

Maritime Domain and Sea Power with Dr. Salvatore Mercogliano
15 snips May 10, 2025
Salvatore Mercogliano, an associate professor of history with expertise in maritime studies, dives into the intricacies of maritime power and its historical context. He discusses the need for reform in the Jones Act to modernize American coastal trade. Mercogliano sheds light on the challenges posed by non-state actors like the Houthi movement and China's growing naval capabilities. The conversation also explores contemporary naval strategies, emphasizing the importance of embracing history and ongoing learning to navigate future maritime challenges.
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Sea Power vs. Maritime Domain
- Sea power combines military and commercial influence across oceans, not just naval battle strength.
- The maritime domain involves projecting forces between land and sea for strategic operations.
Merchant Marine's Vital Role
- The merchant marine supports one-fifth of U.S. Navy ships and critical logistics such as prepositioning and strategic sea lift.
- All four merchant marine elements currently face challenges like aging ships, diminished crewing, and declining fleet size.
Support SHIPS Act 2.0
- Support legislative reforms like the SHIPS Act 2.0 to rebuild the U.S. merchant marine and shipbuilding.
- Increase U.S. international trading fleet size and invest in maritime technology for national security.