Social Science of War

US Alliances Politics in the Indo-Pacific

Optimists argue that alliances are a source of strength for American foreign policy, lending significant advantage over competitors like China. Skeptics argue that the Un

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 Army chief of sta

Public Opinion and the Use of Force

Every four years, Americans choose a new commander-in-chief. US presidents have significant authority to use force, manage a global network of alliances and partnerships,

Learning from Iraq

After the US-led coalition's invasion of Iraq and defeat of Iraqi forces in conventional operations, a series of new challenges arose. How can security forces be rebuilt

Iraq in Retrospect, Twenty Years Later

More than twenty-one years ago, when a US-led coalition invaded Iraq, the 101st Airborne Division was a key element of the operation. Dr. Isaiah "Ike" Wilson was an Army

Technology and the Future of Land Warfare

Technology is rapidly changing the modern battlefield, making it crucial for armies to adapt how they think, fight, and train. But what should that adaptation look like?

Americans’ Changing Views of Civil-Military Relations

Are current trends in civil-military relations antithetical to healthy democratic norms? What can be done to ensure the civil-military relationship is a healthy one? And

Why Defense Reform in Ukraine is Crucial

Most discussions about Western support to Ukraine and its defense against Russia centers on materiel—artillery shells, F-16s, and a wide range of equipment. While these w

Drone Proliferation to Terrorists Proxies

How is increased nonstate actor access to drones impacting war today? That deeply challenging question is the focus of the first episode in the new season of Social Scien

Civil-Military Relations and Partisanship in the Armed Forces

Since Samuel Huntington introduce the concept of objective control in his 1957 book The Soldier and the State, it has been the model of civil-military relations taught mo

Adapting the Army to Strategic Competition

The US military and those of its allies are faced with the challenges of shifting focus toward great power competition while still maintaining the ability to counter thre

Land Warfare in Europe, Part 2: Large-Scale Combat Operations in Ukraine

In the previous episode of the Social Science of War, our guests explored the strategic and political dynamics of NATO. This episode continues the focus on European secur

Land Warfare in Europe, Part 1: The Politics of Coalition Warfare

How would the United States and its NATO allies fight together in a great power war? How does burden sharing between NATO members shape alliance dynamics? And what lesson

Theory and Practice of Proxy Warfare in Strategic Competition

This episode tackles the subject of proxy warfare—specifically its role in a strategic environment characterized by great power competition. Why do states engage in proxy

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

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

The War That Shall Not Be Named: Lessons from Afghanistan for the Army

This episode looks back at twenty years of the US-led war in Afghanistan to find lessons for the US Army. How should the war inform the way we make strategy going forward

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 Army impacts a soldier’s earning

Persistent, Deniable, Defensive: Cyber Operations and the Army

This episode of the Social Science of War podcast examines the challenges posed by cyber threats to the United States and how the nation and Army are adapting to the cybe

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 it, host Kyle Atwell is joined by retired