Midrats

Episode overview

This episode covers a wide-ranging national security discussion, starting with a tribute to Senator Lindsey Graham and moving through major geopolitical flashpoints in the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, and modern drone warfare.

Show link

• Sal Mergogliano's video on Sea of Azov attacks

Key topics

• Tribute to Senator Lindsey Graham, his role in national security debates, and the political gap his passing leaves behind.
• China’s claim over the Batanes Islands and the strategic importance of the Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel.
• Growing U.S.-Philippines-Japan alignment in response to Chinese maritime pressure.
• China’s expanding coast guard presence and its pattern of diplomatic and territorial probing.
• Escalation in the Iran-United States-Israel conflict, including strikes on Iranian capabilities and the security of the Strait of Hormuz.
• A helicopter crash involving U.S. military personnel and the risks inherent in aviation and training operations.
• China’s missile testing behavior, transparency issues, and the difference between announced U.S. launches and China’s launches.
• The use of FPV/FP-style drones in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov as mission-kill weapons against ships and port infrastructure.
• The challenge of defending U.S. ports, fleets, and bases from drone attacks, especially in places like Norfolk and San Diego.
• The strategic vulnerability of logistics, shipyards, ports, infrastructure, and critical systems to non-nuclear attack.
• EMP risks, power grid fragility, and the cascading humanitarian effects of long-term electrical disruption.
• The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Eagle’s victory in the tall ships race and the pride surrounding that milestone.

Notable takeaways

• Drones and precision strike weapons are changing the definition of rear areas and sanctuary.
• Ports, shipyards, and logistics hubs may become more important targets than front-line combat forces.
• Maritime security is increasingly tied to air defense, counter-drone capability, and distributed protection.
• National security threats are no longer confined to major wars; they can emerge through gray-zone pressure, sabotage, and infrastructure attack.

Featured discussion points

• Strategic geography in the Western Pacific
• Chinese maritime assertiveness
• Drone warfare and mission kills
• Port and base defense
• EMP and infrastructure resilience
• Naval service and public recognition

Timestamps

• (00:47): Welcome and introduction to the show’s topics
• (01:45): Importance of listening to live audience questions
• (02:54): Passing of Senator Lindsey Graham and his role in national security
• (06:15): Chinese territorial claims over Batanes Islands near Luzon
• (11:28): The expanding Chinese coast guard operations and South China Sea tensions
• (31:24): Analysis of Ukrainian drone attacks and missile strikes in the Sea of Azov
• (45:51): Challenges of port defense against drone and missile threats
• (55:38): EMP attack threats and infrastructure resilience
• (60:06): US Coast Guard Tall Ship race victory and maritime tradition
• (62:54): NATO summit discussions and European defense posture

For almost two years, the war on the Continent had been raging. The Battle of Verdun has already happened, but the real bloodshed had not even started yet, with the Battle of the Somme only a month away.While the European land armies have been fighting on a scale not seen since Napoleon a century earlier, major conflicts at sea were rare in spite of the major belligerents having great and powerful fleets. Like two heavyweight boxers wary of each other, the surface fleets of the Royal Navy and the Kaiserliche Marine stared at each other across the North Sea, throwing a jab here or there, but not committing for a hard fight.

Then, in the early morning hours of May 31st, Vice Admiral Franz von Hipper's I Scouting Group got underway from the Jade estuary and headed north.


This episode, we are going to look back at the Battle of Jutland with Simon Harley, naval historian, Associate Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and co-editor of The Dreadnought Project online resource. For his day job he sells vintage British motorcycle spares.You can at this link, or via the Spotify widget below.

