Midrats Episode 753: The Case for Pacific Optimism, with Blake Herzinger
Mar 30, 2026
56:26
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:
00:00 - Welcome and introduction to the regional security context
02:05 - Blake Herzinger’s role and current focus in Asia
02:33 - Japan’s defense spending increase and regional security implications
03:56 - Japan’s relationships with neighbors and regional development efforts
04:50 - Japan’s soft power in Southeast Asia and maritime security contributions
05:43 - Japan’s defense export initiatives and security cooperation
07:43 - Personal experiences with Japan-U.S. naval exercises and alliance benefits
08:13 - Japan’s assertiveness regarding Taiwan and regional security alignments
08:46 - Building security networks among U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific
09:36 - The evolution of regional defense partnerships and trilateral arrangements
10:01 - Historical context of Pacific conflicts and current opportunities for cooperation
11:20 - The non-expansionist nature of current regional disputes and interests overlap
12:15 - The growing economic and security ties around Southeast Asia
13:26 - Japan’s defense uplift post-Shangri-La Dialogue and its regional impact
14:01 - Ukraine’s influence on Japan and regional resilience initiatives
15:04 - Cyber warfare, critical infrastructure, and future regional security challenges
16:17 - Maritime choke points’ strategic importance and regional defense planning
17:41 - U.S. and regional shipbuilding efforts, technological modernization
18:48 - Evolving international relationships beyond traditional hubs
20:01 - The growing defense collaborations across Asia and beyond
21:35 - The importance of digital infrastructure and cyber security in defense
22:53 - The challenge of modernizing shipbuilding through data and digital supply chains
24:07 - Regional energy security, oil dependencies, and diversifying supplies
26:21 - Australia’s energy policies and regional resilience strategies
29:33 - The potential of nuclear energy and green energy initiatives in Asia
31:18 - The strategic significance of AUKUS and regional perceptions
36:54 - Modernizing defense logistics, munition production, and industrial cooperation
38:21 - Overcoming bureaucratic hurdles in defense modernization and tech sharing
40:30 - The ongoing efforts to evolve U.S. defense capabilities and partnership standards
43:18 - Australian and Japanese shipbuilding cooperation and regional interoperability
46:49 - Singapore’s strategic posture, partnerships, and regional stability efforts
51:24 - Final thoughts: emerging issues and the importance of optimism in security
54:12 - Blake’s recent publications, ongoing initiatives, and staying connected
Resources & Links:
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 implications
- Japan’s soft power growth through development aid and maritime security contributions
- The increasing security cooperation between Japan, Australia, South Korea, and regional partners
- How regional maritime choke points affect security and trade resilience
- The digital revolution in shipbuilding and defense modernization efforts
- The strategic importance of AUKUS and integrated supply chains for alliance strength
- Insights into Singapore’s strategic posture and its partnerships in Southeast Asia
- Challenges in defense procurement, cyber security, and digital infrastructure resilience
- The shifting dynamics of global energy supply and regional economic interests
00:00 - Welcome and introduction to the regional security context
02:05 - Blake Herzinger’s role and current focus in Asia
02:33 - Japan’s defense spending increase and regional security implications
03:56 - Japan’s relationships with neighbors and regional development efforts
04:50 - Japan’s soft power in Southeast Asia and maritime security contributions
05:43 - Japan’s defense export initiatives and security cooperation
07:43 - Personal experiences with Japan-U.S. naval exercises and alliance benefits
08:13 - Japan’s assertiveness regarding Taiwan and regional security alignments
08:46 - Building security networks among U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific
09:36 - The evolution of regional defense partnerships and trilateral arrangements
10:01 - Historical context of Pacific conflicts and current opportunities for cooperation
11:20 - The non-expansionist nature of current regional disputes and interests overlap
12:15 - The growing economic and security ties around Southeast Asia
13:26 - Japan’s defense uplift post-Shangri-La Dialogue and its regional impact
14:01 - Ukraine’s influence on Japan and regional resilience initiatives
15:04 - Cyber warfare, critical infrastructure, and future regional security challenges
16:17 - Maritime choke points’ strategic importance and regional defense planning
17:41 - U.S. and regional shipbuilding efforts, technological modernization
18:48 - Evolving international relationships beyond traditional hubs
20:01 - The growing defense collaborations across Asia and beyond
21:35 - The importance of digital infrastructure and cyber security in defense
22:53 - The challenge of modernizing shipbuilding through data and digital supply chains
24:07 - Regional energy security, oil dependencies, and diversifying supplies
26:21 - Australia’s energy policies and regional resilience strategies
29:33 - The potential of nuclear energy and green energy initiatives in Asia
31:18 - The strategic significance of AUKUS and regional perceptions
36:54 - Modernizing defense logistics, munition production, and industrial cooperation
38:21 - Overcoming bureaucratic hurdles in defense modernization and tech sharing
40:30 - The ongoing efforts to evolve U.S. defense capabilities and partnership standards
43:18 - Australian and Japanese shipbuilding cooperation and regional interoperability
46:49 - Singapore’s strategic posture, partnerships, and regional stability efforts
51:24 - Final thoughts: emerging issues and the importance of optimism in security
54:12 - Blake’s recent publications, ongoing initiatives, and staying connected
Resources & Links:
- Managing the Unbreakable Alliance: Agreements, Core Instruments, and Related Documents, by Blake Herzinger
- Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
- As the US Navy just demonstrated, war at sea is global, John Andrews at ASPI
- Mobilize: How to Reboot the American Industrial Base and Stop World War III, Shyam Sankar and Madeline Hart