Episode 753: The Case for Pacific Optimism, with Blake Herzinger

Having trouble keeping up with the world around you? Head swirling with too much?You’re not alone. Good news…we’ll get you all caught up and set right.Returning to the Midrats Podcast is Blake Herzinger.Blake Herzinger is Microsoft’s Defense and National Security Policy Lead for Asia. Previously, he led policy strategy and advocacy at Citi across North and South Asia and Australia, advised senior leaders on geopolitical and regulatory trends at Indo-Pacific Advisors, and held roles at Twitter and Booz Allen Hamilton focused on defense policy, risk, and market strategy. He has been affiliated with think tanks including the American Enterprise Institute and the US Studies Centre in Sydney. From 2008 to 2017, Blake served as an active-duty officer in the U.S. Navy as an intelligence officer; he continues to serve in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He holds an M.A. in Strategic Studies from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (Nanyang Technological University, Singapore) and a B.A. in Political Science from Brigham Young University. He speaks English and Bulgarian. In this episode:The significance of Japan increasing its defense expenditure to 2% of GDP and regional implicationsJapan’s soft power growth through development aid and maritime security contributionsThe increasing security cooperation between Japan, Australia, South Korea, and regional partnersHow regional maritime choke points affect security and trade resilienceThe digital revolution in shipbuilding and defense modernization effortsThe strategic importance of AUKUS and integrated supply chains for alliance strengthInsights into Singapore’s strategic posture and its partnerships in Southeast AsiaChallenges in defense procurement, cyber security, and digital infrastructure resilienceThe shifting dynamics of global energy supply and regional economic interestsTimestamps:00:00 - Welcome and introduction to the regional security context02:05 - Blake Herzinger’s role and current focus in Asia02:33 - Japan’s defense spending increase and regional security implications03:56 - Japan’s relationships with neighbors and regional development efforts04:50 - Japan’s soft power in Southeast Asia and maritime security contributions05:43 - Japan’s defense export initiatives and security cooperation07:43 - Personal experiences with Japan-U.S. naval exercises and alliance benefits08:13 - Japan’s assertiveness regarding Taiwan and regional security alignments08:46 - Building security networks among U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific09:36 - The evolution of regional defense partnerships and trilateral arrangements10:01 - Historical context of Pacific conflicts and current opportunities for cooperation11:20 - The non-expansionist nature of current regional disputes and interests overlap12:15 - The growing economic and security ties around Southeast Asia13:26 - Japan’s defense uplift post-Shangri-La Dialogue and its regional impact14:01 - Ukraine’s influence on Japan and regional resilience initiatives15:04 - Cyber warfare, critical infrastructure, and future regional security challenges16:17 - Maritime choke points’ strategic importance and regional defense planning17:41 - U.S. and regional shipbuilding efforts, technological modernization18:48 - Evolving international relationships beyond traditional hubs20:01 - The growing defense collaborations across Asia and beyond21:35 - The importance of digital infrastructure and cyber security in defense22:53 - The challenge of modernizing shipbuilding through data and digital supply chains24:07 - Regional energy security, oil dependencies, and diversifying supplies26:21 - Australia’s energy policies and regional resilience strategies29:33 - The potential of nuclear energy and green energy initiatives in Asia31:18 - The strategic significance of AUKUS and regional perceptions36:54 - Modernizing defense logistics, munition production, and industrial cooperation38:21 - Overcoming bureaucratic hurdles in defense modernization and tech sharing40:30 - The ongoing efforts to evolve U.S. defense capabilities and partnership standards43:18 - Australian and Japanese shipbuilding cooperation and regional interoperability46:49 - Singapore’s strategic posture, partnerships, and regional stability efforts51:24 - Final thoughts: emerging issues and the importance of optimism in security54:12 - Blake’s recent publications, ongoing initiatives, and staying connectedResources & Links:Managing the Unbreakable Alliance: Agreements, Core Instruments, and Related Documents, by Blake HerzingerJapan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)As the US Navy just demonstrated, war at sea is global, John Andrews at ASPIMobilize: How to Reboot the American Industrial Base and Stop World War III, Shyam Sankar and Madeline Hart