NAVAL WAR COLLEGE

Monterey Program

NATIONAL SECURITY DECISION MAKING MIDTERM EXAMINATION

By

Ian S. Davis

Major, USA

A paper submitted to the Faculty of the Naval War College in partial satisfaction of the
requirements of the Department of National Security Decision Making.

The contents of this paper reflect my own personal views and are not necessarily
endorsed by the Naval War College or the Department of the Navy.

Signature: /s/ I. S. Davis .

Ian S. Davis

Date: 08 NOV 2010

Signature: /s/ J. S. Breemer

Dr. J. S. Breemer
Professor, NSD
 In May 2010, the White House released the National Security Strategy (NSS) for the

United States of America.1 This grand strategy document set forth President Barack Obama’s

strategic vision and guidance for protecting the nation’s vital interests at home and abroad. The

2010 National Security Strategy (NSS 2010) is a strategic message conveyed to the American

people, the U.S. Government, and the world that codifies the purpose and direction of U.S.

foreign and domestic policy related to national security. In the military sense, the document

serves as the Commander in Chief’s intent that identifies the purpose of the U.S. strategy and the

desired end state. The key concept taught in the National Security Decision Making Course that

is prevalent throughout NSS 2010 is how strategic communication provides an overarching

framework that drives all aspects of U.S. domestic and foreign security policy and all activities

must nest with that strategic guidance and vision.

The release of NSS 2010 predicates the necessity to craft the National Defense Strategy

(NDS) and the National Military Strategy (NMS) that are nested with the Obama

Administration’s 2010 strategic guidance. This guidance is based on four interconnected

enduring national interests: 1) the security of the United States, its citizens, and U.S. allies and

partners; 2) a strong, innovative, and growing U.S. economy in an open international economic

system that promotes opportunity and prosperity; 3) respect for universal values at home and

around the world, and 4) an international order advanced by U.S. leadership that promotes peace,

security, and opportunity through stronger cooperation to meet global challenges.2 When

updated, the NDS and NMS must state how the Department of Defense and the Armed Forces of

the United States will support the objectives outlined in NSS 2010 by ensuring a secure

1
Barack Obama, "National Security Strategy," The White House, May 27, 2010,
www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/rss.../national_security_strategy.pdf (accessed May 28, 2010).

2
Ibid., 17.

1
homeland and pursuing a comprehensive global engagement strategy to strengthen national

capacity through a Whole of Government (WOG) approach.

As established in the U.S. Constitution, the U.S. Government has no greater

responsibility than the common defense of its citizens.3 NSS 2010 provides strategic guidance to

the U.S. Department of Defense in the pursuit of its four primary objectives: prevail in today’s

wars, prevent and deter conflict, prepare to defeat adversaries and succeed in a wide range of

contingencies, and preserve and enhance the All-Volunteer Force.4 This strategy begins with

strengthening security and resilience at home to protect against terrorism, natural disasters, large-

scale cyber-attacks, and pandemics. Initiatives must protect critical vulnerabilities by denying

freedom of movement for hostile actors within the U.S. and strengthen security at and beyond

our borders. Collaborative mechanisms for emergency management and disaster preparedness

with interoperability of all levels of governmental, non-governmental, and private sectors are key

to rapidly recover from disaster. Engaging and empowering individuals and communities both

locally and regionally are essential for countering radicalization inside and outside our borders in

order to provide a safe and secure homeland that promotes prosperity.

America will leverage all elements of national power through a WOG approach that

employs all available military and civil resources to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al-Qa’ida and

its violent extremist affiliates in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and around the world. In order to

illuminate and interdict the dark networks of al-Qa’ida, the U.S., in collaboration with the United

Kingdom, France, and Germany, must establish a seamless global network of analysts and

3
Library of Congress, United States Constitution: Primary Documents in American History, September 17, 1787,
http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/Constitution.html#American (accessed November 5, 2010).

4
Robert M. Gates, "United States Department of Defense Quadrennial Defense Review Report," U.S. Department
of Defense, February 12, 2010, http://www.defense.gov/qdr/images/QDR_as_of_12Feb10_1000.pdf (accessed
February 17, 2010).

2
operators to prevent attacks on the U.S. homeland and overseas, strengthen aviation security,

deny terrorist Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), deny safe havens, deliver swift justice, and

contrast al-Qa’ida’s destructive intent. The U.S. military commitment to Afghanistan and

Pakistan, along with efforts to deny safe haven in Yemen, Somalia, the Maghreb, and the Sahel,

shows U.S. resolve to defeat al-Qa’ida and prevent a repeat of the 9/11 attacks. When necessary,

the United States reserves the right to act unilaterally and use military force to defend its national

interests and contribute to regional and global security when peaceful means fail to resolve crisis.

