Strategy White Paper: How to Regain our Strategic Footing
Abstract
This paper proceeds from the premise that the 2003 invasion of Iraq can only be seen as part of a broader history of American engagement throughout the Middle East and the so-called Muslim world. Among other events, that history harkens back to the role that the United States played in helping to create the modern Saudi state, the tortured tale of U.S. engagement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the clandestine U.S. support of the Islamic revolutionary Mujahideen in Afghanistan in their fight against the Soviets, and the more recent U.S. involvement in the 1991 and 2003 Gulf wars. The evolution of American strategy throughout the region cannot be viewed disconnectedly through the lens of individual administrations or policy decisions. As is clear from Mr. Hamoudi's comments, previous decisions have given birth to unintended consequences because policy makers failed to consider the long-term or strategic impact of their response to the crises of the day. This essay seeks to holistically reassess the 21st century security environment, informed both by an understanding of historical imperatives, as well as by the impact of more modern developments. It then offers suggestions for a 21st century grand strategy based on the concept of national sovereignty.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA540328
Entities
People
- Stephen P. Lambert
Organizations
- The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy