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United States National Security Strategy Term Paper

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National Security Strategy USA

Introduction

The continued reliance of American strategists on warfare tactics grounded in prior conflict is a problematic matter. Of all modern explanations for engaging in warfare, it is perhaps evident that asymmetric war is one of the broadest explanations, even if it isn't the most inclusive. According to some experts, asymmetrical conflict theory may be categorized using studying the many extant and probable asymmetric conflict concepts (Chace).

Research scholars studying modern conflict forms, when explaining asymmetric war, hypothesize that the nature of warfare has undergone a major change that the U.S., which supports symmetric warfare, has failed to address. Several research works on the topic have determined and studied contemporary interventions' characteristics as an asymmetric warfare guide (Chace). Those supporting asymmetric warfare claim that major differences exist between contemporary (asymmetric) and prior traditional warfare (Chace). For strategists contemplating contemporary asymmetric warfare, the challenge lies in the fact that most non-combatants perceive warfare as a battle wherein machines and combatants clash and decide who emerges victories, like any football game. It is widely expected that war entails one major event say a campaign or battle which decides disputed international issues (Chace).

One connecting factor assessed between traditional/ symmetric and asymmetric warfare is: strategy proves crucial to success. Central to conflict, be it asymmetric or symmetric, is the constant threat or employment of violence for accomplishing desired goals. Bearing the above point in mind, one may state that there is no permanent type of strategy, and it should manifest itself at all times for fighting challenges that stand in the way of achieving one's goal (Hayworth).

Thesis Statement: The U.S. needs to develop novel, creative approaches to address asymmetric warfare instead of symmetric warfare.

What question regarding security are you answering (Hegemony? Power? Security? etc.)

The focus of this research project was unearthing and expanding on data that tackles the following key question: How are conflict outcomes impacted by the U.S.'s strategic view of asymmetric Afghan enemies, and do the Afghan public's views of strategic outcomes positively or negatively impact support for a stable, sound democratic nation free of terrorist influence? The above question is all-inclusive, facilitating an extensive examination of the issue.

Dolman aptly summarizes the above outlook by stating that the simplest kind of strategy represents a plan to attain ongoing advantage (Chace). The author recognizes that the strategist's job is typically backed by an edge which facilitates effective strategy. However, when it comes to asymmetric foes, the advantage may easily turn disadvantageous (Angstrom). Strategists need to note that advantages might assume the shape of political, material will or an excellent grasp of how resources may be converted for achieving one's goals. It is extensively challenging for strategists to grasp asymmetrical warfare and its many impacts on contemporary war's multidisciplinary elements.

Ill-informed strategy application might involve an absolute method to attain a goal. But in the present day, one must reassess the attainment of ongoing advantage proposed by Dolman as an approach, which reminds one that both effective warfare and strategy are generational this generation takes advantage of asymmetric warfare to effectively accomplish its political aims (Angstrom). Within the context of asymmetric war, a strategy is marked by a strong collection of international political, military, sociocultural, and...

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…been transforming our outlook of the War against Terrorism rather than a war waged against terror outfits; it is now a clash of wills wherein one opponent feels he is struggling to survive or achieve another such key interest and will employ every opportunity of human interaction for doing so (Khouri)

Conclusion

The study questions focused on answering the following part of a distinct asymmetric conflict: how do Americans and Afghans warring against each other view the former's strategy for emerging victorious? Study findings suggest that several positive ways exist of adopting an asymmetric plan by offering basic aid to Afghan citizens. The use of traditional military forces against insurgency or terrorism has not been adequately effective in prior American involvement to safeguard itself (Hayworth).

This study establishes that, when encountering asymmetrical enemies, America does not require a traditional military response for fighting terrorism; rather, it must understand that asymmetrical warfare represents a battle of willpower, instead of firepower.

Research scholars focusing on this area have established the fluidity of an asymmetric battlefield. They maintain that the ideal means of preparation for such warfare is by permitting all (i.e., diplomats, combatants and, particularly, the targeted population) to be as active as necessary to attain victory (Hayworth). The use of an asymmetric strategy entails aspects like the ability to react swiftly and implement change without having to resort to a lengthy, disenfranchised command approval chain. Through efficient free-thinking and thinking out of the box, asymmetric conflict theory may be harnessed swiftly and successfully. A potential example of this is that rather than an instilling democratic state, a democratic monarch's potential re-establishment could answer…

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Bibliography

Angstrom, Jan. Mapping the competing historical analogies of the War on Terrorism: The Bush presidency. International Relations, 25(2), 224–242 (2011).

Carter, Timothy. Explaining insurgent violence: The timing of deadly events in Afghanistan. Civil Wars, 13(2), 99-121 (2014).

Chace, Jesse. Defining asymmetric warfare: A losing proposition. Joint Force Quarterly, 61, 124 (2011).

Hayworth, Robert. American National Security Strategy as it Pertains to the Afghanistan War. Scholar Works, (2018).

Khouri, Rami. The strange failures of 'the global war on terror. The Belfar Center for Science and International Affairs. Harvard University: Cambridge, MA. Posted Mach 1, (2008).

NIC. Global Trends - Paradox of Progress. USA: National Intelligence Council, (2017).

NSS. National Security Strategy of America. Washington: The White House, (2017).

Sanger, David, and Baker, Peter. New U.S. security strategy focuses on managing threats. New York Times, (2010).

Savun, Burcu & Phillips, Brian. Democracy, foreign policy, and terrorism. Journal of Conflict Resolution, 53(6), 878-904, (2009).

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