The proliferation and security of nuclear and biological weapons, peace in the Middle

East, regional crisis, and the security of cyberspace are potential vulnerabilities to be exploited

by both state and non-state actors and affect the overall security posture of the United States.

Unsecured stockpiles of nuclear and biological weapons threaten international security and must

not be allowed to exist. Despite condemnation and sanctions imposed by the United Nations

Security Council, Iran and North Korea refuse to stop their nuclear weapon programs and are a

potential source for arming terrorists.5 The sarin gas attack of the Tokyo subway system

conducted in 1995 by the Japanese millenarian religious extremist group Aun Shinrikyo would

pale in comparison to what could happen it nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons fall into in

the hands of al-Qa’ida and its affiliates.6 Continued pursuit of Arab-Israeli peace, strengthening

of the Iraqi Government, checking Iranian aggression, and strengthening at risk states by

enabling partner nation capacity through diplomatic and military cooperation will address the

underlying political and economic causes of instability and extremism in the Middle East and the
5
See United Nations Security Council, SC/9679: Security Council, Acting Unanimaously, Condems in Strongest
Terms Dempcratic People's Republic of Korea's Nuclear Test, June 12, 2009,
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2009/sc9679.doc.htm (accessed November 5, 2010) and United Nations
Security Council, SC/9948: Security Council Imposes Additional Sanctions on Iran, June 9, 2010,
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2010/sc9948.doc.htm (accessed November 5, 2010).

6
Mark Juergensmeyer, Terror in the Mind of God (Berkeley: University of California, 2003), 103-118.

3
world. Building cooperative relationships that strengthen our connectivity with the moderate

Islamic world will thwart al-Qa’ida’s efforts to mobilize the Sunni masses around its Salafist

ideology of hate.7

Cyberspace it the backbone of an interconnected world and is critical for commerce and

collective security. Rapid advances in technology provide great opportunities, but also present

challenges to national security. Safeguarding the global digital infrastructure through training,

technology, and partnerships will deter, prevent, detect, defend against, and quickly recover from

cyber intrusions. The establishment of U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) is just one facet

of this multilayered defense that enables the U.S. and its allies to conduct full spectrum

cyberspace operations and protect the critical information infrastructure from attack.8

Competition in the global market is the key to prosperous American economy. A strong

U.S. economy is a source of foreign and domestic strength and stability that depends on free-

trade with other nations Europe, Asia, the Americas, and the Middle East in order to maintain

our influence abroad and mitigate economic disasters. Success depends on investing in people

and technology that puts America at the forefront of innovation and protecting that investment at

home and abroad is a key task for the U.S. Government an includes strengthening relationships

with China, India, Russia, Brazil, South Africa, and Indonesia.

The ability to influence and stabilize the global economy by projecting U.S. military and

economic power is vital to sustain existing markets and strengthen developing economies as part
7
Christopher Henzel, "The Origins of al Qaeda's Ideology: Implications for U.S. Strategy," Parameters, Spring
2005: 69-79.

8
USCYBERCOM plans, coordinates, integrates, synchronizes, and conducts activities to: direct the operations and
defense of specified Department of Defense information networks and; prepare to, and when directed, conduct full-
spectrum military cyberspace operations in order to enable actions in all domains, ensure US/Allied freedom of
action in cyberspace and deny the same to our adversaries. For more information on USCYBERCOM, see United
States Strategic Command, U.S. Strategic Command Fact Sheet: U.S. Cyber Command, May 21, 2010,
http://www.stratcom.mil/factsheets/cc/ (accessed November 5, 2010).

4
of a comprehensive security engagement plan.9 This cooperative engagement plan must provide

a safe and secure environment to deter threats to the international financial system, accelerate

sustainment development that improves global resilience to the effects of climate change,

disease, and strengthens global food security.

The U.S. Government must spend the taxpayer’s dollars wisely. The Department of

Defense, which accounts for 70 percent of all Federal procurement spending, must be fiscally

responsible and provide adequate oversight of its programs.10 Transparency of accounting,

strengthening of contracting processes, and program evaluation are required to secure the nation

both militarily and economically.

American values are its best national asset and serve as a model for other nations to

follow. Freedom of speech, assembly, and worship; along with the democratic process, dignity,

tolerance, and equality define the American dream. The U.S. will continue to promote these

values at home and abroad by adhering to these core values and spreading freedom and

democracy abroad by prohibiting torture, balancing secrecy and transparency, protecting civil

liberties, upholding the rule of law, and embracing diversity. U.S. polices and programs will

strengthen global security through cooperation with the international community for promoting

democracy, human rights, and dignity by helping to meet the basic needs of people from all

nations.

