New National Security Strategy

The Gnome Society ^ | December 27, 2009 | by Schuehl

[Jet Jaguar]

While I'm not exactly on 'pins and needles' here as we await the new strategy, there is always a slight chance that a new NSS (executive Branch) might facilitate a National Defense Strategy (SecDef) and National Military Strategy (CJCS) that better integrate and coordinate the role of the military with ALL instruments of national power to achieve our Nation's objectives. Then again, since the Quadrennial Roles and Missions Review and Quadrennial Defense Review were to be 'consistent' with the National Security Strategy, yet we are just now getting a new NSS .......... guess we'll have to wait and see. Schuehle New National Security Strategy Expected To Be Issued Next Month

The Obama administration next month will unveil its first National Security Strategy (NSS), according to Pentagon officials. Draft versions of the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review refer to a January 2010 rollout of the new NSS, a keystone strategic planning document, these officials say.

In development for nearly a year by the National Security Council, the new strategy is expected to provide an updated framework to guide the work of the Defense Department and other national security agencies in carrying out key tasks, including budgeting and planning, according to Pentagon sources.

The document is expected to set forth the United States' national security interests, to include ³an international order underpinned by U.S. leadership and engagement that promotes peace, responsibility, and cooperation to meet global challenges, including transnational threats,² according to a November 12 Joint Staff briefing that summarizing draft findings of a White House-led national security policy review.

National security strategies are required by law, issued by the president and delivered to Congress. Many Pentagon officials expected the White House to issue a new NSS in June, 150 days into the new administration, as required by law.

However, the policy review continued through the summer, allowing Joint Staff officials this fall to provide feedback on matters the military regarded as central to a new strategy.

In September, the Joint Staff -- according to the briefing -- offered its view that the new strategy should consider six strategic challenges: transnational violent extremism; proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; rising power and regional instability; cyber and space vulnerability; competition for natural resources; and natural disasters and pandemics.

Legislation requires that the strategy address five points: global interests, goals and objectives that are ³vital² to U.S. national security; the U.S. ³national defense capabilities² required to deter aggression; the proposed short- and long-term uses of the tools of national power, including the military, to protect or promote U.S. interests; and the adequacy of U.S. capabilities to execute the NSS, including an ³evaluation of the balance² among U.S. national power capabilities.

As the White House prepares a new NSS, the Defense Department is preparing a number of related strategy documents as well.

First, the congressionally mandated Quadrennial Defense Review is due to be sent to Congress in February along with the Pentagon's fiscal year 2011 budget request.

Second, the Joint Staff is preparing a new guidance document updating the National Military Strategy. In the summer of 2008 the Joint Staff scuttled an update to the 2004 National Military Strategy without offering a reason why. The move came after Defense Secretary Robert Gates, in June 2008, issued a new National Defense Strategy that included a risk assessment that all the service chiefs disagreed with -- in particular its directive to reduce investments in conventional capabilities in order to boost spending for irregular capability.

Pentagon sources say the Office of the Secretary of Defense is also preparing an updated National Defense Strategy to be issued in the new year.

[Jet Jaguar]

NSS ping.

[Cindy]

It should be interesting — if one ever comes.