Midrats

Midrats
  • 4.7 (91)
  • News
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 2d ago

    Episode 772: Midrats Podcast Spooktacular Melee

    No, you don’t want to put up Halloween decorations this afternoon, you want to continue to avoid it until the last minute…and instead listen to the Midrats Podcast! Summary Sal and Mark use the Battle of Leyte Gulf as a springboard to discuss modern naval power, industrial capacity, and what it takes to sustain a fleet in a long war. They connect World War II lessons to current questions about Taiwan, WESTPAC operations, auxiliary ships, and the need to harden U.S. military infrastructure against disruption. Leyte Gulf is an example of why depth, logistics, repair capacity, and industrial preparation matter more than a single battle narrative. They also break down current debates about Taiwan deterrence, maritime supply chains, unmanned systems, and the vulnerability of U.S. bases and support ships. Show LinksSal Mercogliano’s, What’s Going on With Shipping podcast: The Battle of Leyte Gulf: Logistics and What Ifs?Strategic Ambiguity Isn’t Perfect, but It Remains Washington’s Best Bet, by Brent Sadler and Allen Zheng at Heritage, Strategic Ambiguity Isn’t Perfect, but It Remains Washington’s Best BetNational Security Multi-Mission Vessel (AKA Empire State Class)General Dynamics’s Destroyer Tender proposal.Ghost Shark goes drone carrierUSMC stand up first medium missile battalionKey topicsIn this episode: why the Battle of Leyte Gulf is still a masterclass in maritime power, industrial depth, and strategic enduranceThe role of repair ships, floating dry docks, tenders, and mobile bases in keeping the fleet in the fightHow U.S. shipbuilding and industrial mobilization before 1941 shaped the outcome of the Pacific warWhy mass, attrition, and replacement capacity mattered at Leyte Gulf - and still matter in a future Pacific warBrent Sadler’s response to arguments for abandoning Taiwan, and why strategic ambiguity remains centralThe risk of signaling allies that the U.S. would not defend Taiwan, and the broader consequences for Japan, Australia, the Philippines, Vietnam, and EuropeTaiwan’s role in global shipping lanes and semiconductor supply chains, including the claim that a disruption could cut the U.S. economy by trillionsShortfalls in current U.S. maritime support forces - including tenders, dry docks, hospital ships, aviation support ships, and mariner manpowerProposals to adapt the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel line into auxiliary variants for tenders, hospital ships, and support rolesThe case for arming auxiliaries and merchant ships for self-defense.Unmanned and autonomous systems in the maritime fight - from “Loyal Escort” concepts to ghost-shark style undersea launch platformsThe Fortress initiative to prepare military bases to operate for 90 days without outside support, and why hardened infrastructure is now overdueTimestamps 00:00 - Live show setup, chat room callout, and the Halloween melee format 02:11 - Why Leyte Gulf remains a touchstone for maritime power 03:07 - Sal Mergogliano’s Leyte Gulf analysis and the importance of depth 06:53 - Reindustrialization and why fleets require industrial capacity 08:17 - Leyte Gulf numbers and the meaning of mass in naval warfare 10:40 - Why U.S. planning must account for a long war, not a quick one 11:39 - Brett Sadler’s response to Taiwan abandonment arguments 14:50 - Why abandoning Taiwan would reshape the Indo-Pacific balance 15:54 - Taiwan semiconductors and the economic cost of losing access 19:33 - Taiwan, sea lanes, and why geography makes the island strategically decisive 20:31 - Support shortfalls: tenders, dry docks, hospital ships, and aviation support 21:00 - Using the National Security Multi-Mission Vessel line for support variants 25:20 - Empire State-class numbers, capacity, and why the production line should stay open 27:26 - The old fleet train, service squadrons, and what moved to MSC 29:19 - Why auxiliaries and support ships need defenses against autonomous threats 31:38 - Neosho, Coral Sea, and the moral case for arming ships that go into harm’s way 34:24 - Escort concepts: unmanned systems, aircraft, helicopters, and convoy protection 37:13 - How to pressure China: mines, undersea operations, and unexpected reaches 38:41 - Australia’s Ghost Shark and the utility of large unmanned underwater vehicles 41:28 - Unmanned systems as additions, not just alternatives, to manned platforms 43:13 - Why fleet experimentation with autonomous systems matters 45:15 - The Empire State-class auxiliary idea and bolt-on self-defense options 47:22 - Loyal Escort vessels, containerized control systems, and lower-cost maritime defense 48:46 - Using current production to support remote Marine units and logistics 51:04 - The Fortress initiative and 90-day base resilience requirements 53:24 - Conventional missile threats, soft-kill infrastructure attacks, and why base hardening matters 57:54 - What Fort Bragg, Fort Hood, Fort Knox, and other bases need to consider 61:01 - The Ian Brinksman classified leak issue 66:11 - Closing thanks to live chat participants and farewell

