Midrats

No, you don’t want to put up Halloween decorations this afternoon, you want to continue to avoid it until the last minute…and instead listen to the Midrats Podcast!

Summary

Sal and Mark use the Battle of Leyte Gulf as a springboard to discuss modern naval power, industrial capacity, and what it takes to sustain a fleet in a long war. They connect World War II lessons to current questions about Taiwan, WESTPAC operations, auxiliary ships, and the need to harden U.S. military infrastructure against disruption. Leyte Gulf is an example of why depth, logistics, repair capacity, and industrial preparation matter more than a single battle narrative. They also break down current debates about Taiwan deterrence, maritime supply chains, unmanned systems, and the vulnerability of U.S. bases and support ships.

Show Links

• Sal Mercogliano’s, What’s Going on With Shipping podcast: The Battle of Leyte Gulf: Logistics and What Ifs?
• Strategic Ambiguity Isn’t Perfect, but It Remains Washington’s Best Bet, by Brent Sadler and Allen Zheng at Heritage, Strategic Ambiguity Isn’t Perfect, but It Remains Washington’s Best Bet
• National Security Multi-Mission Vessel (AKA Empire State Class)
• General Dynamics’s Destroyer Tender proposal.
• Ghost Shark goes drone carrier
• USMC stand up first medium missile battalion

Key topics

• In this episode: why the Battle of Leyte Gulf is still a masterclass in maritime power, industrial depth, and strategic endurance
• The role of repair ships, floating dry docks, tenders, and mobile bases in keeping the fleet in the fight
• How U.S. shipbuilding and industrial mobilization before 1941 shaped the outcome of the Pacific war
• Why mass, attrition, and replacement capacity mattered at Leyte Gulf - and still matter in a future Pacific war
• Brent Sadler’s response to arguments for abandoning Taiwan, and why strategic ambiguity remains central
• The risk of signaling allies that the U.S. would not defend Taiwan, and the broader consequences for Japan, Australia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Europe
• Taiwan’s role in global shipping lanes and semiconductor supply chains, including the claim that a disruption could cut the U.S. economy by trillions
• Shortfalls in current U.S. maritime support forces - including tenders, dry docks, hospital ships, aviation support ships, and mariner manpower
• Proposals to adapt the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel line into auxiliary variants for tenders, hospital ships, and support roles
• The case for arming auxiliaries and merchant ships for self-defense.
• Unmanned and autonomous systems in the maritime fight - from “Loyal Escort” concepts to ghost-shark style undersea launch platforms
• The Fortress initiative to prepare military bases to operate for 90 days without outside support, and why hardened infrastructure is now overdue

Timestamps

00:00 - Live show setup, chat room callout, and the Halloween melee format
02:11 - Why Leyte Gulf remains a touchstone for maritime power
03:07 - Sal Mergogliano’s Leyte Gulf analysis and the importance of depth
06:53 - Reindustrialization and why fleets require industrial capacity
08:17 - Leyte Gulf numbers and the meaning of mass in naval warfare
10:40 - Why U.S. planning must account for a long war, not a quick one
11:39 - Brett Sadler’s response to Taiwan abandonment arguments
14:50 - Why abandoning Taiwan would reshape the Indo-Pacific balance
15:54 - Taiwan semiconductors and the economic cost of losing access
19:33 - Taiwan, sea lanes, and why geography makes the island strategically decisive
20:31 - Support shortfalls: tenders, dry docks, hospital ships, and aviation support
21:00 - Using the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel line for support variants
25:20 - Empire State-class numbers, capacity, and why the production line should stay open
27:26 - The old fleet train, service squadrons, and what moved to MSC
29:19 - Why auxiliaries and support ships need defenses against autonomous threats
31:38 - Neosho, Coral Sea, and the moral case for arming ships that go into harm’s way
34:24 - Escort concepts: unmanned systems, aircraft, helicopters, and convoy protection
37:13 - How to pressure China: mines, undersea operations, and unexpected reaches
38:41 - Australia’s Ghost Shark and the utility of large unmanned underwater vehicles
41:28 - Unmanned systems as additions, not just alternatives, to manned platforms
43:13 - Why fleet experimentation with autonomous systems matters
45:15 - The Empire State-class auxiliary idea and bolt-on self-defense options
47:22 - Loyal Escort vessels, containerized control systems, and lower-cost maritime defense
48:46 - Using current production to support remote Marine units and logistics
51:04 - The Fortress initiative and 90-day base resilience requirements
53:24 - Conventional missile threats, soft-kill infrastructure attacks, and why base hardening matters
57:54 - What Fort Bragg, Fort Hood, Fort Knox, and other bases need to consider
61:01 - The Ian Brinksman classified leak issue
66:11 - Closing thanks to live chat participants and farewell

The trees are showing their fall colors; we’re inside a month from a mid-term election; European cities are burning…but the rest of the world keeps churning from the tip of South America to the steppes of Eurasia.

