John Hayward

National Security Deputy Editor

John Hayward

Follow John Hayward

I'm a conservative because there is so much about the American tradition that is worth conserving. I worry that people aren't as frightened of authoritarians and totalitarians as they should be. Freedom and capitalism are inseparable, because without capitalism, freedom just means shouting your opinion and hoping somebody important is listening.

National security, technology, global political and economic strategy

Associate in Arts, Edison Community College, 1986

Hayward has been a writer for Breitbart News Network since 2013. Prior to that, he worked for two decades in computers and business consulting before becoming an amateur blogger under the pseudonym "Doctor Zero" for Hot Air. As he developed a large following, he also received criticism for being an anonymous voice, so he decided to reveal his full name and go public. Shortly thereafter, he began doing radio interviews across the country for his writing and was contacted by Human Events in Washington, D.C. to become a full-time professional columnist.

Management at Breitbart News noticed his work and invited him to join Breitbart.com. Hayward jumped at the opportunity to "join a platform with so much reach, to be a part of something so huge."

Hayward's work has been cited by radio and television outlets from Rush Limbaugh and Mark Levin to Fox News. His essays have been incorporated into several high school and college textbooks, and he gives occasional lectures on media analysis and writing online. He frequently guest-hosts Breitbart News Tonight on SiriusXM channel 125, the Patriot Channel.

Articles by John Hayward

Senior Iranian Cleric Calls for Executing Protesters, Threatens Trump

Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, a high-ranking member of the Iranian theocracy who sits on several of its highest governing bodies, on Friday demanded the execution of protesters and made threats against President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Iranian senior cleric Ahmad Khatami delivers a sermon during a mourning prayer for slain I

Iran Dismisses Uprising as ‘Israeli Plot,’ Claims Protests Under Control

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Wednesday claimed the massive nationwide uprising against the regime he serves was an “Israeli plot” carried out by “ISIS-style terrorist operations,” and the regime has defeated these “terrorists” after three days of pitched battle.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi attends a joint press conference with Russian Forei

Somalia Falls Apart After Mogadishu Breaks with UAE

Somalia’s semi-autonomous regions of Puntland, Jubbaland, and Somaliland – the latter recently recognized as an independent country by Israel – have all broken with the central government in Mogadishu after it announced it was cutting ties with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

MOGADISHU, SOMALIA - AUGUST 25: Somali soldiers are seen during military training at the T

Saudi Arabia Carries Out Record Number of Executions in 2025

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia posted data this week that showed it carrying out at least 356 executions in 2025, the highest number recorded in the modern era, and a significant increase over the record-breaking 338 executions in 2024.

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman attends a meeting during the G20 Summit in

South Korean and Japanese Leaders Bang Out K-Pop Tunes at Drum Summit

South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae decided to relax after their summit meeting in Nara, Japan, on Tuesday by picking up drumsticks and playing K-pop tunes, including a song from the Netflix animated hit “K-Pop Demon Hunters.”

Title: Japan South Korea Image ID: 26014021811513 Article: In this photo released on the o

Kurds Accuse Syrian Army of War Crimes in Aleppo

The semi-autonomous Kurdish government in northeastern Syria on Sunday accused the Syrian Army and its affiliated militias of committing “war crimes” against Kurdish communities in the city of Aleppo.

ALEPPO, SYRIA - JANUARY 12: (----EDITORIAL USE ONLY - MANDATORY CREDIT - âSYRIAN DEFENSE

Iran Says It Is Open to Talks with U.S. amid Protest Crackdown

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Monday that his regime remains open to negotiations with the United States, even as President Donald Trump has threatened to take action against the regime for killing protesters.

Title: Russia Iran Image ID: 25351463590713 Article: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghc

Iran: Death Toll Rises to Thousands, Trump Says ‘Help Is on Its Way’

The Iranian opposition group known as the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran/Mojahedin-e-Khalq (PMOI/MEK) claimed on Tuesday that the death toll from the nationwide uprising against the Iranian regime has surpassed 3,000, with casualties reported from 195 cities. President Donald Trump urged the “patriots” of Iran to stay strong, and promised “help is on its way.”

Iranians gather while blocking a street during a protest in Tehran, Iran on January 9, 202

Ayatollah Khamenei Predicts Fall of Donald Trump as Iran Burns

Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in televised remarks on Friday that President Donald Trump would soon be “brought down” by his “arrogance,” even as massive protests against Khamenei and his brutal terrorist regime were raging across Iran.

Title: Iran Protests Image ID: 26003388650698 Article: In this photo released by an offici

Rubio: Democracy in Venezuela Will Happen After Recovery

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said at a press conference in Washington, DC, on Wednesday that Venezuela’s economy must be stabilized, and a process of political reconciliation completed, before a successor to deposed narco-terrorist dictator Nicolás Maduro can be chosen through free and fair elections.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during an end-of-year press conference in the Sta

Russian Tanker Seizure Targets Sanctions-Busting ‘Shadow Fleet’

Wednesday’s seizure of a rogue Russian-flagged tanker in the North Atlantic marked a significant escalation of U.S. efforts to shut down the dangerous “shadow fleet” of sanctions-defying invisible ships created by Russia, China, Iran, and other hostile powers – a fleet that poses serious threats to the environment, maritime safety, legitimate global shipping, and the world’s economic security.

17 August 2025, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Sassnitz: The tanker "Eventin" is still off

Canadian Officials Plan Greenland Visit as Trump Eyes Purchase of Territory

Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand and Governor General Mary Simon are reportedly planning a visit to Greenland early next month to open a new Canadian consulate, in a show of Ottawa’s opposition to President Donald Trump’s move to acquire Greenland for the United States.

Title: Belgium NATO Foreign Ministers Image ID: 25337295838164 Article: Canada's For

Turkey’s Erdogan, a Longtime Maduro Pal, Seeks Role in Venezuela Situation

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a longtime ally of deposed and incarcerated narco-terrorist dictator Nicolás Maduro, is looking for a role in the crisis currently unfolding in Venezuela – and hoping to protect the investments Turkey made with the corrupt socialist regime.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses a joint press conference with Venezuelan