By Lieutenant Matthew Conners, U.S. Navy, is a surface warfare officer stationed at the Surface and Mine War-fighting Development Center in San Diego. A 2012 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, he holds a master of arts in security studies from the Naval Postgraduate School.

Articles by Matthew Conners

A U.S. Marine with maritime raid force, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit posts security during a visit, board, search, and seizure exercise aboard the USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5) off the coast of Okinawa, Japan, in February 2023. Force selection, interception tactics, and the correct employment of maritime geography are critical elements of a blockade’s conduct.

Employing Blockades in the 2026 Scenario

By Lieutenant Commander Matthew Conners, U.S. Navy
August 2024
The imposition of a blockade in the 2026 scenario is key to the accomplishment of Allied strategic goals in the face of initial People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) victories. However ...