Resident Experts
Dr. Steven Wills
Navalist
Nicholas Weising
Program AssociateNon-Resident Experts
John D. McCown
Non-Resident Senior Fellow
Michael Roberts
Non-Resident Senior FellowQuoted in Publication
Trump Administration Pushes Biggest Noncombat Ship Upgrade in Decades
Force Design, Industry & Innovation
Quoted in Publication
The Era of Free Seas Is Unraveling—and Now Everyone’s Going to Pay
MENA, Energy and Resource Security, Industry & Innovation, International Law, Surface Warfare
Quoted in Publication
EXCLUSIVE: How allies’ successes could jumpstart America’s ailing shipyards
Geopolitics, Industry & Innovation
Reports
Pier Review: Leveraging the Allied Maritime Industrial Base for U.S. Shipbuilding
Acquisitions & Budget, Civil-Military, Industry & Innovation, Personnel, Political Economy, Surface Warfare, Undersea Warfare
The MOC
The Amazing Beauty Of Trade & Its Manifold Benefits For America/Americans
Energy and Resource Security, Geopolitics, Industry & Innovation, Strategy & Doctrine
Article
New MAP Offers Wish List for Achieving White House Maritime Goals
Industry & Innovation, Personnel, Political Economy, Surface Warfare
Quoted in Publication
Hormuz is not the only weak spot for global trade
MENA, Energy and Resource Security, Industry & Innovation
The MOC
Russia’s Expanding Robotic Sea Capabilities
Europe & Eurasia, AI & Cyber, Industry & Innovation, Undersea Warfare
The MOC
Defense Reinvestment as Naval Strategy: Sector-Based Contributions and Industrial Base Competition
Acquisitions & Budget, Industry & Innovation, Political Economy
Quoted in Publication
SPECIAL REPORT: Lawmakers race to pass SHIPS Act before midterms
Industry & Innovation, Political Economy
Maritime Nation
Ports of Power and China’s Maritime Toolkit
Energy and Resource Security, Geopolitics, Hybrid Threats, Industry & Innovation
Quoted in Publication
Does the US have enough aircraft carriers for all Trump’s wars?
Force Design, Geopolitics, Industry & Innovation, Surface Warfare
External Publication Reports
Ports of Power: China’s Growing Maritime Network of Ports, Bases, and Dual-Use Facilities
Africa, Americas, Asia & the Indo-Pacific, Conflict Resolution & Peacebuilding, Energy and Resource Security, Geopolitics, Hybrid Threats, Industry & Innovation
Maritime Nation
Meeting the MARAD Administrator | The Honorable Stephen Carmel
Acquisitions & Budget, Energy and Resource Security, Force Design, Industry & Innovation, Political Economy
The MOC
Suppressing Wages of Naval Architects is the Last Thing the U.S. MIB Needs Right Now
Industry & Innovation, Political Economy
External Article
It’s Crunch Time for Rebuilding American Shipbuilding
Acquisitions & Budget, Industry & Innovation
The MOC
United We Stand: How States can Contribute to Securing the Future of America’s Maritime Industrial Base
Geopolitics, Industry & Innovation, Personnel, Political Economy
Maritime Nation
The Battle for American Waterways
Energy and Resource Security, Hybrid Threats, Industry & Innovation, Personnel, Political Economy
The MOC
Arsenalotti for America: Lessons from The Serene Republic for a U.S. Maritime Industrial Corps
Industry & Innovation, Personnel, Political Economy
The MOC
Dual Use Initiative By China Could Exponentially Increase Its Missile Launch Platforms
Acquisitions & Budget, Hybrid Threats, Industry & Innovation, Surface Warfare
The MOC
Failure to Launch: How Political Backpedaling Could Hand China the Carrier Edge
Acquisitions & Budget, Force Design, Industry & Innovation, Political Economy, Surface Warfare
The MOC
Solving the Navy’s Frigate Problem: The Case for Bold, Persistent Experimentation
