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.
March 20, 2013
Thucydides, War and Natural Disasters
“There’s no point being bitter about a tsunami or storm. It takes an enemy to envenom human affairs.”
March 18, 2013
Why Have Surface Fleets Endured?
“As Clausewitz counsels, there’s no escaping the guesswork quotient in military affairs.”
March 15, 2013
Sea Power in Literature: Melville's White-Jacket
“Melville’s storytelling speaks volumes about why navies are the tradition-bound services they are.”
March 13, 2013
Surface Combat Fleets: Obsolete?
With America and others developing “carrier killer” missiles, what does the future hold for surface navies in wartime?
March 11, 2013
George Orwell: Strategic Genius?
Clausewitz, Sun Tzu and…George Orwell? The Naval Diplomat explains.
March 08, 2013
The End of an Era: The Battleship Yamato
“Temeraire, Titanic, Yamato—history suggests the last word on naval technology hasn’t been uttered yet.”
March 07, 2013
What to Make of China's Defense Spending Increase
The amounts the U.S. and China invest in usable firepower are closer than raw spending figures indicate.
March 05, 2013
Three Reasons Why China Isn't Imperial Germany (It's Tougher)
“The weak can offset the advantages enjoyed by the strong…”
March 01, 2013
The Arc of Chinese Strategy
“The EP-3 incident offered a foretaste of what the coming decade-plus would bring.”
February 28, 2013
The Cold War Meets Taiwan
“China resembles the Soviet Union of old in its approach to cross-strait relations.”
February 25, 2013
Four Reasons Not to Pivot to Europe
Some are arguing for the United States to “pivot” towards Europe. James Holmes gives us four reasons to stay the course.
February 22, 2013
America's Pivot, Taiwan and Anti-Access
Will the U.S. pivot to Asia help enhance or degrade Taiwan’s security? Our Naval Diplomat weighs in.