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

Social Science of War

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.