National Defense Strategy

The National Defense Strategy of the United States of America is a strategy paper that is done every four years and which "provides the policy basis on which the armed services plan their research, development and acquisitions of weapons systems." [1]

The current strategy was signed March 1, 2005, by Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld. In it Rumsfeld "emphasizes the importance of influencing events before challenges become more dangerous and less manageable." [2]

On March 18, 2005, "Under Secretary of Defense (Policy) Douglas J. Feith and Vice Director, Strategic Plans and Policy (J5) for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Rear Adm. William D. Sullivan" briefed the National Defense Strategy and National Military Strategy at a press conference held at the DoD Briefing Room in the Pentagon. [3]

Summary of 2005 Strategy

To sum up the thrust of the document, in the Foreword, Rumsfeld states:

"The Department of Defense is implementing the President's commitment to the 'forward defense of freedom' as articulated in the National Security Strategy. This National Defense Strategy outlines our approach to dealing with challenges we likely will confront, not just those we are currently best prepared to meet. Our intent is to create favorable security conditions around the world and to continue to transform how we think about security, formulate strategic objectives, and adapt to achieve success.

"This strategy emphasizes the importance of influencing events before challenges become more dangerous and less manageable. It builds upon the 2001 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) to develop an adaptable, global approach that acknowledges the limits of our intelligence (in all sense of the term), anticipates surprises, and positions us to handle strategic certainty.

"Since the QDR was released, events have confirmed the importance of assuring allies and friends, dissuading potential adversaries, deterring aggression and coercion, and defeating adversaries. The war on terrorism has exposed new challenges, but also unprecedented strategic opportunities to work at home and with allies and partners abroad to create conditions favorable to a secure international order."

Strategic Objectives

• Secure the United States from direct attack.
• Secure strategic access and retain global freedom of action.
• Strengthen alliances and partnerships.
• Establish favorable security conditions.

Accomplishing the Objectives

• Assure allies and friends.
• Dissuade potential adversaries.
• Deter aggression and counter coercion.
• Defeat adversaries: "At the direction of the President, we will defeat adversaries at the time, place, and in the manner of our choosing--setting conditions for future security." [emphasis added].

Implementation

• Active, layered defense.
• Continuous transformation.
• Capabilities-based approach.
• Managing risks.

SourceWatch Resources

• globalization
• homeland security
• New World Order
• preemptive war
• revolution in military affairs
• Star Wars
• weaponization of space

External links

• National Defense Strategy of the United States of America, March 2005, DefenseLINK (pdf file).
• The National Security Strategy of the United States, The White House, September 18, 2002.
• Testimony Before the Senate Armed Services Committee: Defense Strategy Review, As Given by Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Hugh Shelton, Hart Senate Office Building, Washington, DC, Thursday, June 21, 2001.
• A National Security Strategy for a New Century, The White House, December 1999.
• A National Security Strategy for A New Century, The White House, May 1997.
• A National Security Strategy of Engagement and Enlargement, The White House, February 1996.
• National Security Strategy, The White House, 1991.

Articles & Commentary

• Paul K. Davis, David Gompert, Richard Kugler, "Adaptiveness in National Defense: The Basis of a New Framework," National Defense Research Institute, RAND Corporation, August 1996.
• Lester W. Grau and Jacob W. Kipp, "Maintaining Friendly Skies. Rediscovering Theater Aerospace Defense," Aerospace Power Journal, Summer 2002.
• "New Defense Strategy Calls for Proficiency Against 'Irregular' Threats," Defense Alert, March 16, 2005: "Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has issued a new defense strategy that aims to reorient the U.S. military's focus from preparing to fight conventional armed forces to preparing to contend with a wider range of challenges, including insurgencies and catastrophic attacks."
• Walter Pincus, "Pentagon has far-reaching defense spacecraft in works. Bush Administration Looking to Space to Fight Threats," Washington Post, March 16, 2005: "The use of space 'enables us to project power anywhere in the world from secure bases of operation,' says the Pentagon's national defense strategy, which Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld signed on March 1. Among the key goals in the strategy paper are 'to ensure our access to and use of space and to deny hostile exploitation of space to adversaries.'"
• Renae Merle, "McCain, Auditors Question Army Modernization Effort," Washington Post, March 17, 2005.
• "Pentagon sees challenges to U.S. strength. Vulnerabilities: Diplomacy, international legal bodies, terrorism," AP, March 18, 2005.