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.
Episodes
October 26, 2025 • 56 mins
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 re...
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 re...
Mark as Played
October 19, 2025 • 53 mins
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 als...
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 als...
Mark as Played
October 12, 2025 • 57 mins
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 solut...
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 solut...
Mark as Played
September 28, 2025 • 56 mins
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 Washingt...
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 Washingt...
Mark as Played
September 21, 2025 • 59 mins
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 Connol...
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 Connol...
Mark as Played
September 7, 2025 • 61 mins
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 k...
Today’s Midrats Podcast is going to start there with our guest, Dr. Elizabeth Buchanan.We will k...
Mark as Played
August 24, 2025 • 54 mins
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 thei...
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 thei...
Mark as Played
August 10, 2025 • 66 mins
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 emphasiz...
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 emphasiz...
Mark as Played
August 3, 2025 • 63 mins
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 Hybrid Fleet, Lieutenant Commander Jack Rowley, Proceedings, July 2025.
- The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, Robert A. Heinlein
- The Mote in God’s Eye, Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle
- Benjamin Kohlmann, Nominated...
Mark as Played
July 20, 2025 • 64 mins
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 (mil...
From the abstract:
Building on previous research on Islamic State special operations, the book develops a theoretical framework surrounding a typology of VNSA (mil...
Mark as Played
July 13, 2025 • 63 mins
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...
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...
Mark as Played
June 29, 2025 • 66 mins
Show LinkSummary
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 cont...
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 cont...
Mark as Played
June 22, 2025 • 68 mins
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 ...
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 ...
Mark as Played
June 8, 2025 • 54 mins
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 leadersh...
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 leadersh...
Mark as Played
June 1, 2025 • 59 mins
Mark and I are back from most of May taking care of business!Time for a MIDRATS!
Show Links
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 Strategic Homeporting Initiative
- Claude Berube on OSS developing deep strike drone boats against Japanese bridges and tunnels in WW2
- Operation Pigeon
- Bat bombs
- The Atlantic on Who Killed America’s Shipbu...
Mark as Played
May 4, 2025 • 57 mins
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...
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...
Mark as Played
April 27, 2025 • 50 mins
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.).
A starting point for our conversation will be his recent article...
Joining us to discuss this and related topics is Gary Anderson, Colonel, USMC (Ret.).
A starting point for our conversation will be his recent article...
Mark as Played
April 21, 2025 • 29 mins
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 ...
Today’s guest fits the ...
Mark as Played
April 13, 2025 • 59 mins
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 ...
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 ...
Mark as Played
March 23, 2025 • 56 mins
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 m...
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 m...
Mark as Played
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