James Carafano
James Carafano: A Distinguished Career in Military Strategy and Public Policy
Full Name and Common Aliases
James Jay Carafano is a renowned American military strategist, scholar, and expert in national security issues.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on July 4, 1959, Carafano's life has been marked by dedication to public service and academic pursuits. As of this writing, he is still active in his career.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Carafano is an American citizen, with a distinguished background in military strategy, national security policy, and academia.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in the United States, Carafano developed an interest in military affairs at an early age. He pursued higher education at Villanova University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1982. His academic achievements laid the foundation for a career that would span multiple fields, including academia, think tanks, and government service.
Major Accomplishments
Carafano's career is marked by significant contributions to military strategy and national security policy. Notably, he served as:
Deputy Director of the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum (2005-2007)
Vice President for Foreign and Defense Policy Studies at the Cato Institute (1999-2001)
Senior Fellow at the Heritage Foundation, where he focused on national security and defense issuesNotable Works or Actions
Throughout his career, Carafano has published numerous articles, books, and policy briefs. Some of his notable works include:
"Ganging Up on Terror: How Information Sharing Is Winning the War" (2005)
* "The Wastemakers: America's Failure to Control Itself" (1993)
Impact and Legacy
Carafano's influence extends beyond academia, as his expertise has informed policy decisions at various levels of government. His ability to distill complex national security issues into clear, actionable recommendations has earned him recognition within the public policy community.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
As a leading voice on military strategy and national security policy, Carafano's opinions are highly sought after by media outlets, think tanks, and government agencies. His commitment to advancing informed discussion on critical issues has cemented his reputation as a trusted authority in the field.
Throughout his career, James Carafano has demonstrated a unique ability to navigate the complexities of military strategy and national security policy. As a respected scholar, expert, and public servant, he continues to shape the conversation on these critical issues, ensuring that his legacy extends far beyond his individual accomplishments.
Quotes by James Carafano

A lot of money we threw out there was wasted because the technology was not so good.

I can't think of one good example in history where a nation built another nation. Countries that succeed rebuild themselves.

It's an article of faith in Tinseltown: when liberals get mired in scandal, it's because they are tragically flawed; when conservatives get in trouble, it's because they are evil.

You don't need to buy a $7 billion company to penetrate maritime security. The Mafia doesn't buy FedEx to smuggle.

Sometimes the enormity of war overwhelms the truth that all great struggles are just the sum of individual stories. Each is more than just the story of one soldier's service and sacrifice. Their service ripples across their families, friends and their communities. Memorial Day reminds us it is the noble sacrifice of many that makes us who we are.

He's stuck it out when lesser men would walk away. I don't care what you call that, hubris or whatever. I truthfully think just changing the captain on the ship wouldn't have made any difference. If anything, it may have slowed things down because at least that captain knows the mistakes he made.

In terms of the physical resources the federal government brings to bear, the Corps of Engineers is going to be there a long, long time, ... Certainly, OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Administration) will be engaged because of the safety issues, and cleanup will be enormous. EPA is going to be involved.

In many ways, this is a test of our national capacity, ... If we can't do this 24-7-365, we aren't doing our job for preparedness.

Everybody can say everything came out of the QDR. You have the right to be skeptical.
