James Holmes

Everything old is new again. As in past ages, rising and established powers are gazing seaward–and thinking about how to use sea power to advance their power and purposes. Professor Jim Holmes sizes up the prospects for competition and cooperation in maritime Asia–looking back across history to catch sight of the future.

Small-Stick Diplomacy in the East China Sea

Tempers are flaring over islands claimed by Japan and China. Beijing has turned to a familiar strategy.

Visas as Anti-Access Weapons

Are researchers who fear being denied visas to China self-censoring their words in order not to offend?

Submarines for Taiwan: A Flight of Fancy

“Taiwan should forge an assassin’s mace that skims the waves—not one that dives beneath them.”

Movie Review: Battleship

If one looks past the technical inaccuracies, there is a lot to like.

The Home Team Anti-Access Advantage

Why A2/AD is a Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome version of the NCAA or NFL.

Anti-Access and the 'Fortress-Fleet'

Why regional powers need not run a naval arms race with the United States.

"Taipei must admit defeat in the arms race..."

Why a strategy of “sea-denial” maybe Taiwan’s best bet as China’s military strengthens.

John Wayne, The U.S. Navy and 'Change'

Can ‘The Duke” teach a lesson or two when it comes to dealing with radical change and defeat? Perhaps.

A Life Well Lived

The ancients weren’t the only exemplars of moral virtue and liberal thought. Some walk among us today.

Island Mania in the Asia-Pacific

How an odd mix of economics, defense, nationalism and ‘trendsetting’ are creating a dangerous dynamic.

Advice on a Vietnamese “Model Maritime Militia Force”

History suggests ‘militiamen’ can harass lopsidedly superior foes, but the odds against their winning are long.

Arming for the Navy's Return to History

While people fight wars, they need cutting-edge weapons to prevail. Missiles seem like a good choice.