Mike Rogers Inc.

He´s gone into business. What business? Mike Rogers Inc.

And it seems to be doing very well. He has founded an institute that promotes national security. He is an executive producer and the host of an eight-part CNN series on the U.S. intelligence community that will air next year. He a distinguished fellow at the conservative Hudson Institute, travels the speaking circuit and works in radio ... sort of.

It was the radio show that Rogers, a Republican, cited as his next venture when he announced in March 2014 that after 14 years representing mid Michigan, including Lansing, he was leaving Congress. But there really hasn´t been much to it. He provides short commentaries for the Westwood One radio network that it drops into talk radio programs three times a day. That´s it.

Generally his commentaries are familiar Rogers´ themes: the evils of totalitarian governments in Russia, Iran and North Korea. He says Americans should expect better from the U.S. Air Marshal Service, which is entangled in a sexual tryst/ethics scandal. He complains that women in Afghanistan have few rights and even those are threatened.

There´s not much meat to these musings, though they sound good. But since they only last a minute, what can you really say?

Considering Rogers´ other businesses, radio seems almost a distraction. His most prominent venture, designed to influence the 2016 presidential election, is Americans for Peace, Prosperity and Security, which has these goals:

• “Raise the level of debate on the most important issues facing the country and move candidates beyond just rhetoric and talking points.

• “Enhance the knowledge base of citizens in the early states to help elect a president who supports American engagement and a strong foreign policy.”

Rogers is founder and “honorary chairman” of the group, and a video introducing the mission spliced speeches from presidents Ronald Reagan, John F. Kennedy and Franklin Roosevelt suggests a non-partisan approach to security by using. But it´s very Republican.

Rogers, a former FBI agent and chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, has long espoused hawkish views on defense and security, a comfortable fit for the expanding field of Republican presidential candidates. APPS recently sponsored forums in Iowa with Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal in Iowa and in New Hampshire with South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham. Both want more defense spending. While encouraging a national debate on security, APPS is hardly neutral. Its board of directors and professional staff are stacked with Republican Party operatives, former military officers and defense industry officials. (Former Michigan Gov. John Engler serves as an adviser.)

Some examples: Walt Havenstein, former CEO of BAE Systems Inc. and former U.S. Marine Corp. colonel, is an APPS board member. BAE is a $12 billion-a-year producer of electronic systems for the defense and intelligence industries and provides service support of armored combat vehicles, artillery systems and munitions. It was sued last week by the U.S government for overcharging the Army for 20,000 trucks. Also on the board are John Coburn, former com manding general of the U.S. Army Material Command and head of VT Systems Inc., a company with significant military contracts; and former congresswoman Heather Wilson, who is president of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and a former U.S. Air Force officer.

APPS, if nothing else, illustrates the cozy cross-currents that link the military, defense contractors and politics. And it´s a business. Although Rogers ask for donations to carry on its mission, APPS state´s clearly that contributions aren´t tax deductible. It will be interesting to see what sort of influence the group has as we move closer to the 2016 election. It says it won´t endorse candidates.

Leveraging his congressional career, Rogers is a voice on the lecture circuit. The Washington Speakers Bureau makes him available for “joint presentations, keynote addresses and panels” at between $25,000 and $40,000 per appearance. Earlier this month, he spoke at a TD Americatrade conference about cyber security threats.

Rogers promotes his speech availability on the web site mikerogers.com, where he also highlights his talking-head television appearances on CNN.

He is working with the cable news network on an eight-part show titled “Declassified,” which CNN describes as the true stories of America’s covert operations around the world.

“Hosted by former U.S. Congressman Mike Rogers ... each episode features a newly declassified mission told firsthand by the agents who lived it, while getting unprecedented access to the riveting and secret world of espionage,” the network said in announcing the series.

Rogers is listed as one of four executive producers for the show, which is being developed by All3media America, which produces shows like “Undercover Boss,” “The Million Second Quiz” and “Worst Cooks in America.”

Rogers, though stretching his points at times, does know about intelligence operations. “Declassified” should play to his strengths. Certainly it will be better than the “Worst Cooks” show.