Game Theory and the Art of War Offers Military Professionals an Accessible Framework for Strategic Decision-Making

The West Point Press released Game Theory and the Art of War, a new peer-reviewed, open-access publication by Dr. Dean Dudley and Dr. Tony Martin that introduces the principles of game theory through the lens of military strategy and decision-making. Designed for practitioners first, the book bridges academic theory and real-world application, making complex concepts accessible to military professionals, scholars, and general readers interested in strategy.

Drawing on historical examples and contemporary strategic challenges, Game Theory and the Art of War demonstrates how game theory can serve as a practical framework for understanding conflict, deterrence, competition, and decision-making under uncertainty. As professional military education continues to evolve alongside an increasingly complex operational environment, the book provides readers with analytical tools that can be applied across military, government, and organizational settings.
Dr. Dean Dudley is an associate professor in the Department of Social Sciences at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he specializes in game theory, microeconomic theory, and nonlinear optimization. He holds a doctorate in economics from Indiana University and a bachelor’s degree in economics from Eastern Washington University.
Dr. Tony Martin is the CEO and founder of Strategic Solutions Unlimited Inc. and a retired U.S. Army Green Beret with 22 years of active-duty service, including multiple operational and combat deployments to Central America, South America, and Afghanistan. He holds a doctorate and master’s degree in political science from Duke University and a bachelor’s degree in history from Campbell University.

Roger Myerson, David L. Pearson Professor of Global Conflict Studies at the University of Chicago and recipient of the 2007 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences, praised the publication, saying:

“This useful book offers a basic introduction to the ideas of game theory with a special focus on examples drawn from military history, emphasizing the practical applications of game theory as a general framework for analyzing strategic decisions in conflict and deterrence.”

Consistent with the West Point Press mission to expand access to scholarly knowledge, the digital edition is available free of charge through the Press website under its open-access publishing model. A paperback edition is also available while supplies last for readers who prefer a printed copy.

The digital edition and additional publication information are available at: https://press.westpoint.edu/books/game-theory-and-the-art-of-war/.