Midrats

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.SummaryIn 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 LinksTo A Louse, On Seeing One on a Lady's Bonnet at Church, Robert BurnsGreat Wall, movie with Matt Damon2012, movie Himalayas Tsunami SceneRed Cliff, movie (the good one)Chapters00:00: Introduction and overview of China’s global strategy02:38: Dean Cheng’s background and China’s long-term planning04:46: China’s strategic challenges beyond the US06:04: North Korea’s shifting alliances and regional dynamics08:06: Russia, China, and North Korea cooperation10:27: Chinese perceptions of US and regional threats12:25: Japan, Korea, and China’s regional ambitions14:29: China’s post-COVID strategic posture and influence16:03: China’s national messaging and global image17:28: Xi Jinping’s strategic vision and military buildup19:57: China’s influence in the Pacific and Arctic regions22:42: Canada, Greenland, and China’s northern ambitions31:00: China’s space program and lunar exploration49:58: The race to the moon and space dominance54:46: Future of space exploration and international standards55:33: Long-term US space strategy and Chinese competition59:36: US and Chinese space efforts and collaboration01:00:26: Conclusion

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 LinksSnopes on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) issuesWSJ article on Admiral Cooper’s visit to ABECasey William’s dad being a good dadUSS Benfold (DDG 65) loses powerChapters00:00: Introduction and overview of naval challenges02:07: The need for more ships and the Ship Act04:14: Historical context of fleet size and shipbuilding07:06: Deployment length, mental health, and port visits11:59: The aging fleet and the importance of new ships16:08: Logistics challenges in the Indo-Pacific region20:04: Power outages and maintenance on USS Benfold24:55: The political landscape and funding issues29:51: Mental health support and sailor resilience35:03: Geopolitical considerations and port call limitations39:55: Technological innovations and future ship designs45:01: The importance of bipartisan support for naval modernization49:45: Conclusion and call to action for naval investment

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 LinksWhat’s Going on With ShippingUnauthorized History Podcast with Sal Mercogliano on WWII OilersSummaryBoth 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.Chapters00:00: Introduction and Guest Introduction02:45: Sal Mercogliano’s Background and Expertise04:03: The Growth of Shipping Content and Public Interest06:01: Impact of Evergiven Suez Canal Incident07:02: Fragility of Global Supply Chains09:37: Freedom of the Seas and Modern Challenges10:36: Geopolitical Threats to Maritime Trade12:02: Geography, Choke Points, and Strategic Control13:25: Effects of Strait Closures on Economics and Security14:43: Historical Lessons from Past Conflicts16:06: US Military and Commercial Shipping Interplay18:43: Offshoring Shipbuilding and Its Consequences21:01: Revitalizing US Shipbuilding Industry24:32: Logistics Support and Military Readiness27:18: Protection of Critical Shipping Assets30:42: Rising Sea Blindness and Strategic Awareness33:00: Black Sea and Ukraine Conflict Insights36:20: Trade Interdiction and Potential for Conflict39:37: Global Supply Chain and Energy Security41:33: Manpower and Workforce Challenges in Shipping44:13: Defense Strategies for Maritime Security48:33: Protection of US Naval and Commercial Assets52:50: Technology and Innovation in Maritime Defense55:13: Jones Act and US Maritime Policy58:30: US Energy and Fuel Supply Challenges01:01:53: Future Projects and Research in Shipping

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-NSummaryIn this episode, Dr. Robert Farley discusses the concept of battleships, their historical significance, and the strategic considerations for modern naval warfare. The conversation covers technological challenges, political implications, and future force structure planning.Chapters00:00: Introduction to the Battleship Debate02:31: Historical Context and Modern Relevance of Battleships07:44: Survivability and Modern Warfare Challenges13:11: The Role of Nuclear Capabilities in Battleships20:11: Political and Strategic Implications of Battleship Armament23:15: Technological Innovations and Future of Naval Warfare32:36: Design Philosophy and Size of Modern Warships39:32: Historical Lessons and Future Capabilities46:03: Political Implications of Naval Procurement52:30 Shipbuilding Challenges and Future DirectionsDr. Robert Farley has taught security and diplomacy courses at the Patterson School since 2005. He received his BS from the University of Oregon in 1997, and his Ph.D. from the University of Washington in 2004. In addition to the book of the moment, The Battleship Book (Wildside, 2016), Dr. Farley is the author of Grounded: The Case for Abolishing the United States Air Force (University Press of Kentucky, 2014), and Patents for Power: Intellectual Property Law and the Diffusion of Military Technology (University of Chicago, 2020). He has contributed extensively to a number of journals and magazines, including the National Interest, the Diplomat: APAC, World Politics Review, and the American Prospect. Dr. Farley is also a founder and senior editor of Lawyers, Guns and Money.

