Does the U.S. Rely Too Much on Military Power?
Balancing the Elements of National Power
Aug 10, 2008
Writing in the New York Times, today, columnist Nicholas D. Kristof argued that the United States was relying too much on its military power in the conduct of its national foreign policy and not enough on diplomatic efforts with other nations.
Questioning Priorities
In support of his argument, Mr. Kristof notes that the Army continues to add soldiers to its congressionally authorized end strength while the American Foreign Service is woefully understaffed, with congress refusing to fund the hire of additional diplomatic personnel. More than one thousand new diplomats could be employed, Mr. Kristof says, for the cost of one C-17, the Air Force’s most modern cargo aircraft.
By focusing too heavily on the military element of national power, Kristof says, the United States antagonizes much of the rest of the world by emphasizing force over dialogue.
A Holistic Approach
Mr. Kristof is right in one sense. The United States should not be focusing solely, or even predominantly on its military. This does not mean that the military element of national power is not important. It most certainly is. But the other elements of national power must be included in our execution of foreign policy in a world beset with problems and conflict.
Traditionally, the elements of national power are classified using the acronym DIME, for Diplomatic, Information, Military, and Economic. Some have, in recent years, added Law Enforcement to the equation. Each of these elements is important to the overall achievement of U.S. national security interests.
While Mr. Kristof is right that U.S. diplomatic efforts are woefully lacking, equal attention must be paid to the information element, which conveys America’s message abroad and helps us fight the “war of ideas,” and the economic element, which facilitates trade and can be used punitively against non-responsible international actors.
Law enforcement efforts, too, must be bolstered, especially in the area of international police cooperation and information sharing. The law enforcement element of national power will become increasingly important as the United States continues to fight global terrorism for decades to come.
Don’t Ignore Military
But while doling out federal resources to the various elements of national power, it is important to not let diplomatic, information, economic, and law enforcement resources be increased at the expense of the U.S. military.
The seven years since the 9/11 attacks have made one thing abundantly clear: American military forces will be actively engaged around the world for a very long time. Whether it’s the continuing fights in Afghanistan and Iraq, or counter terror operations in the Philippines, small wars, or guerrilla-type insurgencies will remain a reality for the foreseeable future.
At the same time, the United States must keep its military ready for a conventional war against a steadily rising China that is investing heavily in modernizing its military, or against a resurgent Russia that is currently flexing its muscle against the former Soviet republic of Georgia over the breakaway region of South Ossetia.
A thorough assessment must be made for the prioritization of resources among all the elements of national power. But the United States cannot afford to do so in a manner that dilutes the most powerful military in the world.
