Environmental Threats to Security, Stability, and U.S. Interests in Southern Africa: Opportunity Knocks - Time for a Comprehensive Region Defense Environmental International Cooperation and Environmental Security Assistance Strategy
Abstract
Significant strides have been made in much of southern Africa in terms of economic development, conflict resolution, and political development and democratization. "Traditional" security challenges in the region are largely on the wane but, environmental trends and stresses which significantly threaten human security and state stability in the region could slow or undermine the area's progress. Environmental security threats in the region overlap with U.S. regional and global security interests including: terrorism and violent extremism, epidemic and pandemic disease, climate change, and transnational organized crime. An organizing strategic construct, agreeable to regional countries, around which security cooperation can be conceptualized and military to military relations build has been lacking. Environmental security provides such a rubric and offers tremendous opportunities for the United States and its regional partners. Defense Environmental International Cooperation (DEIC) and other environmental related security assistance can significantly enhance regional security and further U.S. regional strategic ends. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and U.S Africa Command (AFRICOM) should devise, implement, and fund a regional DEIC and environmental security assistance strategy that integrates with and supports broader U.S., regional, and international environmental efforts. Such as strategy should be centered upon three pillars: 1. Geography (anchor state and ink spot approach) 2. Environmental Crime and Humanitarian Assistance/Disaster Relief (HADR) 3. Sustainability
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA536070
Entities
People
- Christopher Jasparro
Organizations
- Naval War College