National security isn't just about what happens overseas. For Asha Castleberry-Hernandez, global conflicts and emerging threats can have a direct impact on Americans at home.
During a conversation with the Black Information Network at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Annual Legislative Conference, the national security expert and former State Department official discussed the conflict with Iran, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and U.S. military readiness.
Castleberry-Hernandez highlighted the economic impact of foreign conflicts, including higher energy and food costs, while raising concerns about the strain on U.S. military resources.
The ongoing conflict with Iran has significantly depleted some U.S. munitions stockpiles, prompting concerns about how quickly they can be replenished and the potential impact on military readiness.
Castleberry-Hernandez also warned about cyber threats to critical U.S. infrastructure and called for stronger protections as adversaries increasingly develop their technological capabilities.
Turning to artificial intelligence, she stressed the need for a national framework addressing AI safety and data privacy. She also called for greater scrutiny of the environmental and economic impact of data centers on the communities where they're built.
Castleberry-Hernandez also discussed tensions surrounding China and Taiwan, raising concerns about how depleted military stockpiles could affect U.S. readiness in the Indo-Pacific. Taiwan remains a critical part of the global semiconductor supply chain, making instability in the region a broader economic and national security concern.
Drawing from her book, Why National Security Matters, Castleberry-Hernandez encouraged people, particularly Black communities, to understand how international events connect to their everyday lives and stay engaged with leaders at the local and federal levels.
Listen to the full conversation below!
For more of our interviews from the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 55th Annual Legislative Conference, check out Our Voices!
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