Empowering Interagency Capabilities: A Regional Approach
Abstract
In an age predominated by states but rife with non-state actors, failing states, increasingly fluid boundaries, disenfranchised yet interconnected populations, and increasingly self-aware cultures, the United States must develop a foreign policy structure that is adaptive to these circumstances. This foreign policy structure must be able to leverage the unique and varied technical capabilities of the United States and be able to apply them to diverse cultures across the globe. It must be able to win over allies and partners to gain regional influence and appeal. It must be able to leverage relationships with regional partners and entities through prolonged presence built into trust. When action is required, it must be flexible enough to respond across a range of responses from strictly civilian capabilities to military action. Finally, it must be able to act with the full support and confidence of the President and possess the responsibility and accountability to match. This research demonstrates the current foreign policy architecture does not possess the capacity required to meet this challenge. Likewise, the current reforms both within the military and within the interagency are insufficient to the tasks required. As a result, it is necessary to reform the interagency to be able to adequately match the desired ends of the National Security Strategy with more agile and diverse ways and means. This research proposes developing Regional Interagency Consulates with an Ambassador in charge and a military deputy that is dual-hatted as the Regional Combatant Commander. It contains functional Assistant Secretaries with staffs from most Cabinets and many executive agencies and government corporations. It meets the aforementioned challenges by being robust enough to offer the President options, both military and non-military, to prevent crises from occurring and t
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 25, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA450903
Entities
People
- Brett G. Sylvia
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College