It should not surprise that Iran sought to close the Strait of Hormuz when hostilities began in February 2026, or that it would use the Strait as leverage in negotiations. Controlling vital sea-lanes, particularly strategic chokepoints, is not a new dimension of warfare or coercion. Whether the Strait of Gibraltar
Eurasia’s Chokepoints Continue Reading >>
This week, Yorktown Institute President Seth Cropsey joined Café Berlin to discuss maritime power, strategic education, America’s alliances, and the role universities must play in preparing the next generation of national security leaders. America possesses formidable military, technological, and economic power. But power alone does not amount to strategy.
America Has Power, but Does It Have a Strategy? Continue Reading >>
Russia’s recent wave of attacks on Odesa and its surrounding ports demonstrate again the maritime fundamentals of the Ukraine War – and again reinforce the need to consider both faster materiel transfers. It also presents a major opportunity for NATO to consider the reimposition of deterrence and escalatory ceilings. The
The Maritime Character of the Russo-Ukrainian War Continue Reading >>
Naval power is commonly applied near landmasses where the commercial and military links between states are bundled. The great naval battles of history from Salamis to Actium and Lepanto to Trafalgar, Tsushima Strait and Midway occurred near contested positions on land. The World War II Battle of the Atlantic was
How to Save the US Navy Continue Reading >>
American foreign policy has always sought to ensure the Western Hemisphere remained free of Eurasian political influence. Since World War I, this has meant active participation in the Eurasian balance to disrupt or defeat aspiring Eurasian hegemons. Today, America needs a Black Sea strategy that furthers its Eurasian interests. Sens.
The U.S. Needs a Black Sea Strategy Continue Reading >>
Supplying an attacking and defending force has been an issue since the decade-long Trojan War. In more than 3,000 years, this has not changed. The U.S. continues to benefit from unrestricted resupply access in the Ukraine War. However, future Eurasian conflicts will not resemble Ukraine. The U.S. requires the capabilities
The Merchant Marine and U.S. Strategy Continue Reading >>
The year 2022 was an underreported but brutal one for the US Navy. The service is in crisis. Retention issues, an aging fleet, the revelation of several command failures, and a blunt inability to articulate its strategic mission in an increasingly hostile bureaucratic environment bode ill for the navy’s ability to meet
US Navy: a Looming Threat and a Hollow Force Continue Reading >>
The United States faces the possibility of a global naval war around the Eurasian landmass. This is regardless of the Ukraine War’s outcome. Indeed, the perception of weakness and capacity limitations is a powerful incentive for hostile states to probe American capabilities and initiate a broader conflict. The current geopolitical
Global Naval War Continue Reading >>
Americans have long been rightly proud of our military. But that might be changing. A recent Reagan Institute poll indicates that only 48 percent of Americans had “a great deal of confidence” in the military. Last year, confidence hovered at similar levels, around 45 percent. But compared with 2018, this is a
A ‘Woke’ Naval Academy Hurts Our Military Continue Reading >>
The Fourth Taiwan Strait Crisis is in full swing. The PLA has continued its military exercises after Speaker Pelosi’s departure from Taiwan, the PRC has imposed targeted sanctions upon Taiwan. Beijing’s diplomatic service and propaganda outlets compete to emphasize the overwhelming response that Taiwan and the West will suffer if
After the Next War Continue Reading >>