Show Links

• Simon Harley on X
• Battle of Jutland Timeline, Imperial War Museum
• The Dreadnought Project
• The Fighting Fleets, by Ralph Delahaye Paine
• Castles of Steel: Britain, Germany, and the Winning of the Great War at Sea, by Robert K. Massie
• Clash of Fleets: Naval Battles of the Great War, 1914-18, by Vincent O’Hara, Leonard R Heinz

Summary

In this episode, naval historian Simon Harley discusses the Battle of Jutland, its strategic lessons, leadership personalities, and technological aspects, providing insights relevant to modern naval strategy.Sound bites

• “The German fleet has assaulted its jailer but it’s still in jail”
• “Luck really does play a massive part in naval battles”
• “Always make sure you’ve got the bigger fleet”

Chapters

00:00: Introduction to the Battle of Jutland
05:04: Context of World War I and Naval Warfare
11:46: Intelligence and Communication Failures
19:26: Leadership Dynamics in Naval Command
27:02: Shipbuilding and Technological Advancements
30:26: The Cordite Controversy
32:33: Tactical Decisions and Luck in Naval Warfare
35:08: Fire Control Systems: A Comparative Analysis
37:15: Strategic Objectives of the German and British Navies
40:25: Mines and Their Impact on Naval Strategy
52:08: Lessons from Jutland: Fleet Size and Preparedness

It has been a bit more than six years since then Commandant of the Marine Corps, General David Berger, USMC, initiated what became known as Force Design 2030 (now just known as Force Design). What followed was a controversial change to the structure of the United States Marine Corps intended to address the challenge posed by the People's Republic of China in the western Pacific.

Now more than halfway to the original 2030 target, and informed by events from Ukraine and Southwest Asia since 2020, both long-standing critics of the design and other voices are readdressing the changes—and the critique—to see if it remains the right path.

Joining the Midrats Podcast is General Anthony Zinni, USMC (Ret.).

Summary

In this episode, retired General Anthony Zinny discusses the evolution of Marine Corps force design, its strategic implications, and the importance of a flexible, well-analyzed approach to military modernization.

Show Links

• General Anthony Zinni, USMC (Ret.) full bio
• Force Design 2030
• Marine leaders drop ‘2030’ from name of ambitious overhaul plan
• USMC Force Design Update from 2023
• The Marines Must Think Bigger Than Small Units, Real Clear Defense, December 09, 2025, Anthony Zinni & Jerry McAbee , Timothy Wells
• More funding for the wrong programs won’t fix the Marine Corps, Washington Times, July 10, 2025, by Gen. Charles Krulak and Gen. Anthony Zinni
• On the Future of the Marine Corps: Assessing Force Design 2030, CSIS, May 16, 2022
• What is the role of the Marine Corps in today’s global security environment?, Task & Purpose, Apr 19, 2022, Anthony Zinni
• General Anthony Zinni (ret.) on Wargaming Iraq, Millennium Challenge, and Competition, CIMSEC, October 18, 2021, by Mie Augier and Major Sean F. X. Barrett
• USNA lecture: The Obligation to tell the truth

Chapters

00:00: Introduction to Force Design 2030
03:28: General Zinni’s Perspective on Force Design
17:33: Critique of Current Military Strategy
24:08: Cultural Dynamics within the Marine Corps
32:25: Logistics and Equipment Considerations
35:40: Strategic Military Logistics
38:01: Challenges in the Strait of Hormuz
40:37: Marine Corps Littoral Regiments
43:21: Logistics and Mobility in Modern Warfare
46:49: Lessons from Military History: The 70s and 90s
49:11: Innovation in Military Strategy
52:32: The Importance of a Structured Development Process
56:14: Future Threats and Military Preparedness

General Zinni’s record of 35 years of service in uniform covers the breadth of service from the Vietnam War to his tour as Commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) from 1997 to 2000. Following his retirement from active duty, General Zinni continued to serve in senior diplomatic roles, including as the U.S. Special Envoy to Israel and the Palestinian Authority (2001–2003) and later as Special Envoy to Qatar (2017–2019). He is the author of several books, including the New York Times bestsellers Battle Ready (with Tom Clancy) and The Battle for Peace, as well as Leading the Charge and Before the First Shots Are Fired. Additionally, he continues working in academic positions and as a speaker on geopolitics, ethical leadership, and America’s role in the world.

