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.
June 08, 2011
Small Ships, Trouble and China
What the 18th century Gaspee incident could say about the US Navy’s role in Asia and the South China Sea.
May 31, 2011
How to Track China’s Naval Dreams
Is the talk around the port of Gwadar a sign that China is considering a string of pearls strategy? Anti-air missile batteries will be the first sign.
May 24, 2011
What ‘Containing China’ Means
Traditional Cold War definitions of containment don’t really apply to US policy toward China.
May 24, 2011
What ‘Containing China’ Means
Traditional Cold War definitions of containment don’t really apply to US policy toward China.
May 16, 2011
When Maps Mislead
Military maps can be useful. But ones showing the range of China’s missiles underscore their shortcomings.
May 02, 2011
Topsy-Turvy Fleets in East Asia
Is a revolution in Taiwan’s naval strategy taking place? Enterprise will be needed to create a sea-denial fleet.
April 28, 2011
India’s Once & Future Sea Power
Does India have a grand maritime narrative? Its navy will be disadvantaged if strategy is devised on the hoof.
April 20, 2011
The Arctic Sea—a New Wild West?
Global warming is set to bring the Arctic into play as a key strategic region for the US, China and Russia. Can a stable set of rules be crafted?
April 15, 2011
Island-Chain Defense
A marine affairs expert claims the concept of island chains has no strategic significance. He may be half-right.
April 06, 2011
China and Imperial Germany
Why Kaiser Wilhelm II’s Germany would envy the strategic situation that China finds itself in.
March 28, 2011
China Eyes Naval Track Record
China’s objections to US Navy activity in Asia are part of a policy-based strategy, not a legal one.
March 18, 2011
Pheromones or Perfume?
The earthquake and tsunami relief operation in Japan underscores the soft power value of the US military.