Shows
MidratsEpisode 716: Mid-March MeleeHaving 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 this week for the podcast, just your two humble hosts, solving the world’s problems in 60-minutes.Show LinksRear Admiral William Daly, USN OPNAV N96 at Surface Navy Association’s annual symposium: quotes can be found at link 1 and link 2.TRANSCOM’s purchase of used cargo ships.Substack on medium USV.Tr...2025-03-1056 min
MidratsEpisode 711: The Defense Reformation, with Shyam SankarWhen 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 respond to this emergency to regain it.We have a peer adversary: China. “Near-Peer” is a shibboleth, a euphemism to avoid the embarrassment of acknowledging we have peers when we were once peerless. That quote is from The Defense Reformation, written last October by Shya...2025-01-191h 02
MidratsEpisode 709: Midrats 15th Anniversary Show with Claude BerubeHappy 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 begin by reflecting on how the defense media and information environment has evolved since 2010—not just from the perspective of the information consumer, but also in terms of where decision-makers turn for opinions and ideas. We’ll include some inside baseball as well, starting with how the relationship between the PAO world and the broade...2025-01-0659 min
MidratsEpisode 707: Who is on the Damascus Road, with Seth FolsomTrying to get your mind around who the actors are in Syria as this 'frozen conflict' from the last decade begins to thaw?If you are concerned about international jihadist organizations, the security of Israel, instability caused by mass migration, rights of religious minorities in the Middle East, or human suffering, the cascading events in Syria should be in your scan.Well, this Midrats is just for you. Returning to Midrats for the full hour to give an overview of the different players in the conflict, from the perspective of a US Marine who helped lead the...2024-12-0957 min
MidratsEpisode 706: The Midrats Horn of PlentyBefore everyone dives into a week of family and fasting, time to catch up with Sal and Mark on Midrats.From the retention crisis to some stark comments from senior leaders about the Western Pacific, we’ll cover the waterfront and more.ShowlinksFighter pilot burnoutAdmiral Paparo at BrookingsDereliction of Duty: Johnson, McNamara, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Lies That Led to VietnamSummaryIn this episode, Sal and Mark discuss the complexities of national defense, focusing on the importance of personnel in the military, the challenges of recruitment and retention, and the impact of...2024-11-251h 00
MidratsEpisode 704: A Post-Election Midrats MeleeSummaryThe conversation delves into various themes surrounding innovation, customization, and future planning. It highlights the importance of bespoke solutions in development and addresses the challenges faced in implementing these ideas. The speakers reflect on their insights and look forward to new developments in the field.Show LinksTrump Declares No Mercy on CartelsChris Cappy from Task & Purpose on the Cartel WarsRed Hill Fuel Storage ReportWho Put Quartermaster Bloomfield in Charge of Defending Guam?Elbridge Colby on Tucker Carlson’s ShowElbridge Colby on MidratsReturn to TinianBuilding Navy Bases in WWIIThe Art of Military Innovation: Lessons from the Israel Defense Fo...2024-11-1159 min
MidratsEpisode 703: Midrats Pre-Halloween Spooktacular!ShowlinksJoint Sword 2024 off Taiwan.TAFFY-3 off Samar.USAF NGAD Pause.Narrow Seas, Small Navies, and Fat Merchantmen: Naval Strategies for the 1990s.USS Carney’s 1 year anniversary.Debt service now greater than spending on defense.SummaryIn this episode of Midrats, Sal and Mark discuss the evolving geopolitical landscape, focusing on China's strategic maneuvers around Taiwan and the implications for US military preparedness. They explore the potential for conflict, the challenges facing the US Navy, and the need for a reevaluation of military strategy and acquisition processes. The conversation highlights the complexities of in...2024-10-211h 01
MidratsEpisode 698 - The Music Stopped at MSC, with Sal MercoglianoWhere there appears to be a fair bit of shock and surprise in the general public, for those who have tracked the story closest, the feeling could be found along the spectrum from resignation to dismay. This did not happen overnight - and for those given responsibility for our nation’s sea power, this was only a matter of time. By acts of commission and omission, the nation that likes to call itself the world’s greatest - because we are no longer the largest - seapower, finds itself here;The Navy will reportedly sideline 17 vessels due to a manp...2024-08-261h 05
MidratsEpisode 691: Ethics & Ethical Failure in the Profession of Arms, with Dr. Pauline Shanks-KaurinLaw. Ethics. Morality. Character.What do these words mean, and why are they important in the profession of arms. That is the subject of this week’s Midrats.We have just the right person to dig in to this topic, returning to Midrats, Dr. Pauline Shanks-Kaurin.Professor Shanks-Kaurin is the Admiral James B. Stockdale Chair in Professional Military Ethics at the Naval War College. She holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from Temple University and specializes in military ethics, “just war theory” and philosophy of law and applied ethics. She is author of “On Obedienc...2024-06-241h 06
MidratsEpisode 688: Mid-May Midrats Melee!Midrats returns for a broad-reaching discussion on maritime and national security issues from the Gaza Beaches to the South China Sea!My audio was a bit poppy early in the show, but it gets better.Mentioned links:PRC is playing games with undersea cablesCONGRESSIONAL GUIDANCE FOR A NATIONAL MARITIME STRATEGY Reversing the Decline of America’s Maritime PowerWhen US Army tried to deactivate the unit that built the Gaza pierSECNAV has a testy time on The HillAzeri percentage of Iranian populationCFR report on the challenge of the PRC invading TaiwanPRC's Drone Carrier2024-05-201h 10
MidratsEpisode 649: Spring Forward Midrats MeleeAs we ended last week's show with a whole list of topics we wanted to discuss, this Sunday we're going to pick up right where we left off with a Midrats Maritime Melee!From submarines to Australia to the opening of mud season in Ukraine, we'll cover the latest - or at least the more interesting - topics in the national security arena.2023-03-131h 04
MidratsEpisode 644: 13th Anniversary ShowWhen we started Midrats, President Obama hadn't even been President for a year, I only left active duty 4-months ago, Russia was mostly forgotten about except for Secretary of State Clinton famous "Reset/Overload," anyone worried about China was considered an alarmist, and no one really knew what a "podcast" was except for a very small group of to-online weirdos.One day our friend Claude Berube convinced the two of us and the late Raymond Pritchett that people might be interested in hearing us chat about those things that we find interesting.That was 13-years ago - and...2023-01-091h 05
