From Confrontation to Cooperation: A Security Strategy for the Nineties
Abstract
The architects of American security policy are faced with an enticingly difficult task: the opportunity to develop mutually beneficial relationships with the major centers of world power, which can lead to the ability to reduce tensions in less central but more volatile parts of the world. The rich lessons of the last 90 years provide an excellent basis for forging successful U.S. security policy and goals for hitherto unimaginable circumstances. In developing a strategy, however, the nation must bear in mind that the world flipped in the 1980s. Our assessments of the future may also be equally wrong. The 1990s could see the realization of Kissinger's goal of a pentagonal, stable world power structure, but with the extraordinary difference that none of the five may have either the territorial ambitions or the ideological compulsions to pose a significant threat to stability. In a world of reduced military tensions, economic power and interests will become predominant. It will be even more apparent that domestic economic health is a pivotal element of national power and influence, as Reagan and Eisenhower before him believed. But as Eisenhower saw, economic power must be real to be sustained, and must not be sacrificed over the long term for short-term advantage. It is now virtually incontrovertible that resources are limited; the relative power of the United States is declining. Adaptation to that circumstance, rather than masking it as Kissinger and Reagan tried, will be the better course. One must expect increasing regional instabilities, despite the spread of internal pluralism that ultimately bodes well for stability in many areas. While one can hope that the anti-communist strain in American foreign policy of the Eisenhower/Dulles/Reagan variety was correct, the author fears that the Kennedy/Carter recognition of the inherent instability stemming from circumstances and history in many troubled regions will prove more prophetic. Local conflicts will continue7
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 05, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA437652
Entities
People
- Geraldeen G. Chester
Organizations
- National War College