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894 Pages·2018·12.841 MB·English
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American National Security 2 American National Security Seventh Edition MICHAEL J. MEESE SUZANNE C. NIELSEN RACHEL M. SONDHEIMER Foreword by GENERAL JOHN P. ABIZAID, US ARMY (RETIRED) Johns Hopkins University Press Baltimore 3 © 1981, 1984, 1989, 1993, 1999, 2009, 2018 Johns Hopkins University Press All rights reserved. Published 2018 Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper 2  4  6  8  9  7  5  3  1 Johns Hopkins University Press 2715 North Charles Street Baltimore, Maryland 21218-4363 www.press.jhu.edu Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Names: Meese, Michael J., author. | Nielsen, Suzanne C., author. | Sondheimer, Rachel M., author. Title: American national security / Michael J. Meese, Suzanne C. Nielsen, Rachel M. Sondheimer. Description: Seventh edition. | Baltimore : Johns Hopkins University Press, [2018] | Includes bibliographical references and index. Identifiers: LCCN 2018007463 | ISBN 9781421426938 (hardcover : alk. paper) | ISBN 9781421426778 (pbk. : alk. paper) | ISBN 9781421426785 (electronic) | ISBN 1421426935 (hardcover : alk. paper) | ISBN 1421426773 (pbk. : alk. paper) | ISBN 1421426781 (electronic) Subjects: LCSH: National security—United States. | United States—Military policy. Classification: LCC UA23 .J66 2018 | DDC 363.340973—dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018007463 A catalog record for this book is available from the British Library. Special discounts are available for bulk purchases of this book. For more information, please contact Special Sales at 410-516-6936 or [email protected]. Johns Hopkins University Press uses environmentally friendly book materials, including recycled text paper that is composed of at least 30 percent post-consumer waste, whenever possible. 4 To Amos A. Jordan and William J. Taylor Jr. Two exceptional scholars, educators, mentors, policy makers, and US Army officers, who taught and inspired generations of national security professionals 5 Contents Foreword, by General John P. Abizaid, US Army (Retired) Preface Abbreviations and Acronyms I    National Security Policy: What Is It, and How Have Americans Approached It?   1.  The International Setting   2.  Traditional American Approaches to National Security   3.  The Evolution of American National Security Policy II    National Security Policy: Actors and Processes   4.  Presidential Leadership and the Executive Branch   5.  Congress   6.  Homeland Security   7.  Intelligence and National Security   8.  The Role of the Military in the Policy Process   9.  Planning, Budgeting, and Management 10.  Putting the Pieces Together: National Security Decision Making III    Ways and Means of National Strategy 11.  Diplomacy and Information 12.  Economics 13.  Military Power 14.  Conventional War 15.  Irregular Threats: Terrorism, Insurgencies, and Violent Extremist Organizations 6 16.  Counterterrorism, Counterinsurgency, and Stability Operations 17.  Nuclear Policy IV    International and Regional Security Issues 18.  East Asia 19.  South Asia 20.  The Middle East 21.  Sub-Saharan Africa 22.  Russia 23.  Europe 24.  Latin America V    Current and Future Issues in American National Security Policy 25.  Looking Ahead Index 7 Foreword A successful approach to the challenges and opportunities that we face in a dynamic and complex world must be based on an informed discussion of the issues that is open, clear, and unambiguous. This book, American National Security, provides an impressive, comprehensive discussion of the issues, actors, policies, and history that have influenced national security policy in the past and will shape its direction in the future. Just as America and the world are continuously evolving, the authors have significantly revised this edition based on recent US history, some of the initial policy approaches of the Trump administration, and changing global dynamics. A comprehensive approach to American national security policy is necessary to avoid the strategic myopia that can often afflict policy makers. It is not sufficient to conduct a “soda straw” examination of issues using a country-by-country or issue-by-issue approach. It is important to look at regions and strategies holistically to understand trends and to anticipate how actions in one area will reverberate throughout the world. For example, in the Middle East, the world is facing a number of challenges that have affected and will continue to have implications for US national security. First, Sunni Islamic extremism, which is embodied in al- Qaeda, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and their affiliates, continues to motivate and support violent attacks that foment instability. Second, Shia Islamic extremism, as led by Iran and its proxy forces fighting throughout the Middle East, exacerbates conflicts in the region and exploits state weakness to further Iran’s strategic ends. Third, the Arab-Israeli conflict remains salient throughout the region, in spite of significant efforts of the United States and others to achieve a long-term 8 solution. Finally, in spite of recent