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.

Experts Evan Medeiros, Thomas Shugart, and Emily Weinstein discuss the current state of U.S.-Chinese relations, the impact of Taiwan's elections, and the potential for conflict. They explore lessons China may learn from the invasion of Ukraine, analyze the military angle in the Russian election, and discuss efforts to curb China's semiconductor industry. The upcoming U.S. election's impact on the relationship is also considered.

Student Research Symposium: https://forms.gle/FYoSeHS7t3ZLLwEh9 Work with me! https://rhg.com/job/research-assistant-china-technology-and-industry-research/ Thomas Shugart joined me and Eric Lofgren on another cross-over episode of ChinaAcquisitionTalk. Thomas spent 25 years in the US Navy and is currently an adjunct senior fellow at CNAS. This possibility is made more dangerous considering the rise of China’s military, particularly in long-range missiles, bombers, and navy. The expansion of the PLA Navy over the last five years as been nearly identical to the legendary 1980s Reagan build-up. “For all the talk of them being next generation swarming and unmanned,” Thomas said, “they sure are bending a lot of iron building ships.” You can find some of Tom's writing on his CNAS page, including his War on the Rocks article, All about EVE: What virtual forever wars can teach us about the future of combat. His statement to the US-China economic and security review commission is here. He's on Twitter at tshugart3. Intro Music: PLA Rocket Force theme song! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG1J8R3kweU Outtro Music: 当地人— Ansrj 李尔新Lilshin 孟子 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MqFgUFwxHiY Get bonus content on Patreon See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices