Bush White House Releases US National Security Strategy
Jim Kouri, CPP
March 17, 2006
The big buzz in our nation's capital today is the release of the Bush Administration's National Security Strategy. The White House says this was the first revision to what's become known as the Bush Doctrine since the invasion of Iraq in 2003. Below are key points from the revised doctrine which includes the strategy of pre-emptive attacks in certain scenarios:
BATTLING TYRANNY
The US says it aims to end tyranny around the world -- characterized as a combination of brutality, poverty, instability, corruption and suffering under despotic rulers and systems. At least seven nations are identified as currently suffering under these conditions: North Korea, Iran, Syria, Cuba, Belarus, Burma and Zimbabwe.
By upholding basic human rights and democratic values around the world, as well promoting national sovereignty, the rule of law and strengthening civil society, the US hopes to erode the power of tyranny and promote the cause of freedom.
ANTI-TERRORISM
Despite ongoing military action in Afghanistan and Iraq, the US concedes that al-Qaeda's operational capabilities have been degraded, not destroyed, and that the fight continues against insurgents in Iraq. Both nations remain on the front line of the "war on terror."
The US sees its war on terror as a battle of arms and a battle of ideas, but not as a battle of religions. Terrorism springs from political alienation, perceived injustices, conspiracy, misinformation and an ideology that justifies murder. It offers democracy as an alternative ideology to terrorism.
To fight terror, the US will work to prevent attacks before they occur; deny weapons of mass destruction to rogue states and terrorists; deny terrorist groups sanctuary within rogue states; deny terrorists control of any nation.
REGIONAL CONFLICTS
Ongoing civil conflicts in Darfur, Colombia, Uganda and Nepal, as well as the border conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea, are highlighted.
The left-wing leaders of Cuba and Venezuela, Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez, are criticized as, respectively, an oppressive dictator and an anti-democratic demagogue.
Conflict prevention, international intervention in ongoing disputes and a hands-on approach to post-conflict resolution are key. It suggests that current international efforts are often substandard, particularly in responding to potential genocides.
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION
Both Iran and North Korea pose potential threats to regional peace and security and US interests. Terrorists continue to seek WMD, while some fissile material remains unsecured and bio-technological advances increase the chances of attack.
The US backs plans for existing nuclear exporters to produce and export nuclear energy without spreading nuclear weapons. Specifically regarding Iran, described as the greatest single challenge of the time, the US aims to prevent it acquiring nuclear weapons but also, more broadly, to change the nature of the state. It stresses the need to continue six-party talks with North Korea, but also calls for greater openness within that society.
GLOBAL ECONOMY
Priorities include promoting economic growth through free trade agreements, global trade talks, open markets, energy security and financial reform. In addition, debt relief and the fights against corruption, Aids and other diseases remain vital. "Transformational diplomacy" aims to build strong, democratic states that are less dependent on foreign aid and use donations well.
DIPLOMACY
Learning from the diplomatic near-isolation of the invasion of Iraq, the document notes that some nations differ with the US over how to tackle Islamic radicalism. All diplomatic relations must be placed in a proper context, with bilateral initiatives unlikely to succeed. It stresses the desirability of democracy and economic stability in the Western hemisphere; good governance and peace in Africa; increasing democratic participation and peace in the Middle East; the continued transformation of Nato and the European Union; the respecting of human rights and freedoms Russia and China.
CONTINUING CHALLENGES
Public health challenges such as HIV/Aids and pandemic flu are among the new challenges the US aims to tackle. The illicit trade in drugs, sex, or people, as well as environmental destruction -- natural or man-made -- also requires close attention.
Existing international organizations have a role to play, the US says, but individual situations may be better served by "coalitions of the willing". All of these challenges, the US feels, are better faced by effective democracies than repressive or poorly governed states.
BATTLING TYRANNY
The US says it aims to end tyranny around the world -- characterized as a combination of brutality, poverty, instability, corruption and suffering under despotic rulers and systems. At least seven nations are identified as currently suffering under these conditions: North Korea, Iran, Syria, Cuba, Belarus, Burma and Zimbabwe.
By upholding basic human rights and democratic values around the world, as well promoting national sovereignty, the rule of law and strengthening civil society, the US hopes to erode the power of tyranny and promote the cause of freedom.
ANTI-TERRORISM
Despite ongoing military action in Afghanistan and Iraq, the US concedes that al-Qaeda's operational capabilities have been degraded, not destroyed, and that the fight continues against insurgents in Iraq. Both nations remain on the front line of the "war on terror."
The US sees its war on terror as a battle of arms and a battle of ideas, but not as a battle of religions. Terrorism springs from political alienation, perceived injustices, conspiracy, misinformation and an ideology that justifies murder. It offers democracy as an alternative ideology to terrorism.
To fight terror, the US will work to prevent attacks before they occur; deny weapons of mass destruction to rogue states and terrorists; deny terrorist groups sanctuary within rogue states; deny terrorists control of any nation.
REGIONAL CONFLICTS
Ongoing civil conflicts in Darfur, Colombia, Uganda and Nepal, as well as the border conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea, are highlighted.
The left-wing leaders of Cuba and Venezuela, Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez, are criticized as, respectively, an oppressive dictator and an anti-democratic demagogue.
Conflict prevention, international intervention in ongoing disputes and a hands-on approach to post-conflict resolution are key. It suggests that current international efforts are often substandard, particularly in responding to potential genocides.
WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION
Both Iran and North Korea pose potential threats to regional peace and security and US interests. Terrorists continue to seek WMD, while some fissile material remains unsecured and bio-technological advances increase the chances of attack.
The US backs plans for existing nuclear exporters to produce and export nuclear energy without spreading nuclear weapons. Specifically regarding Iran, described as the greatest single challenge of the time, the US aims to prevent it acquiring nuclear weapons but also, more broadly, to change the nature of the state. It stresses the need to continue six-party talks with North Korea, but also calls for greater openness within that society.
GLOBAL ECONOMY
Priorities include promoting economic growth through free trade agreements, global trade talks, open markets, energy security and financial reform. In addition, debt relief and the fights against corruption, Aids and other diseases remain vital. "Transformational diplomacy" aims to build strong, democratic states that are less dependent on foreign aid and use donations well.
DIPLOMACY
Learning from the diplomatic near-isolation of the invasion of Iraq, the document notes that some nations differ with the US over how to tackle Islamic radicalism. All diplomatic relations must be placed in a proper context, with bilateral initiatives unlikely to succeed. It stresses the desirability of democracy and economic stability in the Western hemisphere; good governance and peace in Africa; increasing democratic participation and peace in the Middle East; the continued transformation of Nato and the European Union; the respecting of human rights and freedoms Russia and China.
CONTINUING CHALLENGES
Public health challenges such as HIV/Aids and pandemic flu are among the new challenges the US aims to tackle. The illicit trade in drugs, sex, or people, as well as environmental destruction -- natural or man-made -- also requires close attention.
Existing international organizations have a role to play, the US says, but individual situations may be better served by "coalitions of the willing". All of these challenges, the US feels, are better faced by effective democracies than repressive or poorly governed states.
Print
Email
