Daniel K. Inouye  Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies Associate Dean of Academics Dr. Deon Canyon has authored a new article in Security Nexus titled Adaptive Power: A Doctrine for Strategic Influence in the Era of Gray-Zone Competition.

As strategic competition intensifies in the Indo-Pacific, traditional models of hard and soft power are proving insufficient. Canyon’s doctrine of Adaptive Power offers an updated framework based on five interdependent pillars: Timing, Context, Legitimacy, Modularity, and Learning.

The article is grounded in extensive Indo-Pacific field research and strategic wargaming. It aligns with Department of Defense priorities such as campaigning in competition, strengthening partner resilience, and countering sharp power tactics used by authoritarian actors.

Using case studies—including the U.S.–Papua New Guinea Defense Cooperation Agreement and Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness efforts—Canyon illustrates how legitimacy, adaptability, and contextual understanding are essential to effective influence in complex environments.

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