Shaping in Strategic Competition: How to Win Friends and Influence People with Military Power

February 06, 2023 01:08:56
Shaping in Strategic Competition: How to Win Friends and Influence People with Military Power
Social Science of War
Shaping in Strategic Competition: How to Win Friends and Influence People with Military Power

Feb 06 2023 | 01:08:56

/

Show Notes

This episode examines the role of military power not only to fight wars but also to attract and influence partners and allies. Known as shaping, these activities include multinational training exercises with foreign militaries, establishing US military basing around the world, security force assistance and military aid, and more. Given the National Defense Strategy places a high priority on the US alliance and partner network, shaping is an essential concept to understand how the United States leverages the US Army to strengthen its relationships.

To discuss the topic, host Kyle Atwell is joined by three guests. Dr. Brian Blankenship is an assistant professor of political science at the University of Miami who has published extensively on alliance burden-sharing and reassurance. Retired Brigadier General Kim Field is the director of strategy, plans, and policy at US Special Operations Command, has held a number of senior positions both in the Army and in the Department of State, and is a previous assistant professor in the Department of Social Sciences at West Point. And Major Kyle Wolfley is a US Army strategist at US Cyber Command, a recent assistant professor in the Department of Social Sciences, and the author of Military Statecraft and the Rise of Shaping in the World.

Other Episodes

Episode

June 18, 2024 00:39:21
Episode Cover

The Harding Project and Army Professional Writing

Last September, the Harding Project launched with the objective of renewing professional writing in the US Army. A priority of General Randy George, the...

Listen

Episode

December 13, 2022 00:54:53
Episode Cover

Welcome to the Social Science of War: Lessons from Ukraine for the Army

This is the very first episode of a new podcast from the Department of Social Sciences at West Point: Social Science of War. In...

Listen

Episode

January 09, 2023 00:45:27
Episode Cover

Army Service and Talent Management in the All-Volunteer Era

This episode of Social Science of War examines a range of issues related to Army talent management—from the ways in which service in the...

Listen