Center for International Maritime Security Fostering the Discussion on Securing the Seas.
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What Moral Leadership Looks Likeby Guest Author on 16 July 2025 at 10:00 am
By William C. Spears It has been twenty years since the passing of Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale, a celebrated American leader and moralist whose heroic example continues to inspire new generations. Stockdale’s story is commonly regarded at a surface level, reduced to that told in his citation for the Congressional Medal of Honor. The simplified … Continue reading What Moral Leadership Looks Like →
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Sea Control 582: Guns, Ships and Moneyby Guest Author on 13 July 2025 at 6:40 pm
By J. Overton Daniel Banks joins the show to talk about this writing and research into the logistics networks with host J. Overton. Banks focuses on the maritime and naval networks that helped Guiseppe Garibaldi succeed in the reunification of Italy in 1860. Daniel Banks is a postdoctoral fellow in Global History and Governance at … Continue reading Sea Control 582: Guns, Ships and Money →
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Sea Control 581: The MLR’s Missing Linkby Guest Author on 6 July 2025 at 3:39 am
By Brian Kerg Captains Brendan Costello and Tyler Muniz of the United States Marine Corps join Brian to discuss their article, “The Marine Littoral Regiment’s Missing Link,” published in the Marine Corps Gazette. Download Sea Control 518 Notes Brendan Costello and Tyler Muniz, “The Marine Littoral Regiment’s Missing Link,” Marine Corps Gazette (15 August, 2024) … Continue reading Sea Control 581: The MLR’s Missing Link →
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Sea Control 580: Building Resilient Kill Chainsby Guest Author on 1 July 2025 at 7:15 am
By Brian Kerg Majors Aaron Barlow, Sean Harper and Captain Patrick Reilly join Brian on the podcast to discuss their article for CIMSEC, “Building Resilient Kill Chains for the Stand in Force.” Download Sea Control 580: Building Resilient Kill Chains Links 1. Aaron Barlow, Patrick Reilly, and Sean Harper, “Building Resilient Kill Chains for the … Continue reading Sea Control 580: Building Resilient Kill Chains →
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Why the U.S. Should Support South Korea’s Naval Expansionby Guest Author on 27 June 2025 at 12:00 pm
By Ju Hyung Kim When people think about the U.S.-ROK alliance, they often envision the Korean Peninsula: joint ground drills, combined air exercises, and the perennial challenge of deterring a North Korean invasion. But the next chapter of this alliance is unfolding at sea. With the U.S. Navy stretched across multiple theaters—from the Mediterranean to … Continue reading Why the U.S. Should Support South Korea’s Naval Expansion →
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Sea Control 579: Partnering for Conflict in the Western Pacificby Guest Author on 25 June 2025 at 10:00 am
By Brian Kerg Major Ben Van Horrick and LtCol Scott ‘Chuck’ Blyleven of the United States Marine Corps join the program to discuss the article, “Partnering Will Determine the First Days of Conflict in the Western Pacific.” Download Sea Control 579: Partnering for Conflict in the Western Pacific Links 1. “Partnering Will Determine the First … Continue reading Sea Control 579: Partnering for Conflict in the Western Pacific →
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Exposed Undersea: PLA Navy Officer Reflections on China’s Not-So-Silent Serviceby Guest Author on 24 June 2025 at 10:00 am
By Ryan D. Martinson While much of the international attention on China’s naval buildup is focused on its rapidly modernizing surface fleet, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is also taking bold steps to field a first-rate submarine force. By the end of this year, the service could have as many as 25 Yuan-class submarines, … Continue reading Exposed Undersea: PLA Navy Officer Reflections on China’s Not-So-Silent Service →
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Sea Control 578: Chinese Amphibious Warfare with Andrew Ericksonby Guest Author on 23 June 2025 at 10:30 am
By Brian Kerg Naval War College Professor of Strategy Andrew Erickson joins the program to talk about his recent book, Chinese Amphibious Warfare, the most current and authoritative assessment of PLA amphibious capabilities. Dr. Andrew S. Erickson is Professor of Strategy (tenured full professor) in the U.S. Naval War College (NWC)’s China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI). … Continue reading Sea Control 578: Chinese Amphibious Warfare with Andrew Erickson →
