The Middle East Is Now a Live-Fire Test of American Maritime Deterrence

by February 2026

This analysis was written by Admiral James G. Foggo — Dean of the Center for Maritime Strategy, former Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa, and former Commander of Allied Joint Force Command in Naples. He has commanded at the highest levels of U.S. and NATO maritime operations.
What follows reflects operational experience at the center of modern naval deterrence.

James Foggo
Admiral James G. Foggo, US Navy (ret.) is the Dean of the Center for Maritime Strategy and a member of the board of directors of the JST. He is the former commander of US Naval Forces Europe and Africa, and Allied Joint Force Command, Naples. He commanded NATO joint exercises (Baltic Operations) in 2015 and 2016 as well as Exercise Trident Juncture in 2018.