Preventive Defense: Military Strategy for the 21st Century.
Abstract
In March 1996 Secretary Perry outlined a profound change to defense policy called 'Prevent, Deter, Defeat'. Preventive Defense seeks to limit the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, encourage newly independent nations to emphasize civilian control of their military, and establish defense-to-defense relationships with other nations. This profound change in defense policy recognizes that the military aspect of national power is an integral part of fostering international friendships in non-combat situations as well. Preventive defense strategy argues that its policies are capable of preventing drastically more expensive conflicts in the future. Preventive defense seeks to promote peace and stability through friendly interaction. Preventive defense shapes the future by building closer ties between the U.S. military and foreign militaries - opening channels of communication that can reduce misunderstanding and misperception. U.S. forces must be capable of action across the spectrum of peace and conflict. In order to field this kind of force, planners must abandon the methodology of basing force structure decisions on the perceived threat. The American military needs the best weapons and equipment the nation can afford, but the seemingly insatiable appetite for modernization should not consume force structure required to execute the manpower intensive activities that prevent conflict.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA328020
Entities
People
- Christopher L. Shepherd
Organizations
- United States Army War College