AMU Homeland Security Intelligence North America Opinion

Breaking America’s National Security Trap

Brett Daniel Shehadey
Special Contributor for In Homeland Security

Not every threat can be measured in ‘lines of force’ or utilizing militant weaponry. Not everything has a kinetic solution. Such actions can be cheaper to carry out in the short-term and consequential politically in the long-term. See you at the next war. If America viewed nearly all military options as mistakes of their political grand strategic designs, they would no longer have the waste, inefficiencies, or blowback. Every action taken would be superior to force-on-force operations.

Fighting fires with fire is quite irrational. It is as much an inappropriate national priority as strict offense and defense. That thought bias comes from America’s Prussian military indoctrination and its athletic traditions, like football. The real world has far more dimensions than offense and defense or military force.

If foreign affairs operate on larger themes, than it is no wonder that the world is politically falling apart, because it is politically being ignored. America tries to solve political problems by using its Armed Forces and security services to remove pieces off the board.

Not every state is playing the same game or using the same pieces. The methods of the enemy are adapting faster than the rampage of America’s stubborn security wall. American potential enemies have different objectives and frames of mind. Some want this, others want that. The common needs of resources are the basics. More advanced states will also have more advanced needs based on a wide-range of factors including their cultural legacies, collective perspectives or trumpeting ideologies.

While threats can be managed through the national security apparatus they can not be defeated without a lead political engagement. This requires diplomacy, intelligence, private citizens and other groups. Militaries and force can move pieces and eliminate things on the board but not redesign an entirely new game for the rest of the world to play. That is what America could be doing with the rest of its allies and in fact what America reluctantly did in the past.

How to get beyond ‘the enemy is waiting at the gate’ or ‘go get them before they get us’ will require going beyond the national security trap. Having a strong security establishment is less important than having the brains to use it. Even an elephant can die from a deadly virus that is one billionth of its size. The same grim truth applies to states that might also get sick, decay and die. How to avoid and overcome the germs becomes a task for an organism with a brain larger than a peanut. Stepping on them does not really kill them.

A new generation of strategic leaders that can employ technologies helping them see farther ahead is needed. But technology is not a solution—it is an advantage to those that have it, not a substitute. Prudence and integrity are often overlooked for the wiz kid, new tech or the natural born operator—the noble strategic thinker is often the warrior overlooked or left out in the wind.

Transcendental strategic thinking is required in order to bring about a better world and secure America’s national interest. Currently, the process is integrated into a reactive web without purpose.

The system of contributive strategy need not only become more inclusive from the “thinkers” of the American people, but also the dreamers, the visionaries and even the artists. By restricting access to the best of these in justifying programs, one is limited to scientists and professionals to do their work. Not every “thinker” is an expert. Most scientists are not dreamers.

Why President’s do not consult children for example or have a panel of the most influential female advisors is a fool’s choice. Prudence will determine the best course of action when the right voices have been heard and the best decision possible can be made.

Widening the doors of input is one of many ways to seek the highest form in-line with the American way of life. An American foreign policy that is reliant primarily on national security for the sake of national security is the most perilous trap to any benign future or long-term impact. Such an approach is surely doomed to fail as soon as the resources and funds diminish.

In order to further avoid un-American approaches like these in American foreign affairs, it is imperative to lead with a civil minded department responsible to that mission. DoD social science programs like the Minerva Initiative belong to the State Department. Yet these programs and foreign policy directions are now run through departments and agencies that they were never intended for because the State Department is not a trusted or well funded institution.

For the many faults of the State Department, the sum total not affected by continual tinkering from Congress, a massive overhaul has not been tried. A “Revolution in Diplomatic Affairs” is not on the books but a revolution in military affairs has been on-going for decades.

American diplomacy can easily be argued to be at an all-time-low. American statesmen are rare as iridium because America’s fears are surpassing its hopes in changing the world for the better. But there is hope where there is awareness, dedication and willpower.

Trash-talking US diplomacy and giving State more funding must be tossed aside for revitalizing and overhauling America’s entire foreign peace department. The American legacy is, and perhaps its destiny, to replace tyranny with liberty. It can do so only through international political action, cooperation and unwavering commitment.

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