The podcast episodes discuss various intelligence failures that have contributed to strategic and tactical shortcomings, such as the failure to predict or adequately respond to the Moscow terrorist attack and the challenges of separating signal from noise in the abundance of intelligence data.

For example, the episode 'America's Allies & Enemies (with David Sanger)' explores the prevalence of intelligence failures, including misjudging the will to fight of adversaries, while the episode 'The missing data that doomed Pearl Harbor' examines the intelligence failures that led to the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.

These episodes highlight the critical importance of effective intelligence gathering, analysis, and communication in ensuring national security and avoiding strategic failures.