Show LinksThe Congress, the Golden Fleet, and the Shipbuilding Industrial Base in 2026SummaryIn 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 in shipbuilding. The conversation also touches on the historical context of shipbuilding budgets, congressional appropriations, and the future of naval forces in the face of evolving defense needs.Dr. Eric Labs is Senior Analyst for Naval Forces and Weapons at the Congressional Budget Office in Washington, D.C. He specializes in issues related to the procurement, budgeting, and sizing of the forces for the Department of the Navy. He received his doctorate in political science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and graduated from Tufts University, summa cum laude, in 1988. He has worked for the Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis in Cambridge, Massachusetts and, from 1994 to 1995, as a Visiting Scholar at the Center for International Security Studies at the University of Maryland. Dr. Labs has been with the Congressional Budget Office since 1995. Chapters00:00: Introduction to the CBO and Eric Labs03:01: Understanding the Role of the CBO06:01: Cost Estimation Approaches in Shipbuilding08:54: Historical Context of CBO Estimates vs Navy Estimates12:04: Challenges in Shipbuilding Cost Estimates15:09: The Impact of Maintenance on Ship Costs18:00: Congressional Budgeting and Shipbuilding Appropriations20:48: Labor Force Challenges in Shipbuilding23:58: Future of the U.S. Navy Fleet and Shipbuilding27:05: Conclusion and Future Considerations

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 guide to Greenland.Dr. Elizabeth Buchanan is a senior fellow with the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and an expert associate of the French Ministry of Armed Forces’ Institute for Strategic Research.Most recently she was Head of Research for the Royal Australian Navy (Department of Defence). Dr Buchanan is co-founder of the polar warfare program (Project 6633) at the Modern War Institute of the West Point Military Academy. Before joining Australia’s Defence Department, Dr. Buchanan was Lecturer of Strategic Studies for the Defence and Strategic Studies Course at the Australian War College.Elizabeth holds a Ph.D. in Russian Arctic Strategy and completed her post-doctoral studies as a Maritime Fellow at the NATO Defense College in Rome. She has published widely on geopolitics, most recently with Australian Foreign Affairs, International Affairs, War on the Rocks, Foreign Policy, Foreign Affairs, The Australian, and The American Conservative.Dr. Buchanan has been a Visiting Scholar with the Brookings Institution and was an analyst with Royal Dutch Shell. Elizabeth has three published books:: Russian Energy Strategy in Asia and Red Arctic: Russian Arctic Strategy under Putin. In addition to, So you want to own Greenland, she also has an upcoming book, Competitive Cooperation at the Ends of the Earth.Show links:So You Want to Own Greenland?: Lessons from the Vikings to Trump.Liz’s SEP 2024 visit to Midrats.The Unfortunate Greenland Kerfuffle.Denmark’s strategic concerns about China and Russia around Greenland, via Nick Solheim.Liz on X.SummaryIn this episode of Midrats, the hosts welcome back Dr. Elizabeth Buchanan, a senior fellow at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute and Center for the National Interest, to discuss the ongoing geopolitical significance of Greenland. The conversation delves into the historical context of U.S.-Greenland relations, particularly in light of recent tensions and discussions surrounding Greenland’s potential independence. Dr. Buchanan emphasizes the importance of understanding Greenland’s strategic position in the Arctic, especially regarding U.S. national security interests and the implications of a changing global landscape, including China’s growing influence. The dialogue also touches on the complexities of Greenland’s relationship with Denmark and the potential for a direct U.S.-Greenland partnership.Chapters00:00: Introduction and Overview of Greenland’s Importance02:38: Historical Context of U.S.-Greenland Relations05:52: The 2004 Defense Treaty and Its Implications12:23: Greenland’s Independence Movement and Future Prospects31:50: Best Case Scenarios for U.S.-Greenland Relations32:17: Understanding the Scrappy Spirit of Greenland39:12: The Geopolitical Landscape: Europe and the U.S.54:31: Greenland’s Future: Independence or Status Quo?