MidratsEpisode 635: Mid-September MeleeLabor Day is behind us, school is in session, and winter is coming. That can mean only one thing - it’s time for a Midrats mid-month melee!For the full hour this Sunday, EagleOne and Sal will take a bit from the headlines, a tad from the history books, and whatever shows up in the chat room or the studio line.From DC to Ukraine, to the other side of the International Date Line, we’ll try to squeeze it in.We'll distribute your defense, integrate your lethality ... whatever it takes.As w...2022-09-191h 04
MidratsEpisode 632: The High Ground in the Western Pacific, with Bryan ClarkAll it takes is a quick look at a map or a quick read of history to understand that any conflict in the Western Pacific will be dominated by naval forces, logistics, control of the air, and the ability to sustain all three.Extending our conversation on Midrats this summer about the challenge from China, this Sunday returning to Midrats will be our guest Bryan Clark, a senior fellow and director of the Center for Defense Concepts and Technology at Hudson Institute.The starting point for our discussion will be the report he co-authored with Timothy...2022-08-151h 02
MidratsEpisode 630: July Farewell Maritime Free For AllThe Russian Navy HQ in Crimea had a Sunday visitor, China continues to be prickly about its neighbor's guest list, the Navy gets a new oiler (yes, that is sexy), Sal wrote a couple of things that got people's attention, and we are just a couple of months away until winter hits the slogfest in Ukraine.Of course, that is just for starters because in a Midrats Free-For-All, you never know where the conversation will take us - and if you don't like where we're going, you can nudge us your way because the chat room and phones...2022-08-011h 06
MidratsEpisode 626: Turning the Tables on China with Brent SadlerWhile everyone is distracted by the Russo-Ukrainian War, the People’s Republic of China continues to work to solidify her ability to control the South China Sea and to bring more nations in to her orbit.Though not a cold war, it is a struggle for presence, influence, and setting the conditions for advantage should conflict come.The United States and her Navy are not required to be in a passive posture, allowing China to shape the environment without pushback.This episode of Midrats will focus on American options and actions we can take to...2022-06-271h 03
MidratsEpisode 624: Larter, Returning ... You Never Get the Sea out of Your BloodIf you've missed having David Larter on the Navy beat, well you're in for a treat.Though everyone's favorite former OS2 is no longer a defense journalist, like most Sailors, he doesn't leave his love of the sea or affection for his Navy behind. Returning to Midrats, but this time with a little California sunshine kissing his cheeks, David will be with us for the full hour and we will cover the board from Ukraine, fleet size, how we treat our Sailors, global food security, China, and the things navalists should be thinking about, but aren't.2022-05-231h 07
MidratsEpisode 621: Russian Military SITREP with Dr. Dmitry GorenburgFor over 11-years, once a year or so today’s guest has joined us on Midrats to discuss the latest military and national security developments with Russia.With the war waging in Ukraine and in the process of transitioning to a new phase, there couldn’t be a better time to hear from Dr. Dmitry Gorenburg who will be with us for the full hour in a wide ranging discussion about the buildup to war, and the important takeaways so far.Dmitry is an expert on security issues in the former Soviet Union, Russian military reform, Russ...2022-04-111h 00
MidratsEpisode 620: War, Pestilence, and Famine - the World's Logistics FaltersIf it's April, it's time for a return visit by Ross Kennedy to Midrats!A little under a year ago, we had Ross on to discuss the impact of COVID and related structural issues to the global supply chain. A year later, we find conditions have not just remained, but with war in Ukraine and a new COVID variant working its way through coastal China, in many ways the global trade in essential items has turned for the worst.If you are worried about the cost and availability of fuel, food, and everyday items you've spent...2022-04-041h 04
MidratsEpisode 619: Mid -March Midrats MeleeWith the Russo-Ukrainian War in its 3rd week, everyone is starting to see a new normal emerging in Europe, our alliances, and global posture. What are the assumptions time has left behind, what concepts are playing out well, and what surprises at sea and ashore have been a surprise?What will the next phase look like?This Sunday from 5-6pm Eastern EagleOne and Sal are bringing back the melee format with an eye on Ukraine. Open topic, open phones, green range ... bearings free.2022-03-141h 16
MidratsEpisode 618: China's 2022 with Dean ChengWhile the world's eyes are focused on Russia and Ukraine - and probably will for the foreseeable future - the People's Republic of China is not standing still. How can China use this moment to her advantage? What possible lessons can China take away from the Ukraine conflict so far, and perhaps more importantly, how should it impact how we and our allies look at China?Returning to Midrats to discuss these and related questions this Sunday will be our guest Dean Cheng.Dean is the Senior Research Fellow for Chinese political and security...2022-03-071h 03
MidratsEpisode 617: Russo-Ukrainian War Black Sea SITREPFrom the Sea of Azov to the Danube Delta, the maritime component of the Russian invasion of Ukraine's is bringing to the front universal constants; treaties, neutral shipping, amphibious operations, blockades, choke points, sea lines of communication, and an expanded environment where conflict can expand in unexpected ways.While much of the focus has been ashore, significant developments - and lessons - can be found in the developments in the Black Sea. That will be the focus on today's Midrats with a panel discussion with Claude Berube, Chris Cavas, and Sal Mercogliano.Dr Claude Berube has...2022-02-281h 11
MidratsEpisode 612: Jackson's Navy, with Claude BerubeWe're going to kick off our Midrats' 13th year with someone who has been with us from the start, best friend to the show Dr. Claude Berube!If you care about American history in general, and US Navy history in particular, you won't want to miss a minute of this Sunday's show.Claude will be with us for the full hour to discuss his latest and 4th non-fiction book, On Wide Seas: The US Navy in the Jacksonian Era, just released by University of Alabama Press.Claude earned his PhD in Military History from...2022-01-101h 06
MidratsEpisode 606: China's Dangerous Decade with Andrew EricksonWhat are the of economic, demographic, and political forces driving China through this decade? What direction is her growth heading and where will she find herself at the end of the decade?Are the forces in play likely to move her towards a more peaceful or a more militaristic stance?Using the recent article he co-authored with Gabriel Collins in Foreign Policy, A Dangerous Decade of Chinese Power is Here, as a starting point, returning to Midrats for the full hour this Sunday from 5-6pm Eastern will be Andrew S. Erickson....2021-10-251h 06
MidratsEpisode 601: All Roads Lead to KabulI’m not sure where today’s Midrats will take us. Our co-host is getting a little underway time, so this will be just you and me.As the initial stage of the collapse of Kabul unfolded last weekend, a lot of Midrats loyalists reached out to me to ask, “Where is this week’s Midrats?”In hindsight, perhaps I should have brought up a show, but last Sunday was just not a good time to put a microphone in front of me,. By Monday I was ready, and my posts last week at the homeblog covered mu...2021-08-231h 19
