Wild Blue Yonder

Oct. 13, 2022
Bombing to Win: Pape’s Denial in the Nuclear Age and the Russia-Ukraine Context

In his book Bombing to Win: Air Power and Coercion in War, Robert Pape argued how airpower could be used most effectively in war. Pape concluded that: “Denial can work, but strategic bombing is not the best way to achieve it. No strategic bombing campaign has ever yielded decisive results.”[1]
Oct. 11, 2022
Wild Blue Yonder on the Air - Ep. 19 - Mr. Sebastian Bae on Wargaming

Opinions, conclusions, and recommendations expressed or implied within are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the Air University, the United States Air Force, the Department of Defense, or any other US government agency.Dr. Megan Hennessey: Welcome to Wild
Sept. 29, 2022
A Three-Part Leadership Framework for the Cyber Community: A Model of Trust, Risk, and Influence

The Need for a New Theory of Leadership in the Cyber CommunityThis article explores how and why a new cyber leadership theory is needed for our military by extending work of past scholars, updating existing models, and offering a novel leadership theory specific to the cyber community. In relation
Sept. 22, 2022
Egypt’s Bread of Life: The Power of Food in Government

In response to rioting peasants outside the palace demanding bread, French queen Marie-Antoinette was famously quoted as saying “let them eat cake.” Whether or not this is quote is historically accurate or not, it reflects a reality that has been with governments as long as they have existed:
Sept. 15, 2022
Implications Of Context In Understanding China’s “Mask Diplomacy”

Since the global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in March, 2020 China has been engaging in a foreign policy initiative. It has been labeled “Mask Diplomacy, a term that can be employed to describe its particular style of soft (e.g. cultural, symbolic, and discursive) and sharp (e.g. dispatched
Sept. 8, 2022
After The Flag: Supporting Graduated Squadron Commanders

“I am relieved.” The last words spoken by military commanders at multiple levels of leadership before they pass the guidon to their boss and step to the right, leaving space for the new commander to step forward and assume command. Upon completion of the ceremony, the now graduated commander
Sept. 1, 2022
The New Containment

In 1947, George F. Kennan famously outlined in the pages of Foreign Affairs what became the “containment strategy.” Kennan’s argument, that the West and its allies must confront aggressive Soviet expansion anywhere, set the stage for much of America’s foreign policy throughout the Cold War,
Aug. 25, 2022
The United States Must Pursue Greater Nuclear Energy Power Generation

For years, scientists have warned us that the world must pursue net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This effort must be global, with countries like China and Brazil participating. However, before the United States can compel other nations to make a good-faith effort to decarbonize by 2050, we must
Aug. 11, 2022
Command and Control Terms of Reference

Article updated on 16 August 2022. IntroductionThere’s never been a better time to be in the Command and Control (C2) business. The Joint Staff is investing heavily in the Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) program, which is designed to accelerate commanders’ decision cycles and close
Aug. 5, 2022
Decision Advantage in Competition

If decision advantage in conflict is closing our kill chains, then decision advantage in competition is keeping adversary kill chains open. In the 1950s, Col John Boyd embodied the concept of a decision cycle in conflict with his theory of the “OODA Loop.” He believed that the orient phase was key