapologetically desiring and working every day to root all in a Christ-centered life of faithfulness, courage and sacrifice. As Christians in leadership positions, we have to ourselves be the change we wish you to see in our society. Throughout history, great Christian men and women of deep faith and formidable character have struggled with this challenge to uphold the principles rooted in their well-formed consciences. Episodes:

1. Who am I, what is my calling?

2. The unity of a life in Christ.

3. The meaning of virtue.

4. Conscience, duty and the law.

5. Exemplary Christians in Politics.

6. What is the Common Good?

The podcast episodes will be presented by Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau, Professor of Law and Education, President of the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN) (https://icln.world/executive-board/#christiaan) and Managing Director of Ambrose Advice e.U (https://ambrose-advice.com/profile/). He writes and speaks extensively on the topic of this course internationally. You may access some of his lectures, interviews and presentations here.

Description:

This series for (aspiring) legislators, government leaders, and others in public office seeks to provide timeless insights and share enduring wisdom needed in the execution of one’s daily duties and responsibilities, always aiming at justice and the advancement of the common good. Christian leadership for those holding high office is above all a fundamental way of life, consistently lived and carefully guarded, bringing lasting unity to the spheres of faith, family and public duty, unapologetically desiring and working every day to root all in a Christ-centered life of faithfulness, courage and sacrifice. As Christians in leadership positions, we have to ourselves be the change we wish you to see in our society. Throughout history, great Christian men and women of deep faith and formidable character have struggled with this challenge to uphold the principles rooted in their well-formed consciences. Episodes:

1. Who am I, what is my calling?

2. The unity of a life in Christ.

3. The meaning of virtue.

4. Conscience, duty and the law.

5. Exemplary Christians in Politics.

6. What is the Common Good?

The podcast episodes will be presented by Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau, Professor of Law and Education, President of the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN) (https://icln.world/executive-board/#christiaan) and Managing Director of Ambrose Advice e.U (https://ambrose-advice.com/profile/). He writes and speaks extensively on the topic of this course internationally. You may access some of his lectures, interviews and presentations here.

Description:

This series for (aspiring) legislators, government leaders, and others in public office seeks to provide timeless insights and share enduring wisdom needed in the execution of one’s daily duties and responsibilities, always aiming at justice and the advancement of the common good. Christian leadership for those holding high office is above all a fundamental way of life, consistently lived and carefully guarded, bringing lasting unity to the spheres of faith, family and public duty, unapologetically desiring and working every day to root all in a Christ-centered life of faithfulness, courage and sacrifice. As Christians in leadership positions, we have to ourselves be the change we wish you to see in our society. Throughout history, great Christian men and women of deep faith and formidable character have struggled with this challenge to uphold the principles rooted in their well-formed consciences. Episodes:

1. Who am I, what is my calling?

2. The unity of a life in Christ.

3. The meaning of virtue.

4. Conscience, duty and the law.

5. Exemplary Christians in Politics.

6. What is the Common Good?

The podcast episodes will be presented by Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau, Professor of Law and Education, President of the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN) (https://icln.world/executive-board/#christiaan) and Managing Director of Ambrose Advice e.U (https://ambrose-advice.com/profile/). He writes and speaks extensively on the topic of this course internationally. You may access some of his lectures, interviews and presentations here.

Description:

This series for (aspiring) legislators, government leaders, and others in public office seeks to provide timeless insights and share enduring wisdom needed in the execution of one’s daily duties and responsibilities, always aiming at justice and the advancement of the common good. Christian leadership for those holding high office is above all a fundamental way of life, consistently lived and carefully guarded, bringing lasting unity to the spheres of faith, family and public duty, unapologetically desiring and working every day to root all in a Christ-centered life of faithfulness, courage and sacrifice. As Christians in leadership positions, we have to ourselves be the change we wish you to see in our society. Throughout history, great Christian men and women of deep faith and formidable character have struggled with this challenge to uphold the principles rooted in their well-formed consciences. Episodes:

1. Who am I, what is my calling?

2. The unity of a life in Christ.

3. The meaning of virtue.

4. Conscience, duty and the law.

5. Exemplary Christians in Politics.

6. What is the Common Good?

The podcast episodes will be presented by Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau, Professor of Law and Education, President of the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN) (https://icln.world/executive-board/#christiaan) and Managing Director of Ambrose Advice e.U (https://ambrose-advice.com/profile/). He writes and speaks extensively on the topic of this course internationally. You may access some of his lectures, interviews and presentations here.

Description:

This series for (aspiring) legislators, government leaders, and others in public office seeks to provide timeless insights and share enduring wisdom needed in the execution of one’s daily duties and responsibilities, always aiming at justice and the advancement of the common good. Christian leadership for those holding high office is above all a fundamental way of life, consistently lived and carefully guarded, bringing lasting unity to the spheres of faith, family and public duty, unapologetically desiring and working every day to root all in a Christ-centered life of faithfulness, courage and sacrifice. As Christians in leadership positions, we have to ourselves be the change we wish you to see in our society. Throughout history, great Christian men and women of deep faith and formidable character have struggled with this challenge to uphold the principles rooted in their well-formed consciences. Episodes:

1. Who am I, what is my calling?

2. The unity of a life in Christ.

3. The meaning of virtue.

4. Conscience, duty and the law.

5. Exemplary Christians in Politics.

6. What is the Common Good?

The podcast episodes will be presented by Dr. Christiaan Alting von Geusau, Professor of Law and Education, President of the International Catholic Legislators Network (ICLN) (https://icln.world/executive-board/#christiaan) and Managing Director of Ambrose Advice e.U (https://ambrose-advice.com/profile/). He writes and speaks extensively on the topic of this course internationally. You may access some of his lectures, interviews and presentations here.

Episode 8: Taking Care of Creation in all its Dimensions: What is the Proper Attitude?

Resources:

1. Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace: Compendium of the Social Teaching of the Catholic Church: https://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html

2. Leo XIII: Rerum Novarum: https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_l-xiii_enc_15051891_rerum-novarum.html

3. Pope Francis: Laudato Si: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html

4. Pope Benedict XVI: The Listening Heart - Reflections on the Foundations of Law: https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/speeches/2011/september/documents/hf_ben-xvi_spe_20110922_reichstag-berlin.html