So, We Had President Trump Give a Speech on the Iran Conflict...
President Trump delivered a 19‑minute address outlining the progress of Operation Epic Fury, the U.S. campaign against Iran. He reiterated Secretary Marco Rubio’s four objectives—destroying Iran’s weapons factories, navy, air force, and nuclear ambitions—and claimed those goals are "nearing completion" within the next two to three weeks. Trump praised regional allies for protecting the Hormuz Strait and warned that, absent a diplomatic deal, the U.S. could strike Iranian power plants and other critical infrastructure. The speech blends military optimism with a cautionary note on potential escalation if negotiations stall.
A Sober Royal Navy Update
Mark Felton’s latest 13‑minute video offers a stark assessment of the Royal Navy’s current condition, arguing that the service may no longer be able to fulfill its traditional role of safeguarding high‑seas access for the West. The post highlights budgetary...
Will Scandinavian and Baltic Europe Lead Our European Allies to the Strait of Hormuz?
Denmark is pressing the European Union for a coordinated naval response to escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, while Estonia signals readiness to assist the United States. Finland’s president floated a potential trade‑off: European naval support for the waterway...
Shyam Sankar's Four 'Sputnik Moments'
Shyam Sankar, co‑author of *Mobilize*, outlines four "Sputnik moments" that expose critical gaps in the U.S. defense industrial base: China’s hypersonic glide vehicle, Russia’s ability to sustain a long‑duration fight, the Houthis’ asymmetric threat to global trade, and a consumption...
Russia's Fifth Spring at War, on Midrats
The podcast marks the fifth spring of the Russia‑Ukraine war, featuring CNA senior researcher Dr. Dmitry Gorenburg. He outlines Russia’s grinding attrition strategy, heavy reliance on drones and foreign satellite services, and the strain caused by Starlink disruptions. The discussion...
No, I'm Not Over What NAVSEA Did to Constellation
The author argues that NAVSEA’s handling of the Constellation‑class frigate program turned a heritage‑based adaptation of the Franco‑Italian FREMM into a de‑facto clean‑sheet design, eroding cost, schedule and governance controls. The shift occurred between mid‑2022 and mid‑2023 when senior ownership...
The PRC's New Spring, with Dean Cheng on Midrats
Dean Cheng joins the Midrats podcast to dissect China’s evolving strategic posture as the PRC adjusts its assumptions on Venezuela, Iran, Japan and other key states. He outlines how the latest Five‑Year Plan, heightened defense spending, and sweeping PLA purges...