Episode 769: September Melee

After a two-week availability period, the Midrats Podcast is back! **Summary** In this episode, we explore current geopolitical tensions, military readiness, and strategic challenges facing the US and its allies, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and international cooperation. **Show Links** - Russian restrictions on Estonia’s borders - Curfew on Russia’s Border with Estonia, Holger Roonemaa on Substack - Great Circle ballistic arcs over Greenland - Six Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East, by Michael B. Oren - Operation Red Sea Regatta - Shipfinder Hormuz Tracker - Hormuz Strait Monitor - Strait of Tiran - Italy tires of EU military bureaucracy with Operation Aspides - Department of War IG report on Operation Epic Fury - Ukrainian FP-7 Pelican SRBM - USAF Ponders Restart of C-17 line, Joseph Trevithick in TWZ - Deadly escalation in Black Sea attacks prompts fears of even higher food prices, Joanna Partridge in The Guardian - The US air force admitted to deploying weapons in space. Don’t expect the White House to explain why, Richard Luscombe in The Guardian **Key Topics** - Russian border curfews and testing NATO responses - Gray zone operations in Europe and suspected incidents - The importance of naval power and the Strait of Hormuz - US energy independence and refinery capacity issues - The strategic significance of Greenland and the Arctic - Space dominance and the importance of cislunar space - European NATO capabilities and weapon shortages - The role of alliances and international cooperation in security **Takeaways** - Russian testing of border restrictions signals potential for future escalation - European nations are underprepared for modern missile threats - US needs to rebuild and modernize its heavy airlift capabilities - Greenland’s strategic importance is increasing and must be secured - Control of key maritime choke points is critical for global security - Space dominance is essential for future military and economic power - European navies lack sufficient missile defense capabilities - Energy infrastructure vulnerabilities pose national security risks **Chapters** 00:00: Introduction to Geopolitical Tensions and NATO 02:04: Russian Border Curfews and Testing NATO Responses 03:55: European Operations and Weapon Shortages 06:09: The Strategic Importance of Greenland and the Arctic 10:01: Energy Security and Oil Refinery Capacity 15:10: Straits of Hormuz and Global Oil Transit 22:02: Black Sea, Yemen, and Middle East Tensions 30:00: Naval Power and the US Surface Fleet 36:06: European Naval Capabilities and Weapon Shortages 45:11: Space Power, Cislunar Space, and Future Threats 59:47: International Alliances and Strategic Cooperation 01:05:02: Conclusion: Preparing for a Dangerous World