The Diplomat  |  Author

James R. Holmes

James R. Holmes is a defense analyst for The Diplomat and a professor of strategy at the U.S. Naval War College where he specializes in U.S., Chinese and Indian maritime strategy and U.S. diplomatic and military history.

He is co-author of Red Star over the Pacific, an Atlantic Monthly Best Foreign Affairs Book for 2010 and a former US Navy surface warfare officer.

The views voiced here are his alone.

Posts by James R. Holmes
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October 03, 2013

How the US Navy Handles Budget Cuts

During the post-Civil War cuts, the Navy’s physical and intellectual capital declined. Not so in the interwar period.

September 30, 2013

The Naval Diplomat's Top 10 Books About the Sea

James Holmes gives us his top ten books on naval warfare and diplomacy.

September 27, 2013

Unorthodox and Chaotic: How America Should Fight Wars

“A serious problem in planning against American doctrine is that the Americans do not read their manuals.”

September 26, 2013

Will Asian Drones Make Conflict More or Less Likely?

Recently China introduced a UAV into the Diaoyu/Senkaku Island dispute. It’s just the beginning.

September 23, 2013

The Lone Sailor: America’s Lord Nelson?

No US maritime figure stands as tall as Horatio Nelson does in the UK. Maybe that’s a good thing.

September 22, 2013

Is the Next Washington Navy Yard Shooting Preventable?

By all means, review and amend base security procedures. Perfect security is unattainable, however.

September 19, 2013

Is America Actually War-Weary?

Are the public, military, or policymakers the ones who have lost the passion for war in the US?

September 17, 2013

The Austere Path to Naval Supremacy

A new article outlines how the US can regain and extend its edge in sea combat, and do so on the cheap.

September 13, 2013

In Defense of Norman Angell

It may be best to think of ideals like abolishing war as a journey, not a destination.

September 10, 2013

“Don't Give Up the Ship,” 200 Years On

Today marks the bicentennial of the Battle of Lake Erie, and Americans still struggle with geography.

September 09, 2013

How China Sees the South China Sea

If Beijing sees the near seas as “blue national soil,” foreign patrols must look like invaders.

September 06, 2013

The Orwellian Debate Over Isolationism

“The great George would have a field day with the debate over whether to intervene in Syria.”

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