A motivated soldier, demoralised enemy, and supportive population are the dream of any commander. Those who view conflict through the lens of strategic communications know that these key ingredients of victory rely on the power of narratives to inspire minds and channel emotion. In a time of informational incoherence and societal division, military commanders have a role to play in both physical and virtual battlefields. Hard questions need to be asked, not in pursuit of final answers, but to remain self-aware and keep pushing strategic communications forward. How do we measure outcomes in the cognitive domain? And how can commanders of Western militaries make sure that the practice of strategic communications are in line with democratic, liberal, and ethical values?