The Statecraft Simulations Group (SSG) was founded in August 2025 in collaboration with the Robert M. Gates Global Policy Center at William & Mary. The group was created to design, facilitate, and study policy simulations that examine how states exercise power and make decisions in an era defined by strategic competition, economic interdependence, and institutional constraint.

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SSG focuses on the tools of modern statecraft, including economic policy, industrial strategy, sanctions, technology governance, alliance coordination, and information dynamics, rather than kinetic military conflict. Our simulations are built to reflect the realities of policymaking: incomplete information, competing priorities, domestic and international constraints, and the cumulative effects of decisions over time.

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We develop multi-move, seminar-style simulations that place participants in the roles of real-world actors across governments, alliances, and strategic competitors. These simulations are designed not to produce “right answers,” but to surface tradeoffs, test assumptions, and explore how policy choices interact across political, economic, and institutional domains. Outcomes evolve based on participant decisions, reinforcing the interconnected and path-dependent nature of statecraft.

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We also treat simulations as a form of applied research. Games are structured to generate insight into how individuals and teams interpret information, coordinate across institutions, manage risk, and adapt to strategic pressure. This approach allows SSG to contribute to broader conversations about policy design, decision-making, and experiential learning.