The MOC (Maritime Operations Center) is an online journal produced by the Center for Maritime Strategy. It engages in critical analysis of foreign affairs and defense issues, situating subjects within their wider implications and relation to the maritime domain.
Authors interested in submitting their work to The MOC should email Nick Weising at nweising@navyleague.org and follow the submission guidelines here.
Trade Relies on Freedom of Navigation by Cargo Ships that Drive the World’s Economies
April 20, 2026
By
John D. McCown
In 2025, some 40,000 commercial cargo ships, each more than a football field long, moved $16.5 trillion in goods across the seas. That represented 60.6% of the $26.3 trillion in the total 2025 global merchandise exports reported by UNCTAD. Compared to world GDP of $117.2 trillion disclosed by the IMF, those goods shipped on vessels […]
A Brief History of U.S. Naval Mine Warfare in the Persian Gulf, 1979–Present
April 16, 2026
By
Dr. Steven Wills
Iran’s claim to have laid mines across a broad area astride the Strait of Hormuz has again raised the prospect of a USS Samuel B. Roberts mine strike-incident and prompted renewed scrutiny of U.S. Navy mine-warfare capabilities. Observers have questioned the decision to retire and repatriate the Avenger-class mine countermeasures ships that for decades formed […]
The People’s Liberation Army Navy and the China Dream
April 14, 2026
By
Alexandru Filip
Introduction Since the formation of the People’s Republic, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) role has undergone a number of transformational changes which run parallel to the political ambitions of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Today’s PLAN intends to project power further from China’s shores as a political aim, and to wage decisive battles through […]
Iran, Stability, and Maritime Security
April 9, 2026
By
Richard B. Levine
Objectives Peace is often lost after being won by war. This was the case in our wars in Afghanistan and Iraq; it must not be so in Iran. President Trump’s and Prime Minister Netanyahu’s brave and resolute actions must presage a lasting and secure peace for the Middle East. This can only be so if […]
The Amazing Beauty Of Trade & Its Manifold Benefits For America/Americans
April 7, 2026
By
John D. McCown
On November 20, 1982, President Reagan addressed the country in a radio broadcast that remains a reminder of why trade historically and justly has enjoyed broad and bipartisan support. Reagan eloquently argued the benefits of international trade, noting that when other countries don’t grow, they buy less from us, and we see fewer jobs created […]
The Hormuz Crisis and the Case for Reconnecting the Navy and Merchant Marine
April 1, 2026
By
CDR Ander Heiles, USN
Two weeks into Operation Epic Fury, twenty commercial vessels have been struck in the Persian Gulf. At least six seafarers are dead. Roughly 400 tankers sit idle. Insurance withdrew before the first mine was laid, and the cascading commercial decisions that followed shut the Strait of Hormuz faster than any weapon could. The mines and […]
Neptune Strike 26-1: A Good Start to Enhanced Vigilance Activity in the Europe
March 31, 2026
By
Admiral James G. Foggo, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
I had the opportunity to participate in NATO’s Enhanced Vigilance Activity (EVA) “Neptune Strike (NEST) 26-1”. NEST has been ongoing for many years and allows NATO the opportunity to exercise multiple Carrier Strike Groups (CSG) or Expeditionary Strike Groups (ESG) at one time. Likewise when the ESG’s operate in theater, NATO can practice amphibious warfare […]
Russia’s Expanding Robotic Sea Capabilities
March 26, 2026
By
Dr. Nurlan Aliyev
Russia’s Expanding Robotic Sea Capabilities Recent reports on Russia’s research fleet and its underwater surveillance network, Harmony, highlights a trend that deserves closer strategic attention: Moscow is attempting to integrate these unmanned systems into a broader concept for maritime dominance, combining offensive, defensive, and dual-use functions. In recent years, Russia has deployed an expanding portfolio […]
Defense Reinvestment as Naval Strategy: Sector-Based Contributions and Industrial Base Competition
March 24, 2026
By
Bill Cullifer
How Sector-Based Contributions Address the Structural Challenge of 21st Century Naval Competition In February 2026, the White House released its Maritime Action Plan calling for a Maritime Security Trust Fund with a “dedicated, mandatory funding stream” to rebuild America’s shipbuilding capacity. The directive to the Office of Management and Budget was clear: propose a legislative […]
The Fleet in Being in the 21st Century: A Book Review
March 19, 2026
By
Michael D. Purzycki
With the world’s attention focused on the war in Iran, maritime observers can point to the role of the U.S. Navy in destroying the Islamic Republic’s military assets. From carrier-based aircraft striking targets on land to a U.S. submarine sinking an Iranian frigate in the Indian Ocean, modern American naval might is apparent in this […]
US Burden-Shouldering? Surprising Activism in the Indian Ocean
March 17, 2026
By
Nilanthi Samaranayake
The current US military operation against Iran in the Indian Ocean region—including most recently a submarine torpedo attack—has not come out of the blue. Since its early months, the second Trump administration has conveyed certain security priorities through public messaging and actions. The November 2025 National Security Strategy (NSS) confirmed the elevation of the Western […]
A Case for Airborne Mine Warfare
March 13, 2026
By
Mike Stevens
Naval mines are some of the simplest weapons in modern warfare yet among the most dangerous. Cheap, easy to deploy, and difficult to detect, they remain one of the most effective ways a weaker naval power can threaten global commerce and challenge even the most capable navies in the world. A recent Wall Street Journal article highlighted […]
