Overseas Military Presence in the 21st Century: Engagement or Disengagement
Abstract
Overseas military presence has been a key strategic tool in the protection of interests abroad. Military forces demonstrate America's resolve to defend U.S., allied, and friendly interests while ensuring its ability to rapidly concentrate combat power in the event of crisis. As the U.S. enters the 21st Century, the national military objectives--promoting peace and stability, and defeating adversaries as required--remain credible "ends" as the U.S. promotes continued globalization, encounters emerging international threats and identifies new vital interests. This paper argues that overseas military presence as a national security concept has a future in this new strategic environment, but one slightly different from the past. Conversely, a policy of overseas military disengagement does not support current or future national security objectives, and could potentially cause irrevocable harm to U.S. interests and those of its allies. Unfortunately, today's overseas presence approach was designed to meet outdated defense needs thus creating a mismatch between current requirements and resources available. To remain an effective national security instrument, the ways and means of the overseas presence policy need to be brought into proper balance. The U.S. must reorient its overseas military posture to better engage the interests and threats of the new millennium.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 09, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA400960
Entities
People
- Ross E. Ridge
Organizations
- United States Army War College