Military and other armed security forces in the 21st Century face an array of requirements quite unlike those of the past. Traditional roles, such as defending national territorial sovereignty, remain, but their importance will be attenuated, as more nations realize that their defense begins beyond their borders, and that security means more than just the military defense of territory and sovereignty. Therefore, what kinds of forces should be developed. To perform what missions. Should some armies be replaced by other kinds of armed security forces, such as paramilitary police forces. Do all countries require a full range of capabilities, or are there opportunities for rationalization among neighbors, who no longer threaten one another. In this Marshall Center Paper, Prof. John Clarke explores the new requirements thrust upon military and other armed security forces. He examines in detail the range of roles, missions and functions for these forces over the next decade. In a new perspective on these tasks for military and security forces for the 21st Century, Dr. Clarke develops six categories, or mission sets, of requirements, including Intervention/Offensive Combat Operations; International Stability and Support Operations; Civil Support Operations; National Defense Operations; International Humanitarian Assistance Support; and Unilateral Military Operations. Against these requirements, Dr. Clarke takes a close look at a dozen different kinds of military and armed security forces, asking key questions about the utility of each of them in carrying out the missions. His conclusion -- that light conventional infantry forces, special operations forces, and paramilitary police forces form a versatile, essential core of forces that every state should consider -- is precisely the kind of analysis that decision makers require for the difficult choices they face.


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