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CIAO DATE: 02/03
Preface
"The great struggles of the twentieth century between liberty and totalitarianism ended with a decisive victory for the forces of freedom -- and a single sustainable model for national success: freedom, democracy, and free enterprise. In the twenty-first century, only nations that share a commitment to protecting basic human rights and guaranteeing political and economic freedom will be able to unleash the potential of their people and assure their future prosperity....
"Today, the United States enjoys a position of unparalleled military strength and great economic and political influence. In keeping with our heritage and principles, we do not use our strength to press for unilateral advantage. We seek instead to create a balance of power that favors human freedom: conditions in which all nations and all societies can choose for themselves the rewards and challenges of political and economic liberty. In a world that is safe, people will be able to make their own lives better. We will defend the peace by fighting terrorists and tyrants. We will preserve the peace by building good relations among the great powers. We will extend the peace by encouraging free and open societies on every continent."
George W. Bush
President of the United States
September 20, 2002
With those words President Bush submitted his National Security Strategy (NSS) to the U.S. Congress September 20th. Each administration is required by the Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986 to submit an annual report to Congress setting out the nation's comprehensive strategic security objectives. The tradition began with President Harry S Truman in 1950 with NSC-68, a report that focused on the United States and the then-Soviet Union and calling for a doctrine of containment that dominated the ensuing Cold War. Each president since then has submitted a similar document to Congress in varying forms and with varying degrees of specificity.
This issue of U.S. Foreign Policy Agendaexamines the newly developed Bush National Security Strategy through a series of articles, commentary, and references from national security experts within the administration, the Congress, and the academic sector.
National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice discusses the NSS in broad terms while Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage examines its relationship to alliances and allies; General Richard Myers looks at the NSS from today's threat environment; Under Secretary of State Alan P. Larson explains the economic security component; and Professors Robert Lieber and Keir Lieber give a thoughtful analysis; while Professor Richard Kugler looks at the NSS and the impact of globalization.