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Albert Jim Marckwardt

Dr. Marckwardt serves as faculty co-lead for the Americas at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. In addition, he serves as Professor of Strategy and Defense at the Inter-American Defense College. A retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and Foreign Area Officer, Dr. Marckwardt served for over 29 years in a range of policy and security cooperation positions. His prior roles include Country Director for Colombia and Venezuela at the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy; Political-Military Advisor and Liaison Office Director at the U.S. Embassy in Honduras for Joint Task Force–Bravo; and Senior Leader Engagement Officer for Mexico at U.S. Army North. Earlier in his career, he deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as an Armor Officer in command and staff roles. While in Iraq he co-authored a book The Defense of Jisr al-Doreaa, the premiere tactical primer on counterinsurgency for junior leaders.

Dr. Marckwardt earned his Doctor of International Affairs and Master of International Public Policy degrees at Johns Hopkins SAIS. He is also a graduate of Argentina’s Escuela Superior de Guerra. His research and writings have appeared in Joint Forces Quarterly, Small Wars Journal, and other outlets, focused on regional security, institutional reform, and military diplomacy.

Key Publications, Videos, Podcasts


“Five Truths for Foreign Area Officers,” Joint Forces Quarterly, https://digitalcommons.ndu.edu/joint-force-quarterly/vol114/iss2/18/

“Blackjack,” Small Wars Journal, https://smallwarsjournal.com/2024/04/30/blackjack/

“Perspective: War with the Cartels Is More Complicated Than It Sounds,” Small Wars Journal, https://smallwarsjournal.com/2023/03/23/perspective-war-cartels-more-complicated-it-sounds/

The Defense of Jisr Al-Doreaa, Chicago University Press, https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/D/bo6695659.html

Irregular Warfare Initiative Podcast, https://irregularwarfare.org/podcasts/culture-access-influence-the-fao-advantage-in-irregular-warfare/

Revolution in Military Affairs Podcast, https://shows.acast.com/revolution-in-military-affairs/episodes/the-five-truths-of-foreign-area-officers

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