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African Maritime Forces Week Concludes on CIMSECby Dmitry Filipoff on 23 June 2025 at 10:00 am
By Dmitry Filipoff From June 16-20, CIMSEC featured a series of articles written for the African Maritime Forces Summit (AMFS) 2025. The summit, hosted in Mauritius from June 23-26, addresses African regional maritime security through the lens of the Western Indian Ocean. AMFS seeks to enhance regional maritime security by convening key maritime leaders to … Continue reading African Maritime Forces Week Concludes on CIMSEC →
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From Fragmentation to Framework: The Evolution of Regional Maritime Governance in the Western Indian Oceanby Guest Author on 20 June 2025 at 10:00 am
African Maritime Forces Week By Pascaline Alexandre, Africa Center for Competitive Intelligence (ACCI) Introduction In recent years, maritime security in the Western Indian Ocean1 (WIO) has risen to the forefront of global priorities, driven by the rapid expansion of international trade and the strategic importance of the world’s oceans. As shipping lanes grow busier, the … Continue reading From Fragmentation to Framework: The Evolution of Regional Maritime Governance in the Western Indian Ocean →
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Rebuilding SADC’s Maritime Security Architectureby Guest Author on 19 June 2025 at 10:30 am
African Maritime Forces Week By Mr. Timothy Walker, Institute for Security Studies, South Africa Introduction Developing robust regional maritime security mechanisms in Southern Africa necessitates greater emphasis on the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) strategic oversight and operational capacity. This paper briefly charts SADC’s maritime security strategy and architecture, spotlighting relevant geographic features, institutions, and … Continue reading Rebuilding SADC’s Maritime Security Architecture →
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Developing Robust Regional Maritime Security Mechanisms for the WIOby Guest Author on 19 June 2025 at 10:00 am
African Maritime Forces Week By Raj Mohabeer, IOC and Kiruja Micheni, Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment, International Maritime Organization Introduction The Western Indian Ocean (WIO) and Red Sea region features a diverse and evolving array of maritime security architectures and initiatives. From international treaties to strategic partnerships and operational centres, these frameworks aim to counter … Continue reading Developing Robust Regional Maritime Security Mechanisms for the WIO →
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India’s Evolving Role in Supporting African Maritime Security Architectureby Guest Author on 18 June 2025 at 10:30 am
African Maritime Forces Week By Dr. Abhishek Mishra, Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), New Delhi Maritime security in an African context is increasingly assuming prominence within the wider African security agenda.1 Despite the continent being surrounded by water on all sides, “the process of developing an agenda for maritime … Continue reading India’s Evolving Role in Supporting African Maritime Security Architecture →
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Africa’s Maritime Security Relations and the Global Responsibility to Protect the Seaby Guest Author on 18 June 2025 at 10:00 am
African Maritime Forces Week By Dr. Christian Bueger, University of Copenhagen Maritime security is a global responsibility. All nations, including those without coastal waters, depend on the sea for trade, food, energy, and digital communication. Safeguarding shipping, protecting energy infrastructures, subsea data cables and the marine environment, fighting pollution, illicit fishing and other blue crimes … Continue reading Africa’s Maritime Security Relations and the Global Responsibility to Protect the Sea →
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Direct and Indirect Maritime Security Threats in the Western Indian Oceanby Guest Author on 17 June 2025 at 10:30 am
African Maritime Forces Week By Captain Mark Blaine (Ret.), SIGLA Stellenbosch and SA Navy Executive Summary The Western Indian Ocean (WIO) region is a vital route for global commerce and a strategic zone for geopolitical interests. Despite its global and regional importance, its maritime security landscape is increasingly troubled with threats which include piracy and … Continue reading Direct and Indirect Maritime Security Threats in the Western Indian Ocean →