Showlinks

• France in flames
• Anduril Building Arsenal-1
• Ukraine’s Operational Vivaldi
• Julianne Smith’s Foreign Affairs article, Russia’s Hybrid War Has Entered a Dangerous New Phase
• China’s drone mother ship
• Peter Briggs’s article in the Australian Naval Institute, Is AUKUS a Ponzi Scheme
• Sea Lion oil field off Falkland Islands
• Egypt backs Saudi Arabia’s play against the Houthis

Summary

In this episode, Sal and Mark analyze current geopolitical tensions, focusing on European unrest, NATO security, and the evolving military landscape, including advancements in unmanned systems and submarine technology.

Key topics

• European riots and political instability
• NATO security challenges and Russian influence
• Advancements in unmanned combat aircraft and drones
• AUKUS submarine and naval cooperation
• European elections and their impact on stability
• China’s military experimentation and influence
• Potential conflicts over resource-rich territories
• Deception and confusion tactics in modern warfare

Chapters

00:00: Introduction to the geopolitical discussion
02:30: Current unrest in France and European stability
04:54: Upcoming French presidential election and political implications
07:49: The Red Green Green alliance and political extremism in Europe
11:58: European elections in Italy, Poland, and their impact on NATO
15:10: Russian influence and NATO’s eastern front
18:03: European military capabilities and Chinese experimentation
21:09: AUKUS and the future of submarine and naval cooperation
24:05: Challenges in UK military and political stability
26:55: The importance of maritime power and logistics
31:53: Emerging military technologies: unmanned systems and AI
40:02: The role of deception and confusion in modern warfare
50:00: Resource conflicts and territorial disputes
54:50: Potential conflicts over the Falkland Islands and South Atlantic
59:55: China, Iran, and the evolving global security landscape
01:04:01 The importance of naval and maritime dominance
01:07:04 Closing remarks and future outlook

When Americans think about admirals in the Pacific in WWII, names like Nimitz, Spruance, and Halsey spring to mind. You cannot fully understand the war in the Pacific if you don’t also look at the leaders on the Japanese side—men like Yamamoto, Kurita, and Nagumo.

On this week’s Midrats Podcast, we’re going to dive into the story of Admiral Yamamoto with our guest, Ronald Drabkin. We’ll tap into his research that led up to his next book, Admiral Yamamoto: The Gripping Story of the Legendary Japanese Naval Commander Who Planned and Executed the Pearl Harbor Attack.

Summary

In this episode, we explore the life and legacy of Admiral Yamamoto, a complex Japanese naval leader with a nuanced understanding of America, who played a pivotal role in World War II. Join us as we delve into his background, strategic mindset, and the lessons from his career.

Key Topics

• Yamamoto’s early life and education
• His understanding of America and its influence
• Naval strategies and battles in WWII
• Japanese military culture and rivalry
• Leadership style and personal quirks
• Impact of his decisions on WWII
• His relationships and personal life
• Post-war perception and legacy

Chapters

00:00 - Live intro and how Midrats handles audience questions
01:16 - Why the show is revisiting World War II and Admiral Yamamoto
02:41 - Ron Drabkin joins the show and the new book on Yamamoto
05:07 - Yamamoto’s childhood as Takano and the missionary who changed his life
07:21 - Lincoln, Franklin, and the ideals Yamamoto admired in America
10:11 - His letters reveal his real reactions to the United States
12:02 - Academy struggles, bullying, and the chip on his shoulder
14:14 - Poker, bluffing, cigars, and the gambling instinct
16:01 - The Russo-Japanese War and the loss of his fingers
19:19 - Why Yamamoto went to Mexico looking for oil
21:16 - The War College visit and Yamamoto’s aggressive curiosity
22:56 - Building Japanese naval aviation and rejecting battleship thinking
26:01 - Ruthless training standards and the cost in pilot losses
28:27 - Why the Japanese Army and Navy could barely cooperate
31:38 - The strategic logic behind a short war and Pearl Harbor
36:09 - Was Pearl Harbor supposed to force U.S. collapse?
38:07 - Midway planning and Yamamoto’s longer-term thinking
40:30 - Chioko, letters, and what his private life revealed
45:35 - Why Japanese submarines were not used as commerce raiders
46:45 - Vice Admiral Hori, friendship, and the survival of Yamamoto’s papers
49:34 - The myth of “Harvard-educated” Yamamoto and his lack of American friends
51:32 - Navy versus Army politics in Imperial Japan
54:04 - The Washington Naval Treaty and Yamamoto’s frustration
55:24 - Would Yamamoto’s survival have changed the war?
57:52 - How Japan views Yamamoto today
59:57 - Book release timing and where to find it

