Accession Number:

ADA581070

Title:

A Lack Of Grand Strategy: Ramifications for the U.S. in Asia

Descriptive Note:

Master's thesis

Corporate Author:

NATIONAL DEFENSE UNIV NORFOLK VA JOINT ADVANCED WARFIGHTING SCHOOL

Personal Author(s):

• Amrhein, Christopher R.

Report Date:

2013-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

76.0

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 Americas 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 Americas 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.

Descriptors:

• *ASIA
• *FOREIGN POLICY
• *MILITARY FORCES(UNITED STATES)
• *NATIONAL DEFENSE
• *NATIONAL SECURITY
• *STRATEGY
• *UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
• AUSTRALIA
• CONFRONTATION
• DEPLOYMENT
• GUAM
• JAPAN
• MILITARY BUDGETS
• MILITARY FORCE LEVELS
• PHILIPPINES
• POLITICAL ALLIANCES
• SOUTH KOREA
• THEORY
• THESES
• THREATS
• WAR POTENTIAL

Subject Categories:

• Government and Political Science
• Geography
• Military Operations, Strategy and Tactics

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE