Midrats
Navy Milbloggers Sal from "CDR Salamander" and EagleOne from "EagleSpeak" discuss leading issues and developments for the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard and related national security issues.
Episode 756: Latin American Policy, with Dr. Colin Dueck
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 DueckDr. Colin Dueck’s AEI pageChina’s Growing Influence in Latin America, Council on Foreign RelationsBolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our AmericaThe band The...
Episode 755: Mid-April Free for All
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 TopicsNaval operations in the Strait of HormuzUS Navy maintenance and readiness issuesInternational defense collaborations in the Indo-PacificNo one in the Navy has ever been hungry underwayByron Audler: a good yardbirdShow LinksCharge of the Love Boat BrigadeMogami Class FrigateNew Fuel Storage Location in the Southern PhilippinesUSA vs. China...
Episode 754: European Navies' Lessons, with Alessio Patalano
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
Episode 753: The Case for Pacific Optimism, with Blake Herzinger
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...
Episode 752: March NATSEC Free-for-All
After a series of great guests, the Midrats Podcast returns this week with the ever popular, “Free-for-All” format!It’s just Mark and me for the full hour as we discuss the latest developments from the Iranian conflict and elsewhere.
Summary
Sal and Mark discuss the meticulous planning behind military operations, the nuances of Iran’s strategic posture, and the broader implications for global security. Whether you’re a defense enthusiast or a security professional, this discussion sheds light on the complexity and professionalism inherent in modern military planning.
In this episode:<...
Episode 751: Dmitry Gorenberg on Russia in year five of the war
Here we find ourselves approaching the fifth spring of the Russo-Ukrainian War of 2022.As the rest of the world’s geopolitical landscape changes dramatically, Russia’s “friend group” shrinks, and Ukraine’s friends grow weary and distracted, where is the war moving and where could we expect Russia to adjust for another year of conflict?
Returning to Midrats again to discuss this and related issues is Dr. Dmitry Gorenburg, a Senior Research Scientist in the Strategy, Policy, Plans, and Programs division of CNA, where he has worked since 2000.
Dr. Gorenburg is an associate at the Harvard University...
Episode 750: Springtime for the PRC with Dean Cheng
The first quarter of 2026 still has three weeks to go, but the assumptions and friend group of the People’s Republic of China has changed dramatically.
Recent changes in the assumptions concerning Venezuela, Iran, Japan, and other nations will impact the national security concerns of the West’s greatest challenger on the world stage.
Returning to the Midrats Podcast today from 5-6 PM Eastern 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 year...
Episode 749: Operation Epic Fury Free for All
Hard to think of a better time to have a Midrats Podcast Free-for-All.2026 continues to produce more content than we know what to do with, but we’ll give it our best.
Show LinksCENTCOM’s Epic Fury Day-1 SummaryLUCAS attack droneIntifada Podcast: Hamas in the U.S.UK gives a nod for base useSal Mercogliano on the Strait of HormuzIsraeli bomb shelter dating appSummary
Join Sal and Mark as they analyze the recent military operations, geopolitical implications, and strategic considerations surrounding Operation Epic Fury and the broader Middle East tensions. This...
Episode 748: The 21st Century Battleship, with Robert Farley
So, is this the time to make battleships great again?I would be hard-pressed to think of a better guest to help us explore that question than returning guest, Rob Farley. A starting point for our conversation will be his article from December, The Trump-Class Battleship Summed Up In 1 Word.
Show LinksThe Battleship Book, by Robert Farley’sPatterson School of Diplomacy and International CommerceLawyers, Guns, and Money Dr. Robert Farley’s X ProfileDr. Robert Farley’s Blue Sky ProfileMy thoughts on SLCM-NSummary
In this episode, Dr. Robert Farley discusses the concep...
Episode 747: Mid-February Free for All
Need a moment to recover from Valentine’s Day? Of course you do!
ShowlinksTruxtun-Supply CollisionSecretary of State Marco Rubio at the Munich Security ConferenceMaritime Action PlanSummary
In this episode of Midrats, Sal and Mark discuss various topics related to national security, starting off with the Truxton-Supply collision. They also delve into Secretary Rubio’s speech regarding NATO relations, the decline of the international order, and the challenges posed by China’s global influence. Additionally, they explore the Maritime Action Plan and its significance for the future of shipbuilding and economic policy...