    Episode 772: Midrats Podcast Spooktacular Melee

  2. Oct 19

    Episode 771: Mid-OCT Free for All

    The trees are showing their fall colors; we’re inside a month from a mid-term election; European cities are burning…but the rest of the world keeps churning from the tip of South America to the steppes of Eurasia. ShowlinksFrance in flamesAnduril Building Arsenal-1Ukraine’s Operational VivaldiJulianne Smith’s Foreign Affairs article, Russia’s Hybrid War Has Entered a Dangerous New PhaseChina’s drone mother shipPeter Briggs’s article in the Australian Naval Institute, Is AUKUS a Ponzi SchemeSea Lion oil field off Falkland IslandsEgypt backs Saudi Arabia’s play against the HouthisSummary In this episode, Sal and Mark analyze current geopolitical tensions, focusing on European unrest, NATO security, and the evolving military landscape, including advancements in unmanned systems and submarine technology. Key topicsEuropean riots and political instabilityNATO security challenges and Russian influenceAdvancements in unmanned combat aircraft and dronesAUKUS submarine and naval cooperationEuropean elections and their impact on stabilityChina’s military experimentation and influencePotential conflicts over resource-rich territoriesDeception and confusion tactics in modern warfareChapters 00:00: Introduction to the geopolitical discussion 02:30: Current unrest in France and European stability 04:54: Upcoming French presidential election and political implications 07:49: The Red Green Green alliance and political extremism in Europe 11:58: European elections in Italy, Poland, and their impact on NATO 15:10: Russian influence and NATO’s eastern front 18:03: European military capabilities and Chinese experimentation 21:09: AUKUS and the future of submarine and naval cooperation 24:05: Challenges in UK military and political stability 26:55: The importance of maritime power and logistics 31:53: Emerging military technologies: unmanned systems and AI 40:02: The role of deception and confusion in modern warfare 50:00: Resource conflicts and territorial disputes 54:50: Potential conflicts over the Falkland Islands and South Atlantic 59:55: China, Iran, and the evolving global security landscape 01:04:01 The importance of naval and maritime dominance 01:07:04 Closing remarks and future outlook

