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How do you defend an island nation when 40% of your trade flows through contested waters?

How do you defend an island nation when 40% of your trade flows through contested waters?

Author: James Eling May 13, 2026 Duration: 1:22:15
The Principles of War - Lessons from Military History on Strategy, Tactics, Doctrine and Leadership.
HistoryGovernment

Forty percent of Australian trade flows through the South China Sea — and if conflict erupts near Taiwan, that route becomes uninsurable overnight. Maritime strategist Mark Bailey argues that Western continentalism has left island nations dangerously unprepared for the Indo-Pacific's return to its ancient strategic shape, where China and India once again compete for influence over Southeast Asia. This keynote address traces how Beijing treats the South China Sea as sovereign territory to be garrisoned, why Tokyo has quietly reorganised its navy for convoy escort, and what the Taiping Rebellion's 20–80 million dead reveal about Chinese internal fractures.

This is a special seminar presentation in conjunction with the Royal Australian Artillery Historical Company's Firepower Seminar Series, "Firepower: Lessons from World War II"  Our presenter is Dr Mark Bailey, presenting our keynote presentation.

Key learnings:
• Why Japan restructured its fleet into three convoy escort groups anticipating wartime shipping protection
• How Chinese hybrid warfare operates through United Front university networks, cyber intrusions, and fentanyl exports killing 80,000 Americans yearly
• What Australia's 2023 Defence Strategic Review shares with Corbett's maritime principles

Full show notes and transcript: https://theprinciplesofwar.com/

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Hosted by James Eling, The Principles of War-Lessons from Military History on Strategy, Tactics, Doctrine and Leadership is a deep dive into the timeless patterns of conflict. This isn't just a recitation of dates and troop movements. Instead, each episode takes a pivotal historic battle and examines it through the lens of enduring military principles, extracting practical insights on strategy, combined arms, and command. The discussions are structured to serve as a resource for professional military education, condensing complex analyses into focused, thirty-minute sessions. You'll hear how decisions made centuries ago still resonate within modern doctrine, offering lessons on leadership and tactical execution that are applicable far beyond the battlefield. The aim is to provide these lessons in a compelling narrative format, moving beyond dry after-action reports. For anyone fascinated by how history informs present-day thinking in governance, organizational leadership, and strategic planning, this podcast functions as a regular, thought-provoking seminar. Tune in to explore the fundamental concepts that have shaped outcomes throughout military history and continue to define success in high-stakes environments.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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The Principles of War - Lessons from Military History on Strategy, Tactics, Doctrine and Leadership.
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