February Free for All, on Midrats
...from Munich, to Maritime Action Plans, to the shadow fleet
Need a moment to recover from Valentine’s Day? Of course you do!
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Showlinks
Summary
In this episode of Midrats, Sal and Mark discuss various topics related to national security, starting off with the Truxton-Supply collision. They also delve into Secretary Rubio’s speech regarding NATO relations, the decline of the international order, and the challenges posed by China’s global influence. Additionally, they explore the Maritime Action Plan and its significance for the future of shipbuilding and economic policy in the U.S.
Chapters
00:00: Introduction
02:10: The Truxtun-Supply Collision
11:55: Operational Tempo and Navy Readiness
17:24: Secretary Rubio’s Speech and NATO Relations
27:18: The Decline of the International Order
37:03: China’s Global Influence and Fishing Practices
45:51: Maritime Action Plan and Economic Policy
57:59: Strategic Capabilities and Future of Shipbuilding
Good afternoon CDR and Shipmates,
I'd love to join live today but have prior commitments - however, wanted to flag something timely given the February Maritime Action Plan and EO 14269.
We've been developing an implementation framework for the Administration's Maritime Security Trust Fund directive through what we call the Strategic SEAS Act. The core mechanism: Defense Reinvestment Credits requiring companies with significant China operations (>$50M revenue or critical technology transfers) to contribute to naval modernization and shipbuilding capacity.
This isn't advocacy anymore - it's about operationalizing what the Executive Order mandated. The framework addresses three critical gaps:
- Funding: Generates revenue for the Trust Fund without new taxpayer burden
- Accountability: Creates market consequences for technology transfer enabling PLA modernization
- Industrial base: Directs capital specifically to shipyard expansion and workforce development
We're preparing this for the National Commission on the Future of the Navy's Q2 2026 hearings. The timing matters - the policy window is open right now.
Happy to share the full framework with anyone interested. This connects directly to the industrial base and strategic competition discussions you've been leading, CDR.
Bill Cullifer
Founder, Americans for a Stronger Navy
How do you think small modular reactors (SMRs) will effect future Navy propulsion needs or power generation needs for energy weapons?