MidratsEpisode 599: American Generalship in the Long War, with Gray ConnollyFor coming up on two decades, the United States military has been engaged - if you want to call it by the medal they give everyone for it - a Global War on Terrorism.As we have invested two decades, trillions of dollars, and thousands dead across the globe in response to the attacks of September, 2001 - our best friends have been with us.They do this of their own free will, and share the good fortune and bad with us in our contact of the war.Today’s Midrats is a wide ranging di...2021-08-011h 11
MidratsEpisode 591: May Day Midrats Melee!OK, it is the day after May Day ... but that's close enough for government work.As the entire maritime world this week decided to pick up on some Midrats favorites - poaching the Army's budget and making the Taiwanese porcupine a bit more imposing - could there be a better time for another Sal & Eagle One green range?Open topic, open chat room, open phones. We'll cover the waterfront and invite you to come on board for a broad ranging discussion of national and maritime security issues.Sunday, 5pm Eastern!2021-05-031h 06MidratsEpisode 589: Mid-April MeleeSometimes, Midrats is like a VLS cell; you don't know what you have until ... wait ... bad analogy... but you get the concept.Today for the full hour, come join us for a classic Midrats melee ... we take on all topics as they come in to range. I'm sure we'll cover the latest Black Sea happenings, interesting justifications for more DDG in Rota, and WESTPAC always makes and appearance.2021-04-191h 15MidratsEpisode 585: A March Madness MidratsThe Navy wants to talk some more about unmanned systems, the unknown war we have been fighting for years along the bleeding edge of Islam in Africa seems to be going nowhere we want it to go, China decides to let the mask slip at last, in the mandated extremism training The Pentagon realized the military reflects the nation it serves and not the readers of The Washington Post ... and we still don't have any Service Secretaries nominated.This week produced more news than can be covered in one Midrats, but we're going to try.This...2021-03-221h 09
MidratsEpisode 584: Facing Today's China, with Dean ChengWhile the rest of the world paused to focus on COVID-19 the last year, even though the pandemic started there, the People's Republic of China did not stop her long, steady push out to the world to take the place she feels she in entitled to.From the border of India to South America and back to the Western Pacific, China feels the wind at her back.Where is China signaling she will be be the greatest challenge to her neighbors and the global community?Returning to Midrats this Sunday for the full hour...2021-03-151h 02
MidratsEpisode 583: The Navalist View from Singapore, with Blake HerzingerIf geography is destiny, then Singapore is a nation of destiny.Sitting astride one of the world's most critical chokepoints, this polyglot island republic with a population of Denmark on a spot of land 1/4 the size of Rhode Island.For her size, she has a modern, large, and capable navy and military - important for what has always been a rough neighborhood.What makes Singapore's national security requirements unique, and what role does she play as the Indo-Pacific Theater becomes the center of global concern?Returning to Midrats to discuss this and...2021-03-081h 02MidratsEpisode 581: Late Winter Free For AllAfter a week moving from the warm embrace of Valentines Day to the cold jolt of a nation wide arctic freeze, come join us this Sunday at 5pm Eastern for a live Midrats Free For All!Open chat room, open phone, and open topic on the - mostly - maritime national security front.From the new Biden DOD and State Department's first moves, to the ongoing efforts of the USA and our allies as we try to figure out what we need to do to ensure the global system that serves us all.Come...2021-02-221h 06
MidratsEpisode 575: The Navy's Problems and a Plan to Fix Them, with Bryan McGrathThere is one area of agreement among navalists, the US Navy is beset with a whole series of hard, long building problems, ignored for too long. Many, including our highest ranking uniformed leadership, seem incapable of not only acknowledging them, but coming up with a plan to address them.As we enter 2021 and the third decade of the 21st Century, what are our greatest challenges, and what are some steps we can take to start the process of meeting them?Returning to Midrats to discuss this and related issues he raised in this recent article, The...2021-01-111h 03MidratsEpisode 572: 2020 Year End Summary Broadcast in Military yesterday2020 has been a year … that is an understatement. From the maritime and national security perspective what were the bold-faced items that changed the outlook the most. While COVID-19 absorbed much of everyone’s time, the world kept turning and history kept moving.Using our ever-popular melee format – open topic, open chat room and open phones for Midrats’ end of the year review.We’ll be live and hope you’ll join us this Sunday from 5-6pm Eastern.DON’T MISS IT!2020-12-221h 13
MidratsEpisode 570: From Fleet to the NSC, with Mark VandroffMidrats regulars and all sound thinking navalists rejoiced earlier this year when one of our favorites were offered the honor to serve once again - in this case one of our favorite guests and all around great guy, Mark R. Vandroff, Captain, USN (Ret.)Mark found himself back in the mix with his appointment as Deputy Assistant to the President, Senior Director, Defense Policy and Strategy at the National Security Council.Just in time for the holiday season, Mark will come visit us for the full hour to talk about his experience so far at the...2020-12-071h 12MidratsEpisode 566: Post-Election MeleeThe 2020 election is over … well, mostly over. Though there are a few threads to clean up, the fabric the next few years natsec policy will be sewn from is pretty well known – so where does that lead us?We’ll get to that – but once again we need to invest some time to talk about Midrats’s contribution to NavyCon!EagleOne presented a segment for NavyCon2020A, we we’re going to talk about that a bit … and then we’ll pick up where our pre-election left off.2020-11-161h 06MidratsEpisode 562: Best of Kirk Lippold & Steve PhillipsLet's go back to October of 2010 for a great pair of guests. First, since the end of US involvement The Vietnam War almost 40 years ago, there are just a few USN Commanding Officers who know what it is like for a warship under attack; one of the handful will be our first guest, CDR Kirk Lippold, USN (Ret.). He was the Commanding Officer of the USS Cole (DDG-67) when it was attacked while in port Aden, Yemen 12 October 2000 - the 16th anniversary will in a few weeks. We will discuss his experiences then as well as the work he has...2020-10-1959 min
