Podcasts about indo pacific

This Week In Startups is made possible by: DigitalOcean https://do.co/twist Every.io https://every.io PayPal https://paypal.launch.co Today's show: *Nvidia agreed to buy Hugging Face for $12.9 billion, just days after quietly licensing Poolside's coding model for $6 billion+. On TWiST, Jason lays out why this is actually the biggest AI story of the year. Nvidia plans to offer enterprises unmetered, unlimited on-prem compute, pulling them away from reliance on Anthropic and OpenAI's frontier models and products. PLUS we're chatting with Halter founder & CEO Craig Piggott about how his company helps farmers optimize their land use via solar-powered AI-driven cattle collars. AND Hop Aero CEO and co-founder Matija Milenovic shows us Rook, his autonomous hypersonic cargo rocket that can launch from a shipping container and deliver cargo up to 450 miles away in about 15 minutes. Finally, Jason and Lon explain why you never post Slop on the timeline. Guests: Craig Piggott on X: https://x.com/craig_piggott Halter: https://www.halterhq.com/ Matija Milenovic on X: https://x.com/mat_milenovic Hop Aero: https://hopaero.com/ Relevant Links: OpenAI Open Letter: https://openai.com/collective-cyberdefense/ OpenAI Hugging Face report: https://openai.com/index/hugging-face-incident-and-the-road-ahead/ OpenAI Jalapeño report: https://openai.com/index/jalapeno-first-results/ Dario Amodei-Gavin Baker tweet thread: https://x.com/DarioAmodei/status/2088758816376807762 TechCrunch: Nvidia-Hugging Face deal: https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/26/nvidia-closes-in-on-hugging-face-acquisition/ TechCrunch coverage of Halter: https://techcrunch.com/2026/04/04/unpacking-peter-thiels-big-bet-on-solar-powered-cow-collars/ Dealroom: Sir Peter Back on Rocket Lab: https://app.dealroom.co/news/note/sir-peter-beck-on-rocket-lab-s-no-money-so-we-have-to-think-playbook-from-a-60k-new-zealand-start-up-to-an-end-to-end-space-company WSJ: Druckenmiller op-ed: "Let the Bond Market Speak": https://www.wsj.com/opinion/let-the-bond-market-speak-81529d74 NOTUS: Druckenmiller's WSJ op-ed was written with AI: https://www.notus.org/media/stanley-druckenmillers-wsj-op-ed-bessent-ai WaPo: Wall Street Journal defends Druckenmiller op-ed: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2026/08/25/wall-street-journal-says-ai-generated-op-ed-didnt-breach-its-standards/ Photon Matrix Laser Mosquito Killer: https://photonmatrixlab.com/ "The Wizard of the Kremlin" trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7ctYp3zQVA "King & Conqueror" trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anS9xQEPTsU "Lanterns" trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7UIBOsuUwc4 "Rebel Ridge" trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF3gZicntIw Alpaka Bravo Sling Max 2 bag: https://alpakagear.com/products/bravo-sling-max-v2 No Agenda podcast: https://www.noagendashow.net/ THR: John C. Dvorak obit: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/john-dvorak-dead-tech-journalist-no-agenda-inside-track-1236657317/ Timestamps: 0:00 The 100+ company open letter on cyberdefense 9:48 DigitalOcean - Want to see what building on a true AI-native platform looks like? Head to https://do.co/twist to start building on DigitalOcean's AI-Native Cloud today — and cut your AI workload costs by up to 50%. 16:46 Why some models are "unsafe at any latency" 19:44 Craig Piggott of Halter joins the show 21:03 Every.io - For all of your incorporation, banking, payroll, benefits, accounting, taxes or other back-office administration needs, visit https://every.io 26:09 How do you add cows to Starlink? 31:26 PayPal - Pay zero processing fees on your first $100K in eligible PayPal payment volume. Learn more at https://paypal.launch.co 47:52 Founder-led hyper-local sales motion 53:15 Remember John C. Dvorak 58:27 Matija Milenovic of Hop Aero joins 59:53 Sending out autonomous swarms in the Indo-Pacific 1:11:26 Nvidia's mega-Hugging Face deal 1:16:32 Nvidia's "unmetered" play against Anthropic and OpenAI 1:29:47 How letting AI write for you is like lip syncing 1:33:44 Laser-guided mosquito defense system 1:36:32 Lon's streaming picks   Subscribe to the TWiST500 newsletter: https://ticker.thisweekinstartups.com Check out the TWIST500: https://www.twist500.com Subscribe to This Week in Startups on Apple: https://rb.gy/v19fcp   Follow Lon: X: https://x.com/lons   Follow Jason: X: https://twitter.com/Jason LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasoncalacanis   Check out all our partner offers: https://partners.launch.co/   Great TWIST interviews: Will Guidara, Eoghan McCabe, Steve Huffman, Brian Chesky, Bob Moesta, Aaron Levie, Sophia Amoruso, Reid Hoffman, Frank Slootman, Billy McFarland   Check out Jason's suite of newsletters: https://substack.com/@calacanis   Follow TWiST: Twitter: https://twitter.com/TWiStartups YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/thisweekin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisweekinstartups TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thisweekinstartups Substack: https://twistartups.substack.com

The United States is burning through some of its most advanced munitions in its war with Iran this year. By some accounts, inventories of high-end Patriot and THAAD interceptors may be depleted by as much as 80 percent. Replacing them could take years, even as military planners worry about needs in Europe and the Indo-Pacific. Tom Karako, director of the Center for Strategic and International Studies' Missile Defense Project, has tracked just how deep the shortfall runs and what it would take to fix it. He joins FP Live to assess the state of U.S. stockpiles and what it means about the future of American preparedness. John Haltiwanger and Rishi Iyengar: The Iran War Has Left the U.S. Dangerously Exposed Sam Skove: U.S. War in Iran Leaves Ukraine's Air Defense in Limbo Robert Almelor Delfeld: The U.S. Munitions Deficit Is a Political Problem Franz-Stefan Gady: Europe's Dangerous Hesitation on Its Own Air Defense Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 2022SummaryIn 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

If China controls maritime East Asia, what would that mean for Taiwan, the Philippines, Japan, global trade, and U.S. security?In Episode 163, Ray Powell and Jim Carouso speak with retired U.S. Navy Captain Brent Sadler, a career submariner, former U.S. defense attaché in Malaysia, Heritage Foundation Senior Fellow and author of two books: U.S. Naval Power in the 21st Century and Naval Power in Action: Seizing the Initiative in the New Cold War with China.Sadler's answer is blunt: China is exercising growing control over maritime East Asia, as Beijing has spent decades building the military, commercial, and political leverage to do exactly that. He says this is not just a question of aircraft carriers, missiles, and hull counts, but also about China's strategic commercial footprint in ports, shipping and repair infrastructure, distant-water fishing fleets, maritime militia, and the China Coast Guard.Ray and Jim ask what it means that China's coast guard vessels are operating east of Taiwan. Are these deployments preparation for a possible blockade? Why are fishing fleets moving in organized formations? And how could Beijing use gray-zone coercion to change the status quo before anyone agrees that a crisis has begun?The conversation also examines the recent China-Russia naval exercises and potential for submarine technology transfer, Russian pressure on Japan around the Kuril Islands, and Beijing's efforts to turn even limited naval interactions with countries such as Indonesia into political and propaganda victories. Sadler explains why Southeast Asian leaders' rhetoric must be weighed against what matters on the water: maritime rights, military exercises, commercial ties, and freedom of navigation.Finally, Sadler assesses the military balance approaching the much-discussed 2027 window of war concerns, China's Taiwan contingency preparations, gaps in America's carrier presence in the Indo-Pacific, U.S. shipbuilding deficits, the future of unmanned vessels, and what Ukraine's drone war may mean for Taiwan and regional partners.Sadler's larger warning is that maritime control is no longer just a contest of fleets, but a contest of coercion, commerce, access, and political will; one in which Beijing can test regional governments, reshape behavior below the threshold of war, and learn whether America and its allies will respond before temporary pressure becomes a permanent advantage.Follow Brent Sadler at the Heritage Foundation, on LinkedIn or on X, @brentdsadlerFollow us on X, @IndoPacPodcast, LinkedIn or FacebookFollow Ray on X, @GordianKnotRay, or LinkedInFollow Jim on LinkedInSponsored by BowerGroupAsia

Michael is joined by Richard Fontaine, CEO of the Center for a New American Security and former National Security Council official, for a strategic tour of the world's most urgent flashpoints. Richard explores the dangerous ripple effects of the Iran conflict across the Middle East, including regional powers hedging toward mutual defense pacts and the strategic costs of an open-ended naval commitment. He also evaluates recent friction in the U.S.–South Korea alliance, the pitfalls of personality-driven diplomacy with North Korea, and how military redeployments to the Middle East have left the U.S. with zero aircraft carriers currently in the Western Pacific. Finally, he and Michael examine the protracted battlefield dynamics in Ukraine, the ambiguity surrounding Washington's endgame with Moscow, and the deepening operational ties within the "Axis of Upheaval"—China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran—urging a coordinated strategy to defend frontline states without falling into regional distractions.

What does a more uncertain transatlantic relationship mean for Europe's role in the Indo-Pacific? Mike sits down with Dr Gorana Grgić, Head of the Global Security Team at ETH Zürich's Center for Security Studies and Non-Resident Fellow at the United States Studies Centre, to explore how Europe is adapting to a shifting strategic landscape. They discuss the outcomes of the latest NATO summit in Ankara; the future of NATO's Indo-Pacific partnerships with Japan, Australia, South Korea and New Zealand; and why these transregional relationships remain critical to confronting shared security challenges across Eurasia. 

Spectrum control now sits at the center of Indo-Pacific defense planning, and AI is changing both how allies coordinate and how China pursues electromagnetic advantage. For today's conversation, Ken Miller sits down with Dr. Nathan Johnson, president of the AOC Australia-New Zealand chapter, and Dr. Chen Yi Tu (Crystal), a research fellow at Taiwan's Institute for National Defense and Security Research, to break down what AOC Asia 2026 revealed about the region's security outlook. Together, they discuss why AOC Asia was paired with Australia's ADSTAR event, how coalition warfare demands shared frameworks across the Indo-Pacific, and how China is advancing EMSO through military-civil fusion, AI-assisted monitoring, and influence in international regulatory bodies.We invite you to share your thoughts, questions, or suggestions for future episodes by emailing host Ken Miller at host@fromthecrowsnest.org or by visiting us on our Instagram @fromthecrowsnestpodcast.To learn more about today's topics or to stay updated on EMSO and EW developments, visit our homepage.

In this episode of The NIDS View, Curtis and Jim examine two of China's newest naval warships and what these developments reveal about Beijing's evolving military strategy and their implications for regional security and strategic stability. From next-generation destroyers and amphibious assault ships to China's pursuit of a true blue-water navy, they explore how naval modernization shapes perceptions of military power, strengthens conventional deterrence, and influences strategic risk. The discussion examines the roles of capability, signaling, and credibility in preventing conflict, while considering how advanced technologies and expanding maritime power can simultaneously reinforce deterrence and exacerbate regional security dilemmas. Curtis and Jim also discuss the strategic motivations driving China's naval expansion, the relationship between offensive and defensive capabilities, and the challenges confronting U.S. and allied policymakers in an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific maritime environment. https://thinkdeterrence.com/ Like and follow us – The NIDS View: https://media.rss.com/nuclearview/feed.xml LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thinkdeterrence X.com: https://x.com/thinkdeterrence YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyGa4dcPqONWzjmbuZMOBHQ Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/NIDSthinkdeterrence Global Security Review: https://globalsecurityreview.com Our Free Events: https://thinkdeterrence.com/events/

Adm. Brad Cooper, the head of U.S. Central Command praised the crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln after he visited the cruiser on Saturday, describing his time aboard as “awe-inspiring” amid reports of morale concerns. Trump threatens to bomb Oman. NY Magazine fires their Mamdani-loving Writer Ross Barkan for 67 instances of ripping off other authors. Cenk Uyghur says he would rather have my daughter come in 2nd, 3rd or 8th than traumatize those trans kids. Stephen Yates from Heritage joins us to calm concerns over the U.S. temporarily pulling its last aircraft carrier from the Indo-Pacific, Trump's frustration with Oman & reduced joint military exercises with South Korea's reluctance to assist with Iran.Thank you for supporting our sponsors that make The Dana Show possible…Trees.comhttps://Trees.comGet an additional 20% off Better Plants and Better Growing at Trees.com Alliance Defending Freedomhttps://JoinADF.com/DanaAlliance Defending Freedom is on the front lines defending the freedoms and values that matter. Join the fight today. Byrnahttps://Byrna.com/DanaTrusted by law enforcement, security professionals, and everyday Americans—defend yourself and your family with Byrna.HumanNhttps://Humann.com/DanaGet the limited edition Watermelon Flavor and find out how to get a FREE 30-day supply before they sell out.Patriot Mobilehttp://PatriotMobile.com/DANAVisit online or call 972-PATRIOT and use promo code DANA for a FREE month of service.Relief Factorhttps://www.ReliefFactor.comYou could be the next person sharing a Relief Factor success story. Get started today with the 3-Week QuickStart for only $17.76.Webroothttps://Webroot.com/DanaSave 60% off Webroot. Protect your devices. Protect your family. Protect your peace of mind. Live a better digital life with Webroot. Noble Goldhttps://NobleGoldInvestments.com/DanaIf you want to see how physical gold and silver could fit into your portfolio, download Noble Gold Investments FREE Wealth Protection KitSubscribe today and stay in the loop on all things news with The Dana Show. Follow us here for more daily clips, updates, and commentary:YoutubeFacebookInstagramXMore InfoWebsite

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

On July 6, a Chinese submarine fired a nuclear-capable ballistic missile out of the South China Sea. It likely overflew parts of the Philippines before coming down in waters between Tuvalu, Nauru and Solomon Islands, inside the South Pacific Nuclear Free Zone. The 14 Pacific Island countries in whose region it landed were almost entirely skipped in Beijing's notifications. A month later, when Pacific Islands Forum foreign ministers met in Fiji, two of its members held up the response text.Kathryn Paik of the Center for Strategic and International Studies joins Ray Powell and Jim Carouso to explain what Beijing was signaling, and why the Pacific Island Countries couldn't answer with one voice. Paik wrote the first-ever U.S. Pacific Partnership Strategy at the National Security Council, following 23 years in the Marine Corps as a helicopter pilot and as a military attaché in Indonesia.In this episode:Why the missile's route mattered more than its range: launched from the South China Sea, overflying a U.S. treaty ally and landing in a declared nuclear-free zone hours after Australia signed its fourth-ever mutual defense treaty with Fiji. Paik's read: the message was that China "can militarily touch you anywhere it wants."How Nauru and Kiribati, two countries that recently switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing, frustrated an 18-member consensus bloc. Jim presses the obvious counter — the U.S. and France tested here for decades — and Paik explains what makes this launch different.How sports became a national security instrument in a deal to put Papua New Guinea in Australia's National Rugby League, and the commitment on security ties with Beijing that came attached.Australia's diplomatic surge: mutual defense treaties with PNG and Fiji, plus bespoke security pacts with Tuvalu, Nauru and Vanuatu.Why Kiribati patrols an ocean territory larger than India with a population of roughly 140,000, and what that means for fisheries, the seabed and undersea cables.Paik on why U.S. Pacific policy has always been somebody's side job: "In Australia they have 300 people in their Office of the Pacific. We have about a dozen." The 2025 damage to U.S. standing, including USAID's closure, tariffs and no resident ambassadors across the 14 Pacific Island countries. Subscribe for your weekly Indo-Pacific briefing.Follow Kathryn Paik on LinkedIn or X, @KathrynPaikFollow us on X, @IndoPacPodcast, LinkedIn or FacebookFollow Ray Powell on X, @GordianKnotRay, or LinkedIn, or check out his maritime transparency work at SeaLightFollow Jim Carouso on LinkedInSponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific

On today's Strategy Series program, sponsored by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Dr. Tom Mahnken, the president and CEO of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, joins Defense & Aerospace Report Editor Vago Muradian to discuss the report he co-wrote his son Thomas Mahnken who is an analyst with the think tank — “Rising Stars Over the Pacific: Cultivating Indo-Pacific Expertise in the US Armed Forces” — that focuses on the importance of promoting senior officers with Indo-Pacific experience to better prepare prepare America's military for potential conflict in the region.

"The seabed is becoming a battlefield," Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles warned at the Shangri-La Dialogue in May, and "we have been slow – collectively slow – to recognise [submarine cables] as the strategic targets they have become." Some 16 privately operated submarine cables carry around 99 per cent of Australia's international data – the financial transactions, government communications and cloud services on which the country's economy and security depend. Recent incidents in the Baltic Sea and around Taiwan suggest that state actors are actively probing this infrastructure, and history suggests Australia's cables would be among the first targets in any regional conflict. Yet submarine cables barely rate a mention in Australia's key strategic documents, responsibilities are fragmented across Commonwealth agencies, and these agencies have no means of ensuring priority repairs even in a national emergency. What must Australia do to secure its submarine cable network? And how can it seize the opportunity to become an Indo-Pacific preferred cable hub? A La Trobe Centre for Global Security event, co-hosted with AIIA Victoria and the Australia India Institute. The Melbourne launch of Connected & Protected: Building Australia's Submarine Cable Resilience, the most comprehensive assessment of Australia's submarine cable network to date, and Dr Bashfield's newly published short book Submarine Cables (Cambridge University Press, 2026) Speakers: Dr David Brewster (ANU National Security College) Dr Samuel Bashfield (La Trobe Centre for Global Security) Recorded on 10th August, 2026.

