New Century, Old Problems: The Global Insurgency Within Islam and the Nature of the War on Terror
Abstract
With the U.S. occupying the sole position of leadership in the world in terms of economic and military strength, it has increasingly found itself in situations where the demands of global and regional stability have been placed squarely on the shoulders of national leaders. Faced with the prospect of ethnic, religious, cultural, and nationalistic clashes that are no longer held in check by the two superpowers, and given the increased threat posed by transnational actors, every agency involved in the application of national power has struggled to develop policies to guide them through the minefield posed by the fractious nature of the "New World Disorder." The attacks of September 11, 2001, however, galvanized the sluggish bureaucratic machinery and served as a focal point to provide some clarity and direction for the U.S.'s national security strategy. With respect to trans-national, or global, terrorism, the U.S. has delineated the steps it intends to take, most notably: 1. Disrupt and destroy terrorist organizations through direct action against terrorist organizations of global reach, and against any terrorist or state sponsor of terrorism which attempts to gain or use weapons of mass destruction. 2. If necessary, exercise the right of self-defense by acting preemptively against such terrorists. 3. Support moderate and modem government, especially in the Muslim world, to ensure that the conditions and ideologies that promote terrorism do not find fertile ground in any nation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 03, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA415486
Entities
People
- Grant R. Highland
Organizations
- Naval War College