Albert "Jim" Marckwardt
Program Administrator and Adjunct Associate Professor
Faculty Co-Lead, The Americas Focus Area
About
Dr. Marckwardt is a scholar-practitioner whose work bridges diplomacy, defense policy, and academic leadership. He serves as faculty co-lead for the Americas at Johns Hopkins SAIS, where he teaches graduate-level courses and directs the regional programming focused on the Western Hemisphere. He is also the founder and administrator of the SAIS Latin America Studies Initiative (LASI), a dynamic research community dedicated to advancing scholarly knowledge and fostering policy discussions on Latin America affairs. In 2024, he received the Johns Hopkins University Outstanding Recent Graduate Award in recognition of his contributions to scholarship and public service.
In addition to SAIS, he serves as faculty lead for Institutional Capacity Building at the Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU), where he develops and delivers curriculum on defense governance and institutional reform for U.S. officials.
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; Defense Strategic Intelligence Planner for the Americas at the Defense Intelligence Agency; 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, where he worked closely with Mexico’s SEDENA. He is also a graduate of Argentina’s Escuela Superior de Guerra (Superior War School), where he studied strategic studies as an exchange officer.
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. 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.
Dr. Marckwardt earned his Doctor of International Affairs and Master of International Public Policy degrees at the Johns Hopkins SAIS, and earned a BA in International Business from Florida International University.
In addition to SAIS, he serves as faculty lead for Institutional Capacity Building at the Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU), where he develops and delivers curriculum on defense governance and institutional reform for U.S. officials.
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; Defense Strategic Intelligence Planner for the Americas at the Defense Intelligence Agency; 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, where he worked closely with Mexico’s SEDENA. He is also a graduate of Argentina’s Escuela Superior de Guerra (Superior War School), where he studied strategic studies as an exchange officer.
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. 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.
Dr. Marckwardt earned his Doctor of International Affairs and Master of International Public Policy degrees at the Johns Hopkins SAIS, and earned a BA in International Business from Florida International University.
- Marckwardt, A., & Burgoyne, M. (2024). "Five Truths for Foreign Officers." NDU Joint Forces Quarterly.
- Marckwardt, A., & Burgoyne, M. (2024). "Blackjack." Small Wars Journal.
- Marckwardt, A. (2023). "Can Sticks Make Carrots? The Economic Impact of Colombia’s Defense Industrialization." Johns Hopkins University.
- Marckwardt, A., & Burgoyne, M. (2023). "Perspective: War with the Cartels Is More Complicated Than It Sounds." Small Wars Journal.
- Marckwardt, A., & Gonzalez, F. (2019). "Why is Mexico so Violent? Governors, Caciques, and Cartels." In Mexico Under Misplaced Economies (Chapter 6). Routledge.
- Marckwardt, A., & Burgoyne, M. (2019). "Was it all Just a Dream? Revisiting The Defense of Jisr Al-Doreaa Ten Years Later." Small Wars Journal.
- Marckwardt, A., & Burke, C. (2013). "The Revenge of Geography: Why Mexico Matters." Small Wars Journal.
- Marckwardt, A. (2011). "Broadening the Army Officer for a New Tomorrow." Armor Magazine.
- Marckwardt, A., & Burgoyne, M. (2009). Defense of Jisr Al Doreaa. University of Chicago Press.
In the News
Blackjack
In the Small Wars Journal, Professor Albert J. Marckwardt writes about the authorization for the use of force against Mexican cartels was introduced in Congress. 04/29/24