In creating a maritime renaissance in the U.S., there is a lot of work, discussion, and money going toward not just buying more ships, but also expanding the industrial base and training skilled tradespeople to make that expansion possible. A cornerstone of this should be training more dedicated Merchant Mariners and employing their skills in a better way.

Returning to Midrats is Brent D. Sadler to discuss this and related topics. Along with Hollins Randolph and Peter Lynch, he co-authored a report at Heritage, Time to Bring Back the U.S. Maritime Service to Support America’s Maritime Revival and a Wartime Economy, that we will use as a basis for our conversation.

Brent is 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.

Summary

This episode features Brent Sadler from the Heritage Foundation discussing the urgent need to revitalize the US maritime industry, focusing on the reactivation of the US Maritime Service, improving merchant marine training, and enhancing logistics for national security and wartime readiness.

Chapters

00:00: Revitalizing Naval Power and Merchant Marine Support
02:34: The Importance of Merchant Mariners
06:19: Organizational Challenges in Maritime Operations
12:17: Credentialing and Training Issues
15:06: The TidalWave Project and Sea Lift Requirements
20:03: Leadership and Cultural Shifts in Maritime Services
25:10: Immediate Solutions for Maritime Needs
30:39: Addressing Vulnerabilities in Maritime Logistics

Blockades, 11-month deployments, the Vietnam War, shipbuilding plans, and some love for our friends from The Philippines…a full plate for a Midrats Free for All.

Summary

This episode covers the recent return of the USS Gerald Ford after a 326-day deployment, the significance of naval operations, shipbuilding plans, and geopolitical considerations in the Indo-Pacific region. The hosts analyze naval readiness, technological advancements, and strategic challenges facing the US Navy.

Show Links

• FORD Carrier Strike Group receives Presidential Unit Citation.
• USS Mahan (DDG-72) returns from deployment
• USS Midway (CV-41) off Vietnam 1973
• Easter Offensive of 1972
• Hong Kong’s Mary Soo
• Executive Orders:
  • 14192
  • 14265
  • 14269
• Latest Shipbuilding Plan
• Decades-long requirement for a nuclear powered escort
• Mobilize: How to Reboot the American Industrial Base and Stop World War III,by Shyam Sankar and Madeline Hart
• Episode 393: Building the right carrier; heavy, medium, or light with Tal Manvel
• Balikatan 2026
• China, the unwanted guest

Chapters

00:00: Introduction and Overview of the USS Gerald Ford’s Deployment
10:01: Lessons Learned from the USS Gerald Ford’s Deployment
14:24: Historical Context of Carrier Deployments
22:29: Life on Deployment: Experiences and Morale
30:27: Current Naval Operations and Future Considerations
33:02: The Ongoing Naval Operations in the Persian Gulf
38:55: Challenges in Aircraft Carrier Deployment
44:47: The Future of Shipbuilding and Naval Assets
50:54: The Role of Nuclear Power in Modern Naval Warfare
56:52: International Naval Cooperation and Exercises

Summary

This episode explores the strategic maritime operations off the Straits of Hormuz, the impact of economic sanctions on Iran, and the future of naval amphibious forces. Experts discuss the nuances of naval blockade effectiveness, the importance of leadership in amphibious ships, and the broader geopolitical implications.

