Military Presence and Theater Strategy: Recognizing MOOTW Restraints in CENTCOM.
Abstract
Forward presence is a key part of National Military Strategy. For theater CINCS, determining the nature and extent of U.S. military presence in a forward theater will have a large impact on how successfully U.S. strategic objectives are met. The Arabian Gulf Region in General, and Saudi Arabia in particular, are areas vital to the national interests of the U.S. maintaining access to oil supplies there and preserving regional stability have been identified as strategic objectives for the nation. Deciding on the appropriate regional military presence for a theater strategy to meet these national objectives must be done in the context of integrating all instruments of national power - political, economic, and informational as well as military. Particularly when conducting military operations other than war, political considerations must drive the ultimate decision made for military presence levels. In Saudi Arabia, the presence of U.S. combat troops is disruptive of the internal stability of that country, putting U.S. national security objectives in jeopardy. Alternative forward presence concepts for the Gulf need to be pursued to ensure U.S. military strategy is in concert with meeting strategic objectives.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 13, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA348546
Entities
People
- T. P. Jones
Organizations
- Naval War College