U.S. Foreign Policy and the Military Instrument of National Power: Important Questions and a Model for Developing Military Engagement Recommendations
Abstract
There are more than 100 paradigms, approaches, and theories of International relations and politics that demand different approaches to engagement which, if followed, make international engagement difficult for military leaders. Maybe military leaders should just disregard them and instead focus on what they do best -- plan and train and, when directed by the civilian leadership, execute and win the nation's wars and conflicts. However, given the condition of today's international environment and U.S. engagement around the world, including military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, military leaders have an inherent responsibility to provide substantial input to the development of U.S. foreign policy and recommendations regarding the application of the military instrument of national power. This input from military senior leaders starts with asking the right questions. Some of those questions must include the following: What are the U.S. foreign policy objectives regarding the foreign policy issue or concern, and what is the desired end-state?; How will U.S. involvement in the foreign intrastate conflict meet U.S. foreign policy goals?; What are some of the causes of the conflict within the nation state?; and, What hinders the government and military (and security apparatus) of the nation state from managing or resolving the instability? The answer to these and other questions will no doubt help military leaders provide better support and recommendations to political decision makers in the development of U.S. foreign policy and the application of the military instrument of national power. The Three Subsystems Temperate Model, a new model for examining intrastate conflict, is used to examine U.S. military engagement in South Vietnam, Panama, Kuwait, and Somalia. The model is a paradigm for developing military engagement recommendations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA565216
Entities
People
- William Phillips
Organizations
- University of Texas at Austin