Saturday (and maybe Sunday) Is Old Radio Day - Have Gun Will Travel "In an Evil Time" (1958)

Hat tip:Old Time Radio Researchers for keeping these shows alive

Revisiting China's Sea Lines of Communication

In 2007, I posted on my blog a look at Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs)(here).

Most of the links in that post are now dead or moved, but the subject is one vital to the US and other countries. One of those links contained the following from Stanley B. Weeks, a frequent SLOC commenter: "The increasing importance of SLOC security and access for states in the East Asia region will result in their increased attention to both military and non-military concerns regarding freedom of navigation. The United States, which shares the interests of the East Asian states in regional SLOC security and access, would undoubtedly welcome increased cooperation, understanding and support of regional states in upholding traditional principles of freedom of the seas so vital to seaborne trade." (1997) Also cited was a 1996 work, "Maritime Economic Interests & the Sea Lines of Communication Through the South China Sea" which can still be found at here.

Amidst other pertinent issues has this excellent map setting out "SLOC Blockages and Alternate Routes" - though it does not discuss the developing Arctic sea route above Russia, probably because it was not thought likely to be available at the time of writing.

I urge you to examine this map and contemplate what the Chinese leadership is trying to do to protect those SLOCs of vital interest to China.

Among other things, China is strongly urging its rights to the Spratly Island and to a large portion of the South China Sea. It is also seeking to protect a sea route around Australia by developing an Antarctic base or base from which shore based assets could protect shipping. Forther, China is trying to develop relationships with many of the island nations to the east of Papua New Guinea, such as the Solomons, Nauru, and others. This include an airfield on "Woleai, a remote atoll roughly 400 miles south of Guam". It should be clear why they are doing what they do - by any means - to get what they need.

China knows its greatest strategic weakness lies in its lack of internal resources and its need to control and preserve its SLOCs. In order to do so, it must find ways around the chokepoints of the first island chain that hems it in. 

Blue arrows point to major chokepoints

Figure 1. Daily transit volumes of petroleum and other liquids through world maritime oil chokepoints (million barrels per day) (2023)

Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) analysis, based on Vortexa tanker tracking and Panama Canal Authority, using EIA conversion factors and calculations

Saturday (or Any Day) Is Old Radio Day: Jack Benny 1933 "Sherlock Holmes and King Kong"

Hat tip: Old Time Radio Researchers without whom almost none of the great old radio programs would be availabel for us today.

More stuff coming soon

For a variety of reasons, I've let this blog be idle for a little while. However, I have some things that I'm working on and I'll be posting more soon.

Thank you for visiting and for your patience.

Saturday Is Old Radio Day: Our Miss Brooks "Taking the Rap for Mr. Boynton" (1949)

Thanks to Old Time Radio Researchers

Old Radio Day: "If Freedom Failed - A Matter of Fact"(1951)

Friday Film: ASROC Weapon System (1963)

Thanks to Friends of the USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr DD850

Saturday (and sometimes another day) Is Old Radio Day: "Room Service" Old Gold Comedy Theatre (1944)

Friday Film: "The Weapon is Tested" (1960)

Hat tip: Nuclear Vault

Friday Films: "Forged at Sea: 250 Years of US Naval History" and "Command the Sea Command the World"

Saturday Is Old Radio Day- Luke Slaughter "Duel on the Trail" (1958)

Friday Film- USMC “Tactical And Gunnery Air Observation” (1948ish)

Saturday Is Old Radio Day: "The Midnight Horseman" (1961) from Macabre

Friday Film: "Boilers and Their Operation" (1955)

If for some reason we decided to recommission our old battleships, there are a lot of people who would have to learn old skills. Conventional steam powered ships don't start with the turn of a key. Here's an introduction for all the prospective boiler technicians.

Saturday Is Old Radio Day- "A Matter of Ethics" Have Gun Will Travel (1959)

Friday Film: "Espionage Target: You" (1964)

Friday Film "Crisis in the Taiwan Strait" from USNI Proceedings Podcast

Saturday Is Old Radio Day - Space Patrol "The Last Voyage of the Lonesome Lena" (1952)

Friday Film: US Coast Guard Drug Interdiction

U.S. Navy Office of Naval Intelligence Worldwide Threat to Shipping (WTS) Reports, 13 August - 10 September 2025

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