Environmental Engagement: Using the Physical Environment to Shape the Strategic Environment
Abstract
In today's international arena, the U.S. cannot be content to let environmental factors take their own course and then react to the costly crises. The U.S. should actively shape the strategic environment, advancing U.S. national interests, through a coordinated interagency strategy of diplomatic and military environmental engagement. The linkage between environmental factors and security is now codified as a tenant of United States security policy. Often this linkage is a complex interaction with other political, economic, social and cultural factors which contribute to instability and conflict. Environmental factors will dominate in the complex national security calculus of the next century. A holistic military and diplomatic shaping strategy is required to reduce the threat of environment induced conflict and exploit opportunities for improved regional stability based on environmental cooperation. This shaping strategy must be the product of synergistic interagency planning, coordination and execution. The interagency community has made significant progress in initiating this process. However, if these initial efforts are to have a significant impact in advancing U.S. national security interests additional steps must be taken. This study provides specific recommendations for implementation by the National Security Council, Department of State, Department of Defense and the Intelligence Community.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 15, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA344649
Entities
People
- Robert E. Slockbower
Organizations
- United States Army War College