Decisive Military Force in Response to Transnational Threats

Abstract

Abstract : Transnational crime is a serious threat to the international system affecting political and economic stability worldwide. Consequently, the United States National Command Authority (NCA) determined that transnational threats undermine the nations vital interests. These transnational threats are organized criminal acts that transcend national borders and are normally committed by non-state actors. Traditional diplomatic, economic and law enforcement ways and means are the primary method for fighting these threats. However, globalization, information age technology and the large profits gained from these illegal enterprises allow transnational criminal leaders to gain power by militarizing their operations. Can traditional means fight this threat or must the United States develop a decisive military force option? The purpose of this paper is to answer the following questions. Is the current United States Strategy to respond and preferably preempt transnational threats sufficient? Or is there a need to develop a comprehensive decisive military force strategy that supplements the United States International Organized Crime Control Strategy (ICCS) to effectively combat transnational organized crime and the subsequent transnational threats to the International system? This paper answers first by defining the threat, and briefly reviewing the ICCS and the current Department of Defense (DOD) support to the ICCS. Then, describes a decisive military force strategy to enhance the ICCS. Next, conducts an analysis examining the case for and against the current policy as well as the case for and against the suggested decisive military force options. Finally, the paper concludes with a policy/strategy recommendation for the future.'