Improving the National Strategy Process

The existing United States national strategy process is in dire need of improvement. A national strategy which is not directed at achieving specific national objectives or which is not resourced to do so lacks utility. The current strategic direction processes fail to provide the desired ends with the ways and means to achieve them. The current system needs to be improved through legislation and Presidential Directive. This paper will analyze those issues which can be modified and improved within the current system. This includes nesting of department strategies and ways to ensure that all elements of the DIME work cooperatively to achieve national interests, that these strategies are adequately resourced and organized through the budgeting process in conjunction with Congress, and provides for periodic intelligence and progress reviews in order to make course corrections or adjustments.