The National Security Strategy: Documenting Strategic Vision

Abstract

This study is the author's account of the strategy formulation process as viewed from the White House. The Goldwater-Nichols Defense Reorganization Act requires the President to submit an annual report on the National Security Strategy. In theory, a formal presentation of grand strategy was intended to lend coherence to the budgeting process; a clear statement of interests, objectives, and concepts for achieving them gave Congress a clear idea of the resources required to support the President's strategy. The problem with such documents is that they often create the false impression that strategy formulation is a rational and systemic process. In fact, strategy formulation both within the executive branch and Congress is an intensely political process from which national strategy emerges after protracted bargaining and compromise.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 24, 1992
Accession Number
ADA249318

Entities

People

  • Don M. Snider

Organizations

  • United States Army War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Classification
  • Department Of Defense
  • Government Procurement
  • Governments
  • Identification
  • International Organizations
  • Language
  • Management Personnel
  • Military Strategy
  • National Governments
  • National Politics
  • National Security
  • President (United States)
  • Procurement
  • Security
  • United States
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Strategic Security Studies