Show Links

• DVIDS Hub - Defense Visual Information Distribution Service
• Secretary of the Treasury Bessent on Operation Economic Fury
• William Toti, CAPT, USN (Ret.)
• USS Indianapolis and Captain McVeigh - Court Martial Records
• Story of the USS Indianapolis, as told by Quint in the movie Jaws
• Venezuelan oil output changes
• Karim Sadjadpour’s overview of economic impact of embargo
• SWOs take the amphibs back
• Midrats, Episode 712: Condition of the Navy’s Amphibious Fleet And Its Impacts on Marines: the View from GAO
• Navy’s MQ-25A Stingray

Chapters

00:00: Introduction to Maritime Topics
01:58: The Blockade in the Straits of Hormuz
06:47: Understanding the Impact of Blockades
09:56: Economic Pressure on Iran
12:57: The Role of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps
18:01: Challenges of Regime Change in Iran
24:00: Lessons from Iraq and Venezuela
31:26: Naval Readiness and Command Changes
34:54: Navigating Command Structures in the Navy
39:00: The Role of Surface Warfare Officers
42:03: Career Pathways in Amphibious Warfare
45:47: The Future of Amphibious Forces
53:02: Leadership Changes in the Navy
\01:00:04: Foreign Ship Designs and Naval Strategy

Summary

This episode features Dr. Colin Dueck, with Mark and Sal, discussing the historical and strategic importance of U.S. policy towards Latin America, the evolution of the Monroe Doctrine, and current challenges and opportunities in the hemisphere. Discussion is centered on how U.S. foreign policy can shape the future of the region amid great power competition.

Show Links

• Why the Monroe Doctrine Still Matters, Colin Dueck
• Dr. Colin Dueck’s AEI page
• China’s Growing Influence in Latin America, Council on Foreign Relations
• Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America
• The band The Minutemen circa 1985

Chapters

00:00: Introduction to U.S. Policy in Latin America
03:08: Historical Context of U.S. Influence
06:10: The Monroe Doctrine and Its Evolution
08:49: Cold War Dynamics in Latin America
11:30: Post-Cold War Attitudes and Challenges
14:37: Recent Political Shifts in Latin America
17:22: The Rise of Conservative Governments
19:53: Crime and Governance in Latin America
23:02: Future Implications for U.S.-Latin America Relations
28:33: Revitalizing Latin America: Opportunities and Challenges
29:26: Political Dynamics in Latin America: A Regional Overview
36:00: Energy Resources: The Key to Economic Development
37:51: China’s Influence in Latin America: A Double-Edged Sword
47:03: Strategic U.S. Engagement: Priorities for the Future

Dr. Colin Dueck is a nonresident senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he is focusing on the interconnection between US national security strategies and party politics, conservative ideas, and presidential leadership. He is also a professor in the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University, where he is the faculty adviser for the Alexander Hamilton Society. A senior nonresident fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, he has also served as a foreign policy adviser on several Republican presidential campaigns.

Dr. Dueck is the author of three books on American foreign and national security policies: The Obama Doctrine: American Grand Strategy Today (Oxford University Press, 2015), Hard Line: The Republican Party and US Foreign Policy Since World War II (Princeton University Press, 2010), and Reluctant Crusaders: Power, Culture, and Change in American Grand Strategy (Princeton University Press, 2006). He has testified before Congress and has been published in academic journals and the popular press. These include International Security, Orbis, Political Science Quarterly, the Review of International Studies, Security Studies, World Policy Journal, The New York Times, Foreign Affairs, RealClearPolitics, and National Review.

A Rhodes scholar, Dr. Dueck has a PhD in politics from Princeton University and an MPhil in international relations from Oxford University. He was also awarded a John M. Olin Postdoctoral Fellowship in national security studies by Harvard University. His earlier degrees in history were obtained from the University of Saskatchewan.

Summary

This episode features a lively free-for-all discussion covering recent naval operations, geopolitical tensions, naval maintenance issues, and international defense collaborations. The hosts share insights on maritime security, shipbuilding, and the strategic importance of alliances in the Indo-Pacific region.

