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A flag of the United Nations flies at the United Nations Offices in Geneva on August 14, 2025. (Getty Images)
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Ships from the George Washington and Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Groups steam in formation at the conclusion of Valiant Shield 2014. (U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Paolo Bayas/Released)
President Trump campaigned on the promise to rebuild and renew American military power. Increasing the size of the Navy from 274 ships to 350 is central to this goal. However, such an increase in naval strength will require considerable resources and cannot happen overnight. In order to ensure success, important questions must be answered about the strategy, size, shape, and capabilities of the future Navy: the appropriate mix of ship designs, the role of unmanned systems, the efficacy of current methods of posturing naval forces, and the threats this force is likely to face.
On March 1, Hudson Institute's Center for American Seapower hosted an expert panel discussion on the challenges associated with meeting the 350-ship goal. Former Under Secretary of the Navy Janine Davidson and Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments Senior Fellow Bryan Clark joined Hudson Institute's Seth Cropsey and Bryan McGrath to discuss the steps needed to make the 350-ship Navy a reality.
Related Events
23
March 2026
Virtual Event | Online Only
Zimbabwe’s Land Seizures and the Road to Resolution
Featured Speakers:
Joshua Meservey
Deon Therons
Allan “Rusty” Markham
John “JT” Tomaszewski
23
March 2026
Virtual Event | Online Only
Zimbabwe’s Land Seizures and the Road to Resolution
Join Senior Fellow Joshua Meservey as he hosts a panel of experts to discuss the history of land expropriation in Zimbabwe, the status of the land compensation agenda, and how policymakers can rectify an issue that bedevils US-Zimbabwe relations.
Featured Speakers:
Joshua Meservey
Deon Therons
Allan “Rusty” Markham
John “JT” Tomaszewski
24
March 2026
In-Person Event | Invite Only
Operation Epic Fury: Strategy, State of Play, and Theories of Victory
Featured Speakers:
Michael Doran
David Albright
Can Kasapoğlu
Rebeccah L. Heinrichs
Ray Takeyh
Nadav Samin
Ilan Berman
Zineb Riboua
H.E. Yechiel Leiter
Joel Scanlon
24
March 2026
In-Person Event | Invite Only
Operation Epic Fury: Strategy, State of Play, and Theories of Victory
This conference convenes leading experts and policymakers to examine why the conflict began, assess the current state of play, and explore competing theories of victory.
Featured Speakers:
Michael Doran
David Albright
Can Kasapoğlu
Rebeccah L. Heinrichs
Ray Takeyh
Nadav Samin
Ilan Berman
Zineb Riboua
H.E. Yechiel Leiter
Joel Scanlon
25
March 2026
In-Person Event | Invite Only
Postponed | Updating US Trade Policy: A Discussion on the Strategic and Economic Importance of Central Asia with Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA)
Featured Speakers:
Michael Doran
Congressman Jimmy Panetta
25
March 2026
In-Person Event | Invite Only
Postponed | Updating US Trade Policy: A Discussion on the Strategic and Economic Importance of Central Asia with Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA)
Please Join Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Senior Fellow Michael Doran for a discussion on the region’s significance and why updating US trade policy is key to unlocking its potential in an era of renewed great power competition.
Featured Speakers:
Michael Doran
Congressman Jimmy Panetta
26
March 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
China’s Economic Slowdown: Risks, Realities, and Strategic Implications
Featured Speakers:
Thomas J. Duesterberg
Leland Miller
Moderator:
Miles Yu
26
March 2026
In-Person Event | Hudson Institute
China’s Economic Slowdown: Risks, Realities, and Strategic Implications
Join Hudson Institute for a panel that will discuss Dr. Duesterberg’s new report on the Chinese economic model and how policymakers should consider its vulnerabilities when formulating strategy to counter Beijing’s practices.
Featured Speakers:
Thomas J. Duesterberg
Leland Miller
Moderator:
Miles Yu
Related Research
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(Screenshot via Fox News)
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President Donald Trump speaks at an event in the East Room of the White House, March 12, 2026. (Getty Images)
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M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems conduct live-fire missions during Operation Epic Fury in the US Central Command area of responsibility. (US Army)
