History, education, economics, politics, as well as the broader context of the situation play a role. Games are certainly not the only influence on a culture’s, a country’s, or a person’s strategic thinking. It is, of course, possible to overextend this insight. Just as it is possible, for example, to see elements of American football in US strategic thinking, it is also possible to see the fundamental premises of judo, Vladimir Putin’s sport, in Russia’s efforts to use its opponents’ strengths against them. These games not only influence the strategic planning of countries but also of important world leaders. This language channels strategic thinking while facilitating communication. Sports games such as American football, soccer, or basketball, tabletop games such as chess or go, and even video games such as Starcraft or League of Legends provide a common, implicitly learned language of strategy.

The games we play represent our first, and arguably our most important, strategic language. Nevertheless, there is almost no one who would not understand, “It’s fourth and ten-we have to punt.”

There are relatively few individuals within the United States government who understand how, for example, Napoleon used the strategy of the central position in the Hundred Days campaign.

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