Modern War Institute: Submission Guidelines

About Modern War Institute

The Modern War Institute is a U.S.-based research institute focused on land warfare and contemporary defense issues, publishing analysis from researchers and practitioners.

Topics they accept

Modern War Institute accepts external contributions on land warfare and defense. If your piece sits at the edge of these areas, frame the pitch around the overlap rather than the exception — editors commission what they can place in an existing coverage line.

Formats

The outlet primarily publishes analysis. Match the format to the argument: a single sharp claim belongs in the shortest format the outlet runs, while a piece that needs evidence laid out in sequence belongs in the longer one.

Length requirements

Typical length: 1,000-1,800 words. Treat this as the range editors expect to edit, not a hard ceiling. If your draft runs long, cut background before you cut evidence.

Response time

Reported response time: about 2 weeks. Response windows are typical ranges reported by contributors, not guarantees. If the window passes, one short follow-up note is professional; more than one is pushy.

What editors look for

• Ground the argument in operational or organizational reality — doctrine, training, procurement — rather than abstract strategy.
• Historical cases are welcome when they answer a current question; make the contemporary relevance explicit in the opening.
• Keep the piece self-contained: a reader outside your specialty should follow it without chasing footnotes.

How to submit

Submission routes change from time to time, so always start from the outlet's own website: look for a "Submissions", "Write for us", or "Guidelines" page and follow the current instructions there. Read three or four recent pieces in your topic area before you draft, so tone, depth, and paragraph style match the house.

Looking for a home for tech-policy commentary? Strategic Insight Institute is currently accepting pitches — see the submission guidelines.