John H. Maurer is the Alfred Thayer Mahan Distinguished Professor of Sea Power and Grand Strategy at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. He previously served as the College’s Chair of the Strategy and Policy Department. A graduate of Yale University, he holds M.A.L.D. and Ph.D. degrees in international relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University. He is the author or editor of books examining the outbreak of the First World War, military interventions in the developing world, and naval rivalries and arms control between the two world wars, and of a study of Winston Churchill’s views on British foreign policy and grand strategy. He served on the Secretary of the Navy’s advisory committee on naval history. In recognition of his service and contribution to professional military education, he has received both the Meritorious Civilian Service Award and Superior Civilian Service Award from the U.S. Navy.