    Episode 771: Mid-OCT Free for All

  3. Oct 12

    Episode 770 - Admiral Yamamoto with Ron Drabkin

    When Americans think about admirals in the Pacific in WWII, names like Nimitz, Spruance, and Halsey spring to mind. You cannot fully understand the war in the Pacific if you don’t also look at the leaders on the Japanese side—men like Yamamoto, Kurita, and Nagumo. On this week’s Midrats Podcast, we’re going to dive into the story of Admiral Yamamoto with our guest, Ronald Drabkin. We’ll tap into his research that led up to his next book, Admiral Yamamoto: The Gripping Story of the Legendary Japanese Naval Commander Who Planned and Executed the Pearl Harbor Attack. Summary In this episode, we explore the life and legacy of Admiral Yamamoto, a complex Japanese naval leader with a nuanced understanding of America, who played a pivotal role in World War II. Join us as we delve into his background, strategic mindset, and the lessons from his career. Key Topics Yamamoto’s early life and educationHis understanding of America and its influenceNaval strategies and battles in WWIIJapanese military culture and rivalryLeadership style and personal quirksImpact of his decisions on WWIIHis relationships and personal lifePost-war perception and legacyChapters 00:00 - Live intro and how Midrats handles audience questions 01:16 - Why the show is revisiting World War II and Admiral Yamamoto 02:41 - Ron Drabkin joins the show and the new book on Yamamoto 05:07 - Yamamoto’s childhood as Takano and the missionary who changed his life 07:21 - Lincoln, Franklin, and the ideals Yamamoto admired in America 10:11 - His letters reveal his real reactions to the United States 12:02 - Academy struggles, bullying, and the chip on his shoulder 14:14 - Poker, bluffing, cigars, and the gambling instinct 16:01 - The Russo-Japanese War and the loss of his fingers 19:19 - Why Yamamoto went to Mexico looking for oil 21:16 - The War College visit and Yamamoto’s aggressive curiosity 22:56 - Building Japanese naval aviation and rejecting battleship thinking 26:01 - Ruthless training standards and the cost in pilot losses 28:27 - Why the Japanese Army and Navy could barely cooperate 31:38 - The strategic logic behind a short war and Pearl Harbor 36:09 - Was Pearl Harbor supposed to force U.S. collapse? 38:07 - Midway planning and Yamamoto’s longer-term thinking 40:30 - Chioko, letters, and what his private life revealed 45:35 - Why Japanese submarines were not used as commerce raiders 46:45 - Vice Admiral Hori, friendship, and the survival of Yamamoto’s papers 49:34 - The myth of “Harvard-educated” Yamamoto and his lack of American friends 51:32 - Navy versus Army politics in Imperial Japan 54:04 - The Washington Naval Treaty and Yamamoto’s frustration 55:24 - Would Yamamoto’s survival have changed the war? 57:52 - How Japan views Yamamoto today 59:57 - Book release timing and where to find it Ronald Drabkin is a popular author of books on World War II and espionage history. He initially learned Japanese while attending a Japanese University, before starting a career at Intel and other high tech companies.He learned as an adult that his father had worked in counterintelligence for the US military. Curiosity about his father’s work drove him to do research that resulted in his first papers and book on Japanese naval intelligence. He noted that the romanticized American view of Admiral Yamamoto as a “reluctant warrior” didn’t seem accurate. Furthermore, no new biography of Yamamoto had been published in a very long time, and substantial new information was available in Japan. He has spent the last three years researching Yamamoto’s life across Japan and has even met and heard stories from Yamamoto’s family and some of his admirals, such as Kurita and Nagumo.

    Episode 770 - Admiral Yamamoto with Ron Drabkin

  4. Sep 21

    Episode 769: September Melee

    After a two-week availability period, the Midrats Podcast is back! Summary In this episode, we explore current geopolitical tensions, military readiness, and strategic challenges facing the US and its allies, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and international cooperation. Show LinksRussian restrictions on Estonia’s bordersCurfew on Russia’s Border with Estonia, Holger Roonemaa on SubstackGreat Circle ballistic arcs over GreenlandSix Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East, by Michael B. OrenOperation Red Sea RegattaShipfinder Hormuz TrackerHormuz Strait MonitorStrait of TiranItaly tires of EU military bureaucracy with Operation AspidesDepartment of War IG report on Operation Epic FuryUkrainian FP-7 Pelican SRBMUSAF Ponders Restart of C-17 line, Joseph Trevithick in TWZDeadly escalation in Black Sea attacks prompts fears of even higher food prices, Joanna Partridge in The GuardianThe US air force admitted to deploying weapons in space. Don’t expect the White House to explain why, Richard Luscombe in The GuardianKey TopicsRussian border curfews and testing NATO responsesGray zone operations in Europe and suspected incidentsThe importance of naval power and the Strait of HormuzUS energy independence and refinery capacity issuesThe strategic significance of Greenland and the ArcticSpace dominance and the importance of cislunar spaceEuropean NATO capabilities and weapon shortagesThe role of alliances and international cooperation in securityTakeawaysRussian testing of border restrictions signals potential for future escalationEuropean nations are underprepared for modern missile threatsUS needs to rebuild and modernize its heavy airlift capabilitiesGreenland’s strategic importance is increasing and must be securedControl of key maritime choke points is critical for global securitySpace dominance is essential for future military and economic powerEuropean navies lack sufficient missile defense capabilitiesEnergy infrastructure vulnerabilities pose national security risksChapters 00:00: Introduction to Geopolitical Tensions and NATO 02:04: Russian Border Curfews and Testing NATO Responses 03:55: European Operations and Weapon Shortages 06:09: The Strategic Importance of Greenland and the Arctic 10:01: Energy Security and Oil Refinery Capacity 15:10: Straits of Hormuz and Global Oil Transit 22:02: Black Sea, Yemen, and Middle East Tensions 30:00: Naval Power and the US Surface Fleet 36:06: European Naval Capabilities and Weapon Shortages 45:11: Space Power, Cislunar Space, and Future Threats 59:47: International Alliances and Strategic Cooperation 01:05:02: Conclusion: Preparing for a Dangerous World

