In a deep dive on U.S. naval shipbuilding, guests include John Konrad, CEO of GCaptain and former Coast Guard captain; Emma Salisbury, naval history expert; Matthew Funaiole, China Power Project scholar; and Thomas Shugart, former Navy officer. They dissect the Navy’s operational challenges, tracing the decline in U.S. shipbuilding since WWII, the pitfalls of bureaucracy, and the urgent need for reforms. The contrast with China's military integration strategy highlights risks for U.S. security, underscoring the critical need for renewed investment in naval capabilities.

Dr. Matthew Funaiole and Mr. Brian Hart dive into China's polar ambitions, highlighting its strategic interests in the Arctic and Antarctic. Funaiole discusses the implications of China's new research station in Antarctica, emphasizing its dual-use potential. Hart elaborates on the challenges China faces in forming Arctic partnerships and its cooperation with Russia. Their analysis also underscores the importance of transparency in China's polar operations and the significant implications for U.S. security interests and global governance.

China's tech supremacy and space exploration discussed by Eleanor Olcott and Matthew Funaiole. Topics include China's lunar missions, space technology advancements, strategic goals, historical trauma driving tech focus, and challenges in surpassing the US in technology amidst authoritarianism.