Key Topics

• Naval operations in the Strait of Hormuz
• US Navy maintenance and readiness issues
• International defense collaborations in the Indo-Pacific
• No one in the Navy has ever been hungry underway
• Byron Audler: a good yardbird

Show Links

• Charge of the Love Boat Brigade
• Mogami Class Frigate
• New Fuel Storage Location in the Southern Philippines
• USA vs. China GDP Gap Grows
• USS Boise (SSN 764) 2015 Change of Command

Chapters

00:00: Introduction
02:19: Recent Strait of Hormuz Activity
07:26: US Navy Intercepts Iranian Ship in Gulf of Oman
11:47: Maintenance Challenges
16:58: USS Boise Maintenance and Accountability
21:40: Naval Readiness and Fleet Sustainability
29:46: Japan-Australia Defense Cooperation and Shipbuilding
38:55: Pacific Region Security and Naval Assets
45:24: China’s Demographics and Economic Outlook
47:26: NASA Moon Mission and Space Exploration
53:14: US-Philippines Relations and Strategic Partnerships
58:41: Naval Food and Morale Myths
59:57: Remembering Byron Audler

The last four years’ conflicts from the Strait of Hormuz through the Red Sea to the Black Sea have presented a raft of lessons to the navies of Europe. How are they positioned to address the lessons, and what moves are already taking place?

Returning to the Midrats Podcast to discuss this and related topics is Alessio Patalano.

Alessio is a Professor of War and Strategy in East Asia and senior fellow at the Center for Statecraft and National Security at King’s College London, where he specializes in maritime strategic issues.

Summary

In this episode, Alessio Politano, Mark, and Sal engage in a deep discussion on the evolving landscape of naval security, strategic innovation, and the importance of historical and contemporary insights in shaping maritime defense policies. 

Main topics include:

• The significance of maritime history and its influence on current naval strategies
• Challenges facing the UK Royal Navy and European navies amid funding and technological gaps
• Modern threats in the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and beyond, including missile and drone warfare
• Interoperability and technological advancements in NATO naval forces
• The strategic importance of autonomous systems and undersea infrastructure resilience

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction and overview of current naval strategic challenges
02:11 - Major recent regional conflicts and their global implications
03:09 - Mritime strategy and how history informs modern security
04:48 - The importance of understanding maritime history in policy making
05:45 - Lessons from past empires and their relevance today
07:36 - Strategic literacy among policymakers and military leaders
08:49 - The impact of natural disasters and supply chain disruptions (e.g., Japan 2011)
10:28 - Europe’s response to emerging naval threats and fleet modernization efforts
11:51 - The role of anti-access and area denial (A2/AD) systems in modern warfare
13:23 - Challenges faced by European navies in resource allocation and modernization
14:48 - The Red Sea operations: European and NATO approaches to maritime security
17:01 - Lessons learned from Ukraine and how they influence fleet development
18:24 - The state of the Royal Navy’s readiness and funding issues
19:48 - Upgrades and challenges regarding naval guns and missile defense systems
20:45 - British Navy’s current strategic considerations and historical perspective
22:23 - Political and financial factors impacting UK naval capabilities
23:13 - The importance of strategic investments and capability development
26:33 - The role of autonomous systems and unmanned vessels in future naval missions
33:24 - Regional missile threats, focusing on Iran and Chinese developments
37:18 - Europe’s plans for missile defense and cooperation with the U.S.
44:36 - The significance of interoperability and joint exercises
50:07 - Building resilience through technology, autonomy, and international collaboration
55:09 - Critical infrastructure protection in the Baltic and North Sea
62:57 - Future trajectories for European and Asian navies
63:13 - Alessio’s upcoming projects and publications

Resources & Links:

• Books by Alessio Patalano
• The Sun Also Rises — by Ernest Hemingway
• Fleet Tactics and Naval Operations, Third Edition — by Wayne Hughes:
• Centre for Statecraft and National Security at King’s College London
• Books by Sam J. Tangredi
• Project Beehive
• Russia probing of the UK seabed resources
• NATO’s Baltic Sentry

Having trouble keeping up with the world around you? Head swirling with too much?

You’re not alone. Good news…we’ll get you all caught up and set right.

Returning to the Midrats Podcast is Blake Herzinger.

