Strategic Studies Quarterly

Strategic Studies Quarterly. It is a peer-reviewed academic journal focusing on national security, military strategy, and international affairs, published by the Air University Press. The journal serves as a forum for scholarly debate on strategic issues, particularly those related to air, space, and cyber power. It aims to bridge the gap between theory and policy, providing analysis for military professionals, policymakers, and academics.

History and background

The journal was established in 2007 under the auspices of the United States Air Force's Air University, located at Maxwell Air Force Base. Its creation was influenced by the strategic environment following the September 11 attacks and the ongoing War in Afghanistan and Iraq War. The publication succeeded earlier Air Force periodicals, aiming to provide a more rigorous, scholarly platform for strategic thought. The inaugural editor was Lt. Gen. Stephen R. Lorenz, then-commander of Air University, who emphasized the need for critical analysis in an era of complex threats from state and non-state actors.

Scope and focus

The journal's scope encompasses grand strategy, deterrence theory, nuclear strategy, irregular warfare, and the evolving domains of space warfare and cyberwarfare. It frequently publishes research on the strategic implications of technological change, including advancements in unmanned systems, artificial intelligence, and hypersonic technology. A significant portion of its content analyzes the strategies and capabilities of major powers like the People's Liberation Army, the Russian Armed Forces, and non-state actors such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State. The publication also examines historical case studies, from the Peloponnesian War to the Cuban Missile Crisis, to inform contemporary policy.

Editorial process and impact

The editorial process involves a double-blind peer review conducted by a board comprising senior military officers, civilian defense experts, and academics from institutions like the RAND Corporation, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and King's College London. The journal is indexed in several major academic databases, including JSTOR and EBSCOhost, and its articles are frequently cited in policy documents from the Pentagon, Congressional Research Service, and NATO strategic communications. It has been recognized for influencing debates on critical issues such as nuclear proliferation in North Korea and Iran and the strategic competition in the South China Sea.

Notable articles and contributors

Prominent contributors have included renowned strategists such as Colin S. Gray, who wrote on the enduring nature of strategy, and John A. Warden III, known for his theories on airpower. Notable articles have covered topics ranging from the application of Clausewitzian theory in modern conflict to analyses of the Syrian Civil War and the Russian intervention in Ukraine. Other distinguished authors have included scholars from the United States Naval War College, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and former commanders of United States Strategic Command and United States European Command.

Relationship to the U.S. Air Force

As a publication of Air University Press, it operates under the United States Air Force's Air Education and Training Command. The journal supports the professional military education of USAF officers and provides intellectual capital for the service's strategic planning. Its content often aligns with key Air Force doctrine documents, such as Air Force Doctrine Publication 3-0, and contributes to wargames and strategy development at the Air Force Research Laboratory and Headquarters United States Air Force. While editorially independent, its mission is inherently tied to advancing the strategic thought and global engagement priorities of the Department of the Air Force.

Category:Academic journals published in the United States Category:Military journals Category:Quarterly journals Category:Publications established in 2007