Midrats
News & Politics
About
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.
Episodes
- Episode 758: Mid Month Free for All
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…
- Episode 757: May Maritime Melee
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, th…
- 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 th…
- 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, ship…
- 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…
- 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 De…
- 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. Summa…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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 Links CENTCOM’s Epic Fury Day-1 Summary LUCAS attack drone Intifada…
- 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 Decem…
- Episode 747: Mid-February Free for All
Need a moment to recover from Valentine’s Day? Of course you do! Showlinks Truxtun-Supply Collision Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Munich Security Conference Maritime Action Plan Summary In this episode of Midrats, Sal and Mark disc…
- Episode 746: Budgets, Ships, and the CBO, with Eric Labs - on Midrats
Show Links The Congress, the Golden Fleet, and the Shipbuilding Industrial Base in 2026 Summary In this episode of Midrats, Sal and Mark engage with Eric Labs, a senior analyst at the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), to discuss the compl…
- 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,…
- 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 geog…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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! 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…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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 system…
- 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 err…
- 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 applica…
- 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 M…
- 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 discus…
- 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 Afgha…
- 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…
- 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 les…
- 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…
- Episode 729: High Summer Free For All, from the CNO, to unmanned systems, to ... Austria?
Show Links Navy’s Plan for Unmanned Systems Department of Crazy Ideas: How about a cheap inshore fleet ? Mark Tempest, 2009. Buy Fords, Not Ferraris, Jerry Hendrix , 2008 Droning on About Drones , CDR Salamander, 2013 Building the Navy’s H…
- 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 Ope…
- 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 gradua…
- Episode 726: Pre-July 4th Free For All
Show Link InfantryDort’s comment mentioned at start of the show Summary The conversation explores the themes of cultural assimilation, national identity, freedom of speech, and the challenges of civil discourse in contemporary society. The…
- 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 in…
- 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…
- 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 Links Pentagon chief tells Asian allies: Raise defence spending to 5% of GDP like Europe Tom Shugart post on PRC ship in Norfolk, from APR 2024 1980s Str…
- 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 dive…
- 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 lead…
- 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, prefer…
- 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 Strateg…
- 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 offsho…
- 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 unf…
- Episode 716: Mid-March Melee
Having trouble keeping up with all the developments in the national security realm over the last two months? Well, let not your heart be troubled, Sal & Mark are here for you this week with the ever-popular Midrats Melee format! No guest t…
- Episode 715: Securing Ukraine's Future Security, with Emma Ashford
A firm and lasting peace treaty, a ceasefire, in or out of NATO, in or out of the EU, European or international peacekeeping forces, an unending slog, or Russian tanks in downtown Kyiv? What are the realistic…and unrealistic…options for Uk…
- Episode 714: The New Administration and China, with Dean Cheng
In the first month of the new Trump Administration, much of the attention outside our borders has focused on Europe and the Middle East—the two regions that always seem to divert our focus from America’s greatest competitor, the People’s R…
- Episode 713: Seth Folsom's, Nothing Here Worth Dying For
Returning to Midrats this week to discuss his latest non-fiction novel is Seth W.B. Folsom, Colonel, USMC (Ret.). From the Amazon page: Nothing Here Worth Dying For tells the story of his command of Task Force Lion—a “purpose-built” combat…
- Episode 712: Condition of the Navy's Amphibious Fleet And Its Impacts on Marines: the View from GAO
Does the US Navy have the right number and mix of amphibious ships, and are those ships being properly maintained? The Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) recent report to Congress explored this topic in depth, and today’s Midrats Pod…
- Episode 711: The Defense Reformation, with Shyam Sankar
When a report has an opening like this, you know you have to find a way to get the author on Midrats. As a nation, we are in an undeclared state of emergency.…This is a hot Cold War II. The West has empirically lost deterrence. We must res…
- Episode 710: Affordable Approaches to Improve US and Allied Shipbuilding and Ship Repair with Michael Roberts & Bryan Clark
There is almost a cottage industry in appreciating the decades-long shortfall in America’s maritime industrial base for shipbuilding and repair.After more than a decade of self-delusion in labeling the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as m…
- Episode 709: Midrats 15th Anniversary Show with Claude Berube
Happy New Year to everyone…and Midrats is back with you. Join us today for a broad-ranging discussion for our 15th Anniversary Show with a regular guest since the start, Claude Berube. The conversation will go who knows where, but we will…