Question 1:
There are various interests of the U.S that are at risk over the next five years. One of these interests is the issue of internal security. This is threatened by the increased possibility of attacks from anti-U.S forces as well as terrorists. However, these issues can be addressed by strengthening the internal security forces such as the Homeland Security. Other forces such as the FBI and CIA should be more vigilant in ensuring security of the motherland. The next issue is the risk of having many illegal immigrants. There are many people from other nationalities who enter the country by the wrong means. Unless there are measures to control the entrance of such people in the country, then there is every possibility that the land will be flocked by illegal immigrants who might bring in some vices into the country such as drug trafficking and other social vices such as prostitution.
Poor diplomatic ties are another risk facing the U.S. these effects are more likely to be felt in the relationships with Muslim countries. Similarly, there is the possibility of a conflict between the U.S and Iran over the latter’s ambitions to develop a nuclear bomb. Since the U.S is opposed to such moves, then there is a possibility of animosity to the U.S. all these factors lead to security risks within the land (AFP, 2008).
Question 2:
Obama’s national security strategy is likely to have quite a lot of impacts. Three among those are as follows. First of all, there is likelihood that the U.S will have closer ties with other countries. This is mainly because the strategy calls for multinational co-operation in the fight against crimes and terrorism. As such, as the U.S and other countries come together on a common cause, then there is every possibility that the ties between them will be improved. Secondly, there is a possibility that the U.S and other countries will live more harmoniously and there will be less conflicts among countries. This is because the strategy calls for use of diplomacy, only applying force in cases where diplomacy fails. As such, the strategy can lead to greater possibility of peace and unity among the nations of the world, including the U.S. lastly, there is likelihood that internal security within the U.S will be improved. This is mainly because the strategy does not abandon internal security. In as much as it considers using the external forces, it also concentrates on the internal security (Gray, 2010). In essence, the strategy calls for a far reaching network to fight violence and terror within the country.
Question 3:
The Geographic Combatant Commander is responsible for ensuring that the plan produced at the guidance level is well implemented on the ground. This is done through the proper shaping strategies. To ensure this, the commandant has to go through a given process (Anon., 2012). The first step is analysis which involves identifying the resources that are available. In other words, the inputs are well planned. The next step is the process where the problem is defined and there is collection of intelligence which would then help in formulating the solution. It involves comparison of the available options and ultimately picking on the best alternative. The last step is synthesis where the product of the whole process is realized. This is where there are activities that have to be carried out in solving the problem. It also involves an overview of the COAs as well as the giving of recommendations. The recommendations are also given when the initial plan does not work. From then on, the commandant gives a recommendation of what should be done. If the alternative plan is approved, then the commandant is given the go-ahead to issue commands and start the implementation of the plan. Through such a process, the plan is then implemented to fullness.
Question 4:
The 2008 National Defense Strategy had a big effect in terms of transforming the Department of Defenses’ focus on the issues affecting the Homeland Security. Since time immemorial, the department had been focusing on winning of the conventional wars. However, after a series of irregular wars and minor acts of terrorism, the department realized that there is the need to concentrate on the internal matters that also have a great impact on the security of citizens. For instance, there is need to protect the citizens from possible harm that can arise from attacks in public places such as parks and train stations.
The 2008 strategy identified the need to concentrate on these minute details of security. As such, it provides for means of preventing such crimes from taking place. In the process of the implementation of such plans, the DOD gradually deviated from the high focus on conventional wars to the petty crimes and acts of terrorism taking place within the country. It is for this reason that security agents such as the Homeland Security became extra vocal and active in its activities. In other words, the 2008 National Defense Strategy helped the country to focus on trivial issues that can be easily overlooked but which have a great impact on the security of the American citizens.
