The Emerging American Strategy: Application to Southwest Asia
Abstract
This Note deals with a number of elements of a new U.S. international security strategy, especially those where confrontation with the Soviet Union might be involved. It speculates on the strategy that is emerging, basing its outline of that strategy largely on views that have been expressed by leading figures in the new administration. The new officials are consistent in pointing up the urgency of redressing the imbalances brought about by the buildup of Soviet military power. They note that restraint on the part of the United States has not resulted in reciprocal restraint on the part of the USSR. The emerging strategy -- which might be labeled a "Strategy of Full Recourse" -- is likely to include 10 elements: (1) the preparedness to deal with simultaneous challenges in many places (and the abandonment of the "1-1/2-war" strategy); (2) the enhancement of mobility forces, particularly naval forces; (3) the enhancement of information systems requisite to efficient deployments and careful political control; (4) the restoration of a worldwide base system and selective forward basing in newly critical places; (5) collaboration with the leading industrialized democracies; (6) full use of Western industrial strength, both for a buildup of arms and to provide for later defense expansion during crises; (7) arms transfers when they contribute to U.S. security interests; (8) extension of the political use of U.S. nuclear strength while providing for nuclear deterrence and firm means of control; (9) prior arrangements to bring to bear all available resources, minimizing earmarking; and (10) the pursuit of the classical goals of arms control, which can often be consistent with Western security interests, while deemphasizing the virtues of the "process." These principles can lead to a revised posture that shows much greater promise than the present posture for backing up U.S. interests in Southwest Asia.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA512103
Entities
People
- James Digby
Organizations
- RAND Corporation