Near and Long Term Security Threats to the United States - Coursework Example

Military Science Military science Near and long term security threats to the United s The international presence and role played by the united states as far as security and stability is concerned has placed it at a situation that increases threats to its citizens across the globe. As the country continues to advance its interest and promote democratization and rule of law in the country, the domestic security arena continues to be compromised by elements that are bent to force a change in security policy of the country. As a result, threats to the country’s national security continues to advance affecting the country and other countries that have close tie with the united states according to a report by the national security strategy to the white house. The development of policies to tackle the current short and long term security challenges in the country can only be successful if the threats are highlighted and placed in the public domain. The national security strategy of 2010 and the secretary of the defense strategic guidance of 2012 provided a description of the threats faced by the United States and by extension, its international partners and allies1. This explains the adoption of approaches which are aimed to contain the threats facing the country today and in the near future. Based on the NSS, terrorism remains a major threat to the American domestic and international arena and this explains the adoption of strategies to protect the country from present and future terror aggression. Terrorism threats to the United States originate from externally organized organizations like the al-Qaida and other affiliated groups whose activities have continued to affect the implementation of development activities in the country2. The activities of the foreign terrorist groups whose interests in disrupting the peace and security of the United States must be contained at all times. According to the national security strategies, tackling the threats presented by these groups remain a major objective of homeland security and other security apparatus within the country. The demise of Osama bin laden, the founder leader of the al-Qaida affiliated terror groups has not indicated a corresponding demise on terrorism threats in the country. Other independent groups operating in Far East and other parts of Africa continue to present challenges to the security of American citizens at home and beyond our boundaries3. Apart from organized terror activities, other aggressive activities targeting our country and interests across the globe continue to remain a threat to the maintenance of a secure United States of America. The aggressive groups with potential adversaries and desire to destabilize the long traditional peace and security of the United States must be contained by the security apparatus in the country4. As a country that is interested in demonstrating to the world its economic and military power, the threats of aggressive acts of organized and ad hoc groups continue to impact on the ability of the United States to marshal international glory and recognition. As a result, the national security strategy of the United States has highlighted the need for the development of a stronger security structure to contain the aggressive groups with the potential to affect the peaceful growth of the United States5. Apart from aggressive behaviors and the threat of terrorism, the United States is also faced with the threat of countering weapons of mass destruction. Different countries and groups in different parts of the globe continue to assemble weapons with the ability to destabilize other countries and affect the security of United States citizens across the globe. The development, proliferation and use of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons by different countries and independent terror groups across the globe have increased the security threats in the country. As a result, the United States has been faced with the need to develop measures of countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the country. Nuclear activities and build up in the republic of Iran remains the major threat to the continued security and stability of the United States. To eliminate the threats presented by these activities, the United States has adopted a number of strategies that target the countries and groups participating in the proliferation of nuclear weapons6. Increase in espionage activities and cyber war continues to negate the gains made by the country in fighting insecurity and terrorism in the country. Criminals have developed systems that have eluded the detection of the security system of the country and continue to export vital economic and intelligence information to criminals and terrorism networks in the country. The process of combating cybercrime is however faced with massive challenges due to the deniability that these kind of criminal activities continue to impact7. The development of online sites such as Wikileaks continue to steal government information and security approaches and sell to the criminal organizations in different parts of the world, further affecting the integrity of the country’s security approach. Strategies for addressing international and national security threats As a country that has continued to play a global role in security and international stability, the United States is faced with the need to develop security management strategies in line with the threats. According to the national security strategy, the process of managing insecurity in the country and other parts of the globe must be coordinated and accomplished with the corporation of other partner countries and allies in different parts of the globe. Historically, the country has always adopted strategies that have enabled her to emerge the winner in the face of adversity and challenges from different quarters. When the world was faced with the economic transformational forces during the industrial revolution, the country reshaped its strategies and emerged an economic powerhouse. The same approach was adopted when fascism and the negative whims of communism threatened to weaken the international peace and stability. Following in the same trend and approach, the current security challenges facing the united states must be approaches through the use of strategic measures that cannot be retarded by the dynamism of today’s society8. Building structures and infrastructure to mitigate the security challenges faced by the country today and in the future must begin by the development of domestic foundations. The foundation of the American strength remain a strong rallying call that has the ability to bring together different people into the fight against terrorism, cybercrime and the activities of aggressive groups that impact negatively on our peace and stability. Through our prosperity, we develop a well spring of power that motivate our military and security personnel and enhance the fight against insecurity within our borders. Apart from the development of a cohesive spirit within the domestic domain, the United States security apparatus will develop collaborative approaches with other countries and allies as an effort against insecurity within and beyond our borders. Through the development of engagement approaches with countries in different parts of Asia, Europe and North America, the United States will increase its security, prosperity and democracy. Countries such as Canada, the United States, japan, Taiwan and South Africa remain critical allies to the United States and this provides an opportunity for increased engagement and collaboration. This will enable the country to fight domestic threats today and in the future while relying on the international allies to fight the threat from within the global environment9. With the emerging security threats, the military will be strengthen to increase its capacity to fight modern and emerging aggressions from terrorists and other groups. As a result, the country’s military will be rebalanced to improve its capability to counter terrorism, insurgency and other full range operations as and when need be. Increase in the development and proliferation of nuclear weapons has necessitated the advancement of United States military capabilities. According to the defense counter strategies, the acquisition of complicated surveillance and containment equipment is essential if the forces ability to contain different emerging and current threats are to be maintained. Not all wars and security threats emerging within and beyond the