Ten principles of national security after the Cold War

ADAM SCHIFF

Much has changed since the end of the Cold War that augurs well for

the survival of our nation. Most significant, the prospect of

mutually assured destruction in a nuclear exchange with a foreign

power has receded into the background of the last century.

The new century has brought on its own terrible dangers, which

although not reaching the apocalyptic potential of the Cold War,

still have the capacity to shake our world.

In an effort to address the national security needs of America in

this new environment, my colleagues Rep. Steve Israel (D-N.Y.) and

Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.) and I have co-founded a study group on

national security. Our study group has been meeting with foreign

policy and military experts to define and formulate national security

policies and objectives, which will keep America safe and free.

There are 10 principles of national security that I believe should

be a guide to our work and form the basis of our defense in the post

Cold War era:

(1) Soldiers: We support our men and women in uniform -- our

soldiers, our sailors, our Marines, our airmen and women, our

reservists, our National Guard -- completely and unequivocally. Our

soldiers are the foundation of the nation’s security, and they must

have the tools they need to defend themselves and this nation. And

when they have done their job, America must look after and honor its

veterans.

(2) Strength: We believe that America’s military strength is

superior in every respect, and we are committed to making sure it

remains that way. The supremacy of America’s military capability is

the cornerstone of our security. We must prioritize our nation’s

threats, taking prompt action and investing our primary resources in

addressing those dangers that are most proximate.

(3) Transformation: We believe that America’s military must be

transformed to one that is more versatile, more agile, more capable

of responding to multiple crises in faraway places, and even more

technologically powerful. To accomplish this transformation, strong

forces of inertia in all branches of the military will need to be

overcome.

(4) Troop Levels: We believe that America’s armed forces must not

be overextended, that our reserves must not be stretched too thin,

that the number of our troops must reflect the number of military

commitments we are likely to face and the severity of those

commitments. We must either reduce the number of our engagements or

increase the number of our troops. As Gen. Eric K. Shinseki stated so

presciently: “Beware the 12-division strategy for a 10-division

army.”

(5) Intelligence: We believe that in the war on terrorism,

top-quality human and technological sources of intelligence are

essential, and that the reporting of intelligence must be accurate,

timely, and properly weighted. The prompt assimilation of that

intelligence will be essential if we are to avoid another Sept. 11.

(6) Vision: We believe that America cannot make itself secure by

virtue of its military power alone, that moral authority, integrity,

generosity and vision are vital to our peace and prosperity. An

America that inspires hope in its ideals must complement an America

that inspires awe in its strength. We are a more secure America when

we rally the world to our side in a great cause.

(7) Democracy: We believe that our best hope for a secure America

rests in the propagation of liberty and democracy around the world,

and that every instrument of American influence -- diplomatic,

military and economic -- should advance the cause of freedom abroad.

Democracies are poor breeding grounds for terrorism and war.

(8) Homeland Security: We believe that America must be confident

in its strength, vigilant in the defense of the homeland, supportive

of our police and firefighters on the front lines, and jealously

protective of the rights of all Americans. We will not let terrorists

change our way of life; we will not live in fear; and we will not

undermine the civil liberties that characterize our democracy.

(9) Commerce and Aid: We believe that the free and fair flow of

goods and commerce has the capability of lifting countries out of the

despair of poverty, and that we must act resolutely to eradicate the

economic deprivation which allows the germ of terrorism to spread.

Americans are blessed with great plenty; we are a generous people,

and we have a moral obligation to assist those who are suffering from

poverty, disease, war and famine.

(10) World Community: We believe that America lives in an

interdependent world of nations made smaller by travel, technology

and the demands of a burgeoning population. America has a critical

role to play as the most powerful member of the world community. And

in this community, as in all others, the Golden Rule still applies --

we must act toward other nations as we would have them act toward

America.

In the months and years ahead, our study group on national

security will work hard to advance these and other principles that

are the key to providing for our common defense.

* CONGRESSMAN ADAM B. SCHIFF (D-Glendale) is a member of the House

International Relations Committee and co-founder of the Democratic

Study Group on National Security.