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Deterring Russia's Revanchist Ambitions in the Baltic Republics
From the abstract: "The Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, former Soviet Republics with fledgling Western governments located on Russia's immediate border and, importantly, members of the NATO alliance, seem a logical future target for aggression. For the United States and NATO, the costs of failing to deter Russia's revanchist ambitions are clear; either initiating a costly campaign to liberate an Alliance member or allowing Russia to remake the post-Cold War order. In the context of the recent conflict in Ukraine and the binding nature of NATO's collective security 'guarantee,' this paper will examine the steps the U.S. and NATO can reasonably take to deter Russia's revanchist ambitions in the Baltic republics, particularly from the threat of hybrid warfare. It will begin by providing a brief history of the Baltic Republics and the threat posed by Russia and hybrid warfare. Next, this paper will explore the strategic interests of the main protagonists and consider the requirements for an effective deterrent strategy. Finally, it will examine various ways and means across the various instruments of power that might be applied to deter Russian aggression in the Baltics, especially from the threat of hybrid warfare. In the final analysis, it is only through resolute action in implementing policy recommendations that encompass all instruments of power that the U.S. and NATO will be able to effectively deter Russian aggression and achieve their strategic interests in the region."
Air University (U.S.). Air War College
McLay, Sean C.
2016-02-16
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World Law Bulletin: April 2004
This issue of the monthly publication of the Law Library of Congress includes the following relevant titles: 'Recent Developments in the European Union'. "Following the recent terrorist bombings in Madrid and the conclusion of the European Council of March 25-26, 2004, a recent Communication adopted by the European Commission introduces some new measures in order to intensify the European Union's response to terrorist attacks. A key feature of the Communication is the proposal to expand the obligation to exchange information among EU Members on all individual terrorist offenses and offenses committed by terrorist groups, including attempts to commit, complicity in, and incitement as well as financing of terrorism offenses. Members are also obliged to exchange information on all stages of criminal proceedings, including convictions. […] The European Commission and the United States worked diligently during 2003 to finalize an agreement on the processing and transfer of Passenger Name Record (PNR) data by airlines to the Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Customs and Border Protection. The agreement allows U.S. authorities to access the PNR data electronically from the airlines' reservation/departure control system. Such access will continue to be available until the airlines develop a system to transmit the data themselves. The Draft Council Decision calls for the conclusion of this agreement on behalf of the EU. However, the agreement has raised serious privacy concerns, and there is a strong belief that it infringes on EU legislation on privacy."
Law Library of Congress (U.S.)
Johnson, Constance Axinn; Zeldin, Wendy I.
2004-04
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World Law Bulletin: January 2006
This issue of the monthly publication of the Law Library of Congress includes the following relevant titles: 'Recent Developments in the European Union'. "Pursuant to the U.S. legislation requiring airlines carrying passengers to and from the United States to give American authorities access to the personal data of passengers, the European Commission began negotiations with the United States in order to ensure that such a procedure would not violate EU rules on privacy and protection of personal data. On May 14, 2004, the Commission adopted a decision stating that the U. S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection met the adequacy standards for protection of personal data to be transferred from the Community. Following this decision, on May 17, 2004, the Council adopted a decision and approved the agreement between the EU and the United States on the transfer of data by airlines established in the EU. Meanwhile, the European Parliament requested that the Court of Justice annul the decisions issued by both institutions. On November 22, 2005, the Advocate General of the Court, whose opinions are not binding but are very influential, stated that the Court should annul both decisions. With regard to the Commission's decision, the Advocate held that the Privacy Directive does not cover processing of personal data for public security reasons or the activities of the state in the criminal field."
Law Library of Congress (U.S.)
Johnson, Constance Axinn; Zeldin, Wendy I.
2006-01
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High Stakes Chess: Hashemite Monarchy Masters the Game in Spite of All Odds
From the student thesis: "Jordan faces severe security challenges, but the Hashemite Monarchy has shown skill in using political tools to overcome internal and external conflict and strife. King Abdullah II has proven himself adept in negotiation. His administration has repeatedly proven themselves as masters of compromise to maintain stability in the country. Jordan's leadership weathered the storms of the Arab Spring for three primary reasons: the institution of the monarchy provides a focal point of social cohesion and legitimacy that restrains the desire to rebel; the king and his supporting coalition, by virtue of its self-confidence, identity, and extensive experience made better decisions in response to the external events that triggered bigger, more sustained protests elsewhere; and finally, the monarchy received critical support from its Western allies and fellow Middle Eastern monarchies, most prominently, Saudi Arabia. Time and time again, the Hashemite Monarchy has skillfully walked a political tight rope to keep the peace between wildly different camps within and external to its borders. The kingdom will need all its considerable political skills in years to come as tough times certainly continue."
