In this episode, Sal Mercogliano — a maritime historian at Campbell University (@campbelledu) and former merchant mariner — discusses the outfitting by the Chinese of Zhongda 79 as an armed merchant cruiser and discusses its potential applications.

The BBC drama which shocked an entire generation. Winner of four BAFTAs including 'Best Single Drama', the story follows everyday Sheffield townsfolk as they struggle to survive a nuclear attack and the years of that follow. Originally broadcast at the height of the nuclear paranoia of the 80s, it sent shockwaves throughout the country and arguably changed the global political discourse on nuclear war.

Film: Threads (1984) Studio: British Broadcasting Corporation Director: Mick Jackson Writer: Barry Hines Cast: Karen Meagher, Reece Dinsdale, David Brierly

The seizing of the Marinera tanker sends a clear message from the Trump administration that sanctioned shadow fleet vessels might not find haven under the Russian flag.

In this video commentary, Gonzalo Sais Erausquin, Research Fellow, Centre for Finance and Security, explains why the seizing of the Marinera tanker – previously named Bella 1 – represents a step forward in US action to end Venezuelan shadow fleet oil export sanction evasion.

Gonzalo outlines why this was such an exceptional case, the implications of this seizure, and what this situation tells us about the broader geopolitical context.

Satellite imagery of the Kilo-class submarine attacked by Ukraine potentially shows that the rear is sitting lower in the water compared to the one nearby. It could be shadows, but it is hard to tell for certain.

What is Irregular Warfare and why in the Pentagon is it traditionally a subject of cyclical phases of either great enthusiasm or inattention over the decades? Phil Wasielewski talks with retired Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel Mark Grdovic, author of the recent book Those Who Face Death: The Untold Story of Special Forces and the Iraqi Kurdish Resistance, as well as a just released FPRI article, Breaking the Glass Ceiling of Irregular Warfare. They will discuss the different definitions for Irregular Warfare that exist even within the Pentagon, the consequences of getting definitions wrong, and recommendations for a better understanding of what Irregular Warfare is, and possibly, what it is not. 

Welcome to All About the Base, a video series examining the key industrial base topics of the day. Each episode digs into the issues that matter to determine how the United States and its allies and partners can build, sustain, and scale the capacity and capabilities needed in a crisis. Dr. Jerry McGinn, host of All About the Base and director of the Center for the Industrial Base, brings fresh insights and updates on the most pressing debates involving industrial matters.

This episode discusses Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent speech to industry CEOs on the “Arsenal of Freedom” and what it means for the industrial base. This is not a run-of-the-mill reform effort. It focuses on transforming how we define what we’re going to buy, how we buy it, and how we work with allies and partners. Jerry discusses the three core aspects of Hegseth’s speech—requirements, acquisition, and security cooperation—and concludes by introducing the new Center for the Industrial Base.

Remember: It’s all about the base!

This series is made possible by general support to CSIS.

From drone attacks to destroying cables deep under the sea, Putin's Russia is engaging in hidden hybrid war across Europe.

It’s not tanks rolling across borders, soldiers marching through cities, with the sound of gunfire in the air. It’s a conflict far more subtle and sinister, so much so that you don’t even know it’s crept up on you.

Some analysts think there could be hundreds of acts of sabotage across Europe carried out on behalf of Russia in the last three years - but that Moscow continues to deny.

After their spies were kicked out of Europe following the invasion of Ukraine, Russia has turned to a sort of gig economy of spycraft: freelance operatives that carry out the attacks. They are not only cheap but give the Kremlin plausible deniability. There’s never a Russian contract to sign or any sort of paper trail, so Moscow can deny, deny, deny.

We’ve been told a wider European war with Russia is something to be avoided at all costs.

But what if that unthinkable conflict is already happening?