The Futurists The Next War
Sep 12, 2025
Mike Woodward, bestselling author of techno-thrillers and caretaker of the Tom Clancy franchise, dives into the chilling scenarios of future naval warfare between the United States and China. He outlines how competition for control over AI technology could ignite large-scale conflict, ultimately leading to a dramatic showdown at sea. Woodward discusses critical vulnerabilities in the U.S. Navy and innovative military strategies, while drawing insights from his novel 'Red Tide' to highlight the intersection of geopolitical tensions and modern combat challenges.
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U.S. Fleet Size Masks Real Coverage Gaps
- The U.S. Navy has shrunk from Cold War highs and now struggles with limited deployment and repair capacity.
- Fewer shipyards and long maintenance cycles create real global coverage gaps.
Chips Create A Strategic 'Davidson Window'
- Taiwan's TSMC monopoly on advanced chips creates a strategic vulnerability for the U.S. and its military.
- That concentration creates a time-limited window (the Davidson Window) for coercive action before diversification completes.
Quantity, Shipbuilding, And New Strike Tech Matter
- China's shipbuilding capacity and advances in weapons (hypersonics, Type 55 frigates) shift the balance even if U.S. tonnage remains larger.
- Rapid Chinese production and new missile tech reduce traditional U.S. overmatch assumptions.
