Navigating Strategic Rivalry: Mastering the Art of Gaining Allies and Exerting Influence through Military Dominance
In the latest episode of the Social Science of War podcast, host Kyle Atwell delves into the role of military power and the Army in shaping a favorable security environment in the context of great power competition. The episode, titled "Episode 5, Season 1," features guests Major Kyle Wolfley, a US Army strategist at US Army Cyber Command and a recent assistant professor in the Department of Social Sciences at West Point, and retired Army Brigadier General Kim Field, currently the director of strategy, plans, and policy at US Special Operations Command.
Major Wolfley, known for his extensive publications on shaping in the context of military strategy, discusses his research and insights on the topic. The conversation revolves around the concept of shaping, which involves using military power to attract and influence partners and allies beyond war-fighting.
The podcast highlights the importance of shaping in the US National Defense Strategy, which prioritises the US alliance and partner network. The need for unique capabilities to support shaping efforts and the effectiveness of shaping operations are also discussed in detail.
The impact of US basing posture on reassurance of allies is another key topic in the episode. The discussion touches upon deterrence and defense, power projection and presence, supporting allies and partnerships, adaptation to hybrid threats, and shaping security architecture.
Dr. Brian Blankenship, an assistant professor of political science at the University of Miami, is another guest on the podcast. He has published extensively on alliance burden-sharing and reassurance, adding valuable insights to the conversation.
Major Wolfley's book, "Military Statecraft and the Rise of Shaping in the World," serves as the motivation for today's conversation. The podcast closes with a discussion on the implications of shaping for tactical- and operational-level Army leaders. The risks involved in shaping activities, including the importance of understanding the security dilemma, are also addressed.
The Social Science of War podcast is produced by the Department of Social Sciences at West Point. The podcast can be shared on various platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, emailed, or printed. The Department of Social Sciences at West Point's website offers information about student and teaching opportunities, as well as connections with instructors based on their expertise.
For more specific insights from this episode, you might consider accessing or requesting the episode’s transcript or summary directly from the Social Science of War podcast platform or their official website.
- Major Wolfley, a strategist at US Army Cyber Command, discussed his research on the topic of shaping in the context of military strategy during the episode of the Social Science of War podcast.
- The podcast emphasized the importance of shaping in the US National Defense Strategy, highlighting the role of the US alliance and partner network.
- The need for unique capabilities to support shaping efforts and the effectiveness of shaping operations were among the key topics discussed in the episode.
- The episode also addressed the risks involved in shaping activities, particularly the importance of understanding the security dilemma for tactical- and operational-level Army leaders.
