Homeland Security Strategy from the Cold War into the Global War on Terrorism: An Analysis of Deterrence, Forward Presence, and Homeland Defense
Abstract
Homeland security was restored as the number one goal of U.S. national security strategy following 9/11. The evolution of U.S. national security strategy from the Cold War years into the post-9/11 years demonstrates a historical reliance on three key elements: deterrence, forward presence, and homeland defense. Each of these three elements is reviewed to identify external threats to the United States over time. The problem with national security policy after the Cold War was that the threat environment changed and yet U.S. national security strategy did not change. Thus, the central research question of this thesis is as follows: What are the inherent strategic weaknesses in homeland security strategy and what are the implications for the future? A narrative review of each presidential administration from the Cold War to the 21st Century is provided to show how each affected national defense policy and military posture. The research demonstrates that certain of America's vulnerabilities endure, including being slow to act internationally, overextending its military forces, perpetuating a false sense of security, and a relying too heavily on deterrence. A bibliography includes 23 books, 8 journal articles, 33 government documents, and 8 other sources. (2 tables, 13 figures)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 18, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA429029
Entities
People
- Stephen Vrooman
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College