Acquisitions & Budget, Force Design, Industry & Innovation
In the News
Atlantic Council launches Revitalizing US Shipbuilding Task Force to bolster US maritime industrial base
Acquisitions & Budget, AI & Cyber, Force Design, Industry & Innovation, Personnel, Surface Warfare, Undersea Warfare
Article
Resilient Shipyards, Ready Fleets: Strengthening U.S. and Allied Maritime Self-Reliance with Proven Shiplift & Transfer Systems
AI & Cyber, Industry & Innovation, Personnel
Podcast
Sea Control 591: Maritime Statecraft and Its Future with Steve Brock and Hunter Stires
Acquisitions & Budget, Geopolitics, Industry & Innovation, Political Economy, Surface Warfare
External Publication
The U.S. Navy’s Strategic Focus and Modernization Priorities: The Foundry, the Fleet, the Fight
Industry & Innovation, Personnel, Political Economy
The MOC
Reviving the Escort Carrier for the Drone Age
Acquisitions & Budget, Industry & Innovation, Surface Warfare
The MOC
America Should Stick to its Guns on Port Fees for Chinese Ships
Geopolitics, Hybrid Threats, Industry & Innovation, Strategy & Doctrine
Quoted in Publication
Industry Divided on USTR’s China Port Fee Suspension
Acquisitions & Budget, Geopolitics, Industry & Innovation
Quoted in Publication
What it would take to build Trump’s Golden Fleet ‘battleships’
Industry & Innovation
Quoted in Publication
Harsh criticism from the US for Finland’s icebreaker deal
Arctic, Europe & Eurasia, Energy and Resource Security, Force Design, Geopolitics, Industry & Innovation
The MOC
A New Mississippi Squadron: The Navy’s Need for a Brown-Water Fleet
Americas, Force Design, Industry & Innovation, Personnel, Political Economy
Podcast
Episode 737: Maritime Statecraft and its Future, with Hunter Stires
Geopolitics, Industry & Innovation, Political Economy, Surface Warfare
Podcast
IPDI Spotlight: Reimagining the Allied Maritime Industrial Base
Asia & the Indo-Pacific, Acquisitions & Budget, Industry & Innovation, Political Economy, Surface Warfare, Undersea Warfare
The MOC
More Nuclear Energy, More Maritime Security
Energy and Resource Security, Force Design, Industry & Innovation, Political Economy
The MOC
Dark Waters: Strategic Implications of Russian Shadow Tankers in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean
MENA, Geopolitics, Hybrid Threats, Industry & Innovation
The MOC
The Clear Case for More U.S. Flag Ships Operating Internationally
Industry & Innovation, International Law, Political Economy
The MOC
Reindustrializing America: Wisdom from the Father of the Nuclear Navy
Acquisitions & Budget, Civil-Military, Energy and Resource Security, Industry & Innovation, Undersea Warfare
External Article
In Combat Shipbuilding, Allies Show that Cheaper Doesn’t Always Mean Better
Industry & Innovation
Reports
Returning from Ebb Tide: Renewing the United States Commercial Maritime Enterprise
Acquisitions & Budget, AI & Cyber, Energy and Resource Security, Force Design, Geopolitics, Industry & Innovation, Personnel, Political Economy, Strategy & Doctrine
Maritime Nation
From Keel to Commissioning: How to Build More Ships
Acquisitions & Budget, AI & Cyber, Industry & Innovation
The MOC
Overextended and Overwhelmed: Navigating Dual-Theater Challenges Facing the U.S. Navy
Asia & the Indo-Pacific, MENA, Force Design, Industry & Innovation, Surface Warfare
The MOC
Mastering The Waves: Learning to understand the maritime-industrial strategy behind Trumps’ foreign policy vision
Industry & Innovation, Political Economy, Strategy & Doctrine
External Publication
Progress in US-Europe Ballistic Missile Defense
Industry & Innovation, Strategy & Doctrine
