战略与国际研究中心-A-New-US-Strategy-for-Counter_5页_82kb

Summary of "DEFENDING AMERICA: REDEFINING THE CONCEPTUAL BORDERS OF HOMELAND DEFENSE" by Anthony H. Cordesman

Core Content

This document outlines a comprehensive strategy for the United States to counter terrorism and asymmetric warfare in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks. It emphasizes a long-term, multidimensional approach that integrates military, diplomatic, intelligence, and economic efforts. The strategy is based on the idea that counterterrorism must be more than a reactive measure and should be a sustained, coordinated campaign with a clear focus on national interests.

Main Views

The document presents several key principles and strategies that the US should adopt in its counterterrorism efforts:

1. Multidimensional Struggle

• The US must engage in a long-term, multifaceted struggle against terrorism.
• This includes diplomatic, financial, and intelligence efforts, as well as military operations.
• The goal is to dismantle terrorist networks, their financial support, and their state sponsors.

2. Diplomatic Strategy

• A focused diplomatic effort is needed to engage with the Arab and Islamic world.
• The US should aim to demonstrate the legitimacy of its actions and work closely with allies.
• The strategy includes targeting specific "problem" countries: Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, North Korea, Pakistan, and Syria.
• The aim is to raise the costs of hosting terrorism and make it unacceptable for states to support extremist movements.

3. Homeland Defense

• A comprehensive homeland defense program must be developed and funded over years.
• This program should integrate efforts from the Department of Defense, intelligence agencies, and 17 domestic departments and agencies.
• It should focus on protecting against immediate follow-on attacks and improving domestic and international coordination.

4. Financial and Civil Vulnerabilities

• The US must reassess its financial system and civil infrastructure to reduce vulnerabilities.
• Cost-effective measures should be implemented to improve security and resilience.

5. Proliferation Program

• The US should move beyond arms control to an integrated program that includes counterproliferation and homeland defense.
• This requires a more proactive approach to preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction.

6. Intelligence and Military Restructuring

• US intelligence must be revitalized, with increased resources and capabilities in human intelligence (HUMINT), analysis, and operations.
• Military forces should be restructured to enhance surveillance, targeting, and special forces capabilities.
• The military should be able to operate effectively with allies and partners on a bilateral, regional, and alliance basis.

Key Information

4 Pillars of Success

The document identifies four essential elements for success in the counterterrorism struggle:

• Leadership: Must be both domestic and international, based on national interest rather than public opinion or political gains.
• Persistence: Requires sustained effort over months and years to identify and strike at the right targets.
• Focus: Actions must be targeted at proven enemies and not spread to entire nations or religions.
• Lethality: Lethal force is necessary against terrorists and their direct supporters in hostile countries, unless host nations can be compelled to cooperate.

Strategic Considerations

• Avoiding Regime Change: Military interventions to achieve regime change should be a last resort and only justified by direct evidence of state involvement in attacks.
• Minimizing Political Backlash: Operations must be carefully planned to avoid unintended consequences and ensure they are decisive.
• Covert Operations: The US should develop a covert capability to hunt and eliminate terrorists, even if it means targeting their families or associates.
• Legal and Political Tools: Legal means should be used in cooperation with allies, and legal forums should be avoided to prevent prolonged debates and martyrdom of terrorists.

Conclusion

The strategy emphasizes the need for a coordinated, persistent, and focused approach to counterterrorism, combining military, intelligence, diplomatic, and economic efforts. It calls for a rethinking of traditional concepts and a long-term commitment to security and stability.