borders must be fought through armed aggression and military involvement. As a result, the united states has adopted diplomacy frameworks and strategies for the fight against the long and short term security threats that t currently faces or will continue to face. According to the United States core values, diplomacy remains the first line of engagement and response to threat due to the desire to limit the collateral damage and loss of life associated with military and armed responses. With the assistance of the partners and other friendly countries, the United States will continue to advocate for the use of diplomacy as the first line of action in event of domestic and international threats10. As a result, the country, through its security apparatus has continued to strengthen the development of diplomatic skills and ties as a way of preparing for any aggressive activities that may affect the security of the country today and in the days to come11. Intelligence remains a vital element in the fight against agents that threatens the security of the country and the globe as a whole. As a result, the United States seeks to increase investment towards its intelligence programs as a way of eliminating surprise attacks that threatens the security of the country12. The national security agency, the central intelligence agency among other federal agencies tasked with the right against terrorism among other security threats have been witnessed increase in funding as a way of improving their ability to address the challenges in the present and the future13. How nations prepare for war against state and non-state actors The process of preparation for war is essential in any warfare and determines the ability of a nation to win the war together with the support of its people and the international community. According to the strategic studies institute of the United States, the process of preparing for war is as essential as the war itself and determines the outcome. Despite the role of preparation, the process of must be strategically conducted to eliminate a situation of preparing for one war and getting multiple aggressive responses instead. The process of preparing for war is influenced by the state and international actors whose support is needed and whether the enemy is a state or non-state actor14. Before a country can aggressively counter the actions of other nations or not state actors, national values must be developed that make it possible for the people to identify with the war. Through the development and promotion of a culture that views terrorism and aggressive acts of other countries with retrospect, the support of the people will be easily acquired and this enhances the progress of war. Apart from the development of a culture and values that enables the government to win the support of the people, the development of structures that enables the country to support the basic livelihood of the people is essential during the preparation for war15. The fact that the country is at war with its neighbors or non-state actors does not mean that the livelihood of the people should be hampered. A country develops structures for the maintenance of the livelihood of its people and the continuous operation of its economic activities during the period of war. Structures that enhance respect for human rights are also developed during the process of preparing for war to eliminate international outcry during the process or after due to increased human rights abuse16. Finally, the continued development and compilation of modern equipment and weapons forms part of the modern day war preparation17. The process of comparing wars depends on factors such as the driving forces, the triggering events and the discourse of the war itself. Differences exist due to the logistical and technological differences that have characterized the current wars as compared to the previous wars fought between state and non-state enemies. In the past, most wars were caused by differences in ideological beliefs and this has been attributed to the protracted cold war which was caused by the diverging interests of the communists and the capitalist countries18. World wars and other wars in the past were also triggered by major events such as the assassination of leaders which has been attributed to the world war one. Today, the causes of war have changed from ideological and political differences to economic and security concerns. Countries engage in conflicts due to different economic views and interests which increases animosity and calls for armed conflict for resolution. However, the major predominant cause of wars in the 21st century which was not witnessed in the previous centuries is terrorism. With increased terrorist activities, different countries engage in war with other nations that they suspect finance, support or harbor terrorists within its borders19. National security threats caused by transnational organizations Transnational criminal organizations are groups that are based in one region that operate across the globe, thus affecting the international security. Due to the transnational nature of their operations, such groups continue to affect the national security of different countries across the globe. The ability of the transnational organizations to penetration state institutions and create a culture of lack of accountability and integrity has been associated with increased security threat in the world20. In countries with poor governance structures, the ability to prevent and eliminate transnational organized crime is limited due to the compromised systems that are easily penetrated by the organizations. In most cases, such organizations have blended themselves into political parties and organizations and used their financial influence to influence the leadership in the countries. Through this, these organizations have managed to control the resources of weak countries in the world and used them for the process of financing their criminal activities across the globe21. Transnational criminal groups have continued to affect the economic competitiveness of countries including the United States through the influence they exert on the world’s financial systems. As a result, legitimate markets across the world that serve as target economies for the development of the United States remain compromised, further affecting the economic security of the country22. Through the development of leverages with state actors, such organizations have gained control over key resources such as gases, oil among other minerals, a critical source of finance for their activities. Human trafficking and drug smuggling activities have been attributed to the emergence of the transnational organized criminal activities whose influence in different countries have enabled them to elude the security forces and continue with illegal business23. Due to the influence that these organizations have on national and international security and economic progress, there is need for the development of counter strategies to mitigate the challenges they present to the globe. The enhancement of intelligence capabilities and activities within the country and beyond the borders is essential for the process of countering transnational organized crimes. The information gathered must also be made available to other collaborating state actors to enhance the process of reducing the activities of such groups within these countries24. The financial system and the strategic markets are the key focus for the transnational criminal organizations operating in different parts of the world. As a result, the united states have developed strategies to protect the financial and strategic markets to reduce access by the criminal organizations. Through strengthening investigation, interdiction and prosecution, the United States has also managed to reduce the presence of these groups within its boundaries. This strategy has been achieved through collaborative approach with other countries, Interpol and judicial systems of the foreign nations. This approach has been successful in the control of the Mexican and Columbian transnational organized criminal groups whose operations affect neighboring countries such as the United States, Canada and Mexico itself. Bibliography Bank, Stephen. Arms control and proliferation challenges to the reset policy. Strategic studies institute, 2011. Caudle, Sharon L. 2009. "National Security Strategies: Security from What, for Whom, and by What Means." Journal of Homeland Security & Emergency Management 6, no. 1: 1-26. Colucci, Lamont. 2013. 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