The MOC
Taiwan’s USV Development and Strategic Learning from Ukraine
Asia & the Indo-Pacific, Europe & Eurasia, AI & Cyber, Industry & Innovation, Surface Warfare
The MOC
Trump is Right to Revitalize U.S. Shipbuilding
Geopolitics, Industry & Innovation, Political Economy
Guest Appearance
In Brief: Reviving the U.S. Shipbuilding Industry
Industry & Innovation, Political Economy
Quoted in Publication
McCown: U.S. ports may see an unprecedented 25% drop in volume by July
Industry & Innovation
The MOC
In Our Neighborhood: The United States’ Need to Address China’s Port Dominance in West Africa
Africa, Geopolitics, Industry & Innovation
Maritime Nation
Returning from Ebb Tide LIVE at Sea Air Space 2025
Energy and Resource Security, Industry & Innovation, Surface Warfare
The MOC
Shipbuilding and the Future of U.S. Sea Power: The Role of South Korea and Japan in the Rejuvenation of the American Fleet
Industry & Innovation
The MOC
Restoring American Maritime Power? Call-UP the Merchant Marine and Coast Guard
Hybrid Threats, Industry & Innovation, Strategy & Doctrine
External Article
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of the Navy’s Surface Fleet
Force Design, Industry & Innovation, Surface Warfare
The MOC
Port Fees Will Pave the Way for America’s Maritime Resurgence
Industry & Innovation, Political Economy
The MOC
American Maritime Supremacy for Peace, Jobs, and Prosperity: A Path Forward for Executive Action
Industry & Innovation, Political Economy
External Article
How a Prototype Approach can Help the Navy Rebuild its Fighting Capability
Acquisitions & Budget, Industry & Innovation
The MOC
Leveraging AUKUS to Meet the China Challenge
Asia & the Indo-Pacific, Geopolitics, Industry & Innovation, Undersea Warfare
Quoted in Publication
NATO mentors wary of ‘Trojan’ investors, amid Greek port battle
Europe & Eurasia, Geopolitics, Industry & Innovation
The MOC
Kelly/Waltz SHIPS Act Seeks to Elevate the Value and Numbers of U.S. Commercial Ships
Industry & Innovation, Political Economy
Interview
CNO Remarks & Discussion at America’s Future Fleet: Reinvigorating the Maritime Industrial Base
Industry & Innovation, Strategy & Doctrine, Surface Warfare
The MOC
Medical Logistics in a Contested Pacific: Ensuring Health Support in High-Risk Regions
Asia & the Indo-Pacific, Industry & Innovation, Personnel, Strategy & Doctrine
The MOC
The U.S. Navy’s Hybrid Fleet: Getting More Mission Ready Players on the Field
Acquisitions & Budget, AI & Cyber, Industry & Innovation
External Article
Trump Administration Must Reform how U.S. Navy Designs, Builds Warships
Industry & Innovation, Political Economy
The MOC
Confronting the Axis of Authoritarianism: The Need for a Robust Defense Build-Up to Empower a Multi-Theater Strategy
Industry & Innovation, Political Economy, Strategy & Doctrine
Quoted in Publication
To Fight Future Wars, the U.S. Needs More Capacity—and Seriousness
Asia & the Indo-Pacific, Industry & Innovation, Strategy & Doctrine
Maritime Nation
Fueling Conflict: Global Resource Politics in the 21st Century
Energy and Resource Security, Hybrid Threats, Industry & Innovation
The MOC
Unmanned Vessels Threaten to Undermine the Sea-Based Deterrent
AI & Cyber, Industry & Innovation, Strategy & Doctrine, Undersea Warfare
External Article
The Navy has a Readiness Problem; Here are Solutions to Consider
Force Design, Industry & Innovation
The MOC
The Navy Needs More Shipyards. It Should Take a Close Look at Philadelphia
Industry & Innovation
The MOC
Transition Assistance Programs for the Submarine Industrial Base Workforce
Acquisitions & Budget, Industry & Innovation, Personnel