Blake Herzinger is Microsoft’s Defense and National Security Policy Lead for Asia. Previously, he led policy strategy and advocacy at Citi across North and South Asia and Australia, advised senior leaders on geopolitical and regulatory trends at Indo-Pacific Advisors, and held roles at Twitter and Booz Allen Hamilton focused on defense policy, risk, and market strategy. He has been affiliated with think tanks including the American Enterprise Institute and the US Studies Centre in Sydney. From 2008 to 2017, Blake served as an active-duty officer in the U.S. Navy as an intelligence officer; he continues to serve in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He holds an M.A. in Strategic Studies from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore) and a B.A. in Political Science from Brigham Young University. 

He speaks English and Bulgarian. 

In this episode:

• The significance of Japan increasing its defense expenditure to 2% of GDP and regional implications
• Japan’s soft power growth through development aid and maritime security contributions
• The increasing security cooperation between Japan, Australia, South Korea, and regional partners
• How regional maritime choke points affect security and trade resilience
• The digital revolution in shipbuilding and defense modernization efforts
• The strategic importance of AUKUS and integrated supply chains for alliance strength
• Insights into Singapore’s strategic posture and its partnerships in Southeast Asia
• Challenges in defense procurement, cyber security, and digital infrastructure resilience
• The shifting dynamics of global energy supply and regional economic interests

Timestamps:

00:00 - Welcome and introduction to the regional security context
02:05 - Blake Herzinger’s role and current focus in Asia
02:33 - Japan’s defense spending increase and regional security implications
03:56 - Japan’s relationships with neighbors and regional development efforts
04:50 - Japan’s soft power in Southeast Asia and maritime security contributions
05:43 - Japan’s defense export initiatives and security cooperation
07:43 - Personal experiences with Japan-U.S. naval exercises and alliance benefits
08:13 - Japan’s assertiveness regarding Taiwan and regional security alignments
08:46 - Building security networks among U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific
09:36 - The evolution of regional defense partnerships and trilateral arrangements
10:01 - Historical context of Pacific conflicts and current opportunities for cooperation
11:20 - The non-expansionist nature of current regional disputes and interests overlap
12:15 - The growing economic and security ties around Southeast Asia
13:26 - Japan’s defense uplift post-Shangri-La Dialogue and its regional impact
14:01 - Ukraine’s influence on Japan and regional resilience initiatives
15:04 - Cyber warfare, critical infrastructure, and future regional security challenges
16:17 - Maritime choke points’ strategic importance and regional defense planning
17:41 - U.S. and regional shipbuilding efforts, technological modernization
18:48 - Evolving international relationships beyond traditional hubs
20:01 - The growing defense collaborations across Asia and beyond
21:35 - The importance of digital infrastructure and cyber security in defense
22:53 - The challenge of modernizing shipbuilding through data and digital supply chains
24:07 - Regional energy security, oil dependencies, and diversifying supplies
26:21 - Australia’s energy policies and regional resilience strategies
29:33 - The potential of nuclear energy and green energy initiatives in Asia
31:18 - The strategic significance of AUKUS and regional perceptions
36:54 - Modernizing defense logistics, munition production, and industrial cooperation
38:21 - Overcoming bureaucratic hurdles in defense modernization and tech sharing
40:30 - The ongoing efforts to evolve U.S. defense capabilities and partnership standards
43:18 - Australian and Japanese shipbuilding cooperation and regional interoperability
46:49 - Singapore’s strategic posture, partnerships, and regional stability efforts
51:24 - Final thoughts: emerging issues and the importance of optimism in security
54:12 - Blake’s recent publications, ongoing initiatives, and staying connected

Resources & Links:

• Managing the Unbreakable Alliance: Agreements, Core Instruments, and Related Documents, by Blake Herzinger
• Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
• As the US Navy just demonstrated, war at sea is global, John Andrews at ASPI
• Mobilize: How to Reboot the American Industrial Base and Stop World War III, Shyam Sankar and Madeline Hart