Inward Airpower: Civil-Military Considerations for Air Force Security Cooperation
Abstract
This paper examines potential civil-military implications for U.S. Air Force security cooperation activities in building partnership capacity with airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. Specifically, this paper examines how proliferation of airborne ISR capabilities has the potential to undermine efforts to build and strengthen democratic governments. The potential unintended consequences and second or third-order effects of ISR proliferation present a dilemma to statesmen and strategists, wherein near-term security gains may undermine long-term democratization. Global proliferation of ISR technologies further complicates this dilemma, because should the United States choose not to export these technologies to a given country, suppliers from other nations will. This leaves decision makers seeking the least-worst solution, and requires commitment to address governance development at high levels within state-to-state relationships. As partner nations struggle to control ungoverned territories and defeat insurgent and terrorist threats, airborne ISR provides tremendous capability for partner nations to meet their own security requirements.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 20, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA561553
Entities
People
- Darren B. Halford
Organizations
- United States Army War College