Things Old, Things New: Security Challenges in the 1980s
Abstract
During the 1980s we will be coping with an environment dramatically and irreversibly changes from the environment that shaped US strategic concepts in the years just after World War II. No longer is the United States the clearly preeminent strategic nuclear power. The 1980s will be an era of Soviet-American strategic nuclear equality in gross terms, but with asymmetries in particular means of delivery, In addition, the Unites States is no longer the world's unchallenged economic and political leader. The growing economic strength of Western Europe, Japan, and the oil-rich nations of the Persian Guild region have caused those states not only to pursue more assertive independent economic policies but also to challenge the United States for international political influence. In the short term, the relative decline in US political and economic status is disconcerting. That it would occur, however, was inevitable. Particularly with regard to Western Europe and Japan, the United States supported, sponsored, and otherwise encouraged economic revitalization in the belief that economically prosperous nations would be more politically stable and would best serve US long-term interests.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1982
- Accession Number
- ADA517239
Entities
People
- Keith A. Dunn
Organizations
- United States Army War College