Improving Unity of Effort at the Theater-Strategic Level.

Abstract

Abstract : Effective policy requires interweaving military and political instruments; yet the United States frequently plans and employs military and political instruments separately. U.S. policies would be better served if the individual at the theater-strategic level had control over all the instruments of power within the theater. Because of U.S. strategic culture, the military resides within its own stovepipe. The foundation of U.S. strategic culture is the separation of military force and diplomacy. The geographical CINC is the linchpin for strategic success. He is the nexus of strategic objectives and operational design. To build an integrated national security team requires viewing the present theaters as theaters of policy and not as theaters of war. What is needed is a theater-strategic leader responsible for the employment of all assigned U.S. assets within his region. The theater- strategic leader concept would permit the sequencing and synchronization of all instruments of power to achieve regional objectives. To implement such a concept requires a larger reorganization of the Executive Branch. Such a change will not take place until there is a shift in the strategic culture and the current national security framework is perceived to be inadequate.