MidratsEpisode 561: Missile Barges and the Modern Auxiliary Cruiser with Chris RawleyTurning merchant ships in to warships is a story as old as mankind. From war canoe to privateers to auxiliary cruisers fo the modern era - they always fit a certain niche in the drive to control the seas.What of today? What options are there if we need the ability to get as much "national will" downrange and over the horizon as soon as possible? Combine that question with a new one, "Where are all the VLS cells we need?" - and you have a great episode of Midrats.Returning to Midrats to discuss these...2020-10-051h 01
MidratsEpisode 559: Saving the US Merchant Industry with Captain John KonradThe neglected American merchant fleet and industry is a problem long standing. The realization of the growing challenge on the other side of the Pacific, and the knowledge of what is needed to support it, has brought the problem in sharp relief.Like most long neglected problems, the causes are many and deep. Ships, personnel, legal, regulatory, and the latest punch from COVID-19 have all intensified an already gathering storm.Returning to Midrats this Sunday to discuss this critical foundation of maritime power will be Captain John Konrad. John is the founder and CEO...2020-09-211h 10
MidratsEpisode 556: Space Force – Culture, Ranks and Making the FutureCulture is upstream from performance.Behind a sometimes playful, sometimes serious, argument about what rank structure the new Space Force should use is the very serious matter of culture.Culture for any organization is the foundation future success or failure, and is a based on words, and titles. These mean things – especially when they are related to the actual work you do.Using their recent article, Parochialism, not Congress or naval history, will kill the Space Force, returning Midrats alumni Matt Hipple and Jack McCain will be with us for the full hour in a...2020-08-311h 06MidratsEpisode 554: Summer of Our Discontent MeleeIn our COVID-19 summer doldrums, what could be better than kicking back with a nice cold drink with the kings of natsec social distancing, Sal & EagleOne for a live Midrats free-for-all?Come join us this Sunday from 5-6pm as we cover the waterfront from Sand Diego to DC; the Taiwan Strait to Cypriot gas fields.As always, the chat room will be up and the phone lines will be open.2020-08-171h 09
MidratsEpisode 551: Military Power & Intellectual Property, with Robert M. FarleyHow do different standards related to intellectual property influence the spread and adoption of emerging military technology? How does the respect for law, process, and customs impact what shows up on the battlefield in the hands of both friend and foe?In a return visit to Midrats this Sunday, we are going to explore this topic with Robert Farley. As a starting point to our discussion we will look at the issues he raised in the new book he co-authored with Davida H. Isaacs “Patents for Power: Intellectual Property and the Diffusion of Military Technology.” 2020-07-2858 min
MidratsEpisode 540: Best of Anniversary of Waterloo with John KuehnThis first aired in June of 2015.18 June 2015 was the 200th Anniversary of the battle of Waterloo, fought in present-day Belgium. Just in time, regular guest to Midrats, John Kuehn has his latest book out, Napoleonic Warfare: The Operational Art of the Great Campaigns where he covers the operational level analysis of European warfare from 1792 to 1815, including the tactics, operations, and strategy of major conflicts of the time.More than just a description of set piece battle, there is a discussion of naval warfare, maneuver warfare, compound warfare, and counterinsurgency.We've got him...2020-05-181h 05MidratsEpisode 537: Midrats in the Time of COVID-19 MeleeTake a break from trying to find a way to socially distance yourself from the people you are non-self-isolating with this week by joining us LIVE for a free for all Midrats.We have a lot in the maritime domain to discuss from the response to the outbreaks on the carries Theodore Roosevelt and Charles de Gaulle, PCS, the budget, upcoming FFG(X) selection, Iran, China and more. As we always do, we will keep the phone and chat room open if you have questions or a topic you would like us to discuss....2020-04-201h 04
MidratsEpisode 533: Obedience, with Dr. Pauline Shanks KaurinWhat is the nature of obedience for those in the the profession or arms and the civilian political community?With a review of classical studies, philosophy, history, international relations, literature and military studies, can you get a firm grounding on what it is, what it means, and how it should shape decisions and behavior?Returning to Midrats to talk about this and more based around her new book, On Obedience: Contrasting Philosophies for the Military, Citizenry, and Community, will be Dr. Pauline Shanks Kaurin.Pauline holds a PhD in Philosophy from Temple University, and...2020-03-231h 05
MidratsEpisode 529: Russia's 2020, with Dr. Dmitry GorenburgAs Russia's navy starts to transition away from the last of her legacy ships, to her approaching endgame in Syria, join us for the full hour to investigate the latest developments with Russia's national security posture, including the domestic power politics and relationships with its near abroad that influences the same.Our guest returning again to Midrats will be Dr. Dmitry Gorenburg.Dmitry Gorenburg is an expert on security issues in the former Soviet Union, Russian military reform, Russian foreign policy, and ethnic politics and identity. His recent research topics include decision-making processes in the senior...2020-02-241h 04MidratsEpisode 524: Mid-January MeleeOpen mic and open topic for this week's Midrats as we cover the maritime spectrum from Chinese fisherman and their "strange" catches, to new carriers, to 1,001 things you can do with a DDG-1000.We'll be live as always and are taking questions and topic requests ... so come join us!2020-01-201h 09MidratsEpisode 522: 10th Anniversary Show: Decade Review and Looking ForwardHappy New Year to everyone and you know what 2020 means? It means that Midrats is having its 10th Anniversary.Come join us this Sunday as we look back at the previous decade and do our best to see what is coming over the horizon for the next.Who knows, we might have a surprise guest or two.2020-01-061h 15
MidratsEpisode 520: Best of Kirk Lippold & Steve PhillipsLet's go back to October of 2010 for a great pair of guests. First, since the end of US involvement The Vietnam War almost 40 years ago, there are just a few USN Commanding Officers who know what it is like for a warship under attack; one of the handful will be our first guest, CDR Kirk Lippold, USN (Ret.). He was the Commanding Officer of the USS Cole (DDG-67) when it was attacked while in port Aden, Yemen 12 October 2000 - the 16th anniversary will in a few weeks. We will discuss his experiences then as well as the work...2020-01-0559 min
MidratsEpisode 518: Holding the Line with Guy SnodgrassHow do you report history as you live it? When, why, and how do you write about it?When even the most experienced DC watchers are having trouble tracking what is going on in the Trump Administration, what can people expect to learn from first hand accounts?If you haven't already heard about our next guest and his book - and you count yourself as someone interested in national security - then welcome back on the grid.Returning to Midrats, our guest for the full hour this Sunday from 5-6pm Eastern to discuss...2019-12-091h 06
