A Lack Of Grand Strategy: Ramifications for the U.S. in Asia
Abstract
The United States is at a crossroads of fiscal austerity with an unclear grand strategy. The result leaves the joint force in a state of fluctuation as to the future of America's national security. Recently, the Executive branch of the U.S. government produced a document that further muddies the waters of the national security strategy. Senior U.S. security officials refer to this document, "Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for the 21st Century Defense," as defense strategic guidance versus a national strategy, but its declaration of a rebalance to the Pacific is being treated as an update to the national security strategy in both the Department of Defense and the State Department. This paper argues that while this document is being treated as an update to America's national security strategy, it is flawed from the basis of foundational strategy theory. Furthermore, the United States does not have a viable national security strategy, and as a result, foreign policy has become reactive in nature when operating in the strategic environment. The paper offers a possible grand strategy that will continue to keep the United States a preeminent world power.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA581070
Entities
People
- Christopher R. Amrhein
Organizations
- National Defense University