The MOC
A Nuclear Sea-Launched Cruise Missile Sooner, Rather than Later
Force Design, Industry & Innovation, Strategy & Doctrine
The MOC
Use the Defense Production Act to Jump-start Navy Munitions Production
Acquisitions & Budget, Force Design, Industry & Innovation
The MOC
The European Defense Industrial Strategy: Moving the EU Closer to Strategic Autonomy
Europe & Eurasia, Acquisitions & Budget, Industry & Innovation
External Publication Reports
Staying Afloat: Why America Needs the Jones Act to Compete with China and What to Do Next
Acquisitions & Budget, Force Design, Industry & Innovation
Maritime Nation
Securing the Commercial Maritime Industry
Force Design, Industry & Innovation, Strategy & Doctrine
The MOC
Three Questions: Congressional Guidance for a National Maritime Strategy
Industry & Innovation, Strategy & Doctrine
The MOC
The Clear Case Today for Globalization Preserving National Security: Part 2
Asia & the Indo-Pacific, Acquisitions & Budget, Force Design, Industry & Innovation
Maritime Nation
Live at Sea-Air-Space 2024 with Dr. P.W. Singer
Africa, Americas, Arctic, Asia & the Indo-Pacific, Europe & Eurasia, MENA, AI & Cyber, Geopolitics, Hybrid Threats, Industry & Innovation, Strategy & Doctrine
The MOC
A Common Hull for New Navy Auxiliaries: The National Security Multi-Mission Vessel
Force Design, Industry & Innovation, Strategy & Doctrine
Maritime Nation
The War in Ukraine Two Years On
Europe & Eurasia, Civil-Military, Conflict Resolution & Peacebuilding, Geopolitics, Industry & Innovation
The MOC
Replicator will Sink or Swim with the US Navy in 2024
Asia & the Indo-Pacific, AI & Cyber, Hybrid Threats, Industry & Innovation
Maritime Nation
Special Episode: The Future of the Surface Navy
Acquisitions & Budget, Force Design, Industry & Innovation, Surface Warfare
The MOC
Part II: Huzzah! There is a New Frigate on the Horizon
Acquisitions & Budget, Force Design, Industry & Innovation, Surface Warfare
The MOC
Clear & Predictable Capacity Caps At America’s Seaports Need Addressing For Commercial & Security Reasons
Americas, Asia & the Indo-Pacific, Energy and Resource Security, Hybrid Threats, Industry & Innovation, Political Economy
The MOC
U.S. Maritime Priorities for a New Era of Competition
Asia & the Indo-Pacific, Acquisitions & Budget, Civil-Military, Force Design, Geopolitics, Industry & Innovation, Political Economy, Strategy & Doctrine, Surface Warfare, Undersea Warfare
The MOC
The U.S. cannot afford a Boomer Gap (No, Seriously)
Asia & the Indo-Pacific, Acquisitions & Budget, Industry & Innovation, Undersea Warfare
The MOC
Ghost Ships Already wreak Havoc
Asia & the Indo-Pacific, Europe & Eurasia, Civil-Military, Hybrid Threats, Industry & Innovation, International Law, Political Economy
The MOC
Integrating Developments from Industry for Robust Acoustic Intelligence
AI & Cyber, Industry & Innovation, Undersea Warfare
Quoted in Publication
Uncharted waters: Navy navigating first-ever dismantling of nuclear-powered carrier
Americas, Acquisitions & Budget, Energy and Resource Security, Force Design, Industry & Innovation
The MOC
Littoral Warfare Requirements for Future Black Sea Operations
Europe & Eurasia, Acquisitions & Budget, Geopolitics, Industry & Innovation
External Article
U.S. Navy Needs to Build Back its Sea Mine Capability
Asia & the Indo-Pacific, Europe & Eurasia, MENA, Acquisitions & Budget, Industry & Innovation
The MOC
The Osprey COD Aircraft: Versatile Logistics for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps
Asia & the Indo-Pacific, Acquisitions & Budget, Force Design, Industry & Innovation
