James Blackwell Author, Military Analyst and Lecturer

Military Analyst, Author, Lecturer

The official Website of

JAMES BLACKWELL

Military Analyst, Author, and Lecturer

James Blackwell returns to the public square after 30 years of government work. He was a globally recognized military analyst in the 1990s, CNN’s first full-time on-air military expert during the 1991 Gulf War, Fox News Network’s founding military analyst. He then worked on sensitive-source studies for the Defense Department. Blackwell served as Special Advisor on Nuclear Policy and Strategy for the Air Force then the Institute for Defense Analyses. He was a Cold War Army officer, serving in Armored Cavalry and Fast Attack Infantry; taught at West Point, and teaches a graduate course in Military Strategy for the Bush School, Texas A&M.

Welcome to the website of military analyst, author, and lecturer James Blackwell

Dr. Blackwell is Korean War Historian for the 307th Bombardment Group Association.

The 307th Bombardment Group Association Presents

The History of the 307th Bombardment Wing in the Korean War:

  • Concise Chronicle 1950-1954 (20 Minutes)
  • 8 Detailed Episodes (Total Run Time: 3.5 hours)
  • Trailer (3 Minutes)

Dr. James Blackwell, Korean War Historian for the 307th Bombardment Group Association, researched previously untapped sources. The result is a narrative unlike any other previously published Korean War history.

Watch Episode 1 Now
Concise Chronicle 1950-1954
Trailer
Visit 307th BG Website

James Blackwell was keynote speaker at the 307th Bombardment Wing Reunion held November 2-4, 2023 in Shreveport, Louisiana just outside its home station Barksdale Air Force Base. The Wing celebrated 100 years of service to the nation. See video of 100 years of 307th Bomb Wing Mission Video. Dr. Blackwell’s presentation focused on the 307th’s achievements in the Korean War.

View the transcript and images of the presentation

James Blackwell’s Published Works

Military Doctrine & Technology
Nuclear Weapons Policy & Strategy
Military History
National Security Analysis
See All Publications

James Blackwell’s Best Selling Book

THUNDER IN THE DESERT

The Strategy and Tactics of the Persian Gulf War

James Blackwell became a familiar and trusted figure worldwide during the 1991 Gulf War as he gave his authoritative analysis for CNN. Immediately after the war he traveled to Iraq and interviewed dozens of soldiers and their leaders to compose this unique account of the operation in which, after 38 days and nights of a pounding air campaign, U.S.-led coalition forces encircled and defeated the Iraqis and liberated Kuwait. At the same time, U.S. forces stormed into Iraq some 120 miles west of Kuwait, attacking Iraq’s armored reserves from the rear. The elite Iraqi Republican Guard mounted a defense south of Al-Basrah in southeastern Iraq but were defeated by February 27. His book was the first published history of the war.

“Its value lies in its comprehensive coverage, the scope and accuracy of its data, the authority of its sources, and its readability.”
— Naval Institute Proceedings
“A highly professional, readable account of the strategy, tactics, and weapons systems of the war.”
— Assembly Magazine
“Blackwell, a former army officer, is adept at using vivid vignettes . . . to make his larger points.”
— Army Times
“A highly useful and detailed chronicle of military developments in the Gulf crisis.”
— Dr. Henry A. Kissinger
“ . . . a winner!”
— General Colin Powell
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Television Appearances Featuring James Blackwell

James Blackwell on Larry King Live, October 20, 1990. After Iraq invaded Kuwait, but before the U.S-led coalition attacked, CNN’s Richard Bleistone and Bernard Shaw secured an exclusive interview with Iraqs tyrannical president Saddam Hussein. The night that interview appeared, Larry King interviewed former CIA psychological analyst Dr. Jerrold Post and CSIS’ military analyst Dr. James Blackwell to interpret what Saddam said, what he meant, and what he intended for the future.
Blackwell vs Sprey, January 24, 1991. Days before the US-led coalition launched its ground campaign to defeat Saddam Hussein's military and restore the territorial integrity of Kuwait, CNN's Bernard Shaw interviewed longtime pentagon critic Pierre Sprey and Dr. James Blackwell on the effectiveness of America's ground forces' combat weapons. The ensuing exchange between experts was fierce.
In 1996, veteran news producer Tammy Haddad asked James Blackwell if he would be interested in signing on with a new outlet to be called “Fox News Channel” as their founding Military Analyst. He made the move, and by the time of the 9/11 attacks had provided expert commentary on continuing air operations in Iraq, and the campaigns in Bosnia and Kosovo. His expertise was once again in demand to help the world understand the military strategy being created to win the Global War on Terrorism.

More About

JAMES BLACKWELL

Since his retirement from the U.S. Army in 1987, Dr. Blackwell has conducted research and analysis on military concepts, strategy and technology, serving as Director of Political Military Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and at several corporate organizations under contract to the Department of Defense and other government agencies, including a number of seminal studies for the Office of Net Assessment. He was Cable News Network's full-time military analyst during the 1991 Persian Gulf War and was Fox News Channel's founding Military Analyst.

Dr. Blackwell was an Assistant Professor of Political Science at West Point from 1982 to 1985 and has developed and taught a number of graduate-level courses for government. He was Executive Director for two major Department of Defense investigations (Detention Operations in 2004 and Nuclear Weapons Management in 2008) and from 2009 to 2016 served in the United States Air Force as Special Advisor to the Assistant Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration. Dr. Blackwell was Research Staff Member at the Institute for Defense Analyses and currently teaches Military Strategy and the History of Nations for the Bush School of Government & Public Service at Texas A&M University.

Curriculum Vitae

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13 KJV

Other Books by James Blackwell

Thunder in the Desert: The Strategy and Tactics of the Persian Gulf War

Desert Storm: The Gulf War and What We Learned

On Brave Old Army Team: The Cheating Scandal That Rocked the Nation: West Point, 1951

Making Defense Reform Work