Episode 746: Budgets, Ships, and the CBO, with Eric Labs - on Midrats
Show LinksThe Congress, the Golden Fleet, and the Shipbuilding Industrial Base in 2026Summary
In this episode of Midrats, Sal and Mark engage with Eric Labs, a senior analyst at the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), to discuss the complexities of shipbuilding costs, the role of the CBO in providing independent estimates, and the challenges faced by the U.S. Navy in maintaining and expanding its fleet. Eric shares insights on the differences between CBO and Navy cost estimates, the impact of maintenance on overall ship costs, and the importance of a skilled labor force...
Episode 745: Mid-Winter Melee...National Defense Strategy et al
No need to force yourself to head outside in this horrible weather—unless you are in the Free State of Florida where the high is expected to hit 80F or so.
From the Friday National Defense Strategy dump to whatever comes over the transom, we’ve got you covered.
Show Links2026 National Defense StrategyHeritage Foundation’s, TidalwaveBeans, Bullets, and Black Oil, Rear Adm. Worrall Reed, USNFourth Arm of Defense: Sealift and Maritime Logistics in the Vietnam War, Sal MercoglianoUSS Zumwalt Underway for First Time Since 2023 After Missile Refit, Sam LaGrone2009, George Soros interviewed by then W...
Episode 744: Greenland: Belle of the Ball, with Dr. Elizabeth Buchanan
Is four months too short a turnaround for a guest on Midrats? Not if the topic at hand keeps running to the top of your read board.
From the unending diplomacy responding to the Trump Administration’s unending drive to get Greenland’s geography—and the resulting security—more firmly under American control, to the sitcom-worthy deployment of a couple of dozen “Coalition of the Freezing”—Greenland can’t-stop-won’t-stop from gathering eyeballs and attention.
So, we’re bringing back Elizabeth Buchanan for another visit. We’ll use her recent article in The Spectator as starting off point, A buyer’s g...
Episode 743: Palantir's Mike Gallagher and Matt Babin on AI & Shipbuilding Integration
Summary
In this conversation, the hosts and Palantir’s Head of Defense Mike Gallagher and Head of Shipbuilding and Naval Programs Matt Babin discuss the integration of AI and advanced manufacturing techniques in shipbuilding, particularly focusing on the role of Palantir’s ShipOS in transforming shipyard operations. They explore the generational gap in expertise within the industry, the importance of optimizing workforce efficiency, and the collaboration between NAVSEA and the Maritime Industrial Base Program. The discussion also touches on legislative support needed for modern shipbuilding and the challenges faced in submarine maintenance and production.
Sh...
Episode 742: The Venezuelan Raid
With a few days now behind us, most of the general facts are in on our raid into Caracas, Venezuela to capture Nicolás Maduro and, it appears, his wife as well.
Now that Maduro is a guest of the Southern District of New York, it is time to not just look at some of the details of the buildup and execution of this raid, but the initial lessons we can take from it, and what it means in the larger strategic environment.
Summary
In this episode of Midrats, Mark and Sal d...
Episode 741: The Lessons of Pearl Harbor at 84, with John Keuhn
History isn’t just about the past; it’s a guide for today!Â
On this episode, we unravel the myths surrounding Pearl Harbor and what they teach us about current global tensions with returning guest, John Keuhn.
Dr. John T. Kuehn is Professor of Military History at the Army Command and General Staff College. He served in the US Navy as a naval flight officer flying in EP-3s and ES-3s, retiring in 2004. He has authored or co-authored seven books and was awarded a Vandevort Prize from the Society for Military History in 2023 for his artic...
Episode 740: The Better Part of a Decade and a Half with the Navy & Midrats, with Bryan McGrath
One of our guests on Episode 3 of Midrats was Bryan McGrath, CDR, USN (Ret.). Over the years he’s returned often, and has even graced us with the pleasure of a few guest posts here.As he’s let people know for years, he was going to retire for good at 60. True to his word, he hung it up a few weeks ago.
Earlier this year before he got too focused on his figs and vines, I asked Bryan to come on for a broad-ranging conversation.
What a great hour.
A retired Naval Officer, Brya...
Episode 739: Pre-Thanksgiving Free for All
Summary
In this episode of Midrats, Sal and Mark discuss various aspects of national security, including military deployments, the influence of drug cartels, and the geopolitical dynamics in South America. They delve into the implications of China’s growing presence in the Western Hemisphere and the challenges posed by information warfare. The conversation also touches on the ethical considerations surrounding military orders and reflects on the representation of military experiences in media, particularly in relation to the Vietnam War.