    Episode 769: September Melee

  5. Aug 31

    Episode 768: China, Setting the Conditions: Guest Dean Cheng on 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. Summary In 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)Chapters 00:00: Introduction and overview of China’s global strategy 02:38: Dean Cheng’s background and China’s long-term planning 04:46: China’s strategic challenges beyond the US 06:04: North Korea’s shifting alliances and regional dynamics 08:06: Russia, China, and North Korea cooperation 10:27: Chinese perceptions of US and regional threats 12:25: Japan, Korea, and China’s regional ambitions 14:29: China’s post-COVID strategic posture and influence 16:03: China’s national messaging and global image 17:28: Xi Jinping’s strategic vision and military buildup 19:57: China’s influence in the Pacific and Arctic regions 22:42: Canada, Greenland, and China’s northern ambitions 31:00: China’s space program and lunar exploration 49:58: The race to the moon and space dominance 54:46: Future of space exploration and international standards 55:33: Long-term US space strategy and Chinese competition 59:36: US and Chinese space efforts and collaboration 01:00:26: Conclusion

    Episode 768: China, Setting the Conditions: Guest Dean Cheng on Midrats

  6. Aug 24

    Episode 767: Battle Damage Repair for Arleigh Burke–Class Destroyers--with Brad Martin

    For me, it is funny but serious that the phrase I started saying in 2019 that we were going to keep building Arleigh Burke DDGs “until the crack of doom” has turned into prophecy. With the anticipated death of DDG(X) and FFG-62, the Burkes are about the only game in town. That fact naturally flows into a point we have raised here and on the Midrats Podcast for the last couple of decades: How are we going to conduct repair and maintenance under combat conditions should we find ourselves in a fight west of the International Date Line? Well, we’ve got the perfect intersection of both issues for the next episode of Midrats. This RAND Report from May caught my eye: The Arleigh Burke–class guided missile destroyer, commonly known as a DDG-51, is the primary surface combatant vessel of the U.S. Navy. These ships—designed to operate in contested environments—are likely to sustain widespread battle damage from diverse attacks should a conflict develop in the Indo-Pacific region. The prevalent nature of this damage would give rise to the greatest demand for ship repair that the Navy has experienced since World War II.To evaluate requirements for and potential issues with a significant demand for salvaging and repairing battle-damaged destroyers, the authors conducted a tabletop exercise on August 13–14, 2025, with participants from the United States and allied nations in the Indo-Pacific. The participants were split into four groups, and each group represented U.S. and allied stakeholders who would be involved in the repairs. The report is titled, Battle Damage Repair for Arleigh Burke–Class Destroyers: Tabletop Exercise Results. Our guest is one of the authors of the report, Bradley Martin. Bradley Martin is a senior policy researcher at RAND. He retired from the Navy as a surface warfare Captain after 30 years of service, including four command tours.In addition to his operational tours, Martin served on the staff of U.S. Forces Japan, on the OPNAV staff as an operations analyst, and, most recently, as the Navy coordinator for participation in Joint Staff and OSD requirements and resources forums. His subspecialties included operations research, operational logistics, and strategic planning. His work at RAND focuses on Navy force structure and capabilities, supply chain security and resilience, and national security strategy. Prior to joining the Navy, he achieved a doctorate in political science from the University of Michigan, while working as a research assistant for the Correlates of War Project. Show LinksBattle Damage Repair for Arleigh Burke–Class DestroyersRepair CFT Brief for JTEG Forum on “Expeditionary Repair” CDR Erich C. Schwarz, USN, July 2022Summary In this episode, we explore the insights from a recent tabletop exercise on naval repair capabilities and strategic challenges in the Indo-Pacific, featuring Captain Brad Martin. We discuss the importance of organic repair assets, the vulnerabilities of fixed bases, and the need for adaptable logistics in wartime scenarios.Chapters00:00: Introduction to the tabletop exercise and its significance04:02: What makes a successful tabletop exercise and team composition09:01: Key findings: surprises and vulnerabilities in naval repair15:03: The importance of organic repair capabilities and their current gaps21:03: Lessons from history: Cold War to modern challenges27:11: The impact of logistics, parts, and industrial base on wartime readiness34:01: Geopolitical considerations and the role of partner nations40:09: The need for mobile, flexible repair assets in contested environments50:05: Concluding thoughts: preparing for a prolonged conflict

