The Focus - a SAGE International podcast

The Focus - a SAGE International podcast The Focus Podcast with John Bruni

Big issues. Bold conversations. Fresh takes. Real insight. No fluff.

From war zones to global power plays, we dive deep with top experts in defence, geopolitics, and international affairs.

07/08/2026

🎙️ IT'S OUT!

Why Do We Keep Being Surprised? – Rethinking Strategic Foresight in an Uncertain World

This was a fascinating conversation.

My guest on the latest episode of The Focus is Patti Morrissey, founder of Global Foresight Strategies, who has spent three decades working across the U.S. national security establishment.

We started by talking about strategic foresight—but the conversation quickly opened into something much bigger.

Iran's nuclear program. Trump. American political change. Putin and Russian disinformation. Strategic surprise. Whether autocracies are better at thinking long term. And ultimately: what conditions could lead to World War III?

But the question running through the entire conversation is:

👉 Why, when governments have access to so much information, do they keep getting surprised?

This one gave me plenty to think about.

🎥 Watch the full episode here:
https://youtu.be/NAbrVwyoDJY?si=HP9N6savdxgV5WDF

And let me know in the comments:

What major threat do you think governments can see coming—but still aren't adequately preparing for?

COMING LATER TODAY ON THE FOCUSWhy Do We Keep Being Surprised?Rethinking Strategic Foresight in an Uncertain WorldWhy do...
06/08/2026

COMING LATER TODAY ON THE FOCUS

Why Do We Keep Being Surprised?

Rethinking Strategic Foresight in an Uncertain World

Why do governments, intelligence communities and political leaders—with enormous amounts of information at their disposal—still get caught by strategic surprise?

Later today on The Focus, I speak with Patti Morrissey, founder of Global Foresight Strategies and a veteran of the U.S. national security community, about strategic foresight, political intelligence, Iran, Russia, the United States, autocratic decision-making—and the conditions that could lead to a much more dangerous world.

This is a fascinating and wide-ranging conversation about how we think about the future—and why we so often get it wrong.

🎙️ New episode drops later today.

24/07/2026

**NOW LIVE**

How did Colombia defeat one of the world's longest-running insurgencies?

Former Commander of the Colombian Armed Forces, General Alberto José Mejía Ferrero, joins *The Focus* to explain how Colombia eventually defeated the FARC—and why the lessons extend well beyond Latin America.

From the ELN and Venezuela to drone warfare, border security and military strategy, this is an in-depth discussion for anyone interested in defence, geopolitics and national security.

🎥 Watch now on YouTube.
https://youtu.be/dNEPMD37H3g?si=qBCHBhsAgDp6xvKY

How do you defeat an insurgency without losing your democracy?Tomorrow on *The Focus*, General Alberto José Mejía Ferrer...
23/07/2026

How do you defeat an insurgency without losing your democracy?

Tomorrow on *The Focus*, General Alberto José Mejía Ferrero explains how Colombia defeated the FARC—and why the fight for regional security is far from over.

From the ELN and Venezuela to drone warfare, counterinsurgency and the lessons of Ukraine, this is an extraordinary conversation with one of Latin America's most experienced military leaders.

📺 Premieres tomorrow.

Subscribe now and join us.

18/07/2026

🎙️ NOW LIVE | THE FOCUS PODCAST

How did Colombia turn the tide against one of the world's most resilient insurgencies?

In Part One of our exclusive conversation, General (Ret.) Alberto José Mejía Ferrero takes us inside Colombia's long war against the FARC and ELN.

Discover:

⚔️ The origins of Colombia's conflict

🇺🇸 The impact of Plan Colombia

🪖 Building a modern counterinsurgency force

🤝 Leadership under pressure

🕊️ Why military victories alone don't secure lasting peace

If you're passionate about defence, geopolitics, military history or international security, this episode is essential viewing.

🎥 Watch now:
👉 https://youtu.be/eB6DPC_sOak?si=N97kShWdZdA9DGQv

💬 What lessons can other democracies learn from Colombia's experience?

Part Two—covering Venezuela, organised crime, armed drones, China and the future security of the Western Hemisphere—is coming soon.

COMING TOMORROW | PART ONEFor more than fifty years, Colombia fought one of the world's longest-running insurgencies.How...
16/07/2026

COMING TOMORROW | PART ONE

For more than fifty years, Colombia fought one of the world's longest-running insurgencies.

How did it finally change the course of that conflict?

Tomorrow I'm joined by General (Ret.) Alberto José Mejía Ferrero, one of Colombia's most distinguished military leaders, to discuss the campaign against the FARC, the difficult road to peace and the lessons other democracies can learn.

This is Part One of a special two-part conversation.

Part Two, next week, explores Venezuela after Maduro, organised crime, armed drones and the changing security landscape of Latin America.

Don't miss it.

11/07/2026

NEW EPISODE

Who writes the economic rules?

Dr John Bruni is joined once again by economist Dr Jenny Gordon to discuss:

📈 Inflation

🤖 Artificial Intelligence

💼 Employment

🌏 Immigration

💰 Modern Monetary Theory

🇺🇸 Trumpenomics

Watch now:

🎧 https://youtu.be/ZyIOnW8nngQ?si=K3VJMtW_FeXUByml

COMING LATER TODAYPart 2 of our discussion with economist Dr Jenny Gordon.Who writes the economic rules?How will AI resh...
10/07/2026

COMING LATER TODAY

Part 2 of our discussion with economist Dr Jenny Gordon.

Who writes the economic rules?

How will AI reshape employment?

Why is inflation proving so persistent?

And what does Trumpenomics mean for the global economy?

🎙️ Premiering later today on The Focus Podcast.

Stay tuned!

04/07/2026

🎙️ NEW EPISODE

Where does Palestine go after years of war?

Ramzy Baroud joins Dr John Bruni for a wide-ranging discussion covering:

▪️ Gaza's future
▪️ Hamas today
▪️ The Palestinian Authority
▪️ Netanyahu and Israeli settlements
▪️ Trump and Gaza reconstruction
▪️ Russia, Iran, and the changing Middle East

It's an informed conversation that tackles difficult questions from multiple perspectives.

👇 Watch now and join the discussion.
https://youtu.be/IeuIJyB-r-o?si=-gTfkgx10oa54tcl

Coming TomorrowThe latest edition of The Focus Podcast features internationally respected Palestinian journalist and aut...
02/07/2026

Coming Tomorrow

The latest edition of The Focus Podcast features internationally respected Palestinian journalist and author Ramzy Baroud.

Together, we examine the strategic future of Palestine following years of conflict, regional instability and shifting international priorities.

Topics include Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, Israeli settlements, the Israel-Iran War, US policy and the evolving multipolar international system.

Available tomorrow.

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