CIAO DATE: 11/02

The Bush National Security Strategy: An Evaluation

Ivo H. Daalder, James M. Lindsay, James B. Steinberg

October 2002

Brookings Institution

 

Abstract

President Bush's first National Security Strategy presents his vision of "a distinctly American internationalism." Media reports focused on the Strategy's support for preempting emerging threats militarily, but the 31-page document covers a far broader set of important issues. At its core, the Strategy calls for the United States to use its "unparalleled military strength and great economic and political influence" to establish "a balance of power that favors human freedom" and to defeat the threat posed by "terrorists and tyrants." These are themes that will likely resonate with the American people, who believe that the United States should play a leading role in making the world a safer and better place.

Although the Strategy's overarching goals make sense, its proposals for achieving them raises important questions. Four shortcomings stand out. First, the Strategy sets as a goal promoting global freedom but gives priority to a counterterrorism policy that relies heavily on the help of countries that in many cases do not share America's basic values. Second, the Strategy fails to recognize the limitations of preemption as tool for dealing with rogue states. Third, the Strategy emphasizes ad-hoc coalitions as the preferred means for addressing threats to international security but underestimates the contribution that broad-based alliances and institutions make to furthering U. S. interests over the long term. Finally, the Strategy warns that failed states threaten American security, but proposes economic and political assistance programs ill-suited to alleviating the danger.

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