    Episode 767: Battle Damage Repair for Arleigh Burke–Class Destroyers--with Brad Martin

  7. Aug 17

    Episode 766: Mid-August Maritime Melee

    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 powerChapters 00:00: Introduction and overview of naval challenges 02:07: The need for more ships and the Ship Act 04:14: Historical context of fleet size and shipbuilding 07:06: Deployment length, mental health, and port visits 11:59: The aging fleet and the importance of new ships 16:08: Logistics challenges in the Indo-Pacific region 20:04: Power outages and maintenance on USS Benfold 24:55: The political landscape and funding issues 29:51: Mental health support and sailor resilience 35:03: Geopolitical considerations and port call limitations 39:55: Technological innovations and future ship designs 45:01: The importance of bipartisan support for naval modernization 49:45: Conclusion and call to action for naval investment

    Episode 766: Mid-August Maritime Melee

  8. Aug 10

    Episode 765: Sea Power and The Hill, with Brent Sadler - on Midrats

    Panels, seminars, conferences, reports, speeches, and emotion do not build a navy. Even shipyards do not build a navy. In the American system of government, if you want a navy you have to go up to Capitol Hill and get Congress to fund it.Without money, everything else is just a PDF.What is the state of play in bringing the argument for sea power to Congress? Returning to the Midrats Podcast just in time for the Senate’s August recess is Brent Sadler, CAPT, USN (Ret.). Brent is a Senior Research Fellow for Naval Warfare and Advanced Technology in the Douglas and Sarah Allison Center for National Security at The Heritage Foundation, and a retired U.S. Navy Captain.Show LinksSHIPS for America ActSal’s exchange with Tom KarakoBooks by Brent SadlerBrent Sadler on LinkedInBrent Sadler on XSummary In this episode, Mark and Sal discuss with their guest Brent Sadler the legislative process behind maritime security, the SHIPS for America Act, and the importance of industrial capacity in national defense. Brent emphasizes the need for bipartisan support and strategic planning to strengthen America’s maritime industrial base and national security. Chapters 00:00: Introduction 02:14: The legislative process and seasonality in Congress 08:05: Status and details of the Ships for America Act 12:13: Bipartisan support and legislative challenges 17:00: The role of congressional staffers in policy making 21:54: Strategic importance of maritime industrial capacity 27:07: The impact of recent Navy funding and shipbuilding efforts 34:00: The need for reform in defense organizational structures 43:10: The importance of strategic communication and advocacy

    Episode 765: Sea Power and The Hill, with Brent Sadler - on Midrats
See All (606)

4.7
out of 5
91 Ratings

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Midrats
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2026
  • Episodes
    606
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Midrats
  • Show Website
    Midrats

You Might Also Like