Visit us at Network2020.org.The Philippines sits at the center of an increasingly contested Indo-Pacific, caught between its traditional ally in Washington, and rising interference from Beijing. The country's strategic location including control of the Luzon Strait, which sees over one trillion dollars in passing goods annually, makes it an important player in the jockeying for economic position in the South China Sea. And the disputed Scarborough Shoal is the last link in the Chinese artificial island triangle which could allow China to project radar control over the South China Sea. As strategic competition intensifies between the United States and China, Manila's foreign policy choices are shaping not only regional security but also the future of global trade and maritime governance. What greater strategic role does the Philippines play in Asia and the South China Sea? How has the country changed its strategic outlook during the transition from Rodrigo Duterte to Bongbong Marcos? And how will Philippine foreign policy influence the future of regional stability, commerce, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific?Join us for a discussion with Gregory B. Poling, Director and Senior Fellow at the Southeast Asia Program and Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and author of On Dangerous Ground: America's Century in the South China Sea.

Send us Fan MailEurope looks peaceful right up until you inventory what's actually ready to fight. After spending months in Europe, Professor Andrew Michta joins us to lay out a sober strategic picture: a continent still disarmed, a defense industrial base that will take years to rebuild, and a NATO alliance split by radically different threat perceptions from the Baltic Sea to the Sahel.We get specific about what modern war is teaching in Ukraine. Drones are changing everything, but Andrew explains why tanks and armor still matter because wars are ultimately decided by mobility and control of terrain. The real breakthrough, he argues, is not just more unmanned systems, but restoring maneuver through electronic warfare and spectrum dominance so soldiers can move without being hunted on a transparent battlefield. We also unpack the hard math behind “arrow vs arrow” economics and what that means for sustainable deterrence.From there, we zoom out to NATO's Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative and the urgent need for allies to take ownership with concrete regional planning, exercises, and capabilities. Andrew connects that to a bigger US problem: a crisis of simultaneity across Europe, the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, and Korea, at a time when force structure and supply chains are stretched thin. We close with a plainspoken answer to the question many Americans ask: why should anyone in a town far from Europe care about Poland, Finland, or the Baltics? Because Europe and Eurasia shape US prosperity, shipping lanes, and homeland security, and because strong alliances are how democracies avoid fighting alone.If this conversation sharpens your thinking, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show.

Nearly all global internet traffic quietly moves through fiber-optic undersea cables on the seabed, yet most people still think of the internet as “the cloud.” In this episode, Ray Powell and Jim Carouso sit down with Trent Fulcher, CEO of Starboard Maritime Intelligence, to explore what he calls “the end of the benign seabed.”Drawing on real cases, from a suspicious cable cut off Taiwan to fishing fleets and shadow tankers across key maritime chokepoints, Trent explains how vessels can mask their identities, spoof locations, and drag anchors over critical infrastructure while hiding behind flags of convenience. He breaks down why around 95% of internet traffic still relies on subsea cables, why repair delays can stretch to 45 days, and how new data fusion and behavioral analytics are shifting the industry from reactive incident response to proactive prevention.The conversation digs into who is most vulnerable (from Pacific Island states to cable-dependent hubs like New Zealand and Singapore), how governments and cable operators are building joint defenses, and what smaller Indo-Pacific nations can realistically do with limited navies and budgets.If you care about maritime security, great-power competition over Taiwan, or the future of the oceans, this episode will change how you think about the internet and the battle now being waged on the ocean floor.Subscribe for your weekly Indo-Pacific briefing.Follow Trent Fulcher on LinkedIn Follow us on X, @IndoPacPodcast, LinkedIn or FacebookFollow Ray Powell on X, @GordianKnotRay, or LinkedIn, or check out his maritime transparency work at SeaLightFollow Jim Carouso on LinkedInSponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific

In this episode, Mike is joined by Dr Arzan Tarapore, Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, and Visiting Fellow at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy. They unpack the Pentagon's decision to revert the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) name back to Pacific Command (PACOM). They explore the strategic and political rationale behind the change; its implications for security dynamics in the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific; and what it reveals about U.S. conceptions of the Indo-Pacific as an operational theatre in U.S. defence planning. 

Thirty years ago, the People's Republic of China ratified the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Since then, Beijing has frequently invoked UNCLOS to support its maritime claims and legal positions, while advancing interpretations of the Convention that many other states –but not all – reject.  This June the China Institute for Marine Affairs under the Ministry of Natural Resources marked the 30-year anniversary with an extensive report providing Beijing's interpretation of UNCLOS, including its account of the 2016 arbitral award that found China's expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea as lacking a legal basis under the Convention.  To examine the PRC's evolving interpretation of UNCLOS and Chinese maritime activities, and how both are being used to advance Chinese interests, I'm joined today by Dr. Peter Dutton. Peter is a Senior Research Scholar in law and senior fellow in the Paul Tsai China Center at Yale Law School. Previously, he held several positions at the U.S. Naval War College, including as director of the China Maritime Studies Institute. He served in the US Navy for more than 40 years in several capacities, including as a Judge Advocate and naval flight officer.   Timestamps:  [00:00] Introduction  [01:45] UNCLOS and China's Approach to International Law   [04:48] Favorable Interpretations of UNCLOS for China  [07:07] Unpacking Wu Shicun's Comments on Future Construction  [10:47] Capitalizing versus Defending Interests  [16:56] Potential Deterrence Options for the US and Allies  [19:14] Renegotiating the Law of the Sea Convention?   [22:45] Updated Arguments to the 2016 Ruling   [25:50] China's Strategy and Relying on Power  [29:03] Indicators and Actions to Watch For   

Australia's next strategic edge will be built beneath the waves, combining autonomous systems, artificial intelligence and AUKUS cooperation to reshape the underwater battlespace. In a special Defence Connect Podcast episode recorded for the ADSTAR 2026 summit, Admiral Stephen Hughes, on the eve of his retirement, and Chief of Air and Maritime Dr Ninh Duong outline how the succession of Defence Strategic Reviews since 2023 has crystallised a seismic shift in Australian naval posture. The Indo-Pacific underwater domain, they contend, has become irreversibly more contested, more congested and increasingly transparent – demanding not just new platforms, but fundamentally reimagined operational concepts. The centrepiece of this transformation remains Australia's commitment to conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines. But equally critical, ADML Hughes emphasises, is the emergence of a distributed, scalable ecosystem of uncrewed systems: the Ghost Shark extra-large autonomous underwater vehicle developed with Anduril, the C2 Robotics Speartooth platform and surface vessels like Ocius Bluebottle. These systems, he argues, function not as replacements for crewed capability, but as force multipliers – saturating the environment, absorbing risk and freeing high-end platforms to deliver the deterrent effect only sophisticated platforms can provide. Yet the genuine strategic revolution lies not in platforms themselves but in the algorithms, payloads and interoperable control architectures that AUKUS Pillar 2 is cultivating. Dr Duong stresses that Australia's comparative advantage rests in the convergence of technologies: advanced sensing, edge processing, AI-enabled decision support, and the governance frameworks that will allow sovereign capability to scale across allied networks. Both speakers emphasise a persistent communication gap: the failure of public discourse to articulate the integrated logic thread binding the National Defence Strategy, the Defence Industry Strategy, and emerging science and technology roadmaps. Without that coherence in messaging, they warn, political pressure and social media fragmentation risk fracturing public support for the whole ambitious edifice. As Australia readies for the post-Hughes era, the maritime imperative remains unambiguous – and technologically, strategically and diplomatically complex. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team

Episode 259 of the Transition Drill podcast explores military transition, career planning, and life after service for veterans and first responders navigating the move into civilian careers. Colin Pena addresses leaving the Marine Corps sooner than expected, rebuilding life as a single father, and what it takes to create a meaningful second career after the uniform comes off.Colin grew up in San Antonio, Texas, with a fascination for aviation, adventure, and military service. After a rebellious moment in middle school forced him to confront the consequences of his actions, he found direction through JROTC and committed himself to becoming a naval aviator. Following 9/11, that commitment became even stronger. He earned an aerospace engineering degree at Texas A&M through NROTC before ultimately choosing the Marine Corps, where he became an F/A-18 Weapons Systems Officer.Colin shares what it took to master one of the military's most demanding aviation careers, from flight school and the F/A-18 Hornet to deployments throughout the Indo-Pacific, instructor duty at MCAS Miramar, and advanced tactical training. Along the way, he explains the responsibility of operating in a two-seat fighter, mentoring younger aviators, and leading in an environment where precision, trust, and teamwork have no margin for error.His transition came from circumstances he never expected. While navigating family challenges and becoming a single father, he also faced the reality that his active duty career was ending after being passed over for promotion. Instead of waiting until separation, Colin built multiple transition plans, leveraged his engineering background and operational experience, and networked his way into the aerospace industry. Today, he serves as a team leader and payload integration engineer, helping develop unmanned aircraft while continuing to lead, mentor, and solve complex problems in a different uniform.This conversation is an honest look at identity after service, preparing before your transition date arrives, and why your greatest mission may begin after military life ends.CONNECT WITH THE PODCAST:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulpantani/WEBSITE: https://www.transitiondrillpodcast.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulpantani/SIGN-UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER:https://transitiondrillpodcast.com/home#aboutQUESTIONS OR COMMENTS:paul@transitiondrillpodcast.comSPONSORS:GRND Collective: Premium, veteran-owned sportswear built for those who show up, outwork the excuses, and give 100%. Score 15% off your order at thegrndcollective.com using promo code TRANSITION15 at checkoutBlue Line Roasting: Premium, law-enforcement-owned coffee roasted to fuel the shift. A portion of every order directly supports law enforcement families facing line-of-duty injury or loss. Save 10% at bluelineroasting.com with promo code Transition10Frontline Optics: Premium eyewear founded by a firefighter and built to withstand the job. Every single purchase helps support the First Responders Children's Foundation, serving families who've paid the ultimate price. Save 10% off your pair at frontlineoptics.com using promo code Transition10

