Non-State Actors and their Risks to American Society
Abstract
The purpose of this thesis is to convey how adversarial nonstate actors are increasing in both their capabilities and operational reach and now pose a major threat to American society. The thesis will illustrate how U.S. policies are inadequately addressing this threat while the American populace remains ignorant and unprepared for potentially catastrophic attacks from them. The thesis also will examine ways to mitigate these risks and provide direction for additional exploration. In the last 15 years, the United States' traditional adversary set of Westphalian nemesis-state(s) has grown to include numerous smaller nonstate actors. Globalization and technology have empowered these new actors to fill the vacuum created by retreating superpowers. Today, these threatening nonstate actors range from domestic lone-wolf actors like the anthrax mailer, Ted Kaczynski, and the "DC Sniper" to international actors like al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and cyber warriors. Current U.S. homeland security policies focus on top-down approaches that largely exclude the populace from knowledge about and preparation against nonstate actor threats. An informed and prepared society would increase American resiliency and mitigate risks from nonstatre actors. The United States is in a fight to retain its way of life, and like a boxer, taking some hits is inevitable. America needs a national security strategy that works to deter those who would harm it, while also underpinning its resilience to absorb an attack.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA581203
Entities
People
- Kelly G. Musick
Organizations
- National Defense University