The Haiti Crisis. Factors Shaping the Design and Execution of Military Strategy

Abstract

Underscoring those "Factors Shaping the Design and Execution of Military Strategy," my paper analyzes measures taken during the Haiti crisis that lead President Clinton to undertake a military intervention strategy to achieve US policy objectives. In the end, this approach should support my assertion that, "we cannot let our fascination with technology negate our responsibility to maintain a warfighting capability that can defeat a variety of near-term threats to US interests." Specifically, my paper will examine and discuss how President Clinton was able to convince a reluctant Congress and the American people to support a policy of direct military intervention in Haiti despite their reservations and belief that no vital US national security interests were at stake. Additionally, it will highlight how difficult and necessary it is that a President garner public and political support for any policy calling for the use of military forces to achieve a political objective. Further, it will show that there is "no crisis" in today's civil-military relations. Lastly, the Haiti situation shows us that the proper blending of the statecraft elements of diplomacy and military under a sound political objective will more often that not result in success.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1998
Accession Number
ADA442915

Entities

People

  • Anthony W. Fortune

Organizations

  • National War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Counter WMD
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Coast Guard
  • Congress
  • Democracy
  • Electrons
  • Free Electrons
  • Governments
  • Health Care
  • Health Services
  • Human Rights
  • Intervention
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Strategy
  • National Security
  • Security
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • Political science

Readers

  • Strategic Security Studies