Dr. James W.E. Smith

Home
Podcast
Notes
Research Guide
Books & Monographs
Projects
Writings
Collected Works
About

Writings

The Royal Navy 1546-2026?
Dr James W.E. Smith asks if the threshold of the Royal Navy being considered as ended, has been met.
 • Dr James W.E. Smith
How the UK Squandered its Naval Might
The 2026 Iran Crisis has exposed what many feared about the state of the Royal Navy but Dr James WE Smith, argues it's far worse than that.
 • Dr James W.E. Smith
If Admiralty was restored, how might it manage the Royal Navy in 2026?
If Britain re-established an Admiralty independently or part of a vastly downsized and streamlined Ministry of Defence, what course might it chart for…
 • Dr James W.E. Smith
The American Sea Power Paradox: Why the US is More Naval Than Maritime
America's strength at sea isn't organic, inherent, or easily projected—making the oscillating fate of the USN a logical progression.
 • Dr James W.E. Smith
Seablindness Rules Britannia.
From the Red Sea’s trade routes to Whitehall’s policy frameworks and into classroom curricula, a persistent issue emerges: seablindness, and now, it is…
 • Dr James W.E. Smith
Britain Needs Admiralty not a Ministry of War.
Restoration of national strategy hand-in-hand with fundamental defence organisational change is the key to the successful defence of Britain & its…
 • Dr James W.E. Smith
Endgame for Seablindness: defence organisation and the future of the Royal Navy and the United States Navy
Navies must reinvent themselves and retake the lead on defence organisation. Their futures, that of national defence strategy and warfare may very well…
 • Dr James W.E. Smith
Why Lord Nelson matters in 2025 and Beyond
Lord Nelson has much insight to offer to this day, ranging from the role of navies, the future of war––from seabed to space––and leadership in defence…
 • Dr James W.E. Smith
250 years of American military ambition at sea
Today marks 250 years of the United States of America looking to the seas as a place to be a military and naval power.
 • Dr James W.E. Smith
The Future of Defence Organisation Resurfaces?
How defence is organised is fundamental in enabling or hindering national policy and strategy in peace and wartime.
 • Dr James W.E. Smith
Unsung Hero of the Falklands War: The Life and Career of Commodore Michael Clapp CB by Dr Anthony Cumming.
Delighted a book on one of my mentors will be published shortly (October 2025, Pen and Sword Books UK).
 • Dr James W.E. Smith
A 'Note' about a U.S. Department of War.
Renaming the Department of Defense to Department of War is playing with old divisions, debates and issues that today's nation has little knowledge and…
 • Dr James W.E. Smith
© 2026 Dr. James WE Smith · Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start your SubstackGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture