Zach Ota
@zachota.bsky.social
Beholding the Pacific • Krulak Center • YCAPS • Allies & Partners • Amphibious Defense • Aloha
Pinned
Zach Ota
@zachota.bsky.social
· Nov 12
If we are meeting for the first time, please allow me a brief introduction:
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1/
Check out this great work by @strategictrends.bsky.social
(and shoutout to allies, partners, and amphibious defense)
(and shoutout to allies, partners, and amphibious defense)
For my Master's thesis, my most important finding was America's traditional asymmetric advantages enjoyed over China, being technological superiority and experience, will almost cease to exist over the next 15 years, but more impactful ones will endure!
Many reasons to hope.
Lets talk about it.
Many reasons to hope.
Lets talk about it.
November 24, 2025 at 3:25 AM
Check out this great work by @strategictrends.bsky.social
(and shoutout to allies, partners, and amphibious defense)
(and shoutout to allies, partners, and amphibious defense)
Reposted by Zach Ota
This is a great article. While the PLA is extremely capable, the invasion of Taiwan would be the most difficult landing operation ever attempted. There has never been an amphibious landing in the face of CDCMs. For comparison, Taiwan has hundreds of missiles and the PLAN as eight LPDs.
Taiwan highlighted its efforts in developing area denial capabilities, including anti-ship missiles, attack drones and new coastal defense forces, to counter a potential Chinese invasion of the island in its 2025 National Defense Report 🇹🇼
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2...
Taiwan Defense Report Highlights Area Denial Progress - Naval News
Taiwan's latest defense report highlighted the development of area denial capabilities that could defeat a Chinese invasion of the island.
www.navalnews.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:31 AM
This is a great article. While the PLA is extremely capable, the invasion of Taiwan would be the most difficult landing operation ever attempted. There has never been an amphibious landing in the face of CDCMs. For comparison, Taiwan has hundreds of missiles and the PLAN as eight LPDs.
Just casually reminding everyone of the largest infantry division on earth (which also happens to exist specifically for amphibious operations)
November 22, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Just casually reminding everyone of the largest infantry division on earth (which also happens to exist specifically for amphibious operations)
Even Reuters is making the case for the Landing Ship, Medium
November 22, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Even Reuters is making the case for the Landing Ship, Medium
Reposted by Zach Ota
This is a great visualization of the Chinese "shadow navy" threatening Taiwan.
www.reuters.com/graphics/USA...
www.reuters.com/graphics/USA...
Shadow navy: How China's civilian fleet could be a potent weapon in a Taiwan invasion
A Reuters visual investigation of China's annual naval exercises off the Chinese coast opposite Taiwan shows how Beijing's
www.reuters.com
November 22, 2025 at 4:03 PM
This is a great visualization of the Chinese "shadow navy" threatening Taiwan.
www.reuters.com/graphics/USA...
www.reuters.com/graphics/USA...
November 21, 2025 at 2:51 AM
Even though UK’s CSG reached FOC in European waters, it was built through years of interoperability with allies and partners in the Pacific.
Proud to have played a small part in a major milestone for one of our closest allies across the pond.
Proud to have played a small part in a major milestone for one of our closest allies across the pond.
U.K. Carrier Strike Group Reaches Full Operational Capability During NATO Exercise — USNI News
news.usni.org/2025/11/20/u...
news.usni.org/2025/11/20/u...
U.K. Carrier Strike Group Reaches Full Operational Capability During NATO Exercise - USNI News
The U.K. Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS Prince of Wales (R09), achieved full operating capability during NATO exercise Falcon Strike last week, more than a year and a half since the carrier took ove...
news.usni.org
November 20, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Even though UK’s CSG reached FOC in European waters, it was built through years of interoperability with allies and partners in the Pacific.
Proud to have played a small part in a major milestone for one of our closest allies across the pond.
Proud to have played a small part in a major milestone for one of our closest allies across the pond.
Reposted by Zach Ota
Coast Guard landing craft North Africa for no particular reason...
November 20, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Coast Guard landing craft North Africa for no particular reason...
Reposted by Zach Ota
This is really good. Anyone comparing just the cost of a threat and the cost of the counter-measure isn't looking at the whole picture, usually on purpose.
warontherocks.com/2025/11/the-...
warontherocks.com/2025/11/the-...
The Hidden Cost of a Missile: Why the Headlines Get Cost Wrong
Since late 2023, the U.S. Navy has fired nearly $1 billion worth of munitions to protect ships in the Red Sea from low-cost Houthi drones and missiles.
warontherocks.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:16 PM
This is really good. Anyone comparing just the cost of a threat and the cost of the counter-measure isn't looking at the whole picture, usually on purpose.
warontherocks.com/2025/11/the-...
warontherocks.com/2025/11/the-...
You know you’re getting old when the new Ken Burns documentary is more exciting than Sunday Night Football.
www.pbs.org/kenburns/the...
www.pbs.org/kenburns/the...
The American Revolution | All Episodes Now Streaming | Ken Burns | PBS
Thirteen colonies unite in rebellion, win their independence, and found the United States. Stream the full documentary from Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt.
www.pbs.org
November 17, 2025 at 4:03 AM
You know you’re getting old when the new Ken Burns documentary is more exciting than Sunday Night Football.
www.pbs.org/kenburns/the...
www.pbs.org/kenburns/the...
Reposted by Zach Ota
Marines no longer lose free trip home if they take US leave while moving between overseas assignments
Marines no longer lose free trip home if they take US leave while moving between overseas assignments
Marines can now take annual leave between overseas tours without jeopardizing their eligibility for a paid trip to the U.S. from their new duty station, according to an administrative message released...
www.stripes.com
November 16, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Marines no longer lose free trip home if they take US leave while moving between overseas assignments
Shoulder-to-shoulder with our allies after Typhoon Kalmaegi
🇵🇭 🇺🇸
🇵🇭 🇺🇸
November 15, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Shoulder-to-shoulder with our allies after Typhoon Kalmaegi
🇵🇭 🇺🇸
🇵🇭 🇺🇸
Reposted by Zach Ota
I think we are in an existential war against the darkness. Our ammunition is not bullets & explosive shells but joy & love. Our guns are not rifles or cannons but our interactions with people around us.
We have no choice in this. You either fight or you allow the hate & evil to take over our world
We have no choice in this. You either fight or you allow the hate & evil to take over our world
November 14, 2025 at 3:08 PM
I think we are in an existential war against the darkness. Our ammunition is not bullets & explosive shells but joy & love. Our guns are not rifles or cannons but our interactions with people around us.
We have no choice in this. You either fight or you allow the hate & evil to take over our world
We have no choice in this. You either fight or you allow the hate & evil to take over our world
Reposted by Zach Ota
Hard copies of “Snowmobiles and Grand Ideals” are in! This is THE definitive John Boyd text—almost 700 pages of Boyd in his own words on conflict and competition. Email Marine Corps University Press at [email protected] for your free copy today!
November 14, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Hard copies of “Snowmobiles and Grand Ideals” are in! This is THE definitive John Boyd text—almost 700 pages of Boyd in his own words on conflict and competition. Email Marine Corps University Press at [email protected] for your free copy today!
Reposted by Zach Ota
Good statement from the US conference of Catholic Bishops
November 14, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Good statement from the US conference of Catholic Bishops
Literally a false Idol.
Russia's 1st humanoid robot was revealed today. A bit like a mobik, it fell over as if shot and our efforts at hiding the disaster convinced no one.
November 11, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Literally a false Idol.
Reposted by Zach Ota
After one deployment & couple of days before sending the Marines out on leave, I was doing a fireside chat with a small group. As we talked about how to assess the time I said "This was less than a year of your life. A defining time, but if statistics hold, you'll live many more. We saw<
November 11, 2025 at 3:53 PM
After one deployment & couple of days before sending the Marines out on leave, I was doing a fireside chat with a small group. As we talked about how to assess the time I said "This was less than a year of your life. A defining time, but if statistics hold, you'll live many more. We saw<
This Veterans Day, I’m humbled by those who served before me, honored to once again serve as a 5th Marine, and proud to pass on our legacy to younger generations who will write the next chapter of our history.
November 11, 2025 at 3:52 PM
This Veterans Day, I’m humbled by those who served before me, honored to once again serve as a 5th Marine, and proud to pass on our legacy to younger generations who will write the next chapter of our history.
