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
Page 2 of 35
November 26, 2014

How Machiavelli Explains Chuck Hagel's Resignation

By James R. Holmes
Scratching your head over Hagel's resignation? Let Niccolò Machiavelli explain!
November 24, 2014

Clausewitz, Kaplan and the Passionate Realist

By James R. Holmes
Reason guides realism, but passion is indispensable in the execution of policy.

November 22, 2014

Fighting Ebola? Read Thucydides

By James R. Holmes
Thucydides isn't entirely silent on the topic of civilizational encounter with plague.

November 12, 2014

Everything You Know About Clausewitz Is Wrong

By James R. Holmes
A botched translation of Clausewitz has had an enduring impact on our thinking on warfare.

November 10, 2014

Australia's First Naval Battle

By James R. Holmes
"November 9 is when the light cruiser HMAS Sydney met the light cruiser SMS Emden in action in the Indian Ocean."
November 08, 2014

China Could Still Build 'String of Pearls'

By James R. Holmes
Just because China hasn't built bases in the Indian Ocean yet, doesn't mean it won't in the future.

November 07, 2014

America’s Newest Destroyer Is Already Outdated

By James R. Holmes
To be effective, Zumwalt destroyers require command of the sea, which the US can no longer take for granted.
November 01, 2014

How to Reform Naval Education

By James R. Holmes
Require entry-level officers to learn what they need to know — while also allowing them to indulge their interests.

October 30, 2014

Relearning Anti-Submarine Warfare

By James R. Holmes
The U.S. Navy's post-Cold War holiday from history is drawing to a close—if it hasn’t expired already.

October 25, 2014

Relax, China's Aircraft Carrier Is Fine

By James R. Holmes
Reports of Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning’s death are greatly exaggerated.

October 22, 2014

How Seapower Can Win Hearts and Minds

By James R. Holmes
Like American politicians, the U.S. Navy needs to woo the American electorate to retain public support.
October 17, 2014

The US Can't Outsource Warfighting

By James R. Holmes
Offshore powers have long tried to get continental powers to fight their wars. It's rarely worked.

Page 2 of 35