Ronald Drabkin is a popular author of books on World War II and espionage history. He initially learned Japanese while attending a Japanese University, before starting a career at Intel and other high tech companies.He learned as an adult that his father had worked in counterintelligence for the US military. Curiosity about his father’s work drove him to do research that resulted in his first papers and book on Japanese naval intelligence.

He noted that the romanticized American view of Admiral Yamamoto as a “reluctant warrior” didn’t seem accurate. Furthermore, no new biography of Yamamoto had been published in a very long time, and substantial new information was available in Japan.

He has spent the last three years researching Yamamoto’s life across Japan and has even met and heard stories from Yamamoto’s family and some of his admirals, such as Kurita and Nagumo.

After a two-week availability period, the Midrats Podcast is back!

Summary

In this episode, we explore current geopolitical tensions, military readiness, and strategic challenges facing the US and its allies, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and international cooperation.

Show Links

• Russian restrictions on Estonia’s borders
• Curfew on Russia’s Border with Estonia, Holger Roonemaa on Substack
• Great Circle ballistic arcs over Greenland
• Six Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East, by Michael B. Oren
• Operation Red Sea Regatta
• Shipfinder Hormuz Tracker
• Hormuz Strait Monitor
• Strait of Tiran
• Italy tires of EU military bureaucracy with Operation Aspides
• Department of War IG report on Operation Epic Fury
• Ukrainian FP-7 Pelican SRBM
• USAF Ponders Restart of C-17 line, Joseph Trevithick in TWZ
• Deadly escalation in Black Sea attacks prompts fears of even higher food prices, Joanna Partridge in The Guardian
• The US air force admitted to deploying weapons in space. Don’t expect the White House to explain why, Richard Luscombe in The Guardian

Key Topics

• Russian border curfews and testing NATO responses
• Gray zone operations in Europe and suspected incidents
• The importance of naval power and the Strait of Hormuz
• US energy independence and refinery capacity issues
• The strategic significance of Greenland and the Arctic
• Space dominance and the importance of cislunar space
• European NATO capabilities and weapon shortages
• The role of alliances and international cooperation in security

Takeaways

• Russian testing of border restrictions signals potential for future escalation
• European nations are underprepared for modern missile threats
• US needs to rebuild and modernize its heavy airlift capabilities
• Greenland’s strategic importance is increasing and must be secured
• Control of key maritime choke points is critical for global security
• Space dominance is essential for future military and economic power
• European navies lack sufficient missile defense capabilities
• Energy infrastructure vulnerabilities pose national security risks

Chapters

00:00: Introduction to Geopolitical Tensions and NATO
02:04: Russian Border Curfews and Testing NATO Responses
03:55: European Operations and Weapon Shortages
06:09: The Strategic Importance of Greenland and the Arctic
10:01: Energy Security and Oil Refinery Capacity
15:10: Straits of Hormuz and Global Oil Transit
22:02: Black Sea, Yemen, and Middle East Tensions
30:00: Naval Power and the US Surface Fleet
36:06: European Naval Capabilities and Weapon Shortages
45:11: Space Power, Cislunar Space, and Future Threats
59:47: International Alliances and Strategic Cooperation
01:05:02: Conclusion: Preparing for a Dangerous World

At some point in the next decade, a historian is going to look at the first quarter of the 21st century from the perspective of the national security establishment and the blessings it had as it rose to global power status, and will publish the foundational reference book for those trying to understand that moment in time.Its primary rivals distracted and drained themselves in unnecessary quixotic quasi-imperial police actions, one in Central and Southwest Asia (U.S.A.), the other bled itself white attempting to reconstruct at least part of its predecessor’s empire (Russia). All the while, its economy grew, its diplomatic influence expanded, and its military became an impressive, if untested, colossus.

