Stephen Phillips
Navy in the Persian Gulf, 1987-1988."
page for CDR Stephen Phillips, USN-Ret, PhD, author of "The Recipient's Son," "Proximity: A Novel of the Navy's Elite Bomb Squad," and "A Poisoned Chalice: The U.S.
05/22/2026
In episode 51of Talk a Little, Learn a Lot, the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) podcast, Dr. Mark Hagerott discusses with host Stephen Phillips his presentation…”The Emergence of Intelligent Machines: Framing the Challenge for the Navy and our Sailors.”
https://talk-a-little-learn-a-lot.transistor.fm/51
Join ASNE and learn more about its publications and events here: https://www.navalengineers.org/
Hosted by transistor, Talk a Little, Learn a Lot [https://talk-a-little-learn-a-lot.transistor.fm/] can also be found on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and many other podcast platforms. Listeners can add it to their favorite podcast platform by using the RSS feed: https://feeds.transistor.fm/talk-a-little-learn-a-lot
Please give the podcast a “like,” rate it, and provide a review. If you have a suggested topic, guest, or just want to ensure your comment gets through, contact Dr. Phillips at [email protected].
Operation Earnest Will is the precursor to all our modern conflict. The U.S. Navy’s presence led to a stalemated conclusion of the Tanker War, and thus the Iran-Iraq War. Iraqi did not achieve its aims, invaded Kuwait, leading to Desert Shield, Storm, and all other operations through Operation Iraqi Freedom. Add to this, increased presence of Americans on the Saudi peninsula was a factor in forming Al Qaeda, which attacked our nation on 9/11, resulting in the Global War on Terrorism.
To learn more about Operation Earnest Will, the last time we fought Iran in the Persian Gulf, read “A Poisoned Chalice: The U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf, 1987-1988.” Published by Potomac Books, order directly with code 6AS26 for 40% off.
On May 17, 1987, an Iraqi Air Force jet, in a case of misidentification, attacked USS Stark with two Exocet missiles. My research revealed that the aircraft was not an F-1 Mirage, but a Falcon 50. Decades later, historical understanding can change.
To learn more about Operation Earnest Will, the last time we fought Iran in the Persian Gulf, and the precursor to our nation’s war in the region thereafter, read “A Poisoned Chalice: The U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf, 1987-1988.” Published by Potomac Books, order directly with code 6AS26 for 40% off.
05/17/2026
In the 1980's 60% of the world's oil traveled through the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Navy intervened in the Iran-Iraq War at sea, leading to a stale-mated conclusion of the war.
To learn more about our last conflict with Iran, check out my latest book, "A Poisoned Chalice: The U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf, 1987-1988." Published by Potomac Books, you can find it on their website for 40% by using code 6AS26.
05/14/2026
On May 17, 1987, an Iraqi Air Force jet, in a case of misidentification, attacked USS Stark with two Exocet missiles. Thirty-seven American Sailors made the ultimate sacrifice. Though not officially part of Operation Earnest Will, it had significant impact on all who served in the Persian Gulf thereafter.
To learn more about Operation Earnest Will, the last time we fought Iran in the Persian Gulf, and the precursor to our nation’s war in the region thereafter, read “A Poisoned Chalice: The U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf, 1987-1988.” Published by Potomac Books, order directly with code 6AS26 for 40% off.
05/13/2026
This is episode 50!
In episode 50 of Talk a Little, Learn a Lot, the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) podcast, the Honorable Nickolas Guertin, VADM Bill Galinis, USN-Ret, and Rear Admiral Jason Lloyd, USN-Ret spend time with host Stephen Phillips to respond to five questions about shipbuilding.
https://talk-a-little-learn-a-lot.transistor.fm/50
Join ASNE and learn more about its publications and events here: https://www.navalengineers.org/
Hosted by transistor, Talk a Little, Learn a Lot [https://talk-a-little-learn-a-lot.transistor.fm/] can also be found on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and many other podcast platforms. Listeners can add it to their favorite podcast platform by using the RSS feed: https://feeds.transistor.fm/talk-a-little-learn-a-lot
Please give the podcast a “like,” rate it, and provide a review. If you have a suggested topic, guest, or just want to ensure your comment gets through, contact Dr. Phillips at [email protected].
05/11/2026
We fought the Iranians at sea before. For background on this conflict and indeed all our wars in the era, read my latest book, "A Poisoned Chalice: The U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf, 1987-1988" published by Potomac Books. Use 6AS26 direct from the publisher for 40% off.
05/04/2026
How apropos to see these two books displayed together.
“A Poisoned Chalice: The U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf, 1987-1988” begins with a brief description of U.S. presence in the Gulf, to include our nation’s relationship with the Shah. For example, Nixon developed a personal relationship with the Shah. Nixon once said to the Shah, “Protect me. Do not think of détente as as something that weakens you but as a way for the United States to gain influence.” The implication was that Nixon wanted to strengthen ties with the Shah, for Iran to become a more important U.S. partner in the Middle East. It was Nixon that approve the sale of F-14s to Iran.
I’ve picked up Scott Anderson’s “King of King’s” and have already delved into it. I’ve been a fan of Anderson since his recent book on Lawrence of Arabia. Though just into this read, I can already recommend it to those who want to understand the context of our conflict with Iran today.
For those who have not yet picked up a copy, if you are going to purchase “A Poisoned Chalice,” I recommend including “King of Kings” in your cart.
04/26/2026
Iranian leadership infighting creates a “historical echo” that can be heard throughout the pages of my latest book, but reverberates loudest on the cover, in the title.
According to Iran International, Khamenei has been told that war with the U.S. cannot continue. The piece reads, “The historical echo is hard to miss. In the final days of the Iran-Iraq War in 1988, senior Iranian officials and commanders warned Ruhollah Khomeini that the war could no longer be sustained.
Only days earlier, Khomeini had still been insisting on continuing the war. But under the weight of those warnings, he accepted UN Security Council Resolution 598 and ended the conflict, a decision he famously likened to drinking from a poisoned chalice.”
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202604241504
Published by Potomac Books, A Poisoned Chalice: The U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf, 1987-1988 is still offered at a 40% discount through the published using the code in the attached flyer.
04/24/2026
Laying mines in international waters, or in the territorial waters of another nation is considered an act of war. During Operation Earnest Will (1987-1988), the U.S. intervention in the Iraq War at sea, our nation’s forces were poised to attack Iranian ships and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Navy fast boats...commonly called Boghammars...if they were discovered in the act of laying mines.
One notable example occurred on September 21st, 1987. The Iranian Navy ship Iran Ajr intended to lay mines in the approaches to Bahrain with the intent of sinking a U.S. naval vessel, especially the USS La Salle, which was the flagship for Commander Middle East Force.
USS Jarrett, an Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate, had three Task Force 160 helicopters on board. This was a U.S. Army special operations aviation capability, supporting the effort in a smaller operation called Operation Prime Chance.
On a night patrol, the three helicopters saw Iran Ajr and through night vision realized they were dropping something over the side. After consulting with the COMIDEASTFOR staff on La Salle, they were assured the activity was mine laying and they should engage immediately.
After a one-sided battle, Iran Ajr was dead in the water, and its crew abandoned their ship. The next day, Naval Special Warfare sailors...SEALs...captured the ship. They were followed by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians and intelligence specialists to gather vital information from the ordnance that remained aboard.
To learn more about mine warfare during the Tanker War and Operation Earnest Will...invite you to read "A Poisoned Chalice: The U.S. Navy in the Persian Gulf, 1987-1988" published by Potomac Books earlier this month. Currently, it is available for 40% with a code listed in the attached flyer.
The discount is directly from Potomac here:
https://www.nebraskapress.unl.edu/potomac-books/9781640126947/a-poisoned-chalice/
04/24/2026
In episode 49 of Talk a Little, Learn a Lot, the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) podcast, Christopher Carroll discusses with host Stephen Phillips his article entitled, “America's Fourth Coast Could Help Close the Shipbuilding Gap with China."
https://talk-a-little-learn-a-lot.transistor.fm/49
Join ASNE and learn more about its publications and events here: https://www.navalengineers.org/
Hosted by transistor, Talk a Little, Learn a Lot [https://talk-a-little-learn-a-lot.transistor.fm/] can also be found on Spotify, iTunes, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, and many other podcast platforms. Listeners can add it to their favorite podcast platform by using the RSS feed: https://feeds.transistor.fm/talk-a-little-learn-a-lot
Please give the podcast a “like,” rate it, and provide a review. If you have a suggested topic, guest, or just want to ensure your comment gets through, contact Dr. Phillips at [email protected].
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