June 21, 2026: Strait of Hormuz & Drone Warfare

Host Jim Fausone examines two critical issues shaping today’s military and geopolitical landscape. First, author and maritime security expert Tom Duffy explores tensions in the Strait of Hormuz through the lens of the 1980s Tanker Wars, drawing striking parallels to current events in the Persian Gulf. Then, retired Army Col. Dean Winslow, MD discusses how modern drone warfare is changing the nature of combat injuries and what the U.S. military medical system must do to prepare for future conflicts.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL DISCOVER ✓ Why today’s tensions in the Strait of Hormuz echo the dangerous Tanker Wars of the 1980s ✓ How disruptions in the Persian Gulf can impact global security and energy markets ✓ The new battlefield injuries being caused by drones and unmanned systems ✓ How military medicine is adapting to the realities of modern warfare

Thomas Duffy

Maritime Security Expert & Author

Former U.S. Navy officer, maritime security expert, and author of Tanker War in the Gulf: Operation Earnest Will, Diplomacy and Seapower in Practice. Through his research and writing, Duffy examines the strategic importance of the Persian Gulf and the lessons learned from the Tanker War, offering valuable historical context for understanding today’s tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and their impact on global security and commerce.

Col. Dean Winslow, MD (Ret.)

Professor of Medicine - Stanford University

Retired U.S. Army Colonel, infectious disease specialist, and Professor of Medicine at Stanford University. With decades of experience in military and civilian healthcare, Dr. Winslow studies the intersection of medicine, military readiness, and emerging threats. His work focuses on how modern warfare – including the growing use of drones – is changing battlefield injuries and challenging military medical systems to adapt to future conflicts.