All submissions undergo a rigorous double-blind peer review, ensuring that work is assessed solely on scholarly quality. Articles should be grounded in solid research and written in clear, precise, and engaging prose, accessible to both specialists and interested readers.
Double-blind peer review with clarity and scholarly depth.
Important Notices – read before submitting
When it comes to publishing your papers, we’re a stickler for following guidelines. So, be sure to read the submission guidelines below before you submit an article to us.
Strategy: Military Strategy Magazine (MSM) is a scholarly yet accessible, peer-reviewed publication on Strategy. Articles must be about the threat or use of violence for the achievement of political objectives / policy ends (i.e., the purpose of war). We are not a political science, international relations, or foreign policy publication.
Note for Non-native English Writers
Anyone may submit an article to MSM. However, if English is not your native language, you must first have a native English speaker read, review, and proof your article. Minor grammatical and spelling issues will be handled by our proofreaders, but they do not rewrite articles.
Anyone is free to submit an article to this publication. However, if one’s native language is not English, it is very important that the writer – prior to submitting the article to the magazine – has a native English writer read, review, and proof your article. Minor grammatical and spelling issues will be dealt with by our proofreaders but proofreaders do not rewrite articles.
Accessible Language Clarity is essential. Avoid jargon and overly long sentences; aim for prose that communicates complex ideas clearly to both specialists and a wider informed audience. (updated, 12 July 2025)
General Guidelines and Article Types
Deadlines Submissions are rolling, but once you agree to submit, you must meet the deadline given. Late submissions delay the publication of other contributors’ work. Please keep this in mind.
Amendments If your article requires changes after review, you’ll be notified of a deadline to resubmit. If you decide to withdraw your article, please inform us promptly.
Split verdicts In the rare event that external reviewers disagree, a third reviewer may be consulted, or the editor will make a final decision after internal consultation. Authors will always be informed of how we proceed.
Format Submit in Microsoft Word only. If this is not possible, contact us first for alternatives.
Exclusivity Articles submitted to MSM must not be submitted to another publication.
Dissertations/theses Only accepted if reworked to fit MSM’s framework (strategy focus, accessible style, max 3,000 words excluding endnotes).
Proposals Short, concise proposals may be submitted to confirm suitability before writing.
Length of articles 3,000 words maximum (excluding endnotes). Longer pieces may be accepted under rare circumstances.
Citation format
As of 19 August 2025, MSM requires Chicago Manual of Style (endnotes only; no in-text citations, no bibliography).
Click here for the official Chicago Manual of Style Quick Guide
Compensation
Compensation for writers is rare and at the sole discretion of the publisher. MSM follows the norm of academic publications: the reward is publication itself, adding to the existing corpus of scholarship on Strategy.
If you have questions or concerns, contact us at any time. Please state queries clearly and concisely; we will respond as quickly as possible.
Articles for the Magazine
What we want
- Articles submitted in Microsoft Word format
- Articles no more than 3,000 words (not including endnotes)
- Articles in English
- Articles on Strategy -specifically in relation to Policy, Tactics, and Operations
- Articles on Strategic History, but not general Military History
- Articles that use evidence and empirical observation over opinion
- Articles that are well written, structured, intelligent and even provocative or witty, without being simplistic, vacuous, slanderous or rude
- Articles rebutting or countering the ideas of previously published articles in MSM are welcome.
- Note – please keep rigid language and complexity to a minimum, and comprehensible language and simplicity to a maximum. Our goal is to get your work read by the widest possible audience.
What we do not want
- Articles exceeding 3,000 words (unless granted permission)
- Articles predicting the future or offering political/strategic prognostications
- Articles on military training, organization, capability or technology
- Articles representing political opinion
- Articles that are exclusively on tactics and/or operations
- Articles narrowly analyzing one nation’s foreign policy (unless within the wider context of Strategic History).
- Exceptions may be made, so contact us if you have any questions.
- MSM is not an International Relations journal – it is a rigorously peer-reviewed publication on strategy.
How to Submit your Article
Titles should reflect your main question or argument, kept short and clear.
- E.g. “Are Targeted Killings Policy, Strategy, or Tactics?”
- E.g. “The Strategy, or lack thereof, of Peacekeeping Operations.”
- E.g. “Winning Hearts and Minds: Strategy or Myth?”
- Submit electronically to: info[at]theijgroup[dot]com or info[at]militarystrategymagazine[dot]com.
- Do not send a blank email with only the article attached. Include a brief abstract and a note stating you are submitting for consideration.
- Include two copies: One with a cover sheet (name, title, date, email, and any other relevant info), and one anonymized copy with no personal details (for external double-blind review).
Exclusive Articles – Submission Guidelines
Must address both strategy and current events
All general guidelines apply
Published as quickly as possible, given urgency of current events. The double-blind peer review process is expedited but remains rigorous
Submit Exclusive Article to: info[at]theijgroup[dot]com
Regarding inquiries on the status of your article intended for the magazine (excluding MSM Exclusive Articles)
Please refrain from status inquiries; you will be notified of the verdict as soon as possible
If you have any questions or concerns, you may contact us at any time.