Meeting the MARAD Administrator | The Honorable Stephen Carmel

In this episode Admiral Foggo and Dr. Steve Wills sits down with the Honorable Stephen Carmel for a wide-ranging conversation on the future of U.S. maritime policy, shipbuilding, and national security. Drawing on decades of industry and policy experience, Carmel discusses lessons from history, the evolving role of the Maritime Administration, and the strategic challenges facing the U.S. merchant fleet.Season 5 of Maritime Nation is produced in partnership with Johnson Group Defense.

In this inaugural Season 5 episode of Maritime Nation, Admiral Foggo moderates a deep dive into the Jones Act and its central role in U.S. national security, economic sovereignty, and control of America’s waterways. Joined by subject matter experts Sara Fuentes and Jennifer Carpenter, the discussion moves beyond the familiar trade debate to examine the Jones Act as strategic infrastructure. Season 5 of Maritime Nation is produced in partnership with Johnson Group Defense.

This week, Admiral James G. Foggo (ret.) speaks with five authors of the The Navy League of the United States’ Maritime Policy statement, to discuss what the document calls for and the importance of continued American maritime dominance. You can read the Navy League's Maritime Policy Statement here: https://info.navyleague.org/maritime-policy-statement-2025-2026The three in-person guests: RADM Sinclair "Sinc" Harris, USN RetiredChuck WerchadoCAPT Scott Sundt, USN RetiredThe two remote guests:Jon KaskinCOL Christian Cabaniss, USMC RetiredSeason 4 of Maritime Nation is produced in partnership with Dataminr.

Admiral James G. Foggo (ret.) sits down with Toshi Yoshihara, Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessment, to discuss the PLAN and China’s maritime strategy.Season 4 of Maritime Nation is produced in partnership with Dataminr.

Dr. Steve Wills talks with former Secretary of the Navy John Lehman on his family’s naval service and his time in the Ford and Reagan administrations for the 250th anniversary of the Navy's founding. Season 4 of Maritime Nation is produced in partnership with Dataminr.

Admiral James G. Foggo (ret.) sits down with Brent Sadler, Senior Research Fellow at the Heritage Foundation, to examine his new book—Naval Power in Action: Seizing the Initiative in the New Cold War with China.Season 4 of Maritime Nation is produced in partnership with Dataminr.

In this episode of Maritime Nation, Admiral Foggo sits down with Dr. Brad Martin to examine whether America’s current fleet composition aligns with future conflict scenarios and all the factors shaping tomorrow’s Navy. Season 4 of Maritime Nation is produced in partnership with Dataminr.

In this episode of Maritime Nation, Admiral Foggo sits down with Dr. Brad Martin to examine whether America’s current fleet composition aligns with future conflict scenarios and all the factors shaping tomorrow’s Navy.Season 4 of Maritime Nation is produced in partnership with Dataminr.

Admiral James G. Foggo (ret.) sits down with Brian Potter, Senior Infrastructure Fellow at the Institute for Progress, to examine the engineering and economic hurdles facing the American shipbuilding industry, how it stacks up against Japan and Korea's globally competitive shipyards and where it can go from here.Season 4 of Maritime Nation is produced in partnership with Dataminr.

In this episode of Maritime Nation, Admiral Foggo is joined by fellow CMS staff members Dr. Steve Wills and Sam Byers for a compelling conversation on the evolution of U.S. maritime strategy. Together, they explore the historical foundations of sea power and the changing nature of naval competition. From theory to practice, this episode offers sharp insights into what it takes to secure American interests on the world’s oceans.Season 4 of Maritime Nation is produced in partnership with Dataminr.