US Africa Command: Paradigm Change for the Combatant Command
Abstract
All geographic combatant commands must be reorganized, similar to USAFRICOM, to incorporate interagency players into planning and operations, in order to more effectively apply the elements ofnational power to successfully achieve US. national security objectives. Discussion: Due to the increasing complexities ofmodem warfare, the United States must adapt to successfully counter emerging threats to national security. The unified command plan was designed to defeat and contain cold-war enemies, and relied extensively on military power to protect national security interests. However, since the disintegration ofthe Soviet Union, and the increasing complexity ofthe new global systems ofpower, the United States must adjust its foreign strategy to face challenging new threats. The structure ofthe geographic combatant command has not changed since its inception in the 1940s, and is still operating under an antiquated model designed for traditional warfare. The development ofUSAFRICOM is the future ofUS. foreign policy because of its enhanced organization and new active security strategy. The changes incorporated by USAFRICOM enable the geographic combatant commander to incorporate all elements ofnational power by using the Smart Power model. Due to the integration of interagency personnel and the new organizational structure, USAFRICOM is designed to address theater-specific problems. Additionally, USAFRICOM's strategy is based on the active security concept which seeks to build partner nations' abilities to address local security and development problems without assistance from the United States.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA508956
Entities
People
- Thomas W. Parker
Organizations
- Marine Corps Combat Development Command