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Connecting Ocean: The Role of Non-African States in African Regional Maritime Securityby Guest Author on 17 June 2025 at 10:00 am
African Maritime Forces Week By Vice Admiral Ignacio Villanueva Serrano, Operation Commander, EU NAVFOR ATALANTA The waters surrounding the Horn of Africa and the Western Indian Ocean are a vital confluence of global and local interests, serving as essential conduits for international trade, energy security, and the livelihoods of coastal communities. These maritime spaces, encompassing … Continue reading Connecting Ocean: The Role of Non-African States in African Regional Maritime Security →
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Diversifying Threats to Maritime Security in the Western Indian Ocean Regionby Guest Author on 16 June 2025 at 11:00 am
African Maritime Forces Week By Captain Harifidy A. Alex Ralaiarivony, Director of Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre (RMIFC) Introduction: The Strategic Importance and Threat Landscape of the Western Indian Ocean (WIO) Region The WIO region serves as an essential gateway linking Asia, the Pacific, and the Middle East, occupying a central position in the world’s … Continue reading Diversifying Threats to Maritime Security in the Western Indian Ocean Region →
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Escalating Threats to Maritime Security in the Western Indian Ocean Regionby Guest Author on 16 June 2025 at 10:30 am
African Maritime Forces Week By Brigadier General John M. Waweru (Ret.), IMO Consultant Introduction The Western Indian Ocean Region (WIO) holds substantial geopolitical and economic importance due to its location along vital international sea lanes, facilitating maritime trade between Asia, Africa, and Europe. Approximately 80% of the world’s seaborne oil trade transits through these waters, … Continue reading Escalating Threats to Maritime Security in the Western Indian Ocean Region →
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CIMSEC Launches African Maritime Forces Summit Topic Weekby Guest Author on 16 June 2025 at 10:00 am
By Dmitry Filipoff From June 16-20, CIMSEC will feature a series of articles written for the African Maritime Forces Summit (AMFS) 2025. The summit, hosted in Mauritius from June 23-26, addresses African regional maritime security through the lens of the Western Indian Ocean. AMFS seeks to enhance regional maritime security by convening key maritime leaders … Continue reading CIMSEC Launches African Maritime Forces Summit Topic Week →
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Sea Control 577: Reconceptualizing War with Ben Zweibelsonby Guest Author on 13 June 2025 at 10:00 am
By J. Overton Dr. Ben Zweibelson joins the program to talk about his new book, Reconceptualizing War. Dr. Zweibelson has over three decades of service to the U.S. Department of Defense, retiring as an Infantry Officer with 22 years combined service, multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, and awarded four Bronze Stars. Author of … Continue reading Sea Control 577: Reconceptualizing War with Ben Zweibelson →
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Choking the Artery: The Naval Dimension of a Future India–Pakistan Conflictby Guest Author on 12 June 2025 at 10:00 am
By Slade Woodard The Line of Control still dominates the nightly news, yet war between India and Pakistan could spill seaward. In early May 2025, the two nuclear‑armed neighbors again traded strikes, suspended bilateral trade concessions, and placed elements of their fleets on alert.1 Nearly one‑third of Pakistan’s import bill, and, critically, 16 percent of its food supply, … Continue reading Choking the Artery: The Naval Dimension of a Future India–Pakistan Conflict →
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Sea Control 576: Rescuing Heritage from Humiliation with Tommy Jamisonby Walker Mills on 11 June 2025 at 10:00 am
By Walker Mills Dr. Tommy Jamison joins the program to discuss his recent article “Rescuing Heritage from Humiliation: The Navalist Reinterpretation of the Sino-French and Sino-Japanese Wars,” published in the October issue of the Journal of Military History. The conversation focuses on recent reinterpretations of the Sino-French and Sino-Japanese Wars, and what they can tell … Continue reading Sea Control 576: Rescuing Heritage from Humiliation with Tommy Jamison →
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A Decade of Surface Warfare Tactical Reform: A SMWDC Special Compilationby Dmitry Filipoff on 9 June 2025 at 10:00 am