Days before ASEAN's foreign ministers landed in Manila, a Chinese Coast Guard sailor clubbed a Filipino sailor bloody at Second Thomas Shoal. Beijing normally lowers the temperature before diplomatic set pieces. This time it raised it, and nobody outside China knows whether that was a local commander improvising or a deliberate message.Co-host Ray Powell was in Manila for all of it, and this week he and Jim Carouso work through why the gray zone war across East Asia is heating up again and why it reaches well beyond a few contested reefs.The Philippines chairs ASEAN in 2026, and this month hosted regional foreign ministers as well as China's Wang Yi and America's Marco Rubio. Ray and Jim work through why a quarter-century of Code of Conduct negotiations still lead nowhere: China's nine-dash line claim is maximalist; its 1996 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea ratification carved out "historic rights" incompatible with UNCLOS itself; it rejected the UNCLOS-prescribed 2016 arbitration outright; and it profits from talks that never end, or from a code weak enough to push UNCLOS aside. Ray owns the “code-of-conduct pessimist” label and explains why.On the related political warfare front, Ray's new report traces how the CCP's United Front Work Department has captured Chinese-language education in the Philippines: teachers supplied through so-called "blood transfusion" and "blood generation" plans; Beijing-supplied materials; career pipelines into Chinese state firms; and how much if it homes back to Jinan University, whose Center for Philippine Studies-hosted symposium recently declared the Philippines' northernmost islands to be China's. Finally, the Bashi breakout: China Coast Guard patrols east of Taiwan along the Japan-Philippines EEZ boundary, radio challenges to inbound shipping and Beijing's boast of "inspecting" more than a hundred vessels. Ray's question: will we look back and say Taiwan's quarantine actually began here – not with an open declaration, but one incremental squeeze at a time, as more and more ship captains quietly decide that complying is cheaper than resisting?Subscribe for your weekly Indo-Pacific briefing.Follow us on X, @IndoPacPodcast, LinkedIn or FacebookFollow Ray Powell on X, @GordianKnotRay, or LinkedIn, or check out his maritime transparency work at SeaLightFollow Jim Carouso on LinkedInSponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific

Jul 28, 2026 – Explore how shifting power dynamics between China and Japan are reshaping the Indo-Pacific, with exclusive insights from geopolitical analyst Rodger Baker. Learn why critical supply chains, rare earth minerals, and control...

Episode 3330 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Vietnam Refugee Hung Cao, Acting Secretary of the. The featured story is titled: Vietnam refugee turned Navy leader drives MASGA initiative to strengthen Indo-Pacific security). It appeared … Continue reading → The post Episode 3330 – Introducing a great American – Vietnam Refugee Hung Cao, Acting Secretary of the Navy first appeared on Vietnam Veteran News.

Jennifer Parker examines the rapidly changing security environment across the Indo-Pacific and explains why maritime competition, strategic deterrence, and AUKUS matter far beyond defence circles. Drawing on her experience as a former Royal Australian Navy warfare officer and defence strategist, she explores the growing risks posed by China's military expansion, the future of Australia's submarine capability, and why governments and businesses alike must rethink their assumptions about global security.We discuss:- Why the Indo-Pacific has become the world's most strategically contested region- What AUKUS is designed to achieve and the risks and opportunities it presents- How China's expanding military capabilities are reshaping regional security- Why businesses should understand their supply chain and maritime dependencies- What a Taiwan crisis could mean for Australia, global trade, and international stability- Whether Australia is becoming too dependent on the United States for its defenceThis is a timely conversation on deterrence, maritime security, and the new reality of strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific.The International Risk Podcast brings you conversations with global experts, frontline practitioners, and senior decision-makers who are shaping how we understand and respond to international risk. From geopolitical instability and organised crime to cybersecurity threats and hybrid warfare, each episode explores the forces transforming our world and what smart leaders must do to navigate them. Whether you're a board member, policymaker, or risk professional, The International Risk Podcast delivers actionable insights, sharp analysis, and real-world stories that matter.Dominic Bowen is the host of The International Risk Podcast and Europe's leading expert on international risk and crisis management. As Head of Strategic Advisory and Partner at one of Europe's leading risk management consulting firms, Dominic advises CEOs, boards, and senior executives across the continent on how to prepare for uncertainty and act with intent. He has spent decades working in war zones, advising multinational companies, and supporting Europe's business leaders. Dominic is the go-to business advisor for leaders navigating risk, crisis, and strategy; trusted for his clarity, calmness under pressure, and ability to turn volatility into competitive advantage. Dominic equips today's business leaders with the insight and confidence to lead through disruption and deliver sustained strategic advantage.Subscribe for all our updates!Tell us what you liked!Share your thoughts in the comments below.Tell us what you liked!

Leopard sharks have nearly vanished from the waters in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. The country is one of the largest shark fishing nations in the world. Now, a first-of-its-kind conservation project is working to bring Indo-Pacific leopard sharks back from the brink of extinction. This international project hatches their eggs and raises shark pups to rewild them into the ocean where they once thrived. Will it be enough?For answers, we talk to freelance journalist Katerina Barton. She takes us behind-the-scenes to a shark nursery and shares what this conservation project could mean for other shark species.Interested in more conservation news? Email us your question at shortwave@npr.org.Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. It includes perks like bonus episodes, early access, archive access, curated playlists and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.NPR Privacy Policy

Almost every email you send, every video you stream, and every financial transaction you make travels not through satellites, but through a vast network of cables lying on the ocean floor. Submarine cables are the invisible capillaries of the global internet — and increasingly, they are at the centre of great power competition in the Indo-Pacific. Guest: Dr Samuel Bashfield (Research Fellow at the La Trobe Centre for Global Security) COME TO OUR EVENT: Is the Seabed a ‘Battlefield'? Australia's Submarine Cable Challenge Monday 10th August, 6:00 - 7:00PM AEST 356 Collins St, Melbourne Register on the AIIA Vic website Recorded on 17th June, 2026.

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin:  First—A new U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal for Iran appears to have collapsed almost as soon as it arrived in Tehran. Now, President Trump says he is close to deciding whether to launch what he described as a “massive attack”—one bigger than anything seen in the war so far—while both sides continue expanding their military operations. Later in the show—The Pentagon quietly moved one of America's newest hypersonic weapons within range of China's coastline. We'll explain why the deployment matters—and what it reveals about how the U.S. is preparing for a potential conflict in the Indo-Pacific. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief HomeServe: Protect your home systems from expensive repairs with https://HomeServe.com/dailybrief and get 50% off your first year of coverage. Goldbelly: Impress your family and friends - get free shipping and 20% off your first order at https://GOLDBELLY.com with code PDB. Poncho Outdoors: Gear up for summer with Poncho and grab $10 off plus free shipping at https://ponchooutdoors.com/PDB Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

China posted a record $1.2 trillion global trade surplus in 2025, and its export machine is still accelerating. From electric vehicles and batteries to electronics and household goods, Chinese products are pouring into markets across Europe, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America.Consumers may welcome better products at lower prices, but what happens when local manufacturers cannot compete, workers lose their jobs, and countries become dependent on Beijing for essential goods?This week, co-hosts Ray Powell and Jim Carouso welcome Wendy Cutler, Senior Vice President of the Asia Society Policy Institute and a former U.S. trade negotiator who spent nearly three decades at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.Wendy explains how government support allows Chinese companies to keep producing even when markets are saturated. Beijing rejects the idea that it has an overcapacity problem, and Wendy argues that negotiations cannot succeed when the two sides cannot even agree that a problem exists. Her solution is a coordinated response by the major economies receiving these exports.In this episode:How China's industrial policies help its companies outlast foreign competitorsWhy U.S. tariffs redirected Chinese exports toward Europe and Southeast Asia instead of slowing them downHow cheap imports can destroy local businesses, eliminate jobs, and create dangerous dependenciesWhy the U.S., Europe, Japan, Korea, Australia and Southeast Asia must act together to change Beijing's calculationsHow China weaponizes its control of critical minerals, rare earths, and permanent magnetsWhy Washington's tariffs against allies could undermine the coalition it needsHow developing economies can defend local industries without losing access to the Chinese marketWhether the fragile U.S.-China trade truce can survive as both sides test its limitsWhy today's low prices could become tomorrow's strategic vulnerabilitiesWendy's candid reflections on three decades at the negotiating tableSubscribe for your weekly Indo-Pacific briefing.Follow Wendy Cutler on at the Asia Society Policy Institute, on LinkedIn or on X, @wendyscutlerFollow us on X, @IndoPacPodcast, LinkedIn or FacebookFollow Ray Powell on X, @GordianKnotRay, or LinkedIn, or check out his maritime transparency work at SeaLightFollow Jim Carouso on LinkedInSponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific

Episode Summary      On January 18, 2018, in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, Green Beret combat medic Luke Sciulli stopped being the medic and became the patient. A booby-trapped building collapsed on him during a personnel-recovery operation, fracturing his C4, C5, and C6 vertebrae, both scapulas, and his pelvis, and leaving him with a spinal cord injury at C5. In this episode of WarDocs, SFC(R) Luke Sciulli walks through that day and the MEDEVAC chain that followed — forward surgical team, Kandahar, Landstuhl, and Walter Reed — and explains how living through the system he once operated permanently reshaped his view of casualty care, pain management, and patient advocacy.   SFC(R) Sciulli is candid about the recovery that nearly broke him. He describes the culture shock of moving from elite combat operations to a 30-bed spinal cord injury ward populated largely by elderly veterans, and the slow, deliberate realization that, in his words, the only person who was going to make his life better was him. He maps the framework that pulled him back — physical health, mental health, and career — and offers a direct message to wounded operators who cannot get out of bed: the discipline that earned the Beret, the Tab, or the Trident is still inside them.   The conversation then widens into the operational and strategic challenges Sciulli has tackled across an extraordinary career. He compares civilian and military trauma systems and argues that surgeons in major American cities now see more penetrating trauma than many military providers — making military-civilian partnerships essential to keeping skills sharp. He recounts building a joint, combined MEDEVAC architecture across five African nations, and embedding at forward surgical teams in Ukraine just kilometers from the front, where 60 to 90 casualties a day exposed gaps in Role 1 and Role 2 doctrine, risk tolerance, and interoperability that U.S. tabletop exercises rarely surface.   SFC(R) Sciulli also draws on his time supervising a 216-bed field hospital at Columbia University during the 2020 COVID surge and his current work with Vigilant Consulting and Valinor Enterprises advising on tactical medical technology. He makes the case for predictive analytics, wearables, and automated resuscitation systems to force-multiply providers in large-scale combat operations — while confronting the risk-acceptance and accountability questions that slow adoption. He closes with the cause he intends to define his legacy: fixing the negligent disconnect that leaves SOF medics and operators underutilized in the civilian, defense, and healthcare worlds, and expanding the transition programs that turn their hard-won skills into lives saved at home. Chapters (00:00-01:10) Cold Open and Introduction (01:10-05:30) Becoming the Casualty in Helmand Province (05:30-11:30) The Recovery That Rewired Everything (11:30-15:45) Civilian and Military Medicine, Two Ways (15:45-22:45) Distance, Mass Casualties, and Lessons from Ukraine (22:45-32:30) Field Hospitals, Tactical Technology, and Risk (32:30-36:15) Recruiting the Next Force and a SOF Medic Legacy Chapter Summaries (00:00-01:10) Introduction Dr. Soderdahl frames the journey ahead: a Green Beret combat medic who became the patient on the wrong side of an IED blast and now drives technology and policy for the next war. The standard WarDocs welcome sets up a firsthand look at military medicine from the austere edge of combat to the front lines of innovation. (01:10-05:30) Becoming the Casualty in Helmand Province SFC(R) Sciulli recounts volunteering to backfill a buddy's ODA as senior medic and the January 18, 2018 operation in which a booby-trapped building collapsed onto him. He details catastrophic injuries — broken C4-C6, a C5 spinal cord injury, fractured scapulas and pelvis — and the MEDEVAC through the forward surgical team toward higher care, including how his teammates stabilized and moved him. (05:30-11:30) The Recovery That Rewired Everything He describes six months split between Walter Reed and the Tampa VA, the jolt of moving from combat to a spinal cord injury ward, and the loss of career, health, and identity overnight. The turning point came when he accepted that no one else could make his life better, and built a deliberate framework around physical health, mental health, and career. (11:30-15:45) Civilian and Military Medicine, Two Ways Drawing on his paramedic, firefighter, and critical-care flight background plus SF service, Sciulli argues civilian surgeons now out-rep many military providers on penetrating trauma, making military-civilian partnerships essential. He also reflects on serving as senior medical provider for SEAL Teams Two and Eight and why interoperability comes down to people and personality. (15:45-22:45) Distance, Mass Casualties, and Lessons from Ukraine He explains building a joint, combined MEDEVAC system across Chad, Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Libya, then scales the problem to the Indo-Pacific and Eastern Europe. Embedded at forward surgical teams in Ukraine, he saw 60 to 90 casualties a day and learned hard lessons about volume, interoperability, civilian EMS integration, and U.S. risk tolerance. (22:45-32:30) Field Hospitals, Tactical Technology, and Risk SFC(R) Sciulli describes supervising a 216-bed COVID field hospital at Columbia University and why a military-style community made it work. He then identifies penetrating and shrapnel trauma as a top killer and makes the case for wearables, predictive analytics, and automated resuscitation — confronting the risk acceptance and human trust that slow adoption. (32:30-36:15) Recruiting the Next Force and a SOF Medic Legacy Speaking to students, residents, and recruiters, Sciulli reframes the pitch: the military needs people willing to operate beyond their comfort zone and scope, not just another credential. He closes on the legacy he intends to leave — fixing the negligent disconnect that leaves SOF medics and operators underutilized after service. Take Home Messages Experiencing Care Builds the Best Advocates: Living through the casualty evacuation chain as the patient teaches lessons no provider can learn from the other side of the litter. Empathy, pain management, and patient advocacy take on new meaning once a clinician has been the one strapped to the litter. Recovery Is a Decision You Make Daily: The hardest part of catastrophic injury is mental, not physical. Progress comes from a conscious choice to get up and be better than yesterday, supported by resources but driven by personal ownership of physical health, mental health, and career. Keep Military Providers Sharp in Civilian Trauma: Civilian surgeons in major cities now see more penetrating trauma and polytrauma than many military clinicians. An integrated military-civilian system that rotates providers through high-volume civilian centers is essential to keeping wartime skills ready. Plan for Volume, Distance, and Interoperability: Future large-scale combat means moving casualties across oceans and continents while relying on host-nation, partner, and civilian systems. High casualty volumes and contested distance demand generalist skill, civilian EMS integration, and a higher tolerance for operational risk. Close the Gap Between Research and the Warfighter: Government funds enormous amounts of combat casualty research and technology that never reaches frontline providers fast enough. The mission is to translate proven findings and devices into the warfighter's hands tomorrow — not years from now.   Episode Keywords military medicine, combat medicine, Green Beret medic, 18D combat medic, special forces medic, combat casualty care, TCCC, spinal cord injury recovery, polytrauma, Helmand Province, Walter Reed, MEDEVAC, forward surgical team, Ukraine combat medicine, mass casualty, large scale combat operations, LSCO, prolonged field care, tactical medicine, medical device innovation, SOF medic, military civilian partnership, WarDocs, Luke Sciulli, veteran resilience, penetrating trauma   Hashtags #MilitaryMedicine, #CombatMedicine, #GreenBeret, #WarDocs, #CombatCasualtyCare, #SOFMedic, #VeteranResilience, #TacticalMedicine   Honoring the Legacy and Preserving the History of Military Medicine The WarDocs Mission- WarDocs exists to honor the legacy of Military Medicine, preserve its history, and inspire every generation — across all Services, Corps, and Ranks — to serve with excellence and pride. Through mentorship, coaching, and education, we equip those considering, entering, and serving in military medicine with the knowledge, connections, and community they need to thrive. We celebrate Who we are, What we do, and, most importantly, How we serve Our Patients, the DoW, and Our Nation. Find out more and join Team WarDocs at https://www.wardocspodcast.com/ Check our list of previous guest episodes at https://www.wardocspodcast.com/our-guests Subscribe and Like our Videos on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wardocspodcast Listen to the "What We Are For" Episode 47. https://bit.ly/3r87Afm WarDocs- The Military Medicine Podcast is a Non-Profit, Tax-exempt-501(c)(3) Veteran Run Organization run by volunteers. All donations are tax-deductible and go to honoring and preserving the history, experiences, successes, and lessons learned in Military Medicine. A tax receipt will be sent to you. WARDOCS documents the experiences, contributions, and innovations of all military medicine Services, ranks, and Corps who are affectionately called "Docs" as a sign of respect, trust, and confidence on and off the battlefield, demonstrating dedication to the medical care of fellow comrades in arms. Follow Us on Social Media Twitter: @wardocspodcast Facebook: WarDocs Podcast Instagram: @wardocspodcast LinkedIn: WarDocs-The Military Medicine Podcast YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@wardocspodcast  

In this episode, Mike sits down with Bryan Clark, Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Defense Concepts and Technology at the Hudson Institute, about whether the United States is prepared for a major conflict in the Indo-Pacific. They examine how recent technological developments in drones, autonomous systems, electronic warfare, and precision strike capabilities are transforming the battlefield; the role of defence industrial capacity and contested logistics in sustaining military operations; and unpack the lessons from recent conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East for deterring and, if necessary, fighting a future war in Asia.

In this week's episode of China Insider, Miles Yu reviews President Trump's address related to Chinese interference in the 2020 US election, and the the extent to which election materials and systems may have been compromised in the process. Next, Miles details the recent move by the US government to re-adjust sanctions on Hong Kong related to China's enhanced security crackdowns, and the confusion involved regarding Hong Kong's autonomous status. Finally, Miles covers China's record of territorial maritime violations in the Indo-Pacific on the tenth anniversary of the landmark 2016 UNCLOS tribunal ruling against China's South China Sea claims. China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute's China Center, hosted by China Center Director and Senior Fellow, Dr. Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world's future. 

For the first time, China's coast guard is asserting sovereignty over waters beyond the First Island Chain and out in the open Pacific, far to the east of Taiwan. To justify it, a hastily assembled group of Chinese academics has suddenly declared that the Philippines' northernmost (and very much inhabited) Batanes island province actually belongs to China.Is this a dangerous new escalation or just another day in East Asia's highly contested maritime gray zone?This week, co-hosts Ray Powell and Jim Carouso flip the script and put a reporter in the guest chair: Brad Lendon, CNN's Senior News Desk Reporter for Global Military Affairs, who's covered China's maritime rise for over a decade and authored the June 25 story that sparked this conversation, “‘Salami slicing': How China is trying to increase control in the Pacific”Brad makes the case that this "salami slicing" is nothing new. Beijing has spent years applying steady, below-the-threshold pressure using white-hulled coast guard ships rather than navy gray-hulls. But now those ships are radio-challenging commercial vessels east of Taiwan, mapping the seabed and settling in for what looks like a permanent presence outside the First Island Chain.In this episode:Why coast guard "law enforcement" ships are a more insidious tool for asserting sovereignty than warshipsWhat China's radio challenges to commercial ships could be rehearsing, and Ray's "boa constrictor" warning about a soft quarantine of Taiwan already beginningHow the out-of-nowhere Batanes claim fits Beijing's long-game strategyWhether the Japan-Philippine maritime delimitation talks were a real trigger or just a convenient pretextWhat it all means for the U.S. defense strategy built around the First Island Chain, and whether it's the right tool for a non-military threatBrad's unforgettable story from the bridge of a Canadian frigate threading the Taiwan Strait at midnightA sharp, practitioner-level look at how the map of the Western Pacific is being quietly redrawn one slice at a time.Subscribe for your weekly Indo-Pacific briefing.Follow Brad Lendon's reporting on CNN or on X, @BradLendonFollow us on X, @IndoPacPodcast, LinkedIn or FacebookFollow Ray Powell on X, @GordianKnotRay, or LinkedIn, or check out his maritime transparency work at SeaLightFollow Jim Carouso on LinkedInSponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific

STREAMING MAKING JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, FEATURING GORDON CHANG, STEVE YATES, CLEO PASKAL, CHARLES BURTON, 7-15-26The John Batchelor Show features discussions with experts regarding shifting political dynamics and security concerns in the Indo-Pacific and North America. Steve Yates explains the rise of Taiwan's TPP party, a former youth movement now acting as a legislative power broker that is pursuing controversial engagement with mainland China. Meanwhile, Cleo Paskal details how Beijing utilizes cognitive warfare and economic pressure to influence small island nations like Palau and the Solomon Islands. The dialogue also addresses Canadian domestic issues, including the geopolitical tensions surrounding the Gordie Howe International Bridge and concerns over Chinese interference within Canada'spolitical elite. Throughout the segments, the participants highlight a consistent pattern of Chinese efforts to divide democratic allies and expand regional dominance through both propaganda and trade promises.Formatted as a single paragraph. One correction: Cleo Paskal (source had Pascal).

In this episode of The President's Daily Brief: American forces are now targeting three tiny islands that have become the key to Iran's ability to threaten shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. We'll explain why these little-known outposts sit at the heart of Tehran's military strategy—and why the latest U.S. strikes could signal the next phase of the conflict. China is expanding its presence across disputed waters, and now the U.S. Coast Guard is deploying to the Indo-Pacific to help push back against Beijing's growing maritime pressure campaign. Ukraine has carried out what appears to be the world's first fully robotic amphibious assault, using unmanned systems to launch a groundbreaking attack that offers a glimpse into the future of warfare. In today's Back of the Brief, the Justice Department indicts three Russian nationals accused of helping orchestrate a major cybercrime network responsible for millions of dollars in damage across the United States. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief.  YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief Ethos: Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at: https://ethos.com/PDB Cardiff: Get fast business funding without bank delays—apply in minutes with Cardiff and access up to $500,000 in same‑day funding at https://Cardiff.co/PDB Lifepro Fitness: Discover how to beat puffiness with the Lifepro Waver Vibration Plate—and use code PDB at https://lifeprofitness.com for $20 off plus free shipping! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Dale Hunter joins MWI's Charlie Faint on this episode to discuss how a new Army unit—the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force (MDTF)—transformed intelligence collection, targeting, and technology integration to compete against sophisticated antiaccess/area-denial threats in the Indo-Pacific. Drawing on his experience as the 1st MDTF's senior intelligence warrant officer and collection manager, Dale explains the unique role of warrant officers as technical experts who bridge operational gaps, describes how the unit pioneered new approaches to maritime targeting, partner integration, and innovation in the absence of established doctrine, and argues that talent—not technology—is the decisive advantage in modern warfare. The conversation also explores leadership, disciplined initiative, the importance of actively recruiting exceptional people, and the crucible of innovation that shaped the 1st MDTF's early success and continues to influence the Army's transformation for future conflict. Chapters (00:00:02) - Spear of the Story(00:01:24) - Army Veteran on Why He Joined the Army(00:03:37) - What is a Warrant Officer?(00:06:44) - Are Intelligence Officers More Preferred Than Others?(00:08:13) - Immersed in the Multi-Domain Task Force(00:11:00) - What is a Collection Manager's Job?(00:13:13) - Exploring the 2ad(00:23:29) - Multiple Domain Task Force in the Philippines(00:28:28) - The Multi-Domain Task Force's Talent(00:32:56) - The Multi-Domain Task Force(00:34:55) - The MDTF's Talent Hunt(00:42:53) - Multi-Domain Commands(00:50:05) - Intel Architectural Questions(00:53:02) - What Does a Collection Manager's Day Look Like?(00:57:17) - Warrant Officer Career Overview(01:00:16) - Retired Intel Warrant Officer(01:02:26) - McIntosh: The Crucible of Innovation(01:05:37) - Dale Moore on His Next Job(01:07:55) - USFK Commander presents medal to Modern War Institute(01:08:55) - The Spear

What does Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent visit to Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia mean for India, China, and the rest of the Indo-Pacific? On this episode of Talking Geopolitics, GPF Chairman George Friedman joins host Christian Smith to discuss how Modi's tour signals a strategic pivot for India, how geography and common security interests can be leveraged to buffer China, and what this loose anti-China framework means for the broader geopolitical system. Also: Chinese countermoves. Pakistan looks west. Episode recorded on July 14, 2026. Learn more about GeoEconomic Lens and access the first issue for free at https://geopoliticalfutures.com/lens/introducing-lens/. Learn more about GPF and subscribe to our free newsletter at http://www.geopoliticalfutures.com/gpf-newsletter.

U.S.-India relations have struggled despite U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's close personal relationship. This episode unpacks why tariffs, security concerns, and a détente with China has reframed the importance of the relationship, and what it could take to put it back on track.    Host: James M. Lindsay, Mary and David Boies Distinguished Senior Fellow in U.S. Foreign Policy, CFR   Guest:   Sadanand Dhume, Senior Fellow for India, Pakistan, and South Asia, CFR   We Discuss: Why U.S.-India relations have been uncertain since mid-2025 after having slowly strengthened over many years. How the second Trump administration's early actions and India's multipolar diplomacy forced substantive confrontations thatTrump and  Modi's personal relationship could not overcome. Why U.S.-India trade negotiations stalled and the Trump administration imposed tariffs, despite India repeatedly offering concessions. How the May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict and Trump's claim of forcing a ceasefire put Modi in a domestic political bind. How Pakistan's prominent role in brokering the U.S.-Iran ceasefire has amplified Indian anxieties about a U.S.-Pakistan thaw. Why Trump's talk of a Group of Two with China undermines its strategic desire to strengthen India as a counterweight to Chinese power. What the state of the Quad—an informal security dialogue among the United States, Australia, India, and Japan—and the United States' de-emphasis of the Indo-Pacific framework reveal about U.S. strategy in Asia. How Modi is normalizing ties with China and whether there is a limit to normalization given the Himalayan border dispute and China's efforts to constrain India's growth. How India's dependence on Russian arms has fallen over time, and why India is increasingly skeptical that Russia can act independently of China. Why Modi has resisted domestic political pressure to challenge Trump, and what that restraint reveals about India's calculation of its long-term national interest. Where the greatest opportunity lies to rebuild the U.S.-India relationship, and why tech cooperation and Silicon Valley represent the most natural and promising place to start.   Mentioned in the Episode:   “How People in 24 Countries View India,” Pew Research Center   Mathew George, Katarina Djokic, Zain Hussain, Pieter D. Wezeman, and Siemon T. Wezeman, “Trends In International Arms Transfers, 2024,” Stockholm International Peace Research Institute   For an episode transcript and show notes, visit The President's Inbox at https://www.cfr.org/podcasts/presidents-inbox   Opinions expressed on The President's Inbox are solely those of the host or guests, not of CFR, which takes no institutional positions on matters of policy.

