Goat Rodeo #60 - COLD WAR II & AGENTIC SPIES, Dmitri Alperovitch, Crowdstrike CoFounder

What happens when one of the world's leading cybersecurity entrepreneurs argues that we're already in a new Cold War? This week, Garrett Smith, Dave Caudle, and Simon Coon sit down with Dmitri Alperovitch—CrowdStrike co-founder, Chairman of Silverado Policy Accelerator, bestselling author of World on the Brink, investor, and host of Geopolitics Decanted. The conversation explores why Dmitri believes strategic competition with China has already become "Cold War II,"why Taiwan sits at the center of the 21st century geopolitical landscape, and what winning the AI race will require. Along the way, the crew dives into the rapidly evolving defense technology ecosystem, venture capital's growing appetite for national security startups, Pentagon acquisition reform, and the emerging role of AI in cyber conflict. Whether you're building defense technology, serving in government, or simply trying to understand where global security is headed, this episode offers a wide-ranging discussion on the forces reshaping warfare. In this episodeWhy Dmitri believes the U.S. and China are already engaged in Cold War IIWhy Taiwan remains the most consequential strategic flashpoint of the centuryThe race for AI leadership—and why compute, semiconductors, and export controls matterChina's cyber capabilities and the future of digital conflictWhat defense startups get right—and wrong—during today's investment boomLessons from building CrowdStrike into a category-defining cybersecurity companyWhy solving real problems matters more than chasing defense tech hypePentagon procurement reform and how incentives shape acquisition outcomesAI agents, autonomous cyber operations, and accountability in the age of intelligent softwareRecent trends in defense venture capital, European investment, and emerging military technologies Featured GuestDmitri AlperovitchCo-founder, CrowdStrikeChairman, Silverado Policy AcceleratorNational bestselling author of World on the BrinkHost of Geopolitics DecantedInvestor in defense technology and emerging technologies@DAlperovitch Chapters00:00 Introduction & Dmitri Alperovitch's background01:15 Why we're already in "Cold War II"13:25 Taiwan, AI and winning strategic competition20:59 Defense tech investment and venture capital trends24:43 Building CrowdStrike and creating a new category31:07 Reforming Pentagon acquisition36:14 AI agents and the future of cyber warfare42:03 Closing thoughts Books & Resources MentionedWorld on the Brink: How America Can Beat China in the Race for the Twenty-First Century — Dmitri AlperovitchGeopolitics Decanted (Podcast) Connect with Goat RodeoIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone interested in national security, defense technology, or the future of warfare. Our PodcastNational security, defense tech, and geopolitics; serious topics, but that doesn't mean we have to be boring about it. The Goat Rodeo Podcast brings you three military veterans turned defense insiders, breaking down the biggest stories shaping the future of warfare.Expect sharp insights, unfiltered debates, and the occasional defense industry hot take, because let's be honest, this space can be a total goat rodeo.Listen on other platforms: https://linktr.ee/GoatRodeoPodcast