The premise of U.S. strategy is that we must counter an array of challenges to our interests: the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), regional conflicts, militant nationalism, deterioration of political and economic reform in the former Soviet Union (FSU), and transnational (gray area) phenomena such as terrorism, warlordism, refugees, narcotrafficking, environmental crises, and famine. Our national security strategy emphasizes transnational threats to nation-states by non-state actors as well as non- governmental processes and organizations that are viewed by many analysts as far more probable than general war involving WMD. How will the military instrument be used to support national security strategy. The goals of sustaining security interests and promoting democracy abroad suggest a wide range of military roles. These goals and related military objectives will be achieved mostly by overseas presence and operations other than war (OOTW). The nation will maintain the forces necessary to win two nearly simultaneous major regional contingencies (MRCs) in concert with regional allies. It will engage in arms control, nonproliferation, and counterproliferation. It will retain strategic nuclear forces sufficient for deterrence. While general purpose forces are designed for warfighting, the military instrument of national power must be appropriate for countering transnational threats and gray area phenomena. What kind of force structure can accomplish this. One answer is a standing military staff for OOTW that is trained and ready to join with government, nongovernment, and international organizations in tackling transnational threats or supporting OOTW tasks. While such a specially designed force might detract from the conventional force structure, it would be cost-effective for engagement strategy. Significantly, it will protect the readiness of conventional combat forces by relieving them of most OOTW missions. (4 photographs).


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