A just and sustainable international order recognizes the rights and responsibilities of all

nations and holds accountable all those who refuse to meet their responsibilities. U.S. action

must be aligned with international institutions and build strong alliances based on bilateral,
9
Colin L. Powell, "No Country Left Behind," Foreign Policy, January/February 2005: 28-35.

10
Barack Obama, “National Security Strategy,” The White House, May 27, 2010,
www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/rss.../national_security_strategy.pdf (accessed May 28, 2010), 34.

5
multilateral, and global cooperation agreements to address the underlying sources of insecurity

and shape the “superempowered” borderless environment.11 Global security depends on

sustaining and developing cooperative security alliances with global partners to deter aggression

an offer mutual protection.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and cooperation with other European

partners in the Balkans, the Caucasus, Cyprus, and Turkey are essential to regional stability. In

Asia, our alliances with Japan, South Korea, Australia, the Philippines and Thailand are the

foundation of Asia-Pacific stability. Strategic partnership with Canada and Mexico directly

affect U.S. national security by our shared borders that not only facilitate international trade, but

also represent a critical vulnerability to U.S. national security.

The U.S. must leverage all elements of national power to build corporation with other 21st

century centers of influence. China, India, Russia, and the collective economic power of the G-

20 are critical strategic partners and are pivotal to maintaining a secure environment that

promotes regional stability and economic growth while countering the spread of violent

extremism. Indonesia, Brazil, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, South Africa, and all

members of the United Nations all play a role in the U.S. collective security plan. The NDS and

NMS need to account for the collective security aspects of military and diplomatic cooperation to

meet the challenges of violent extremism, nuclear proliferation, global prosperity, climate

change, peacekeeping and armed conflict, pandemic infectious disease, transnational threats to

governance, safeguarding shared sea, air and space domains, and Arctic interests. The WOG

approach that leverages all elements of national power to renew American leadership in the

world and advance U.S. interests in the 21st century.

11
John Robb, Brave New War: The Next Stage of Terrorism and the End of Globalization (Hoboken, New Jersey:
John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2007), 3-11.

6
 In conclusion, the 2010 National Security Strategy and 2010 Quadrennial Defense

Review Report provide direction for crafting a National Defense Strategy and a National

Military Strategy that nest with the Obama Administration’s strategic guidance and vision to

meet the complex array of challenges to U.S. national security as addressed in the National

Security Decision Making Course. As the Department of Defense and the Armed Services

pursues its primary objectives, they must ensure that all activities nest with President Obama’s

strategic guidance relating to security, prosperity, values, and international order. To ensure

unity of effort within the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense and the Joint Chiefs of

Staff must immediately issue updated National Defense and Military Strategies to provide clear

direction and vision for the Department of Defense, the Whole of Government, our global

partners to effectively pursue a strategy of national renewal and global leadership.

7
 Bibliography

Department of Defense. Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms.

April 2010. http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/dod_dictionary/ (accessed October 26, 2010).

Gates, Robert M. "United States Department of Defense Quadrennial Defense Review Report."
U.S. Department of Defense. February 12, 2010.
http://www.defense.gov/qdr/images/QDR_as_of_12Feb10_1000.pdf (accessed February
17, 2010).

Henzel, Christopher. "The Origins of al Qaeda's Ideology: Implications for U.S. Strategy."
Parameters, Spring 2005: 69-79.

Juergensmeyer, Mark. Terror in the Mind of God. Berkeley: University of California, 2003.

Library of Congress. United States Constitution: Primary Documents in American History.

September 17, 1787.
http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/Constitution.html#American (accessed
November 5, 2010).

Obama, Barack. “National Security Strategy.” The White House. 2010 йил 27-May.
www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/rss.../national_security_strategy.pdf (accessed
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Powell, Colin L. "No Country Left Behind." Foreign Policy, January/February 2005: 28-35.

Robb, John. Brave New War: The Next Stage of Terrorism and the End of Globalization.
Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2007.

United Nations Security Council. SC/9679: Security Council, Acting Unanimaously, Condems in
Strongest Terms Dempcratic People's Republic of Korea's Nuclear Test. June 12, 2009.
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2009/sc9679.doc.htm (accessed November 5, 2010).

—. SC/9948: Security Council Imposes Additional Sanctions on Iran. June 9, 2010.

http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2010/sc9948.doc.htm (accessed November 5, 2010).

United States Strategic Command. U.S. Strategic Command Fact Sheet: U.S. Cyber Command.
May 21, 2010. http://www.stratcom.mil/factsheets/cc/ (accessed November 5, 2010).