By Dmitry Filipoff Ten years ago today, the U.S. Navy’s surface warfare community opened the Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC). This institution has gone on to play a major role in sharpening the warfighting skill of the surface navy. From producing hundreds of warfare tactics instructors, to spearheading doctrinal updates, to rapidly … Continue reading A Decade of Surface Warfare Tactical Reform: A SMWDC Special Compilation →
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Sea Control 575: Baltic Conundrums with Sebastian Brunsby Guest Author on 9 June 2025 at 9:30 am
By J. Overton Dr. Sebastian Bruns joins the program to talk about his article, “Conundrums, Right Ahead: Five strategic concerns for Baltic Sea decision-makers.” Sebastian is a naval strategist and sea power expert based in Kiel, Germany, where he is senior researcher at the Institute for Security Policy at Kiel University. Download Sea Control 575: … Continue reading Sea Control 575: Baltic Conundrums with Sebastian Bruns →
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Small Craft, Big Impact: Ukraine’s Naval War and the Rise of New-Tech Warshipsby Guest Author on 3 June 2025 at 10:00 am
By David Kirichenko Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 shocked the international order. What surprised the world even more was Ukraine’s ability to resist. While many in the West believed Ukraine would only hold out for a few weeks, the war has now entered its fourth year. Ukraine has relied on agility and innovation … Continue reading Small Craft, Big Impact: Ukraine’s Naval War and the Rise of New-Tech Warships →
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Sea Control 574: Diplomacy for Better Stand-in Force Access in Japan with Daniel Houghby Guest Author on 2 June 2025 at 10:00 am
By Brian Kerg Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Hough joins the podcast to discuss his article, “Diplomacy for Better Stand-In Force Access in Japan.” Lieutenant Colonel Hough is a combat engineer officer serving as an operational planner in the III MEF G-357 Future Operations Branch in Okinawa, Japan. He deployed as a combat engineer officer in support … Continue reading Sea Control 574: Diplomacy for Better Stand-in Force Access in Japan with Daniel Hough →
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Sea Control 573: The Great North Challenges the Mediterranean with Federico Petroniby Alexia Bouallagui on 30 May 2025 at 10:00 am
By Alexia Bouallagui Sea Control presents the first in a special series by cohost Alexia Bouallagui on Italian maritime security research. On this episode Alexia is joined by Federico Petroni to discuss Arctic geopolitics. Federico Petroni is a geopolitical analyst at Limes, the Italian review of geopolitics, and coordinator of the school of Limes. This … Continue reading Sea Control 573: The Great North Challenges the Mediterranean with Federico Petroni →
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Every Commander a Wargamer: Reforming Wargaming Education for the Fleetby Guest Author on 29 May 2025 at 10:00 am
By Jeff Appleget and Jeff Kline Introduction In the decade since Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work began his 2014 initiative to reinvigorate wargaming, there has been a decided uptick in the number of wargames being conducted for DoD. However, the quality and relevancy of DoD wargaming has not been uniform. One of the primary … Continue reading Every Commander a Wargamer: Reforming Wargaming Education for the Fleet →
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If the U.S. Navy can’t Repair Ships in Peacetime, how will it do so in War?by Guest Author on 27 May 2025 at 10:00 am
By Michael Hogan Introduction The Navy has well-documented issues with building warships. Less discussed, but equally important, are issues with repairing the ships it already has, which jeopardizes its ability to meet its own goal of sustaining a across all platforms. As the Navy focuses on preparing for a great power conflict potentially, the Navy … Continue reading If the U.S. Navy can’t Repair Ships in Peacetime, how will it do so in War? →
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Wargaming the Future: A Year in Review of Wargaming at USCby Guest Author on 22 May 2025 at 10:00 am
By Jack Tribolet In Fall 2023, the University of Southern California reconstituted its previously abandoned wargaming club. Ultimately, wargaming reemerged in two places for USC’s midshipmen, one as a mandatory test of knowledge after a precursory look at the impending Taiwan crisis in the Introduction to Naval Science (NSC 101) course and, second, as part … Continue reading Wargaming the Future: A Year in Review of Wargaming at USC →