Question 5:
There are various incidences when the ambassador and the Commander of Key Leadership engagement can be involved with critical finding. Three of such situations are as stated below. First of all, the ambassador and the commander can have some information that is considered classified by the country in which they are based. As such, these individuals are not supposed to release the information to other parties as the leak can blow up and the operation of the U.S in the country can be highly compromised. Secondly, the two can handle information that is considered to be highly classified. At times, the only people who get to know such information are those expected to be involved in taking an action or making a decision concerning the issue. Such information is regarded as ‘classified’. Furthermore, those who get to know about it are notified on the basis of ‘need to know’. Lastly, there are instances where the two can be involved with information or findings of a given country which should not be made public. Similarly, they might be bound by international regulations to remain mum about such information so as to observe the sovereignty of the country. Under such circumstances, there would be no option but for the two to hold the information as highly classified (Anon, 2012).
Question 6:
The Army Material Command (AMC) has quite a complex mission that is quite different from the missions of other departments. The mission is also quite elaborate. It ranges from the developing of sophisticated weapons systems and extensive research such as the use of lasers. It then goes on to distribute these weapons and disseminate the findings of their research. it therefore concentrates on three competencies which include logistics power projection, technology generation and application as well as the acquisition excellence (Pike, 2012). From this explanation, it can be seen that the mandate of the AMC is quite different from the Defense Logistics Agency. The difference comes in that the latter is mainly concerned with provision of the materials that are needed by the defense forces. However, the AMC is also concerned with the designing and production of these equipments. Furthermore, it pays attention to the quality of the equipment. It is for this reason that the AMC is involved in research. as such, it can be said that the AMC combines both the research and the logistical functions.
Question 7:
According to Anon. (2012), the ends of the U.S strategy for Somalia is peace and economic stability. However, there are challenges that the U.S as well as the other countries seeking to establish stability in Somalia have to go through. These challenges means that proper means have to be derived in order to gain success in Somalia. One of the means is through political dialogue. This is where the warring communities in the country have to come together in the presence of a neutral mediator. The hope is that through such efforts, peace can be restored in the country. There is also the aspect of dialogue with a third party. This is mainly the U.S which can come in as an advisor to help the Somalis deal with their problems. As it is indicated, the Somalis are tired of fighting. As such, they have a quest for peace. Offering them such a chance could be the best way out. The last option on the strategy is by multi-lateral means where the countries surrounding Somalia can offer troops to go on peace-keeping missions in the country. If all these measures are implemented,, then there is a possibility that peace would be restored in the Horn-Of-Africa based country.
Question 8;
General Odierno (Anon, 2012) observes that it is important to understand the society and the culture of the Iraqi people as this can lead to success in the activities of the peace-keeping forces. The main reason as to why this understanding is important is because it can aid in the relations between the peace keeping units and the Iraqi population. Furthermore, with an understanding of the people and their beliefs, it would be much easier for the forces in the country to get the people into action. That is, the knowledge can be used to bring the people together and rally them behind a given cause.
There is also another side of the understanding. Once the people are well aware of the reason as to why the American forces are in the country, they could be more cooperative with the peace keeping units. Similarly, the troops will have prior knowledge of the various activities that the people get engaged in and their beliefs. As such, the peace keeping activities would be much easier as there is an understanding between the people and the soldiers that are in the country. Lack of such an understanding can lead to conflicts between the people and the forces, thereby making the work of the forces quite difficult.
AFP. (2008). After Georgia, US Fears Interests at Risk in Ukraine, Azerbaijan. Retrieved on 20th March 2012 from http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jgM0n3Zz8XtGRA5dcgREnqjVBXCA
Anonymous. (2012). Stand Alone Readings. (pdf).
Gray, C. (2010). President Obama’s 2010 United States National Security Strategy and International Law on the Use of Force. Retrieved on 20th March 2012 from http://chinesejil.oxfordjournals.org/content/10/1/35.abstract
Pike, J. (2012). US Army Materiel Command (AMC). Retrieved on 20th March 2012 from http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/amc.htm
