Asia, the Pacific and the US Air Force's Contribution to the Future of US National Security

Abstract

On 17 November 2011, President Obama announced before the Australian parliament that the Asia-Pacific region is a "top priority" of U.S. security policy. Shortly after those remarks, USAF chief of staff, Gen Norton A. Schwartz, directed the Air Force Research Institute (AFRI) to undertake a year-long study focused on the role airpower will play in achieving national objectives in the Pacific region through the year 2020. In this context, airpower is inclusive in that it is not entirely service-specific and it encompasses air, space, and cyber. The AFRI team began its research by considering the ideas of Michele Flournoy and Shawn Brimley on strategic planning and national security. In proposing a structured approach to develop a comprehensive national strategy, Flournoy and Brimley called for a new "Solarium Project," inspired by Pres. Dwight D. Eisenhower's discussions in the White House solarium that produced the Cold War containment policy used against the Soviet Union. Since the United States has embarked on a major policy shift -- as it had in 1952 -- AFRI considered the Eisenhower-era process proposed by Flournoy and Brimley appropriate to ensure the greatest likelihood of success. They initiated the study using a three-case approach, much like the Solarium Project in 1953: best case, worst case, and most likely case. Further, the research team used the DIME construct as the framework for exploring potential solution sets. Unlike 1953 when the United States faced an openly hostile adversary, the Asia-Pacific states do not pose this immediate threat. Time exists to develop viable mechanisms to resolve potential conflict. AFRI suggests that the United States pursue a strategy of "Transitional Engagement." The Air Force has a unique opportunity to support President Obama's vision for engaging with the Asia-Pacific region. However, it will involve a combination of traditional roles and missions as well as newer ones; both sets will play a decisive role.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2013
Accession Number
ADA582307

Entities

People

  • John A. Shaud
  • Kevin C. Holzimmer

Organizations

  • Air University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Agreements
  • Air Force
  • Aircrafts
  • Asia
  • Cold War
  • Economic Systems
  • Foreign Policy
  • Government (Foreign)
  • Governments
  • Information Operations
  • International Organizations
  • International Relations
  • International Security
  • National Security
  • Security
  • United States

Readers

  • Aerospace logistics and air mobility.
  • East Asian Political and Security Studies within the Soviet Union
  • Irregular Warfare and Special Operations Cyberspace Operations against Adversarial Threats.

Technology Areas

  • Cyber
  • Space