The Role of Unofficial American Think Tanks in Shaping the Strategy for Controlling the Trajectory of the International System (The Ukraine War as a Model)

This study examines the role of unofficial American think tanks in shaping global strategic narratives, focusing on the case of the Ukraine War. In the contemporary international system, informal epistemic actors increasingly influence policy formulation by providing interpretive frameworks, ideological justifications, and real-time strategic guidance. The study begins by contextualizing the evolution of think tanks beyond formal policy institutions, highlighting their growing prominence in the American foreign policy apparatus. Methodologically, the paper employs qualitative content analysis of over 40 policy briefs, strategy reports, and offi-cial statements published between 2021 and 2024 by institutions such as the Atlantic Council, the Hudson Institute, and Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). It traces their discourse construction and issue-framing techniques that resonate within governmental and media ecosystems. The findings indicate that unofficial think tanks play a pivotal role in legitimizing United States (U.S.). involvement in the Ukraine War, not only by shaping elite consensus but also by projecting normative frameworks that support long-term strategic objectives. They act as semi-autonomous epistemic hubs that mediate between state power, corporate interests, and public discourse. The paper concludes that understanding the informal ideological architecture of U.S. strategic behavior requires a deeper engagement with non-state epistemic actors. This has implications for the study of soft power, strategic communication, and the evolving nature of geopolitical influence in a multipolar world.