Reposted by Zach Ota
📢 NEW ANALYSIS: Japan & South Korea Lean in on Nuclear-Powered Subs 🇯🇵🇰🇷⚓️
What drives their nuclear submarine ambitions — and what hurdles remain?
Read the commentary below👇
rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publica...
@marsecbradford.bsky.social @mikebosack.bsky.social
What drives their nuclear submarine ambitions — and what hurdles remain?
Read the commentary below👇
rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publica...
@marsecbradford.bsky.social @mikebosack.bsky.social
IP25104 | Japan and South Korea Lean in on Nuclear-Powered Subs: Why and How They Might Develop These Capabilities
KEY TAKEAWAYS • Japan, Australia and South Korea have in recent weeks taken political steps towards the development of nuclear-powered submarines. • Japan and South Korea had focused their force desig...
rsis.edu.sg
November 11, 2025 at 9:07 AM
📢 NEW ANALYSIS: Japan & South Korea Lean in on Nuclear-Powered Subs 🇯🇵🇰🇷⚓️
What drives their nuclear submarine ambitions — and what hurdles remain?
Read the commentary below👇
rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publica...
@marsecbradford.bsky.social @mikebosack.bsky.social
What drives their nuclear submarine ambitions — and what hurdles remain?
Read the commentary below👇
rsis.edu.sg/rsis-publica...
@marsecbradford.bsky.social @mikebosack.bsky.social
Reposted by Zach Ota
Happy 250th Birthday to all Marines, past, present, and future!
a man in a military uniform is standing in front of a group of soldiers and saying happy birthday to you .
Alt: Happy Birthday!
media.tenor.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Happy 250th Birthday to all Marines, past, present, and future!
Reposted by Zach Ota
Happy 250th Birthday to the Marine Corps! 🎂🇺🇸 Our November/December issue of Naval History features a variety of articles showcasing various chapters of their illustrious history. usni.org/magazines/n...
On Our Scope | Naval History - December 2025, Volume 39, Number 6
In this issue we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Marine Corps with a variety of offerings showcasing various chapters of their illustrious history.
www.usni.org
November 10, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Happy 250th Birthday to the Marine Corps! 🎂🇺🇸 Our November/December issue of Naval History features a variety of articles showcasing various chapters of their illustrious history. usni.org/magazines/n...
Reposted by Zach Ota
“Diverse people who ran curiously to type, with drilled shoulders and bone-deep sunburn, and a tolerant scorn of nearly everything on earth. Their speech was flavored with navy words…”
1/
1/
November 10, 2025 at 7:38 PM
“Diverse people who ran curiously to type, with drilled shoulders and bone-deep sunburn, and a tolerant scorn of nearly everything on earth. Their speech was flavored with navy words…”
1/
1/
Happy 250th Birthday, Marines!
It’s been an honor to share a few of those years with all of you.
Here’s health to you and to our Corps for many more!
It’s been an honor to share a few of those years with all of you.
Here’s health to you and to our Corps for many more!
November 10, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Happy 250th Birthday, Marines!
It’s been an honor to share a few of those years with all of you.
Here’s health to you and to our Corps for many more!
It’s been an honor to share a few of those years with all of you.
Here’s health to you and to our Corps for many more!
Reposted by Zach Ota
The past 30 years, I always called my Grandpa Don on Nov 10 to wish him a happy USMC birthday. He grew up without running water, and enlisting in the Marines, and then returning after college as an officer, dramatically changed the trajectory of his life. He died in Sept at age 96. Miss you, Marine.
November 10, 2025 at 4:06 PM
The past 30 years, I always called my Grandpa Don on Nov 10 to wish him a happy USMC birthday. He grew up without running water, and enlisting in the Marines, and then returning after college as an officer, dramatically changed the trajectory of his life. He died in Sept at age 96. Miss you, Marine.
(HAC)Mateship 🇦🇺 🇺🇸
This is good news, and great U.S. -Australia collaboration.
www.defenceconnect.com.au/joint-capabi...
www.defenceconnect.com.au/joint-capabi...
Aussie research sees breakthrough as Raytheon, Northrop prepare to deliver first HACM
The US Air Force has picked Raytheon Missiles & Defense and Northrop Grumman to build the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM), developed alongside the Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research...
www.defenceconnect.com.au
November 9, 2025 at 8:44 PM
(HAC)Mateship 🇦🇺 🇺🇸