MidratsEpisode 508: Best of Confessions of a Major Program Manager, w/ CAPT Mark Vandroff, USNFirst aired in October 2015:One man's chore is another man's hobby. Another man's dread, is the other's fantasy. Such, in a fashion, is Program Management in the Navy.To be a good one, step one is to be self-aware. From his latest article in USNI's Proceedings, Confessions of a Major Program Manager, Captain Mark Vandroff, USN just lays it out; "Face it: Everyone hates MPMs. For the budget-conscious officials in the Pentagon, our products are never cheap enough. For technologists both inside and outside the Department of Defense who want military progress to be state of...2019-10-071h 02
MidratsEpisode 507: Goldwater–Nichols; Problems and Solutions, Best OfFrom the week before the 2016 election, in this episode of Midrats we discuss the systems that trains, mans, and equips our military - and provides guidance and support to their civilian masters is broadly shaped by Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986. There is much discussion that in the middle of the second decade of the 21st Century, is there a better system to serve our national security requirements than one designed at the height of the 20th Century's Cold War?Using his article in War on the Rocks, Don't Rush to "Fix" Goldwater-Nichols as a starting point, our guest for...2019-09-3032 min
MidratsEpisode 506: Afghanistan in its 18th Year: at the Personal LevelAlmost to the day, our direct military involvement in Afghanistan has reached its 18th year. Those Afghans, American, British, and others who were had yet to reach their first birthday when the attacks of September 2001 led us to move in to direct military action in Afghanistan, those children of 2001 are now on their way to that Central Asian country to pick up the conflict other generations have yet to put an end to is.Nation building, counter-terrorism, training, capability building, infrastructure development and even agricultural assistance, we’ve had the better part of two decades to find a pa...2019-09-161h 01
MidratsEpisode 499: No Summer Break for NATO with Jorge BenitezFrom Baltic air policing, through the Russian border areas, to Afghanistan and curling back to the Strait of Hormuz, NATO alliance members are being tested not just by external powers, but by domestic politics and the slow churn of history.Since the end of the Cold War, NATO members continue to grapple with their larger mission - and what alliance members mean and owe to each other.From purpose to public support, returning to Midrats for a thorough review of NATO near the end of the 2nd decade of the 21st Century will be our guest...2019-07-291h 03MidratsEpisode 491: Early Summer MeleeHe’s back! EagleOne is back in the studio to help us kick of summer with a Midrats early-summer melee!With most schools out, what you need right now is a good maritime hour to refocus the brain.For the full hour we’ll try to cover it all from the latest McCain kerfuffle to WESTPAC to NATO to the FFG(X) dropouts and more, we’ll cover the waterfront.As always, the phones and chatroom will be open if you want to join the show.See you Sunday!2019-06-061h 06MidratsEpisode 490: Best of Fisheries as a Strategic Maritime ResourceToday's Midrats Best of first aired on August 2016.We live in a crowded world with limited resources. What happens when this meets modern technology's ability to shorten the time/distance equation and increase the ability to know of what lies below the waves?What complications do we fine when the above two points meet up with the eternal search by growing nations to reach for the seas to support their homeland's growing needs? As populations demand more protein in their diets as per capita incomes rise, many nations see the open seas as the...2019-06-041h 04
MidratsEpisode 475: The US Navy's Face Mission; Naval Presence - History & Present UseFrom showing the flag in the Mediterranean in the first decades of our republic's history, through Teddy's Great White Fleet, to FONOPS in today's South China Sea - "being there" is a little understood strategic mission.What is its history and utility in the 21st Century?Our guest for the full hour will be Dr. James Holmes, returning to Midrats to discuss this and related issues.Dr. Holmes is a professor of strategy and holds the J. C. Wylie Chair of Maritime Strategy at the Naval War College. A former U.S. Navy surface-warfare...2019-02-111h 02MidratsEpisode 470: Ninth Anniversary Midrats Show ... LIVE!Nine years of Midrats.That’s right, EagleOne and I have had the pleasure of talking to you and our guests for nine years.This Sunday we’re going to have just the two of us on to talk about not just the last nine years, but the general growth of podcasting the last decade. We’ll also review what we have top-of-mind for 2019.As always on our free-for-all shows, you’re invited to call in or ask questions in the chat room.Join us!2019-01-271h 03MidratsEpisode 469: Best of James D. Hornfischer & Neptune's InfernoFirst aired in the second year of the show, still a great listen.When you mention books on naval history, there are but a few authors whose work immediately come to mind, and our guest is one of them.Unquestionably one of the finest writers of naval history of the last half-century; James D. Hornfischer. We have talked about his books on a regular basis both on Midrats and over at our homeblogs; The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors & Ship of Ghosts. We will discuss a great book of his many...2019-01-2758 min
MidratsEpisode 459: Crimes of Command with Michael JungeSince WWII, how has the Navy's understanding of responsibility, accountability, and culpability changed? Returning to Midrats for the full hour will be Michael Junge, author of the book, Crimes of Command, which looks at this question through 14 officers who were removed from command.Michael Junge is a Captain in the United States Navy and career Surface Warfare Officer who served afloat in destroyers, frigates, and amphibious assault ships before becoming the 14th Commanding Officer of USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41). Ashore he served with Navy Recruiting; Assault Craft Unit 4; Headquarters, Marine Corps; the Chief of Naval Operations staff...2018-10-211h 01
MidratsEpisode 458: Maritime Insurgency and Counterinsurgency with Hunter StiresThe outlaw and lawless ocean, non-state actors, intimidation, and hostile acts short of war - security on the high seas involves a lot more than fleet actions.From the South China Sea as government policy, to land conflicts and economic stress moving to adjacent seas - what exactly is the concept of insurgency and counterinsurgency at sea?Returning to Midrats to discuss this and more will be Hunter Stires.Hunter is a Fellow with the John B. Hattendorf Center for Maritime Historical Research at the U.S. Naval War College and works in a...2018-10-141h 04
MidratsEpisode 457: Russia's Red Banner Year, with Dr. Dmirty GorenburgFrom is largest exercise since the end of the Cold War, to Syria, to a revival of covert direct action and intermediated nuclear weapons as an issue - Russia continues to claw back her place on the international stage.As we approach the last quarter of the 2018 calendar year, what message is Russia trying to give the rest of the world and what should we expect through the end of the decade?Our guest for the full hour to discuss is a regular here on Midrats, Dr. Dmirty Gorenburg, Senior Research Scientist at CNA, researching security i...2018-10-0754 min
