Reopening the Strait of Hormuz & Saving Downed Pilots

Reopening the Strait of Hormuz & Saving Downed Pilots

Author: Ryan Evans April 6, 2026 Duration: 59:58
Two retired U.S. admirals with deep experience at sea and in the air joined Ryan to discuss the military challenge of reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Adm. (ret.) Jamie Foggo and Vice Adm. (ret.) John "Fozzie" Miller unpack how Iran has been able to throttle one of the world's most important waterways and what it would actually take to restore freedom of navigation. The conversation explores mines, drones, missiles, escorts, air strikes, how a Marine expeditionary unit might raid Kharg Island, and (of course) the strategy. 
 
Hours before this was recorded, news had broken that a U.S. Air Force F15E had been shot down over Iran. The pilot had been rescued at the time of recording, but the weapons system officer was still on the run (thankfully, he has since been rescued). Foggo and Miller have deep experience in this area and were able to share some insights on how these rescue operations unfold. And they close with a few words on what lessons the Navy should be learning from this war in terms of fleet design. 

Hosted by Ryan Evans, War on the Rocks feels less like a formal briefing and more like pulling up a chair at a bar where the most consequential global issues are being debated. The conversations, often accompanied by the clink of a glass, dive into the gritty realities of security, defense, and foreign policy with the people who shape and study them. You’ll hear from a wide range of insiders and experts-from seasoned diplomats and military officers to sharp-eyed academics and journalists-who break down complex topics without the usual jargon. This podcast thrives on candid analysis and spirited discussion, exploring not just the "what" of current events, but the underlying "why" and "how" of international power dynamics. Each episode is designed to give you a deeper, more nuanced understanding of the forces shaping our world, moving beyond headlines to examine strategy, history, and the human decisions behind the news. It’s the original series from the platform, offering listeners a direct line to thoughtful, often provocative, perspectives that are usually reserved for closed-door meetings. Tuning in provides a consistently engaging and informative look at the challenges and intrigues defining global affairs today.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

War on the Rocks
Podcast Episodes
From Alaska​ to the White House​ to the Battlefields of Ukraine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:12
In the wake of summits in Alaska and Washington, the war in Ukraine has become as much about competing diplomatic positions as it is about hard realities on the front. Ryan sat down with Dara Massicot and Mike Kofman to…
Forging Minds for Future Wars [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:44
In a time of rapid change and global danger, how should the warriors of the future be educated? Ryan sat down with Vice Adm. Peter Garvin, president of the National Defense University, to tackle this question — one that…
Drones, Discord, and the Shifting Front in Ukraine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:09
Fresh from his latest research trip to Ukraine's battlefields, Michael Kofman joins Ryan for an insightful discussion on the shifting dynamics at the front, the role of drones in Ukraine's defensive strategy, and the ada…
Strategy in Contention: Debating America's Global Priorities [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:32
Does the United States need a new playbook — or just fewer plays? In this charged episode, big ideas collide over how to sequence American power across the Middle East, Europe, and the Indo-Pacific. Ryan is joined by A.…
How Ukraine is Adapting, Enduring, and Striking Back [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:59
Mike Kofman and Ryan brought out the mics to discuss the pressing issues in the war between Ukraine and Russia. They focused on drones, the state of the front, manpower, Putin's approach to Washington, and the contested…
Gen. Donahue on Deterring Russia in Europe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:05
Gen. Christopher Todd Donahue, who leads U.S. Army Europe and Africa as well as Allied Land Command, joined Ryan for a discussion at WOTR HQ. For the first five minutes, they chat about his Army story, his time in the Ra…
Introducing "The Iran Reckoning with Afshon Ostovar" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:30
War on the Rocks is launching a new show called "The Iran Reckoning with Afshon Ostovar." It's a members-only show but this first episode is free for all. Join us as renowned Iran scholar Afshon Ostovar takes you inside…
How to Think About the Future of War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:10
Gen. Jim Rainey, the commander of Army Futures Command, joins Ryan to share how emerging technologies are set to transform the way America's soldiers will fight and win. He also shares some key insights about the Army Tr…