Power Projection and the Challenges of Regionalism
Abstract
With the end of the Cold War, America faces a different world, one that from a political, military, and economic perspective is far more complex. The interests of the United States have never been more global, more interdependent with those of other nations and peoples, and there are risks to these interests throughout the world. Where America's relationships with the various regions of the world were once subordinated to and conditioned by the superpower confrontation with the Soviet Union, the regions are now becoming important actors in their own right. Within these regions, it might be added, certain countries are emerging as centers of estimable military power. These developments-which I will refer to as regionalism-are changing the power relationships between the United States and the rest of the world. Such ferment is not necessarily bad. For states or groups of states to pursue their national interests within the norms of accepted international behavior is to be welcomed and encouraged. On the other hand, the rise of hostile powers that could dominate various regions would be an unwelcome development so far as America's interests are concerned. America's post-Cold War national military strategy recognizes the evolving power relationships within this new geostrategic environment. The elements of the strategy-strategic deterrence and defense (maintenance of a sizable nuclear and conventional stateside reserve), forward presence (discriminate overseas representation as opposed to large standing deployments), crisis response (appropriate reaction in any exigency), and reconstitution (mobilization in the face of a global threat)-address the need for a broad, flexible capability to answer not only expected threats but those presently unforeseen.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA515688
Entities
People
- Gordon R. Sullivan
Organizations
- United States Army War College