MidratsEpisode 446: July Maritime Natsec MeleeNATO, Russia, the Chinese Navy, Australia's pocket fleet of the future and a potpourri of other issues that come across the transom - it's Midrats Melee!Open topic, open phones and we'll be trolling the chat room for ideas.Come join us live.2018-07-221h 04
MidratsEpisode 445: How Small Ships Can Make a Big Navy BetterBuilding off our discussions from last week's Midrats, our guest this Sunday will be Lieutenant Joshua M. Roaf, USN to discuss part of the solution to improving the professional performance of our Surface Warfare Officers in what should be the core of their skillset; seamanship.Using many of the issues he raised in a recent article co-authored with LT Adam Biggs, USN, Bring Back the Patrol Craft, we will explore the various advantages of returning balance to the fleet with an expansion of truly small surface combatants. A native of Bennington, Vermont, LT Roaf graduated from Ith...2018-07-151h 00
MidratsEpisode 443: Marines in the Offensive Against ISISIn the last few months a lot has been written about learning how to fight a conventional land battle again after years of a focus on counterinsurgency. Fighting against an enemy who is holding territory, has a capital, armor, artillery and a proven record in the battlefield.While some are writing it, others have been living it, fighting side by side with traditional allies and new ones in a complicated joint and combined environment that is the latest chapter in the Long War; the war against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.Our guest is r...2018-07-011h 05MidratsEpisode 442: Midrats Mid-Summer Free For AllWe're back live to catch up on all your maritime and natsec issues bubbling to the surface this summer. From the migrant crisis in the Med, Russians in the high north, to the infrastructure crunch in the Pacific - we'll cover it all.This is also your time to have us address the topics you find of interest. We're taking calls and questions in the chat room. It's a live show ... so now's your chance.Open phone, open topic, all you need to bring is an open mind.2018-06-241h 02
MidratsEpisode 439: American Strategic Myths Through the Lens of Star WarsThere is a long and successful record of fiction, especially science fiction, being instructive about history, human nature, and the eternal course of events.Fiction, of course, gets its inspiration from reality - a two way road.What do the Star Wars movies have to tell us about some of the comfortable myths we may see in American military and strategic thought?Using his latest article at the Modern War Institute, Star Wars and American Strategic Myths as a starting point, our guest for the full hour returning to Midrats will be Major Matt Ca...2018-06-0347 minMidratsEpisode 430: Captain Thomas J. Hudner, Jr. USNCaptain Thomas J. Hudner, Jr. USN will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery this week. In his honor we will again run an interview we did early in Midrats' run. His is a holder of the Medal of Honor from the Korean War. With him is the author of Such Men as These: The Story of the Navy Pilots Who Flew the Deadly Skies over Korea, David Sears as they talk about the role of Naval Aviation in the Korean War.Stuck between the Greatest Generation's high-water mark of World War II and the Baby Boomer's Vietn...2018-04-011h 00MidratsEpisode 427: Midrats March Madness ... well, mostly Navy talkNow that we're near the end of 2QFY18, it's time for another Midrats Frer-For-All!Just Sal from the blog CDR Salamander and Eagle1 of EagleSpeak covering the latest developments on the maritime and national security front.If you have topics you would like us to address, send them to us on twitter at @cdrsalamder or @lawofsea, join the chatroom while the show is live ... or even call in.2018-03-111h 02MidratsEpisode 415: 2017 Review ... and 2018 PreviewJoin CDR Salamander and EagleOne as they wrap up Year-7 of Midrats with an end of the year review.From WestPac to the former Caliphate; South China Sea to Sub-Saharan Africa; from LCS to our new SSN - we’re cover it.As always, our listeners are welcome to call in or ask us questions from the chatroom as look back at the year - and give a few ideas for what we see coming in 2018.2017-12-171h 10
MidratsEpisode 408: NavyCon: Science Fiction's Important Role in National SecurityThis Sunday we're going to convince you to make plans to be in Annapolis next month.Coming up Saturday, Nov. 18, from 12 - 5 p.m. Eastern, our friend Claude Berube is husbanding the Naval Academy Museum's latest effort in what promises to be a very original and entertaining conference, NavyCon.NavyCon has a great line up to discuss how fleet forces have been portrayed in science fiction, in comparison to our Navy today.It kicks off with former NASA astronaut and Naval Academy Class of 1981 graduate, Capt. Kay Hire, on “NASA Today and Tomorrow.” Other spea...2017-10-291h 07
MidratsEpisode 402: Mid-September MeleeFrom WESTPAC to the Caribbean to the Euphrates river valley to Arakan province, we’ll be covering the mostly maritime national security developments of the last few weeks for the full hour in a Midrats free-for-all format.This is also your chance to bring up the topics you want addressed. Join in the chat room live to share your questions, or call in to the show if there is something you like us to talk about.2017-09-171h 04
MidratsEpisode 376: WESTPAC's Progress with Toshi YosiharaWhile a new American President, Russia, and ongoing operations against the Islamic State continue to absorb attention, the Western Pacific from Japan, Korea, China, to Australia continues forward.Our guest to discuss all the latest developments will be Toshi Yoshihara.A prior guest on Midrats, Dr. Yoshihara is a Senior Fellow at CSBA. Before joining CBSA he held the John A. van Beuren Chair of Asia-Pacific Studies at the U.S. Naval War College where he taught strategy for over a decade.He is co-author of Red Star over the Pacific: China's Rise and the...2017-03-191h 04
MidratsEpisode 366: Is it Time for a General Staff?The 1980s might be getting some of its foreign policy back - but why is our entire defense framework in the second-half of the second decade of the 21st Century based around ideas forged when the Chrysler K-car was still a young platform?Is our present system creating the conditions for our uniformed senior leadership to forge the best path for our military to support national security requirements?Our guest for the full hour is returning to Midrats to discuss this and more; M.L. Cavanaugh. Matt and is a US Army Strategist with gl...2017-01-081h 02MidratsEpisode 356: Fall Free For All Spooktacular!Midrats is back live! With a week left to go till the election, I am sure you are about done with all the political talk, so join us at 5pm Eastern this Sunday, October 30th as we cover the the globe on the breaking national security and maritime issues that have come up over the last month.From FORD to KUZNETSOV; from The Baltic to Yemen we'll have it covered.As always with our Free For Alls; it is open mic an open mind. Call in with your issues and questions, or join us in the ch...2016-10-301h 12MidratsEpisode 349: Best of Kirk Lippold & Steve PhillipsLet's go back to October of 2010 for a great pair of guests. First, since the end of US involvement The Vietnam War almost 40 years ago, there are just a few USN Commanding Officers who know what it is like for a warship under attack; one of the handful will be our first guest, CDR Kirk Lippold, USN (Ret.). He was the Commanding Officer of the USS Cole (DDG-67) when it was attacked while in port Aden, Yemen 12 October 2000 - the 16th anniversary will in a few weeks. We will discuss his experiences then as well as the work he has...2016-09-1159 min
