Read book Donald M. Snow - The Middle East, Oil, and the U. S. National Security Policy : Intractable Conflicts, Impossible Solutions MOBI
9781442261969 English 144226196X US foreign and national security policy has not adapted well to the contemporary environment. Much of the problem arises from a continuing attachment to ways of looking at and dealing with issues inherited from the Cold War period. The present scene, however, is markedly different in the structure of problems and solutions available to manage international relations. This text identifies some of the anomalies in current policy and suggests that alternate ways of dealing with them might be beneficial. The intent is to look at problems and alternatives, not to advocate particular solutions. To accomplish this task, the text focuses on three interrelated subject areas that are at the heart of the current foreign and national security dilemma. One of these is the Middle East, which has been the epicenter of most US policy activity, especially in its military aspects, for over a third of a century. The second is energy policy, particularly as it is affected by the development and exploitation of shale oil and gas reserves in the United States and potentially elsewhere. This is linked to the Middle East because it has been American dependence on Middle East petroleum that has created the interest the US has in this region. A changing energy equation lessens US dependence on the "liquid gold" of the region and has the potential to reduce American interests and commitments to this highly volatile region. The exploitation of shale oil and gas might be a key factor in the realignment of the US security and foreign policy towards the Middle East. However, this may come at a cost yet unknown to the domestic environment. The third area is military manpower policy. The current US policy of an all-volunteer force has been in place since 1972 and, for most of the period since, has served the country well. Two simultaneous wars in the new century, however, have raised questions about this policy. On one hand, the manpower potential of the all-volunteer force is finite, limited by how many people will join the armed forces in the absence of coercion. Second, an all-volunteer force disconnects most Americans from the serious consideration of the consequences of employing force, since they are not directly affected by decisions to deploy forces in harm's way. The potential dilemmas of this situation are concentrated in the Middle East, since that is where the most violence and thus opportunity for employing American force exist. It is increasingly evident that foreign and defense policy are strained and in need of fresh conceptualization. The three areas identified are the most obvious examples of policy dysfunction, and a fresh approach to each of them would make simpler other areas as well. The key area is the Middle East region. As long as the United States remains heavily committed to this part of the world, especially with military force and essentially because of its energy needs, there will be strains on manpower resources that could force a reexamination of the all-volunteer concept. At the same time, the reduction of US dependence on Middle Eastern oil loosens the bonds that seem to impel American activism in the region. The result could be true opportunities for a less confrontational, adversary-driven foreign and defense posture.
9781442261969 English 144226196X US foreign and national security policy has not adapted well to the contemporary environment. Much of the problem arises from a continuing attachment to ways of looking at and dealing with issues inherited from the Cold War period. The present scene, however, is markedly different in the structure of problems and solutions available to manage international relations. This text identifies some of the anomalies in current policy and suggests that alternate ways of dealing with them might be beneficial. The intent is to look at problems and alternatives, not to advocate particular solutions. To accomplish this task, the text focuses on three interrelated subject areas that are at the heart of the current foreign and national security dilemma. One of these is the Middle East, which has been the epicenter of most US policy activity, especially in its military aspects, for over a third of a century. The second is energy policy, particularly as it is affected by the development and exploitation of shale oil and gas reserves in the United States and potentially elsewhere. This is linked to the Middle East because it has been American dependence on Middle East petroleum that has created the interest the US has in this region. A changing energy equation lessens US dependence on the "liquid gold" of the region and has the potential to reduce American interests and commitments to this highly volatile region. The exploitation of shale oil and gas might be a key factor in the realignment of the US security and foreign policy towards the Middle East. However, this may come at a cost yet unknown to the domestic environment. The third area is military manpower policy. The current US policy of an all-volunteer force has been in place since 1972 and, for most of the period since, has served the country well. Two simultaneous wars in the new century, however, have raised questions about this policy. On one hand, the manpower potential of the all-volunteer force is finite, limited by how many people will join the armed forces in the absence of coercion. Second, an all-volunteer force disconnects most Americans from the serious consideration of the consequences of employing force, since they are not directly affected by decisions to deploy forces in harm's way. The potential dilemmas of this situation are concentrated in the Middle East, since that is where the most violence and thus opportunity for employing American force exist. It is increasingly evident that foreign and defense policy are strained and in need of fresh conceptualization. The three areas identified are the most obvious examples of policy dysfunction, and a fresh approach to each of them would make simpler other areas as well. The key area is the Middle East region. As long as the United States remains heavily committed to this part of the world, especially with military force and essentially because of its energy needs, there will be strains on manpower resources that could force a reexamination of the all-volunteer concept. At the same time, the reduction of US dependence on Middle Eastern oil loosens the bonds that seem to impel American activism in the region. The result could be true opportunities for a less confrontational, adversary-driven foreign and defense posture.