Show LinksThe Last 600 MetersDoes Rep. Maggie Goodlander (D NH) really have your ba...
Episode 738: Is the Navy Missing its Moment, with Chris Servello
For a decade and a half, since President Obama’s Pacific Pivot speech, there has been a rising tide in the conversation about the need to fix the US Navy’s shortfall to meet the challenge of the People’s Republic of China.Faced with systemic and cascading failures in everything from surface ship design to maintenance, and distractions as frivolous as Great Green Fleets at sea and as serious as the Islamic State ashore, navalists have been waiting for serious action on the waterfront to match the rising tide of the strategic situation.
Rhetorically at least, the second...
Episode 737: Maritime Statecraft and its Future, with Hunter Stires
How are naval shipbuilding, commercial shipbuilding, and commercial shipping linked together to create a healthy and effective national seapower ecosystem?
What did the 1990s “Last Supper” get wrong, and what can be done to correct the error?Our guest this week is Hunter Stires, founder and CEO of The Maritime Strategy Group, returning to Midrats to discuss this and more.
We will be using as a starting point for our discussion the recent article that he co-wrote with Steve Brock at CIMSEC, Maritime Statecraft and its Future.
Summary
In this conv...
Episode 736: Anduril and the Promise of Autonomous Systems - with Chris Brose
Summary
In this conversation, Chris Brose, President and Chief Strategy Officer of Anduril, joins Sal and Mark to discuss the company’s mission to revolutionize defense technology by integrating commercial innovations into military applications. He emphasizes the need for mass-producible military capabilities, the importance of adaptability in modern warfare, and the challenges posed by the current U.S. acquisition system. Brose also highlights the significance of collaborative combat systems and international partnerships, particularly through the Ghost Shark program with the Australian Navy. He expresses optimism about the future of U.S. defense, advocating for a shift to...
Episode 735: October NATSEC Melee
Summary
In this episode of Midrats, the hosts discuss a range of topics related to national security, military strategy, and current events. They reflect on the 25th anniversary of the USS Cole attack, analyze the ongoing dynamics in the Middle East, and explore the implications of military presence and partnerships. The conversation also delves into submarine capabilities, logistics challenges, and innovations in supply chain solutions. Additionally, they touch on mine warfare, military pay issues, and the Navy’s upcoming 250th anniversary, concluding with a debate on the relevance of battleships in modern warfare.
Sh...
Episode 734: Parades, Carriers, and China's Military Signaling, with Dean Cheng
For decades, while the rest of the world’s powers have distracted and tangled themselves with wars of choice and blunder, the People’s Republic of China has been watching, learning, and building. To what end?
Returning to Midrats to discuss this and more will be Dean Cheng.
Dean is a Senior Advisor, United States Institute of Peace; Non-resident Senior Fellow, Potomac Institute for Policy Studies; Non-resident Fellow, George Washington University Space Policy Institute.He recently retired after 13 years with the Heritage Foundation, where he was a senior research fellow on Chinese political and security affairs, and...
Episode 733: AUKUS, Australia, Alliances & the Pacific, with Gray Connolly
Yes, September is Australian Appreciation Month on the Midrats Podcast. Building on our discussion earlier this month with Liz Buchanan, we are returning to the perspective from the Antipodes with returning guest Gray Connolly.
From Afghanistan, to the Antarctic, to the approaches to the Arctic through the Pacific, we’ll have a broad-reaching discussion of allied national security concerns from the Australian perspective.
Gray Connolly served as a Naval Intelligence officer in the Royal Australian Navy. He graduated from the Royal Australian Naval College and holds the King’s Commission.Â
Gray is a graduate in Ar...
Episode 732: Greenland, AUKUS, and the Arctic, with Dr. Elizabeth Buchanan
Waves of different groups seeking new homes from east and west have arrived and disappeared on Greenland’s hostile shores for thousands of years. In the modern era of nation states, it is Greenland’s unique location and potential resources that are drawing attention once again as her strategic position once again brings her to the front.
Today’s Midrats Podcast is going to start there with our guest, Dr. Elizabeth Buchanan.We will kick off with her latest book as a touchstone to our conversation, So You Want to Own Greenland?: Lessons from the Vikings to Trump.
<...
Episode 731: Russia's Fourth Summer of War, with Dr. Dmirty Gorenburg
This summer, the fourth summer of the Russo-Ukrainian War that started in the winter of 2022, we find the first serious and determined effort towards a genuine negotiation to end this grinding war in Eastern Europe.
The experiences and lessons of this war aren’t only changing how nations throughout the world prepare for their next war, it has forced even greater changes on both combatants how they fight now and plan structuring their national defense post-war.
Returning to Midrats again to discuss this and related issues is Dr. Dmitry Gorenburg, a Senior Research Scientist in the St...
Episode 730: Mid-August Melee
There is no better way to stay out of the summer heat than to take an hour to join us for a Midrats Podcast melee!
Summary
In this episode of Midrats, hosts discuss a range of topics related to maritime and national security, including the importance of civil discourse in political discussions, Australia's acquisition of Japanese frigates, cybersecurity threats, and the geopolitical tensions in the Arctic and Antarctic. They emphasize the need for strong diplomatic efforts and the role of NATO in ensuring security in Europe and beyond.
Show Links...
Episode 729: High Summer Free For All, from the CNO, to unmanned systems, to ... Austria?
Show LinksNavy’s Plan for Unmanned SystemsDepartment of Crazy Ideas: How about a cheap inshore fleet? Mark Tempest, 2009.Buy Fords, Not Ferraris, Jerry Hendrix, 2008Droning on About Drones, CDR Salamander, 2013Building the Navy’s Hybrid Fleet, Lieutenant Commander Jack Rowley, Proceedings, July 2025.The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Robert A. HeinleinThe Mote in God’s Eye, Larry Niven and Jerry PournelleBenjamin Kohlmann, Nominated for Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve AffairsJohn Lewis-class replenishment oilerCleo Paskal on XA Death in the Pacific, CDR Salamander, July 2025Rods From GodAustria Ponders NATOSummary
In thi...
Episode 728: Non-State Special Operations, with Craig Whiteside and Ian Rice
On today’s Midrats, we have returning guest Craig Whiteside and his co-author Ian C. Rice joining us to discuss one of the nightmares we all have in the new book coming out this month. He co-authored it with Ian Rice, Non-state Special Operations: Capabilities and Effects.
From the abstract:
Building on previous research on Islamic State special operations, the book develops a theoretical framework surrounding a typology of VNSA (militants, proxies, criminal/cults, and mercenaries) to explore variations of non-state special operations, with multiple cases for each category of actor. Understanding when and why VNSA use sp...
Episode 727: The Power & Spirit of Camp David, with Charles Ferguson
Take a break from the heat today to discuss some of the hidden history, and importance, of the Presidential retreat at Camp David with the author of the book, Presidential Seclusion: The Power of Camp David, Charles Ferguson.
After graduating from Georgia Tech and earning his commission, Charles Ferguson served for 11 years in the Submarine force onboard the USS Louisville and as Weapons Officer onboard USS Buffalo with a shore duty at Nuclear Power School in between. He switched to the IRR as Chaplain Candidate while attending seminary at Duke Divinity School and was recommissioned as an Active...
Episode 726: Pre-July 4th Free For All
Show LinkInfantryDort’s comment mentioned at start of the showSummary
The conversation explores the themes of cultural assimilation, national identity, freedom of speech, and the challenges of civil discourse in contemporary society. The hosts discuss the implications of cultural integration on national security and the importance of leadership in fostering a healthy societal environment. They reflect on the historical context of civil rights movements and the need for a national conversation about current societal issues, emphasizing the value of freedom and the responsibilities that come with it.
Chapters
Episode 725: Hammer Time
What can the world’s most capable maritime and aerospace power do?
The world was reminded this weekend.There is no other place this week’s Midrats could start but the strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
Summary
The conversation delves into the recent Operation Midnight Hammer, discussing its implications for U.S.-Iran relations, the threat of Iranian retaliation, and the strategic military operations involved. The hosts analyze the historical context of U.S.-Iran tensions, the effectiveness of military responses, and the broader geopolitical landscape, including the role of international relati...
Episode 724: The Fictional Officer Corps: From Hornblower to Stark - with Claude Berube
Today we’re going to take a friend’s Substack post and turn it into one of the best podcast hours you’ll have this summer…and maybe give you some ideas about books you need to take with you for the July 4th weekend.
