James Jay Carafano

James Jay Carafano, a leading expert in national security and foreign policy challenges, is The Heritage Foundation’s Vice President, Foreign and Defense Policy Studies, E. W. Richardson Fellow, and Director of the Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for International Studies. He is an accomplished historian and teacher as well as a prolific writer and researcher. Carafano, a 25-year Army veteran with a master’s and doctorate from Georgetown University, joined Heritage in 2003. He directs Heritage's team of foreign and defense policy experts. His recent research has focused on developing the national security required to secure the long-term interests of the United States -- protecting the public, providing for economic growth and preserving civil liberties. Carafano also produced several documentary films. He co-produced and co-wrote the documentary “Veteran Nation,” an official selection of the 2013 G.I. Film Festival.