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.
September 05, 2013
ASEAN Should Reject a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea
ASEAN hopes that letting China keep its gains will purchase its forbearance in the future. Good luck with that.
September 02, 2013
Maritime Geography: The Foundation of American Power
“That oceangoing behemoths can reach inland metropolises is a reminder of how geography has blessed North America.”
August 31, 2013
Chemical Weapons are NOT WMDs
Chemical weapons are the one type of unconventional weapon with which naval crews can cope.
August 28, 2013
On Syria, Don’t Bark Louder Than You Bite
“No one wants to be known as the leader who fought for justice halfheartedly. Take it from Truman and Bush.”
August 26, 2013
Debating Mahan in the 21st Century
A new edited volume of Mahan’s work will hopefully revive a discussion on the naval theorist’s continued relevance.
August 24, 2013
Present at Creation: How I Pioneered Drone Warfare
Not targeting al-Qaeda to keep its ranks thin is like not battling Japan for fear of creating kamikaze pilots.
August 21, 2013
Never Say Never: What if Egypt Did Close the Suez Canal?
The economic and military effects of the Suez’s closure would reverberate throughout Asia and the West.
August 19, 2013
Airsea Battle VS Offshore Control: Can the US Blockade China?
To slay or strangle the dragon, that is the question. Do Mahan or Corbett have the answer?
August 15, 2013
The Naval Diplomat Walks Into An Indie Film Festival…
What an indie flick taught the Naval Diplomat’s alter ego and his sidekick about US-India ties.
August 13, 2013
How to Measure China’s Maritime Power
Whether Beijing emerges as the dominant naval power in the region will depend largely on what others do.
August 13, 2013
5 Questions Canada's Navy Should Ask About Its Pacific Strategy
Savvy strategy is even more important for middleweight powers like Canada than for a great power like the US.
August 11, 2013
Global Primacy Denied? Why American Primacy Is Not Assured
The Naval Diplomat enters the U.S. supremacy vs. offshore balancing debate.