U.S. Defense Industrial Base Threats from Globalization
Abstract
The international security setting is undergoing the most consequential changes since the end of World War II. Forty years of Cold War confrontation, has giver, way to a new world order. Characterized first and foremost, by a fundamental shift in relations between the United States and the Soviet Union, this new order has permitted the increased democratization of Eastern Europe and has resulted in turmoil of uncertain outcome in the Soviet republics. In the wake of this remarkable reality, a host of other security concerns have followed or intensified: regional disputes across wide spectrum of conflict, drug trafficking, terrorism, and the proliferation of weapons of great destructiveness. Taken as a whole, this extraordinary period of transition, in international affairs has triggered a fundamental refinement of the United State's national security concerns and defense policy priorities. Domestically, the receding Soviet threat is also coupled with rising U.S. budget and trade deficits. The economic implications engendered by these trends are every bit as consequential as the external forces reshaping U.S. policy. The new global realities and the compelling requirement to bring government spending and revenues into balance has produced significant pressures to reduce the level of spending on the nation's defense. The United State's approach to a new defense strategy was first unveiled by President Bush during his speech in Aspen, Colorado, in August 1990. The President articulated the context for the emerging defense strategy and its four major elements when he said: "Our new strategy must provide the framework to guide our deliberate reductions to more than the forces we need to exercise forward presence in key areas, to respond effectively to crises, to retain our forces should this be needed," and to "maintain an effective deterrent."
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA437705
Entities
People
- Raoul C. Cordeaux
Organizations
- National War College