Have you ever wondered what wargaming is, why the national security community relies on it, and how you can play? On Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 5:30 pm PT, the Pacific Council on International Policy will host a member event featuring Hedgemony: A Game of Strategic Choices, an immersive strategy game that brings the complexities of U.S. national security decision-making to life. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in gameplay taught by the game's primary designers. 

Originally conceived by researchers at RAND to support the development of the Department of Defense's 2018 National Defense Strategy, Hedgemony has since been refined and published as a teaching tool for policy students grappling with strategic thinking at the highest levels of government. The game is card-driven and multi-player, with live participants representing the United States, EU/NATO, China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. Additional countries and non-state actors enter the game through "White Cell" injects, game masters who intervene, influence play, and help adjudicate outcomes. At its core, Hedgemony challenges players to navigate trade-offs among four critical DoD structural components that compete for finite resources: Force Size, Force Posture, Force Readiness, and Force Modernization.

Michael Linick and John Yurchak, two of Hedgemony's primary designers, will guide Pacific Council members through the game's origins, design philosophy, and mechanics. They will walk attendees through a series of scripted turns to illustrate gameplay, highlight key features, and discuss how the simulation has been applied in real-world policy and educational settings. If you are interested in reviewing the rulebook in advance, you can download a copy here. 

Seating is limited. The event location will be shared following registration.

Speakers & Facilitators include:

Michael Linick, Senior Information Scientist, RAND

John Yurchak, Senior International Policy Researcher and Analyst, RAND 

Guest Speaker

John Yurchak is a senior information scientist at the RAND Corporation who focuses on defense-related analysis. He received his M.S. in computer science from the Naval Postgraduate School and has a significant background in operations research. John is also a retired Navy Captain. 

Guest Speaker

Michael Linick is a senior international policy researcher and analyst at the RAND Corporation. He received MAs from Georgetown, the Catholic University of America, and the U.S. Army War College. A retired Army Colonel, he also focuses his research on defense-related analysis. 

John and Michael both have extensive experience in the Pentagon working at the intersection of force development, force management, resource management, and strategy. They are also highly involved in designing and running “serious games” at RAND – using this methodology to further significant policy research and analysis.