Missing from the Toolbox: Preemptive Strike.

The national security strategy of the United States requires the military to prosecute two nearly simultaneous major regional conflicts. This is similar to the Israeli asymetric strategy of fighting one enemy white holding another. Once the first is defeated, Israeli attention focuses on defeating the second enemy. To make the strategy work, the Israelis pre-emptively strike their enemies to gain the initiative. American national strategy does not include a provision for preemptive action. Past American wars, including the Persian Gulf War, relied on a significant build-up of regional combat power before taking offensive action. An enemy might conclude that the best way to fight the United States is to isolate the region from the introduction of U.S. forces. A combination of sea mines and an anti-air lift plan could keep U.S. forces from a theater. Because sea mining is likely to be part of an initial enemy action, preempting sea mining operations is as important as gaining air superiority. Once the sea mines are planted, will take significant time to conduct mine counter-measures operations. An enemy with a clearly defined objective and good diplomatic initiative could use the time that the U.S. was isolated from the theater to gain a peace on its terms. AN