In this week's episode of China Insider, Miles Yu covers the passing of Chinese economist, Gao Shanwen, known for his outspoken views on China's economy and capital markets, including China's GDP growth rate in particular, and examine the impact his passing will have in the field. Next, Miles examines China's recent submarine-based ballistic missile test in the Indo-Pacific, and how this fits into China's larger pattern of Indo-Pacific coercion and grey-zone warfare tactics. Finally, Miles observes the fourth anniversary of the assassination of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and highlights his lasting legacy both on Japanese society and the greater Indo-Pacific region. China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute's China Center, hosted by China Center Director and Senior Fellow, Dr. Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world's future. 

Headline: The Age of Turbulence and the Race Against Nature Guest: Professor Peter Frankopan Book Title: The Earth Transformed: An Untold History From 1870 to 1920, the race for monetized resources like rubber and nitrates led to massive ecosystem degradation. Frankopan describes how rubber trees were transplanted from the Amazon to the Malay Peninsula, fundamentally altering local landscapes to meet global demand. New technologies like the telegraph and refrigerated shipping allowed goods to move cheaper and faster, often making it more affordable to ship grain from the US to London than from Ireland. While Western history focuses on transatlantic migration, Frankopan notes that migration within the Indo-Pacific region was even more extensive, profoundly shaping today's geopolitics. The 1883 eruption of Krakatoa captured the global imagination, but Frankopan reminds listeners that scientists like Eunice Footewere already warning about the "greenhouse effect" and the burning of carbon sources by the 1850s. He emphasizes that our current climate crisis is the culmination of a 200-year cycle of industrial acceleration and ecological aggravation. (7)1900 IDAHO

Episode overviewThis episode covers a wide-ranging national security discussion, starting with a tribute to Senator Lindsey Graham and moving through major geopolitical flashpoints in the Indo-Pacific, the Middle East, and modern drone warfare.Show linkSal Mergogliano's video on Sea of Azov attacksKey topicsTribute to Senator Lindsey Graham, his role in national security debates, and the political gap his passing leaves behind.China's claim over the Batanes Islands and the strategic importance of the Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel.Growing U.S.-Philippines-Japan alignment in response to Chinese maritime pressure.China's expanding coast guard presence and its pattern of diplomatic and territorial probing.Escalation in the Iran-United States-Israel conflict, including strikes on Iranian capabilities and the security of the Strait of Hormuz.A helicopter crash involving U.S. military personnel and the risks inherent in aviation and training operations.China's missile testing behavior, transparency issues, and the difference between announced U.S. launches and China's launches.The use of FPV/FP-style drones in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov as mission-kill weapons against ships and port infrastructure.The challenge of defending U.S. ports, fleets, and bases from drone attacks, especially in places like Norfolk and San Diego.The strategic vulnerability of logistics, shipyards, ports, infrastructure, and critical systems to non-nuclear attack.EMP risks, power grid fragility, and the cascading humanitarian effects of long-term electrical disruption.The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Eagle's victory in the tall ships race and the pride surrounding that milestone.Notable takeawaysDrones and precision strike weapons are changing the definition of rear areas and sanctuary.Ports, shipyards, and logistics hubs may become more important targets than front-line combat forces.Maritime security is increasingly tied to air defense, counter-drone capability, and distributed protection.National security threats are no longer confined to major wars; they can emerge through gray-zone pressure, sabotage, and infrastructure attack.Featured discussion pointsStrategic geography in the Western PacificChinese maritime assertivenessDrone warfare and mission killsPort and base defenseEMP and infrastructure resilienceNaval service and public recognitionTimestamps(00:47): Welcome and introduction to the show's topics(01:45): Importance of listening to live audience questions(02:54): Passing of Senator Lindsey Graham and his role in national security(06:15): Chinese territorial claims over Batanes Islands near Luzon(11:28): The expanding Chinese coast guard operations and South China Sea tensions(31:24): Analysis of Ukrainian drone attacks and missile strikes in the Sea of Azov(45:51): Challenges of port defense against drone and missile threats(55:38): EMP attack threats and infrastructure resilience(60:06): US Coast Guard Tall Ship race victory and maritime tradition(62:54): NATO summit discussions and European defense posture

The US-Iran ceasefire is in crisis following a violent weekend of escalation. From the IRGC damaging a ship in the Strait of Hormuz so badly that the crew had to abandon it, to President Donald Trump declaring he "bombed the hell out of them" after striking dozens of targets, the war appears to be back on in all but name. Now, Trump has reimposed the US naval blockade and announced a toll.On today's episode of Iran: the Latest, Venetia Rainey and Roland Oliphant break down a frantic weekend of military action, including the US deploying one-way attack sea drones for the first time and the collapse of Omani negotiations to reopen the Hormuz waterway. Plus, the damage done by Iran repeatedly launching missile and drone strikes against US airbases across the Gulf and Jordan is growing. King's College London security expert Dr. Andreas Krieg unpacks how China and Russia are actively backing Iran's underground missile infrastructure to bleed Western interceptor stocks and distract the US from the Indo-Pacific.HighlightsTrump reimposes Strait of Hormuz blockade and attacks Iran with sea dronesIran attacks on American bases across Middle East ‘leave US in the dark'CONTRIBUTORS:Venetia Rainey, co-host and executive producer @venetiaraineyRoland Oliphant, co-host and chief foreign affairs analyst @RolandOliphantAndreas Krieg, King's College London and Institute of Middle Eastern Studies @andreas_kriegWATCH US ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJnf_DDTfIVAif-vifC6F2aoPB8GIw6dkCONTENT REFERENCED:Telegraph View: The Iranian regime continues to sow chaoshttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2026/07/13/the-iranian-regime-continues-to-sow-chaos/Iran bombs US supply lines in fight for Strait of Hormuzhttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2026/07/12/iran-aims-to-cripple-us-navy-supply-in-major-air-strikes/Starmer proscribes Iran's IRGChttps://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/07/13/keir-starmer-proscribes-irans-islamic-revolutionary-guards/ITL Best News and Analysis Podcast - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026The Telegraph Podcast Publisher of the Year 2026 - Publisher Podcast Awards 2026ITL Nominated Podcast of the Year - Society of Editors News Podcasts Awards 2026Producer: Max BowerVideo Producer: Peter ShevlinResearcher and Social Producer: Anna HindmarshStudio Operator: Andy WatsonExecutive Producer: Venetia Rainey ► Sign up to our most popular newsletter, From the Editor. Look forward to receiving free-thinking comment and the day's biggest stories, every morning. telegraph.co.uk/fromtheeditor► EMAIL US: Contact the team on battlelines@telegraph.co.uk► GET THE LATEST HEADLINES: Find all our latest Iran coverage here: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/iran-war/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Subscribe now for an ad-free experience. Danny and Derek's FIFA officiating careers have been tragically cut short since Javier Milei's checks started bouncing. In this week's news: the NATO summit ends on a high note (4:46); in Iran, new fighting erupts as Trump declares the end of the ceasefire (12:01), plus estimates of the war's cost increase (16:49); in Gaza, Hamas dissolves its government (18:22) as the Board of Peace prepares a “humanitarian zone” (20:37); Trump appears ready to sell Turkey F-35s (23:47); Syria is officially removed from the state sponsors of terrorism list (28:17); in Sudan, civilians flee fighting in El Obeid (29:32); rebels coordinate a new joint offensive in Mali (33:00); the U.S. licenses domestic Patriot missile production in Ukraine (34:18); Roberto Sanchez concedes the Peruvian presidential election (38:15); Colombia's presidential transition breaks down (39:09); and the U.S. drops the “Indo-Pacific” construct (40:14), prompting strategic discussions on the future of America's position in the Pacific (45:23). Join the Discord. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Danny and Derek's FIFA officiating careers have been tragically cut short since Javier Milei's checks started bouncing. In this week's news: the NATO summit ends on a high note (4:46); in Iran, new fighting erupts as Trump declares the end of the ceasefire (11:59), plus estimates of the war's cost increase (16:45); in Gaza, Hamas dissolves its government (18:15) as the Board of Peace prepares a “humanitarian zone” (20:29); Trump appears ready to sell Turkey F-35s (23:40); Syria is officially removed from the state sponsors of terrorism list (27:54); in Sudan, civilians flee fighting in El Obeid (29:32); rebels coordinate a new joint offensive in Mali (32:59); the U.S. licenses domestic Patriot missile production in Ukraine (34:17); Roberto Sanchez concedes the Peruvian presidential election (38:07); Colombia's presidential transition breaks down (39:01); and the U.S. drops the “Indo-Pacific” construct (40:07), prompting strategic discussions on the future of America's position in the Pacific (43:25).Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Beijing just announced a persistent Coast Guard patrol east of Taiwan, the administration is calling arms sales a "bargaining chip," and the NDS doesn't mention Taiwan at all. Is deterrence in the Strait quietly coming apart? Randy Schriver is Chairman of the Institute for Indo-Pacific Security (the successor to Project 2049), current chair of the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission, and served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs in the first Trump administration. We discuss… China's new persistent Coast Guard patrol east of Taiwan, and how lawfare, fishermen rescues, and radio queries make sovereignty claims physically manifest, Why treating arms sales as a "bargaining chip" puts the US out of compliance with the Taiwan Relations Act, Whether Seoul and Tokyo go nuclear as hedging accelerates — and what the axis of autocracy means for a Korea contingency, How many Chinese mothers will sacrifice their only legal child for a Xi Jinping vanity project — and why America stopped doing information warfare, Blockade vs. invasion, Hellscape, and why the US should exercise a Keelung–Yonaguni corridor with Japan, The own-goal management of US-India relations, plus Randy's reading list for new Indo-Pacific hands. song link: https://suno.com/s/aRUtODqWdnqhKG3l Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SCHEDULE THE JOHN BATCHELOR SHOW, 7-8-20261966 SWEDEN Chaos in the Strait of Hormuz and Global Alignments. Gordon Chang and Kamran Bokhari. The Strait of Hormuz memorandum of understanding has collapsed, leading the U.S. to end the ceasefire with Iran. Iran is attempting to divide international allies by courting India and Pakistan. Pakistan balances a mediating role against domestic economic instability, while India shifts toward a burden-sharing role in the Indo-Pacific. (1) Chinese Missile Provocations and the Undersea Power Struggle. Gordon Chang and Rebecca Grant. Chinalaunched a long-range missile over sovereign territories toward Fiji, an aggressive move coinciding with major NATO and RIMPAC events. The test signals China's intent to expand its nuclear triad despite its currently "noisy" submarine technology. The U.S. maintains its undersea dominance through advanced programs like the Columbia-class boomer and unmanned Orca systems. (2) Religious Persecution and the Rise of Underground Christianity in China. Gordon Chang and Piero Tozzi. Pastor Ezra Jin's release highlights the CCP's continued persecution of underground churches that refuse to answer to the state. Despite intense Sinicization and arrests of figures like Jimmy Lai, Christianity is flourishing in China as a witness for human dignity. Totalitarian control efforts have created an enemy in an underground congregation potentially numbering over 100 million. (3) PLA Purges and Xi Jinping's Power Consolidation. Gordon Chang and Piero Tozzi. Xi Jinping's provocative missile launches are linked to internal instability and purges within the Central Military Commission. By creating international tension, Xi forces competing party factions to rally behind his leadership. While he controls the propaganda and state security apparatus, his control over the People's Liberation Army remains incomplete. (4) Venezuela's Humanitarian Crisis and US Diplomatic Pragmatism. Evan Ellis. Twin earthquakes in Venezuelahave left thousands dead and missing, with the Maduro regime's response marked by corruption and inefficiency. The U.S. continues to work with regime "thugs" for stability and oil access while preventing the democratically elected leader, María Corina Machado, from returning to aid her country. (5) Electoral Shifts Toward U.S. Cooperation in Peru and Colombia. Evan Ellis. Keiko Fujimori in Peru and Abelardo de la Espriella in Colombia have secured victories, pledging to join U.S.-led regional security coalitions. Both leaders inherit nations plagued by record-high coca production and expanded criminal groups. Their success is viewed as critical for regional stability and counter-cartel efforts in the Americas. (6) Bolivia's Instability and US-Mexico Trade Leverage. Evan Ellis. Bolivia remains on "borrowed time" as Evo Morales leads blockades from his coca-growing stronghold. Simultaneously, the U.S. uses the USMCA's renewal uncertainty as leverage to ensure Mexico's cooperation on migration and drugs. This strategy risks long-term investment but forces immediate strategic compliance from the Mexican administration. (7) Cuba's Grid Collapse and Caribbean Regional Integration. Evan Ellis. Cuba's recurring blackouts highlight a crumbling infrastructure and the failure of economic reforms to appease U.S. sanctions. While the U.S. applies individual sanctions on leaders, CARICOM is expanding its regional influence, recently bringing Martinique in as an associate member to bolster Caribbean governance and maritime security. (8) Russia's Energy Chokepoint and the Shifting Global Oil Map. Michael Bernstam. Ukrainian drone strikes on major Russian refineries have triggered a severe fuel crisis, forcing export bans on diesel and gasoline. Meanwhile, Gulf states are building massive pipelines to bypass the Strait of Hormuz. These developments are neutralizing Iran's "golden weapon" and shifting global oil transit maps away from traditional naval chokepoints. (9) The Strategic Impact of the Drone War on Russia. Michael Bernstam. Ukrainian drones have achieved what sanctions could not, choking Russia's fuel supply and forcing it to sell oil at massive discounts to China and India. This new form of decentralized drone warfare has made fuel supplies the primary vulnerability of the Russianeconomy. Modern nations, including Taiwan, are now observing these lessons in resource warfare. (10) The Capitalism Model and Monetization of the Space Sector. Bob Zimmerman. Wall Street has embraced commercial space, with private companies like Catalyst performing satellite servicing missions once reserved for government agencies. The U.S. Space Force now buys rapid-launch capabilities from the private sector for orbital reconnaissance. India is also transitioning its space program toward this capitalist model to increase efficiency. (11) Asteroid Probes and Scientific Cosmological Anomalies. Bob Zimmerman. Missions are targeting asteroids like the potentially dangerous Apophis, with a fleet of probes planning a 2029 flyby. Meanwhile, the Euclid telescope has detected ancient quasars that challenge Big Bang timelines. Additional anomalies in Galaxy Centaurus A and unpredictable sunspot activity suggest current cosmological models remain incomplete. (12) European Heat Waves and Shifting Commodity Markets. Simon Constable. Extreme heat is becoming the norm in Europe, driving demand for air conditioning and pressuring electrical infrastructure. Commodity prices show mixed signals; oil and gas have risen due to Middle East tensions, while industrial metals like copper decline. In Britain, Andy Burnham is positioned as a likely future prime leader. (13) The Invisible Power of Global Data Centers. Simon Constable. Data centers represent the digital future, with Virginia housing the world's highest concentration for the federal government. Despite accounting for over 4% of U.S. electricity usage, a quiz reveals that a quarter of Americans know nothing about these facilities. The U.K.holds the second-highest number of data centers globally. (14) The Sino-American Lunar Race for Permanent Presence. Rick Fisher and Doug Messier. China aims for a permanent lunar presence at the South Pole to potentially deny access to other powers. NASA is countering with a civilian coalition of private partners like SpaceX to develop sustainable infrastructure for future Mars missions. China's architecture mimics Soviet systems, while NASA's Starship requires complex orbital refueling to reach the moon. (15) Risk Aversion and Logistical Timelines for Moon Landings. Rick Fisher and Doug Messier. The Chinesespace program is highly risk-averse to protect the Communist Party's legitimacy. While NASA is "game on," it faces challenges with the Starship lander, which reportedly requires at least 15 refueling launches per mission. China hopes for a manned landing by 2030, while NASA's 2028 timeline remains subject to potential delays. (16)

Chaos in the Strait of Hormuz and Global Alignments. Gordon Chang and Kamran Bokhari. The Strait of Hormuzmemorandum of understanding has collapsed, leading the U.S. to end the ceasefire with Iran. Iran is attempting to divide international allies by courting India and Pakistan. Pakistan balances a mediating role against domestic economic instability, while India shifts toward a burden-sharing role in the Indo-Pacific. (1)1904

In this episode of The PDB Afternoon Bulletin: China conducts a rare submarine launch of a nuclear-capable ballistic missile into the Pacific, prompting alarm across the Indo-Pacific. We explain why U.S. allies are calling the test destabilizing—and what it reveals about Beijing's rapidly expanding nuclear capabilities and evolving nuclear strategy. Hamas says it's prepared to step aside from governing Gaza, but the terror group still refuses to surrender its weapons. We'll explain why that missing concession remains the biggest obstacle preventing President Trump's ceasefire plan from moving forward. To listen to the show ad-free, become a premium member of The President's Daily Brief by visiting https://PDBPremium.com. Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of The President's Daily Brief. YouTube: youtube.com/@presidentsdailybrief ZBiotics: Go to https://zbiotics.com/PDBand use PDB at checkout for 15% off any ZBiotics probiotics. Acre Gold: Turn your pocket change into physical 24-karat gold and enter to win a limited-edition Hot Wheels gold bar at https://GetAcreGold.com/PDB Superpower: Stop guessing about your health—get $20 off Superpower at https://superpower.com/pdb with code PDB. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rush Doshi helped shape U.S. strategy toward China from inside the White House, and led negotiations on AUKUS – the Australia-U.K.-U.S. security partnership that redefined geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific. He joined Rep. Crenshaw to talk about the rise of China as a superpower, why America misread China's intentions for decades, and the strategic thinking behind their ambitious moves across the globe. They also discuss trade wars, rare earth minerals, industrial policy, AUKUS, Taiwan, India, what a China-led world could look like – and why America still has the advantages needed to compete and win.   Rush Doshi is an Assistant Professor in the Security Studies Program at Georgetown University and the director of the China Strategy Initiative at the Council on Foreign Relations. He is the author of "The Long Game: China's Grand Strategy to Displace American Order." Find him on X at @RushDoshi.