Near East South Asia

Near East South Asia

Center for Strategic Studies

Dr. John Ballard

Dr. John R. Ballard is Dean of Faculty and Academic Programs and Professor of Strategic Studies at the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies in Washington, D.C. He previously served as Professor of Strategic Studies at the National War College, Professor of Joint Military Operations at the Naval War College, as the Foundation Professor of Defense Studies at New Zealand’s Massey University, and as Professor of History at the Joint Forces Staff College.

Dr. Ballard is a graduate of the French Command and Staff College and a combat veteran of the Iraq War. His previous military duties included service in Haiti as a strategic planner for operation Uphold Democracy, Director of Plans and Policy for Marine Forces, Pacific during operation Enduring Freedom and command of the Marine Corps’ 4th Civil Affairs Group during operation Iraqi Freedom. His final military assignment was as chief of staff of the combating terrorism directorate within the Office of the Secretary of Defense in the Pentagon.

Dr. Ballard is a recipient of the U.S. Army Historical Foundation’s Distinguished Writing Award, the Department of the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Medal, and several military decorations. He has lectured worldwide on multinational operations, combating terrorism, command and operational art.

    Education
  • Ph.D., History, Catholic University of America
  • M.A., History, California State University
  • B.S., History, U.S. Naval Academy
    Areas of Interest
  • Operational Art
  • Military Strategy
  • Command and Control
  • Counterinsurgency/Counterterrorism

Dr. John Ballard, Professor and Academic Dean

 

John Ballard

"A good instructor is a special kind of person. The individuals who stick in our memories as good instructors share certain characteristics. They invariably have a sound knowledge of their subject, know how to get the student to challenge his own assumptions, and know how to look at the subject in a new light. It takes uncommon skill to foster understanding and to motivate and intellectually challenge students."

~ General John R. Galvin, USA (Ret.)

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    Suggested Readings
  • Galula, David. (2006). Counterinsurgency Warfare: Theory and Practice. (PSI Classics of the Counterinsurgency Era).New York: Praeger Security International.
  • Packer, George. (2005). The Assassins’ Gate: America in Iraq. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.