MidratsEpisode 346: The Farsi Island Incident – Is the Navy a Learning Institution?The thankfully bloodless embarrassment that was the Farsi Island Incident is still making news after the January 12, 2016 seizure of 10 U.S. sailors by Iranian forces. Especially for our Surface Warfare community, there are a lot of hard, cold lessons here not just about the incident itself, leadership and professionalism – and institutional lessons about how conditions are set and organizations are sub-optimized to a degree that an incident - in hindsight – was just a matter of “when” vice “if.”Using his recent article at CIMSEC on the topic, our guest for the full hour to discuss the background leading up to the Fars...2016-08-211h 03
MidratsEpisode 342: Turkey ,Erdoğan & its Miltary - with Ryan EvansThe events of the last week in Turkey brought that critically important nation in to focus, and we are going to do the same thing for this week's episode of Midrats.Turkey has a history of military coups as a byproduct of an ongoing drive to be a modern secular nation against the current of a deeply Islamic people. This week we are going to look at how Turkey found itself at another coup attempt, the response, and the possible impact for Turkey and its relationship with NATO, Russia, Europe, and its neighbors.Our guest to dis...2016-07-241h 01MidratsEpisode 314: 6th Anniversary Expanded Panel on One QuestionYes Shipmates ... we are now in our 6th year of Midrats!To mark the day, we are going to have a radically different format as a thank you gift to our listeners.The focus of the show today is one question; "Where do you see as the most critical thing to watch for Navy and Marine Corp issues in 2016."To get the answer, we are bringing on a series of prior guests one at a time in their own segment. To kick off we bring back our fellow Midrats plankowner co-host Raymond Pritchett, founder...2016-01-101h 05MidratsEpisode 305: Fall Free For AllIt is that time of the year ... time for a Fall Free For All on Midrats.No guests, no agenda, open phones, open topics, open mic.Join Sal from "CDR Salamander" and EagleOne from "Eaglespeak" for a full hour as we dive in to the national security topics of the day with a maritime bent - or whatever topics break above the background noise.This is your chance by calling in or by throwing it out in the live chat room, to bring up the topic you wish we would cover, or to just...2015-11-081h 04
MidratsEpisode 301: Confessions of a Major Program Manager, w/ CAPT Mark Vandroff, USNOne man's chore is another man's hobby. Another man's dread, is the other's fantasy. Such, in a fashion, is Program Management in the Navy.To be a good one, step one is to be self-aware. From his latest article in USNI's Proceedings, Confessions of a Major Program Manager, Captain Mark Vandroff, USN just lays it out; "Face it: Everyone hates MPMs. For the budget-conscious officials in the Pentagon, our products are never cheap enough. For technologists both inside and outside the Department of Defense who want military progress to be state of the art, our products are never fi...2015-10-111h 03
MidratsEpisode 298: Warrior Writers Exhibit at the Naval Academy MuseumLast week, the Naval Academy Museum opened a new exhibit “Warrior Writers: The U.S. Naval Institute" that will run through Jan. 31, 2016.The exhibit features literary work primarily from junior officers during their active duty service since the 1870’s. The majority of the literature focuses on controversies, issues, and trends of the time and is accompanied by over 100 artifacts including writings, weapons and tools from the authors. The artifacts are from the combined collections of the U.S. Naval Academy Museum and the U.S. Naval Institute as well as some on loan from recent authors.Our...2015-09-201h 00
MidratsEpisode 284: 200th Anniversary of Waterloo with John Kuehn18 June will be the 200th Anniversary of the battle of Waterloo, fought in present-day Belgium. Just in time, regular guest to Midrats, John Kuehn has his latest book out, Napoleonic Warfare: The Operational Art of the Great Campaigns where he covers the operational level analysis of European warfare from 1792 to 1815, including the tactics, operations, and strategy of major conflicts of the time.More than just a description of set piece battle, there is a discussion of naval warfare, maneuver warfare, compound warfare, and counterinsurgency.We've got him for the full hour ... we should be abl...2015-06-141h 06MidratsEpisode 282: Summer Kick-off Free For AllMidrats is back live this Sunday at 5-pm Eastern; tanned, rested and ready for the summer.Join EagleOne from EagleSpeak and Sal from CDR Salamander for the full hour as they cover the major national security and maritime issues that are set to dominate conversations as the kids get out of school and that moving trucks start to roll.From China's sand islands, the Islamic States expansion, the response to a revanchist Russia, to the usual goings on with the Potomac Flotilla - we'll cover it all.2015-05-311h 03MidratsEpisode 261: Midrats 5th Anniversary Show Free For AllThis Sunday join EagleOne and myself for our 5th Anniversary Show.No guests, no agendas - just us talking about what 2014 had to teach us, and looking towards what 2015 may have in store for everyone in the national security arena.This is a great time if you ever wanted to call in to ask either one of us a question on a topic you wish we would address ... or just to say "hi."Just be warned, we might ask you a question back. It's what we do.2015-01-041h 03
MidratsEpisode 250: Fall Free For AllBelieve it or not, this week is our 250th Episode of Midrats. In celebration, we're clearing the intellectual table, going to open the mic and see where it takes us. From Kobane, to Coastal Defense, to Ebola and everything in between and sideways that's been in the national security news as of late, plus whatever else breaks above the ambient noise - we'll be covering it.As with all Midrats Free For Alls, we are also opening the phone lines for our regular listeners who want to throw a topic our way.Co...2014-10-191h 31
MidratsEpisode 244: Long War update with Bill RoggioIf you fell asleep on Memorial Day and woke up on Labor Day, your head is probably swimming. The situation in the Muslim world from Libya to the Iranian border has turned in to some strange chaos if you have not been paying attention - but when you look at the details and trendlines, the logic is a lot clearer.The long war has not gone anywhere, like a field untended, the weeds have returned and are prospering.To help us understand developments over the summer, coming back to Midrats for the full hour to discuss...2014-09-071h 02MidratsEpisode 239: The best of the NGO in Africa with Alex MartinI want to return to our first Midrats from this year to keep the focus one more week on the eastern part of Africa with a returning guest Alex Martin who will give us a first hand report from a personal and professional perspective.Alex graduated with distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy and went on to lead infantry, reconnaissance and special operations units in multiple combat deployments. Upon leaving active duty, Alex started a private maritime security company that served commercial shipping interests in the Indian Ocean. In July 2013 Alex joined Nuru International and currently serves as a Fo...2014-08-0355 minMidratsEpisode 230: Summer Kickoff Free For AllNow that Summer is on the way and that there are more national security issues being produced from the South China Sea to the Dardanelles than can be consumed locally - that sounds like the perfect time for Sal from CDR Salamander and EagleOne from EagleSpeak to hold a Midrats "open house."A little bit of a potpourri of what we find of interest from the latest news,to a chance for you to call in or ask via the live chat room the questions and issues you'd like to to discuss.Join us this Sunday fro...2014-06-011h 01
MidratsEpisode 225: The Long War Becomes a Teenager, with Bill RoggioIt hasn't gone anywhere, the Long War, that is.People may be suffering whiplash having to look back to Europe in the middle of a Pacific pivot, and the Arab spring wilted in to extremism and bloodshed - but the war against the West still goes on from lone wolf attacks at home, to drone strikes across the swath of southwest, south, and central Asia.Coming back to Midrats for the full hour to discuss this and more will be Bill Roggio, senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Bill is also the President of...2014-04-271h 03MidratsEpisode 224: Best of RussiaA lot of people were surprised when Russia came back on stage this year - but not Midrats listeners.This Easter, let's go back 100 episodes to our interview with Midrats resident Russia go-to-guy, Dmitry Gorenburg.Here were the questions we were trying to answer two years ago; While the news seems to be all around Russia from the rise of China, the incredible success of the Baltic states, Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics, to the European edge of the "near abroad" - Russia continues to be a major player.Is it still fe...2014-04-2059 minMidratsEpisode 215: February Free For AllNothing like some time snowed in to focus the mind.Join us this Sunday from 5-6pm as we cover the maritime angle from China to shipbuilding to Cyber with a Midrats free for all.Have a topic you wished we would cover? Well, the phone lines are open.2014-02-161h 06MidratsEpisode 213: Best of Skippy-San on Japan, and Bob Taylor's 13XXFor those who don't care about Football or get all grumpy if they don't get enough of their Midrats, we're heading back to early in our second year and visit our old friend. In the small world of the Navy blogosphere, when you think of Japan, one name should immediately come to mind; Skippy-san of the blog FarEastCynic. Though most know Skippy by his "interesting" perspective on some of the "interesting" parts of life - what he also has is a good feel for the Japanese. Join EagleOne and Sal as they tap into the serious s...2014-02-0259 minMidratsEpisode 211: 4th Anniversary Free For AllThat's right ... Midrats has been on the air four years. This week we aren't having guests, just the two hosts and any listeners who want to take the opportunity to call in or throw a question or topic to us in the chat room. Breaking news, regular topics, or whatever you pull out of your seabag - we're going to cove itGreen range, as it were.2014-01-191h 01MidratsEpisode 208: Best of the General BoardThough over three years old, this topic remains at the top of the list of importance and if you are a new listener to Midrats and haven't listened to it yet - this is required listening.If you caught it in a previous year, then it is well worth a relisten.Look at the performance of the US Navy in World War II - those ships came in the shipbuilding programs of the 1920s & 1930s. At a time with no computers or modern communication equipment - and working through the naval treaty limitations and the Great D...2013-12-2957 min
MidratsEpisode 187: From I to C of the BRIC with Toshi YoshiharaRemember when "Afghanistan" became "AFPAC" in the second half of the last decade? Concepts morph the more you study them. Just as you started to get used to the 'Pacific Pivot" - in case you missed it this summer, it is morphing in to the Indo-Pacific Pivot. Extending our view from WESTPAC in to the Indian Ocean, how are things changing that will shape the geo-strategic environment from Goa, Darwin, Yokohama, Hainan, to Vladivostok? Our guest to discuss this and more will be Dr. Toshi Yoshihara, Professor of Strategy and John A. van Beuren Chair of Asia-Pacific...2013-08-041h 10MidratsEpisode 181: Summer Solstice MeleeHere is your chance; its the end of 2QCY13 and you haven't heard the topic you wanted on Midrats yet? There is a question you would like to hear the hosts grapple with about maritime and national security issues? Or, are you just interested in discussing the latest developments in unmanned systems, pacific pivot, budget battles, Russian relations, China intentions, and more? On, above, and under the sea - we'll cover it today for a full hour free for all. The phone lines will be open and we'll also take questions directly from the chat room. C...2013-06-231h 03MidratsEpisode 169: Best of Kirk Lippold & Steve PhillipsThis Easter, let's go back to October of 2010 for a great duo of guests. First, since the end of US involvement The Vietnam War almost 40 years ago, there are just a few USN Commanding Officers who know what it is like for a warship under attack; one of the handful will be our first guest, CDR Kirk Lippold, USN (Ret.). He was the Commanding Officer of the USS Cole (DDG-67) when it was attacked while in port Aden, Yemen 12 October 2000 - the 10th anniversary will be this Tuesday. We will discuss his experiences then as well as the work he...2013-03-3159 minMidratsEpisode 164: Best of With James D. HornfischerYou're in for a good treat this Best Of. When you mention books on naval history, there are but a few authors whose work immediately come to mind, and our guest is one of them. Unquestionably one of the finest writers of naval history of the last half-century; James D. Hornfischer. We have talked about his books on a regular basis both on Midrats and over at our homeblogs; The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors & Ship of Ghosts. He has a new book out, one that will be required reading for his fa...2013-02-2459 minMidratsEpisode 152: Navy Next, InterruptedElections have consequences. There are paths not taken, and paths that remain. In the last election, national security was very much kept in the background, but once you peeled away a layer or two and looked carefully, there was a lot of "there there" - and a lot of it involved what to do with the direction of the US Navy. The erstwhile nautical corner of Team Romney had a direction they wanted to take the Navy. What was that direction? What informed it, and what were the guiding requirements that shaped their concepts? For the...2012-12-021h 02