The MOC
“Zeitenwende” at Sea?: The German Navy’s Purchase of SeaRAMs and Bolstering Security in the Baltic Sea
Europe & Eurasia, Acquisitions & Budget, Force Design, Industry & Innovation, Surface Warfare
The MOC
Bolstering Deterrence in the Indo-Pacific through Long Range Fires
Asia & the Indo-Pacific, Acquisitions & Budget, Force Design, Industry & Innovation, Surface Warfare
The MOC
Unmanned Vessels as Sensors in U.S. Naval Operations
Asia & the Indo-Pacific, Acquisitions & Budget, AI & Cyber, Force Design, Industry & Innovation
The MOC
The Swedish Navy brings Capable Forces to NATO
Europe & Eurasia, Acquisitions & Budget, Force Design, Hybrid Threats, Industry & Innovation, Strategy & Doctrine, Surface Warfare, Undersea Warfare
The MOC
To succeed against China, Washington and Its Allies must be in the South China Sea
Asia & the Indo-Pacific, Acquisitions & Budget, Force Design, Geopolitics, Hybrid Threats, Industry & Innovation, Strategy & Doctrine, Surface Warfare
The MOC
The Character of Navy Continuity and Change
Civil-Military, Industry & Innovation, Personnel
External Publication
The United States Navy needs An Operational Level of War Strategy to inform Fleet Design
Acquisitions & Budget, Force Design, Industry & Innovation, Strategy & Doctrine, Surface Warfare
The MOC
The Importance of Seabed Critical Minerals for Great Power Competition
Arctic, Asia & the Indo-Pacific, Europe & Eurasia, Civil-Military, Energy and Resource Security, Geopolitics, Industry & Innovation, International Law, Political Economy
The MOC
Achieving More with Less: The U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet Bets on Unmanned Vehicles and AI Systems to Bolster Maritime Domain Awareness
MENA, Acquisitions & Budget, AI & Cyber, Force Design, Geopolitics, Hybrid Threats, Industry & Innovation, Political Economy
The MOC
U.S. Air Technology in the Baltic can help Allies create a “Lake of NATO”
Europe & Eurasia, Acquisitions & Budget, Force Design, Industry & Innovation
Quoted in Publication
Navy seeks to offer virtual training to more of the fleet
Force Design, Industry & Innovation, Strategy & Doctrine, Wargaming
Quoted in Publication
Inside the Navy’s largest exercise: In command and under pressure
Force Design, Industry & Innovation, Strategy & Doctrine, Surface Warfare, Wargaming
The MOC
Lessons from the Anglo-German Arms Race for the United States Navy
Asia & the Indo-Pacific, Europe & Eurasia, Acquisitions & Budget, Force Design, Geopolitics, Industry & Innovation, Strategy & Doctrine
The MOC
Learning from Transatlantic Allies to secure the Subsea Domain
Asia & the Indo-Pacific, Europe & Eurasia, MENA, Civil-Military, Geopolitics, Hybrid Threats, Industry & Innovation, International Law, Political Economy, Undersea Warfare
The MOC
Finland could help the U.S. build a Fleet of Polar Cutters
Arctic, Europe & Eurasia, Acquisitions & Budget, Energy and Resource Security, Geopolitics, Hybrid Threats, Industry & Innovation, International Law, Political Economy
External Article
International Reactions to Maritime COIN Project
Acquisitions & Budget, Geopolitics, Hybrid Threats, Industry & Innovation, Personnel, Political Economy, Strategy & Doctrine, Surface Warfare, Undersea Warfare
Quoted in Publication
Ukraine Offers Plan to Bypass Russia’s Black Sea Blockade
Europe & Eurasia, Force Design, Geopolitics, Industry & Innovation, Strategy & Doctrine
Podcast
The Eastern Front: Let’s Talk Black Sea Security, Pt. II (with Adm. James Foggo)
Europe & Eurasia, Conflict Resolution & Peacebuilding, Energy and Resource Security, Geopolitics, Hybrid Threats, Industry & Innovation, International Law, Political Economy, Strategy & Doctrine
The MOC
Undercurrents of Italy’s Indo-Pacific Agenda
Asia & the Indo-Pacific, Europe & Eurasia, Acquisitions & Budget, Geopolitics, Industry & Innovation, Political Economy
Podcast
The Eastern Front: Let’s Talk Black Sea Security (with Thea Dunlevie)
Europe & Eurasia, AI & Cyber, Civil-Military, Energy and Resource Security, Geopolitics, Hybrid Threats, Industry & Innovation, International Law, Political Economy, Strategy & Doctrine
The MOC
Securing Maritime Data: The Battle Against China’s LOGINK in U.S. and European Ports
Americas, Asia & the Indo-Pacific, Europe & Eurasia, AI & Cyber, Civil-Military, Geopolitics, Hybrid Threats, Industry & Innovation, Political Economy
The MOC
Shifting Warfare Paradigms: Establishing Effective Targeting Strategies in the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain
Asia & the Indo-Pacific, Europe & Eurasia, AI & Cyber, Civil-Military, Hybrid Threats, Industry & Innovation
The MOC
World War II’s Coral Sea and Midway Battles say the Modern U.S. Navy needs more Tactical Aircraft
Asia & the Indo-Pacific, Acquisitions & Budget, Force Design, Industry & Innovation, Strategy & Doctrine
The MOC
Military Sealift Command can “Rule the Waves”
Americas, Europe & Eurasia, Acquisitions & Budget, Force Design, Industry & Innovation, Surface Warfare
The MOC
USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Delivers at Sea
Europe & Eurasia, Force Design, Industry & Innovation, Surface Warfare
The MOC
Running Ahead of the Rust: The Dangers of Extending Warship Service Lives
Americas, Acquisitions & Budget, Force Design, Industry & Innovation, Surface Warfare
The MOC
Alexander Hamilton’s Timely Lessons for U.S. Industrial and Maritime Strength
Americas, Industry & Innovation, Political Economy
Maritime Nation
The Silent Bridge and Empty Control Room: An Update on Unmanned Warfare above and below the Waves
AI & Cyber, Force Design, Hybrid Threats, Industry & Innovation, Surface Warfare, Undersea Warfare
The MOC
Defending Our Shipbuilding Critical Infrastructure
Americas, Europe & Eurasia, AI & Cyber, Industry & Innovation
The MOC
Reflecting on One Year of War: Is America the Arsenal of Democracy?
Europe & Eurasia, Acquisitions & Budget, Geopolitics, Industry & Innovation
The MOC
What to Watch 2023: A Growing Navy, If You Can Keep It…
Acquisitions & Budget, Force Design, Industry & Innovation
The MOC
What to Watch 2023: Critical Policy Decisions Ahead for U.S. Commercial Maritime Industry
Civil-Military, Industry & Innovation, Personnel
The MOC
What to Watch 2023: America Must Begin Growing Its Merchant Marine
Civil-Military, Industry & Innovation, Personnel
Article
Navy Shipyard Optimization Must Have A Digital Backbone
Acquisitions & Budget, AI & Cyber, Force Design, Industry & Innovation
Article
A U.S. ‘Ships Act’ Would Break China’s Control of the Seas
Energy and Resource Security, Industry & Innovation
Podcast
CAVASSHIPS Podcast [Jul 22, ’22] Episode 58…Maritime COIN in INDO-PACOM
Geopolitics, Industry & Innovation, Strategy & Doctrine, Surface Warfare
Podcast
Proceedings Podcast Ep. 276: The Maritime COIN Project Begins
Geopolitics, Hybrid Threats, Industry & Innovation, Personnel, Political Economy, Strategy & Doctrine, Surface Warfare
External Article
The Maritime Counterinsurgency Project Begins
Acquisitions & Budget, AI & Cyber, Geopolitics, Hybrid Threats, Industry & Innovation, Political Economy, Strategy & Doctrine, Surface Warfare, Undersea Warfare
Article
The 30-Year Shipbuilding Program is Not Enough
Acquisitions & Budget, Force Design, Industry & Innovation