Navigating Strategic Conflicts: Mastering the Art of Influence through Military Strength
In a recent episode of the Social Science of War podcast, produced by the Department of Social Sciences at West Point, Major Kyle Wolfley, a US Army strategist and recent assistant professor in the same department, discusses the role of military power, particularly the Army, in shaping a favorable security environment in the context of great power competition.
The podcast episode is based on Major Wolfley's award-winning book, "Military Statecraft and the Rise of Shaping in the World," which he wrote during his PhD research at Cornell University. The discussion centres around the Army's ability to reinforce commitments, deter adversaries, and operate effectively alongside partners in contested regions.
The Army's presence and preparedness contribute significantly to maintaining regional stability and signalling resolve against rivals such as Russia or China. This is demonstrated by enduring cooperative efforts like those of V Corps in Europe, which play a critical role near ongoing conflicts like the Russo-Ukrainian War. These efforts show how forward-deployed forces shape the security environment through both direct engagement and support to partners.
The Army's role is not limited to tactical operations but extends to strategic influence in shaping national security decision-making. Military leaders serve as informed actors within complex foreign policy environments, and their actions and capabilities affect diplomatic leverage, deterrence strategies, and alliance dynamics. Understanding this interplay helps create the conditions for a stable security environment amid great power rivalry.
The podcast also delves into the human and ethical dimensions of military power. Leadership challenges, moral considerations of force application, and the importance of cohesion within the Army are discussed, reinforcing the Army's contribution to security and stability.
In summary, the Army shapes a favorable security environment in great power competition by deterring adversaries through forward presence and readiness, supporting allies and partners in contested regions to reinforce commitments, influencing broader national security decision-making and foreign policy, upholding moral and ethical standards to maintain legitimacy in the use of force, and maintaining unit cohesion and leadership to maximize operational effectiveness in complex security contexts.
The National Defense Strategy prioritizes the US alliance and partner network, making shaping an essential concept to understand. Guests on the podcast include retired Army Brigadier General Kim Field, the director of strategy, plans, and policy at US Special Operations Command, and Dr. Brian Blankenship, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Miami, who has published extensively on alliance burden-sharing and reassurance.
Visitors can share this article on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or send it via email or print it. For questions about this episode or the Social Science of War podcast in general, you can contact Kyle Atwell, the podcast's creator and host. You can also visit the Department of Social Sciences at West Point's website to learn more about the department, apply to be a student or a teacher, or connect with instructors based on their expertise.
Image credit for the article is provided by Sgt. 1st Class Walter E. van Ochten, US Army.
[1] Wolfley, K. (2021). Military Statecraft and the Rise of Shaping in the World. Cornell University Press. [2] Social Science of War podcast. (2021, Episode 5, Season 1). [3] Field, K., & Blankenship, B. (Guests on the podcast). [5] Department of Social Sciences at West Point. (Producer of the podcast).
- Major Wolfley, a US Army strategist, discusses how military power, particularly the Army, plays a crucial role in shaping a favorable security environment during great power competition.
- The Army's presence and preparedness in contested regions contribute significantly to regional stability and signaling resolve against adversaries like Russia and China, as demonstrated by enduring cooperative efforts like those of V Corps in Europe.
- Military leaders, such as retired Army Brigadier General Kim Field, serve as informed actors within complex foreign policy environments, influencing diplomatic leverage, deterrence strategies, and alliance dynamics.
- The Social Science of War podcast, produced by the Department of Social Sciences at West Point, delves into not just the tactical operations of the military, but also the strategic implications of its role in shaping national security decision-making and foreign policy.
