Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 6 days ago
The Burn Sequence: A podcast hosted by Tory Bruno, former president and CEO of United Launch Alliance (ULA), takes listeners on a journey through the evolving world of space exploration and cutting-edge technology. Drawing from his own personal experiences over several decades, Tory explores everything from rocket science and the future of space missions to the impact of AI, national security, and innovation in the aerospace industry. Each episode dives into what’s next for society--whether it’s the next leap for spaceflight, advancements in space exploration, or the technologies shaping our future on Earth and beyond. The Burn Sequence is about more than just rockets, it’s about the ideas, strategies, and breakthroughs that will define the next era of exploration and security. Tune in for thought-provoking conversations and a look at what the future of space will bring us.
Dr. Miles Yu: A senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, Director of the China Center, and the host of China Insider. For decades, he has analyzed the Chinese Communist Party’s doctrine, its military strategy, and how Beijing views global competition. Miles is one of the sharpest voices on China’s strategy and military doctrine, and if you’ve heard him before, you know he brings clarity and candor to some of the toughest questions we face as a nation. On this episode, Tory and Miles cover a lot of ground from China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific, what a conflict over Taiwan might mean in space, and how the US should be think about resilience and deterrence.
Episode 7: Tory Bruno and Dr. Miles Yu discuss the growing threat posed by China, particularly in terms of military buildup, strategic competition, and the importance of Taiwan. They explore China's perspective on space and warfare, its regional ambitions, and the implications of the Belt and Road Initiative. The discussion also touches on the nature of Chinese governance and economy, and concludes with a hopeful outlook for the future of the Chinese people.
0:00 Introduction
3:45 China views the U.S. as a threat
6:36 Importance of space in modern warfare
9:03 AI's role in modern military capabilities
12:56 Taiwan as a challenge to CCP legitimacy
15:58 US as a threat to CCP rule
17:42 Policy of engagement with China
20:40 Corruption in China's defense industry
26:43 US military alliances in Asia
28:21 China's regional adversaries explained
30:11 China's opportunistic friendships
33:40 China's Belt and Road Initiative risks
35:22 China's loans and confidentiality issues
37:10 Infrastructure projects not needed
39:11 China's economy and property rights issues
44:11 Chinese people's desire for American dream
46:00 Importance of American values and patriotism
49:00 Lessons from the Soviet Union's collapse
The Burn Sequence: A podcast hosted by Tory Bruno, former president and CEO of United Launch Alliance (ULA), takes listeners on a journey through the evolving world of space exploration and cutting-edge technology. Drawing from his own personal experiences over several decades, Tory explores everything from rocket science and the future of space missions to the impact of AI, national security, and innovation in the aerospace industry. Each episode dives into what’s next for society--whether it’s the next leap for spaceflight, advancements in space exploration, or the technologies shaping our future on Earth and beyond. The Burn Sequence is about more than just rockets, it’s about the ideas, strategies, and breakthroughs that will define the next era of exploration and security. Tune in for thought-provoking conversations and a look at what the future of space will bring us.
Dr. Miles Yu: A senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, Director of the China Center, and the host of China Insider. For decades, he has analyzed the Chinese Communist Party’s doctrine, its military strategy, and how Beijing views global competition. Miles is one of the sharpest voices on China’s strategy and military doctrine, and if you’ve heard him before, you know he brings clarity and candor to some of the toughest questions we face as a nation. On this episode, Tory and Miles cover a lot of ground from China’s ambitions in the Indo-Pacific, what a conflict over Taiwan might mean in space, and how the US should be think about resilience and deterrence.
Episode 7: Tory Bruno and Dr. Miles Yu discuss the growing threat posed by China, particularly in terms of military buildup, strategic competition, and the importance of Taiwan. They explore China's perspective on space and warfare, its regional ambitions, and the implications of the Belt and Road Initiative. The discussion also touches on the nature of Chinese governance and economy, and concludes with a hopeful outlook for the future of the Chinese people.
0:00 Introduction
3:45 China views the U.S. as a threat
6:36 Importance of space in modern warfare
9:03 AI's role in modern military capabilities
12:56 Taiwan as a challenge to CCP legitimacy
15:58 US as a threat to CCP rule
17:42 Policy of engagement with China
20:40 Corruption in China's defense industry
26:43 US military alliances in Asia
28:21 China's regional adversaries explained
30:11 China's opportunistic friendships
33:40 China's Belt and Road Initiative risks
35:22 China's loans and confidentiality issues
37:10 Infrastructure projects not needed
39:11 China's economy and property rights issues
44:11 Chinese people's desire for American dream
46:00 Importance of American values and patriotism
49:00 Lessons from the Soviet Union's collapse