Yes, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) had its problems and setbacks: demographic collapse, massive debt, economic fragility, and poor messaging—but so did its greatest competitors.

In 2026, while most have been focused on the Iranian-Israeli-American conflict and the Russo-Ukrainian War rooted in unsolved issues from the end of the 20th century, the PRC continues its march forward into the future.Returning to the Midrats Podcast to discuss will be Dean Cheng.

Dean is a Non-resident Senior Fellow, Potomac Institute for Policy Studies and Non-resident Fellow, George Washington University Space Policy Institute.He recently retired after 14 years with the Heritage Foundation, where he was a senior research fellow on Chinese political and security affairs, and wrote on various aspects of Chinese foreign and defense policy.

Prior to joining the Heritage Foundation, he was a senior analyst with the China Studies Division (previously, Project Asia) at CNA from 2001-2009. Before joining CNA, he was a senior analyst with Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) from 1996-2001. From 1993-1995, he was an analyst with the US Congress’ Office of Technology Assessment in the International Security and Space Division, where he studied the Chinese defense industrial complex.He is the author of the book Cyber Dragon: Inside China’s Information Warfare and Cyber Operations (NY: Praeger Publishing, 2016), as well as a number of papers and book chapters examining various aspects of Chinese security affairs.

Summary

In this episode, Mark, Sal, and Dean Cheng discusses China’s strategic challenges, space ambitions, AI development, and regional influence, providing insights into China’s long-term plans and global impact.

Show Links

• To A Louse, On Seeing One on a Lady's Bonnet at Church, Robert Burns
• Great Wall, movie with Matt Damon
• 2012, movie Himalayas Tsunami Scene
• Red Cliff, movie (the good one)

Chapters

00:00: Introduction and overview of China’s global strategy
02:38: Dean Cheng’s background and China’s long-term planning
04:46: China’s strategic challenges beyond the US
06:04: North Korea’s shifting alliances and regional dynamics
08:06: Russia, China, and North Korea cooperation
10:27: Chinese perceptions of US and regional threats
12:25: Japan, Korea, and China’s regional ambitions
14:29: China’s post-COVID strategic posture and influence
16:03: China’s national messaging and global image
17:28: Xi Jinping’s strategic vision and military buildup
19:57: China’s influence in the Pacific and Arctic regions
22:42: Canada, Greenland, and China’s northern ambitions
31:00: China’s space program and lunar exploration
49:58: The race to the moon and space dominance
54:46: Future of space exploration and international standards
55:33: Long-term US space strategy and Chinese competition
59:36: US and Chinese space efforts and collaboration
01:00:26: Conclusion

For me, it is funny but serious that the phrase I started saying in 2019 that we were going to keep building Arleigh Burke DDGs “until the crack of doom” has turned into prophecy. With the anticipated death of DDG(X) and FFG-62, the Burkes are about the only game in town. That fact naturally flows into a point we have raised here and on the Midrats Podcast for the last couple of decades: How are we going to conduct repair and maintenance under combat conditions should we find ourselves in a fight west of the International Date Line?

Well, we’ve got the perfect intersection of both issues for the next episode of Midrats.

This RAND Report from May caught my eye:

The Arleigh Burke–class guided missile destroyer, commonly known as a DDG-51, is the primary surface combatant vessel of the U.S. Navy. These ships—designed to operate in contested environments—are likely to sustain widespread battle damage from diverse attacks should a conflict develop in the Indo-Pacific region. The prevalent nature of this damage would give rise to the greatest demand for ship repair that the Navy has experienced since World War II.To evaluate requirements for and potential issues with a significant demand for salvaging and repairing battle-damaged destroyers, the authors conducted a tabletop exercise on August 13–14, 2025, with participants from the United States and allied nations in the Indo-Pacific. The participants were split into four groups, and each group represented U.S. and allied stakeholders who would be involved in the repairs.

The report is titled, Battle Damage Repair for Arleigh Burke–Class Destroyers: Tabletop Exercise Results.

Our guest is one of the authors of the report, Bradley Martin.

