The Triad of National Security Legislation for the 21st Century
Abstract
America faces a challenge today not unlike the challenge faced at the end of World War II. A new enemy has emerged and our security structure is ill-prepared for the new challenge. Call it a paradigm shift, a new grand strategy, a revolution in security affairs, or simply a timely evolution necessitated by a brazen enemy bent on our destruction, but America needs to revise its national security apparatus for the environment of the 21st century. More specifically, it is time to enact three vital pieces of legislation aimed at improving the effectiveness, cooperation, and coordination of all actors on the national security stage. First, our current national security structure is obsolete and unable to deal with today s problems, especially the need for well coordinated and viable interagency solutions. There is no one in charge of national security short of the President. Second, our intelligence infrastructure is fractured and unable to cope with contemporary threats. An overhaul of intelligence systems was clearly obvious after the 9/11 bombings. Third, the Goldwater-Nichols legislation of 1986 did wonders to jump-start the process of jointness in the Department of Defense; however, we need to take the next step in order to deal with our new and complex missions. Only by enacting all three parts of the triad of legislation can the United States be ready to deal with current and future threats.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 22, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA432490
Entities
People
- Mark D. Needham
Organizations
- United States Army War College