increases in US energy production, the world remains dependent on energy resources from the region, which is why the Middle East will continue to be strategically important. These trends are difficult to discern if one only examines particular incidents, but they become clearer through a more comprehensive review of the issues. Circumstances are changing in the Middle East and opportunities abound, but considerable strategic dangers remain. The information revolution is affecting security and political stability throughout the Middle East, as well as the broad array of US national security interests in that region and beyond. More individuals throughout the world have greater access to information, which compresses decisionmaking cycles and accelerates the effects of any particular action, either by the United States or by those who would oppose US policy. Individuals and organizations are networked globally and have the ability to see beyond the local areas in which they live, which can be positive, as it opens opportunities, but also negative, as it raises expectations and enhances perceptions of relative deprivation. Moreover, ubiquitous technology empowers and connects individuals, corporations, and others in ways that can be extremely unpredictable and potentially harmful to American interests and to the ability of states to influence the trajectory of events. The United States led the West during the Cold War, and US policy was the driving force behind many global issues, especially after the attacks of September 11, 2001. Today, American leadership remains essential to global security and to developing and executing strategies to confront challenges. That does not mean that the United States should have policies that only employ American assets, but it does mean that there should be an American commitment to lead so that other countries understand there are some enduring policies that the United States will continue to support over time. To manage costs, the United States will need to demonstrate its sustained commitment to allies and to international peace and security through means that do not always include a large-scale deployment of US forces. The Trump administration’s National Security Strategy recognizes the continuing challenges in the Middle East but also clearly points to the growing strength of America’s near-peer competitors, China and Russia. When these issues are considered alongside persistent and emerging security challenges in places such as North Korea and parts 9 of Africa, it becomes clear that the United States will face an extremely complex security environment for the foreseeable future. It is important to understand the perspectives and approaches that provide the context for American national security policy making. As discussed in part I of this book, “National Security Policy: What Is It, and How Have Americans Approached It?,” one of the strengths that the United States brings to policy making is its values. Those values are represented both by the ideals enshrined in the Constitution and Declaration of Independence and by the strength and dedication of the American people to do the hard work necessary to make the United States and the world a stronger, safer, and better place for future generations. A successful and sustainable approach to national security will rest on these values, which should continue to influence policy choices in the future. With national security policy, it is sometimes difficult to understand all the players involved, which is addressed in part II, “National Security Policy: Actors and Processes.” During my career as a military leader, I worked with all the actors discussed, often engaging with the White House and Congress. With the intelligence, diplomatic, and homeland security communities as partners with the military, the challenge was to integrate our efforts in support of shared strategies. Understanding the proper role of the military, the vital importance of the budget process, and the intricacies of national security decision making are crucial to the effective formulation of security policy. There is no substitute for learning about all of these actors and agencies firsthand, but studying their history, culture, organization, and practices is a great first step toward understanding their important roles in American national security. Recently, the United States seems to have had an overreliance on the military element of power. As this book describes in part III, “Ways and Means of National Strategy,” it is critical to understand and incorporate all elements of power when developing a successful long-term strategy. Our overreliance on the hammer of military power has created a dynamic that makes every problem look like a nail. While military action can gain time for political activity to take place, it is vital that we incorporate economic, diplomatic, informational, educational, intelligence, law enforcement, and other aspects of power in the development of a sustainable strategy. All elements of national power need to be adequately resourced so that we can most effectively advance American interests in the world. 10

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