Bradley Martin is a senior policy researcher at RAND. He retired from the Navy as a surface warfare Captain after 30 years of service, including four command tours.In addition to his operational tours, Martin served on the staff of U.S. Forces Japan, on the OPNAV staff as an operations analyst, and, most recently, as the Navy coordinator for participation in Joint Staff and OSD requirements and resources forums. His subspecialties included operations research, operational logistics, and strategic planning. His work at RAND focuses on Navy force structure and capabilities, supply chain security and resilience, and national security strategy. Prior to joining the Navy, he achieved a doctorate in political science from the University of Michigan, while working as a research assistant for the Correlates of War Project.

Show Links

• Battle Damage Repair for Arleigh Burke–Class Destroyers
• Repair CFT Brief for JTEG Forum on “Expeditionary Repair” CDR Erich C. Schwarz, USN, July 2022

Summary

In this episode, we explore the insights from a recent tabletop exercise on naval repair capabilities and strategic challenges in the Indo-Pacific, featuring Captain Brad Martin. We discuss the importance of organic repair assets, the vulnerabilities of fixed bases, and the need for adaptable logistics in wartime scenarios.Chapters00:00: Introduction to the tabletop exercise and its significance04:02: What makes a successful tabletop exercise and team composition09:01: Key findings: surprises and vulnerabilities in naval repair15:03: The importance of organic repair capabilities and their current gaps21:03: Lessons from history: Cold War to modern challenges27:11: The impact of logistics, parts, and industrial base on wartime readiness34:01: Geopolitical considerations and the role of partner nations40:09: The need for mobile, flexible repair assets in contested environments50:05: Concluding thoughts: preparing for a prolonged conflict

What a great weekend for a good old fashioned Midrats Podcast Maritime Melee!Petty domestic political posturing has decided to broach a whole series of our favorite subjects for the last 17 years: carrier shortages, neglect of our auxiliaries in our Combat Logistics Force, leadership at sea, ships adrift…enough for a whole series of shows, but Mark and I promise to keep today’s show to an hour.

Show Links

• Snopes on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) issues
• WSJ article on Admiral Cooper’s visit to ABE
• Casey William’s dad being a good dad
• USS Benfold (DDG 65) loses power

Chapters

00:00: Introduction and overview of naval challenges
02:07: The need for more ships and the Ship Act
04:14: Historical context of fleet size and shipbuilding
07:06: Deployment length, mental health, and port visits
11:59: The aging fleet and the importance of new ships
16:08: Logistics challenges in the Indo-Pacific region
20:04: Power outages and maintenance on USS Benfold
24:55: The political landscape and funding issues
29:51: Mental health support and sailor resilience
35:03: Geopolitical considerations and port call limitations
39:55: Technological innovations and future ship designs
45:01: The importance of bipartisan support for naval modernization
49:45: Conclusion and call to action for naval investment

Panels, seminars, conferences, reports, speeches, and emotion do not build a navy. Even shipyards do not build a navy. In the American system of government, if you want a navy you have to go up to Capitol Hill and get Congress to fund it.Without money, everything else is just a PDF.What is the state of play in bringing the argument for sea power to Congress?

Returning to the Midrats Podcast just in time for the Senate’s August recess is Brent Sadler, CAPT, USN (Ret.).

Brent is a Senior Research Fellow for Naval Warfare and Advanced Technology in the Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for National Security at The Heritage Foundation, and a retired U.S. Navy Captain.Show Links

• SHIPS for America Act
• Sal’s exchange with Tom Karako
• Books by Brent Sadler
• Brent Sadler on LinkedIn
• Brent Sadler on X

Summary

In this episode, Mark and Sal discuss with their guest Brent Sadler the legislative process behind maritime security, the SHIPS for America Act, and the importance of industrial capacity in national defense. Brent emphasizes the need for bipartisan support and strategic planning to strengthen America’s maritime industrial base and national security.

Chapters

00:00: Introduction
02:14: The legislative process and seasonality in Congress
08:05: Status and details of the Ships for America Act
12:13: Bipartisan support and legislative challenges
17:00: The role of congressional staffers in policy making
21:54: Strategic importance of maritime industrial capacity
27:07: The impact of recent Navy funding and shipbuilding efforts
34:00: The need for reform in defense organizational structures
43:10: The importance of strategic communication and advocacy

I can think of few 18-month periods where shipbuilding, the merchant marine, and the importance of a strong maritime sector in the U.S. has been a more active topic. Near the center of this conversation—or at least a few paragraphs in—is a long-time friend of the show, Dr. Sal Mercogliano—returning to the Midrats Podcast.Sal is the Chair of the Department of History, Criminal Justice and Political Science at Campbell University; a former merchant mariner; and a contributor to USNI Proceedings, Sea History, Naval History, and gCaptain.

