Shaping Strategy examines the mechanisms civilian and military leaders use as they decide to engage

in war. Specifically it explains success and failure in strategic assessment – the processes and practices

nations use to evaluate their strategies in interstate conflict. Brooks carefully lays out a theory, which

identifies four key types of strategic assessment. When military and civilian leaders are free to share

information privately information sharing (1) is effective. Strategic coordination (2) includes struc-

tures compatible with political objects that effectively evaluate military operational plans and mili-

tary strategies. Authorization (3) incorporates decision processes that follow assessment. Militaries

with the ability to be self-critical exhibit structural competence (4). Military promotion mechanisms

are a key component here.