From Claude’s May 23rd Substack:
From the gun decks of HMS Indefatigable to the command chair of a futuristic starship, the portrayal of naval officers in fiction has evolved alongside society's changing views of leadership, warfare, and heroism. The archetype of the naval officer has been shaped not only by historical precedent...
Episode 723: June Free For All - With Lots of UKR Drones
Mark and I are back from most of May taking care of business!Time for a MIDRATS!
Show LinksPentagon chief tells Asian allies: Raise defence spending to 5% of GDP like EuropeTom Shugart post on PRC ship in Norfolk, from APR 20241980s Strategic Homeporting InitiativeClaude Berube on OSS developing deep strike drone boats against Japanese bridges and tunnels in WW2Operation PigeonBat bombsThe Atlantic on Who Killed America’s Shipbuilding Industry?Korean Shipyard ModernizationNavy Secretary "Shocked and Dismayed" at Condition of Base Housing on GuamSummary
In this episode, Sal and Mark di...
Episode 722: China's Overseas Bases & the Transition to War, with T.X. Hammes
The People’s Republic of China continues to expand its already well-established contestation of ownership, access, and control of ports throughout the world.
They have done this in parallel with building the world’s largest navy and a diverse set of military capabilities clearly designed with one purpose—defeating the U.S. military in the Indo-Pacific.
Returning to Midrats to discuss this and related topics is be T. X. Hammes.
T.X. is a distinguished research fellow at the Center for Strategic Research, National Defense University. He served 30 years in the U.S. Marine Corps.<...
Episode 721: Reforming the Pentagon, with Gary Anderson
With each new administration, there is opportunity for change and reform. In the new Trump Administration, reform isn’t seen as a secondary effect of a leadership change but as a requirement.What reform options should the new Pentagon leadership explore under the Trump Administration?
Joining us to discuss this and related topics is Gary Anderson, Colonel, USMC (Ret.).Â
A starting point for our conversation will be his recent article in The American Spectator, Real Military Reform Begins: Will Pete Hegseth be able to reverse our military’s decline.
Gary retired as the chief of st...
Episode720: Sen. Tim Sheehy on the Challenges and Opportunities Revitalizing the Navy
Many frustrated by the perceived lack of understanding of our nation’s maritime heritage requirements want new leaders with fresh ideas, unburdened by legacy entanglements. It is hoped that a younger cohort with military experience, preferably naval, in the House of Representatives and the Senate who bring to the job an additional background in business and industry will emerge to promote constructive change.
Today’s guest fits the bill perfectly: the new Senator from Montana, Senator Tim Sheehy.
Tim Sheehy is a father, husband, combat veteran, patriot, and an entrepreneur. A graduate of the U.S. Nava...
Episode 719: NATO's Maritime North, with Dr. Sebastian Bruns
Returning for the full hour will be Dr. Sebastian Bruns.
Sebastian is a seapower expert and maritime strategist. His current project as Senior Researcher at the Institute for Security Policy Kiel University (ISPK) is “NATO Maritime Strategies and Naval Operations since 1985”, a multi-year effort to explore the Alliance’s maritime and naval roles between the late Cold War and today. Sebastian is the founder of the Kiel International Seapower Symposium (KISS), the Baltic Sea Strategy Forum (BSSF), the “Dreizack” young voices in maritime research workshop, and the ISPK Seapower publication series (NOMOS). From 2021-2022, Dr. Bruns served as the inaugu...
Episode 718: March Free for All
Summary
Sal and Mark delve into the current state of the U.S. Navy, discussing the size and capabilities of the fleet, the challenges of operating as a two-ocean Navy, and the potential for utilizing alternative naval assets such as offshore supply vessels. They explore the ongoing debate between manned and unmanned aircraft. Discussed some of the lessons on how to turn around a military quickly using the transition from the 1970s malaise, to the Reagan Era victory in the Cold War. The discussion also touches on military leadership, morale, and the strategic importance of aircraft...
Episode 717: The Maritime State, with Ross Kennedy
The origin story of the United States of America begins, in no small part, with maritime trade issues. Most of the declared and many of the undeclared, wars our nation has fought can be traced to the safety of our maritime commerce and unfettered access to the open seas.
Look at any map, and you’ll see we have oceans to the east and west of us, between our nation and its markets, allies, and competitors on the world stage.Today we’re going to cast a wide net on that world view with returning guest, Ross Kennedy.