He is also the host of the YouTube channel, What’s Going on With Shipping.

Show Links

• What’s Going on With Shipping
• Unauthorized History Podcast with Sal Mercogliano on WWII Oilers

Summary

Both Sals and Mark discuss the importance of maritime security, supply chain resilience, and the strategic challenges posed by geopolitical conflicts in this in-depth interview. Additional discussion dives into global choke points, military logistics, and the future of US shipbuilding.

Chapters

00:00: Introduction and Guest Introduction
02:45: Sal Mercogliano’s Background and Expertise
04:03: The Growth of Shipping Content and Public Interest
06:01: Impact of Evergiven Suez Canal Incident
07:02: Fragility of Global Supply Chains
09:37: Freedom of the Seas and Modern Challenges
10:36: Geopolitical Threats to Maritime Trade
12:02: Geography, Choke Points, and Strategic Control
13:25: Effects of Strait Closures on Economics and Security
14:43: Historical Lessons from Past Conflicts
16:06: US Military and Commercial Shipping Interplay
18:43: Offshoring Shipbuilding and Its Consequences
21:01: Revitalizing US Shipbuilding Industry
24:32: Logistics Support and Military Readiness
27:18: Protection of Critical Shipping Assets
30:42: Rising Sea Blindness and Strategic Awareness
33:00: Black Sea and Ukraine Conflict Insights
36:20: Trade Interdiction and Potential for Conflict
39:37: Global Supply Chain and Energy Security
41:33: Manpower and Workforce Challenges in Shipping
44:13: Defense Strategies for Maritime Security
48:33: Protection of US Naval and Commercial Assets
52:50: Technology and Innovation in Maritime Defense
55:13: Jones Act and US Maritime Policy
58:30: US Energy and Fuel Supply Challenges
01:01:53: Future Projects and Research in Shipping

With increased defense spending becoming the new normal and growing uncertainty on the alliance’s eastern front as the Russo-Ukrainian War enters its fifth summer, the Ankara NATO summit was more than just a photo-op.Returning to the Midrats Podcast to discuss the major takeaways will be Jorge Benitez.

Summary

In this episode, Dr. George Benitez discusses the recent NATO summit, focusing on defense spending, alliance strategies, and the evolving threats from Russia, China, and Iran. He provides insights into NATO’s strategic shifts, the importance of Ukraine’s potential NATO membership, and the challenges of modern military logistics and industrial capacity.

Show Links

• The Ankara Summit Declaration
• NATO Summit history
• NATO nations’ defense spending as a percentage of GDP
• Robert Gates’s 2011 speech
• Patriot missiles produced in Germany

Takeaways

• NATO has increased defense spending by 20% since 2023, with a goal of 5% of GDP.
• Ukraine’s military readiness and combat experience are vital for NATO deterrence.
• The alliance’s focus on China has waned, despite growing threats from Chinese cooperation with Russia and Iran.
• European defense industries are expanding production, e.g., Patriot missile manufacturing in Europe.
• Geography and proximity to Russia heavily influence NATO members’ defense budgets and perceptions of threat.

Chapters

00:00: Introduction and overview of NATO summit
02:07: Dr. Benitez’s insights on NATO’s recent summit
04:12: US leadership and NATO’s Article 5 reaffirmation
05:50: Defense spending commitments and burden sharing
08:10: Russian threat and European defense efforts
12:22: Geography and threat perception in NATO
20:00: Ukraine’s role and NATO expansion
37:55: China’s evolving role and NATO’s strategic focus
45:25: European defense industries and supply chain resilience
01:01:17: European and NATO industrial cooperation
01:02:40: Closing remarks and follow-up

Dr. Jorge Benitez is Associate Professor of International Relations at the Marine Corps Command and Staff College.Before he joined the faculty of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Dr. Benitez served as a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council, where he regularly briefed senior US and foreign officials on national security issues. Earlier in his career, he served as Assistant for Alliance issues to the Director of NATO Affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He also worked on international security issues at the Department of State and the Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis. You can follow his coverage of security issues on X @NATOSource.

Dr. Benitez received a B.A. with honors from the University of Florida, where he majored in both Political Science and History. He later graduated with an M.P.P. from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and a Ph.D. from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.