On February 8, 2011 the United States rolled out its new National Military Strategy. The document based on the 2010 National Security Strategy (NSS) is the first revision of the National Military Strategy since 2004. The strategy describes the aims and objectives and US national interests as: security, prosperity, values and international order. The strategy also described the ways and actions US government intended to employ for materialising the above objectives, which included: non-proliferation strategies, significance of scientific research and strengthening of global alliances.
The US military strategy in the post 9/11 period, with few modifications, is a continuation of achieving military objectives envisaged by the Neo Conservatives in the post-Soviet era.
As illustrated by the NSS, political leadership is stressed upon to put weight behind US military agenda as and when required. Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff had previously put across that US political leadership heavily relies on its generals while formulating its foreign policy.
This approach has been unequivocally expressed in this updated military strategy which states: In support of our civilian-led foreign policy, this strategy acknowledges the need for military leadership that is redefined for an increasingly complex strategic environment.
Our leadership will emphasise mutual responsibility and respect. Accomplishing this strategy will require a full spectrum of direct and indirect leadership approaches facilitator, enabler, convener, and guarantor sometimes simultaneously. It also claims a disciplined application of force for the military leadership.
It further states that in this multi-nodal world, the militarys contribution to American leadership must be about more than power it must be about our approach to exercising power.
The political leadership has capitulated to US military adventurism in two major military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq, making it sure that it has become hostage to the generals.
BILAL ZUBAIR
Islamabad
