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Jed Babbin

Jed Babbin

Jed Babbin is a national security and foreign affairs columnist for The Washington Times and contributing editor for The American Spectator.  

Mr. Babbin is a native of New York City. He began his career as an Air Force judge advocate in 1973. He spent almost three decades in the practice of law as well as in positions including deputy undersecretary of defense during the George H. W. Bush administration. 

Mr. Babbin is the author of “In the Words of Our Enemies,” (Regnery 2007), “Inside the Asylum: Why the UN and Old Europe are Worse than You Think,” (Regnery 2004) and “Showdown: Why China Wants War with the United States,” (with Edward Timperlake, Regnery, 2006.) He co-authored The BDS War Against Israel,” (with Herbert London, LCPR, 2014), “The Sunni Vanguard,” (with Herbert London and David Goldman, LCPR 2014) and, “The Encyclopedia of Militant Islam,” (with Bryan Griffin and Herbert London, LCPR 2016). He wrote the military adventure novel, Legacy of Valor. (Pentland Press, 2000). 

Mr. Babbin served as editor of Human Events, the oldest conservative journal in the United States, from 2007-2010. He has also written for The Washington Examiner, The Weekly Standard and National Review Online. 

Mr. Babbin is a graduate of Stevens Institute of Technology (Bachelor of Engineering, 1970), Cumberland School of Law (Juris Doctor, 1973) and the Georgetown University Law School (Master of Laws, 1978).

He can be reached at jlbabbin@gmail.com.

Columns by Jed Babbin

Illustration on the FISA court by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

FISA: Mend it or end it

The powers granted to the government under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act have been so badly abused that the law should be either significantly revised or allowed to expire in December. Published May 29, 2023

Russi and Ukraine Drone Attacks Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

A closer look at the crucial fight for air supremacy in Ukraine

Waves of Russian drone attacks are being launched to delay and disrupt Ukraine's already delayed spring offensive and to use up Ukraine's air defenses. A May 3 attack on Moscow has attracted more attention than the rest. Published May 17, 2023

Illustration on weak NATO as a paper tiger with China by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

NATO is a paper tiger against China

When NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg spoke about Ukraine's future as a member of the alliance, he probably didn't say anything that Russian intelligence didn't already know. Published April 29, 2023

Illustration on the legacy of Biden's unilateral withdrawal from Afghanistan by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Afghanistan haunts Biden, as it should

Nothing encapsulates President Biden's approach to national security and foreign policy as well as the debacle he created in withdrawing suddenly from Afghanistan in August 2021. Published April 1, 2023

Illustration on China's help in a new Saudi/Iran agreement by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

China’s Saudi-Iran gambit

In one critical stroke, China has established itself as a major player in the Middle East, derailed a strategic objective of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and caught President Biden flat-footed. Published March 18, 2023

Illustration on forces in the Ukraine war by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Will Putin survive his Ukraine war?

Russian ruler Vladimir Putin staged a celebration on Feb. 24, the Ukraine invasion's anniversary. The televised event included kidnapped Ukrainian teenagers from Mariupol paraded to thank Russian troops for saving them. Published March 3, 2023

Biden and illegal immigration at southern border Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Biden’s border baloney

Three events over the past two weeks should focus Americans on how President Biden is making the national security crisis on our southern border worse. Published January 13, 2023

Illustration on Biden and national defense by Linas Garsys/The Washington Times

Two tough years with Biden ahead

In 2014, former Defense Secretary Robert Gates said that then-Vice President Joe Biden had been wrong on nearly every issue of foreign policy and national security for four decades. Published January 2, 2023

Illustration on the China threat to U. S. satellites by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Will China knock out America’s satellites?

The biggest strategic and tactical advantages we have over our adversaries are probably the enormous capabilities that our hundreds of military and intelligence satellites provide. Published December 17, 2022

Illustration on Biden and the Palestinians by Greg Groesch/ The Washington Times

Biden adopts the Palestinian cause

President Biden inherited a Middle East that posed the greatest opportunities for stability, if not peace, in almost six decades. Published December 3, 2022

Avoiding World War III in Ukraine war Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Cracks in America’s support for Ukraine

President Biden's only praiseworthy action in the realms of national security and foreign policy has been his support for Ukraine in its resistance to Russia's invasion. Published November 22, 2022

Illustration on the U.S. defense of Taiwan by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Will Biden defend Taiwan?

On four separate occasions since he took office, President Biden has said he would defend Taiwan. Published November 8, 2022

American soldiers salute. US Army. Photo credit Bumble Dee via Shutterstock.

Drills, drones and deterrence

Military exercises between the United States and its allies' forces have always had two purposes: first, to train with our allies so we can fight better together, and second, to show our adversaries some of our deterrent forces. Published October 21, 2022

Illustration on Iranian protests by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Are Iran’s protesters revolutionaries?

Since 2009, several waves of riots and near-revolutions have consumed Iran. A few, like the 2009 "Green Revolution," weren't revolutions at all. This time the protests seem very different. Published October 10, 2022

Putin going nuclear in Ukraine Illustration by Greg Groesch/The Washington Times

Will Putin nuke Ukraine?

The Ukrainian army's counter-offensive in the northeast and southeast corners of its nation began on September 5 and has been effective beyond its hopes and those of its allies. Published September 21, 2022