Air University (U.S.). Air Command and Staff College
Hier, Nate
2017-05
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Executive Order 13749: Providing for the Appointment in the Competitive Service of Certain Employees of the Foreign Service
"The Federal Government benefits from a workforce that can be recruited from the broadest and deepest pools of qualified candidates for our highly competitive, merit-based positions. The recruitment and retention of workforce participants who serve in the Foreign Service of the Department of State under a Limited Non-Career Appointment under section 309 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980, Public Law 96-465 (22 U.S.C. 3949), as amended, are critical to our ability to meet consular staffing levels (now in substantial deficit) and thereby enhance our capacity to meet high national security standards and efficiently process visas in accordance with our policy of 'open doors, safe borders.' Program participants undergo a rigorous merit-based evaluation process, which includes a written test and an oral assessment and to which a veteran preference applies, and develop advanced- to superior-level skills in languages and in cultural competence in particular regions, skills that are essential for mission-critical positions throughout the entire Federal workforce."
United States. Office of the Federal Register
Obama, Barack
2016-11-29
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Summary of NIST Standards for Biometric Accuracy, Tamper Resistance, and Interoperability
This appendix briefly outlines appropriate standards for biometric accuracy, tamper resistance, and interoperability based on current findings and test results. Due to the time constraints imposed by the Patriot and Enhanced Border Security acts, biometrics to be initially tested and certified by NIST as being highly accurate must conform to certain conditions. First, any biometric to be considered must be an available and established technology. Second, the captured biometric image outputs from the biometric devices must be available to NIST. Finally, large-scale databases of realistic samples must be available for testing.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (U.S.)
2002-11-13
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Standards for Certifying Biometric Accuracy
As a result of the Patriot Act, Congress has tasked NIST with a statutory mandate to develop and certify a highly accurate technology standard that shall include biometric identifiers. The first presentation (Patriot Act: Enhanced Border Security Act: Conference Presentations) is an interim summary report of the progress made through August, 2002 and this report is an updated version from November, 2002.
National Institute of Standards and Technology (U.S.)
McCabe, R. Michael
2002-11
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International Crime Control Strategy
International criminal activity has increased in scale and extent in the wake of globalization, becoming a complex worldwide threat. International criminals today engage in a wide range of illegal activities, including drug trafficking, terrorism, alien and contraband smuggling, fraud, extortion, money laundering, bribery, economic espionage, intellectual property theft, and counterfeiting. Many also resort to extreme violence to advance their criminal enterprises. International criminals ignore borders, except when seeking safe haven behind them. They move sums of money through the international financial system that are so huge they dwarf the combined economies of many nations. They are often organized in multi-crime businesses, and they have capitalized on growth in international communications and transportation to expand their criminal operations and form potent alliances. They threaten all nations, including our own. International crime is not only a law enforcement problem; it is a formidable and increasing threat to national and international security. This document discusses the corrosive activities of international criminals in the post-Cold War era, and how they no longer threaten particular countries or regions, but threaten the whole world.
National Security Council (U.S.)
1998-06
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U.S.-EU Ministerial Statement on Combating Terrorism
This document provides the text of the joint U.S.-EU Ministerial statement on combating terrorism. It announces the U.S.-EU partnership in a broad coalition to combat "the evil of terrorism," which includes cooperation in the following areas: aviation and other transport security; police and judicial cooperation; denial of financing of terrorism; denial of other means to support terrorists; export control and nonproliferation; border controls; and law enforcement access to information and exchange of electronic data.
United States. Department of State. Bureau of Public Affairs
2001-09-20
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Second Quarterly Report on Iraq (April 5, 2004)
This is the second quarterly report required by Section 2207 of the Emergency Appropriations Act for Defense and for the Reconstruction of Iraq and Afghanistan, FY 2004. This report updates information contained in the report I submitted on January 5, 2004. As with the first report, this too relies on the capable planning and analysis of the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Baghdad and reflects the priorities Ambassador Bremer has identified as essential to Iraq's security, political stability and economic growth. This report discusses several revisions to the spending plan submitted on January 5, 2004. Specifically, resources were redirected to enhance training of the Iraqi Police Service, the Department of Border Enforcement, and the Facilities Protection Service; to increase the number of battalions in the Iraq Civil Defense Corps; and to create a new rule of law program designed to provide judicial, prosecutorial, and attorney training to ensure a more transparent and fair legal system. In addition, the report identifies resources to be used as operating funds for CPA's successor organization as permitted in the FY 2004 Supplemental.
United States. Office of Management and Budget
2004-04-05
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Data Management Improvement Act (DMIA) Task Force: First Annual Report to Congress
The DMIA Task Force was created to evaluate how the flow of traffic at U.S. airports, seaports and land border Ports-of-Entry (POEs) can be improved while enhancing security, improving coordination among agencies and governments, and implementing systems for data collection and data sharing. The Task Force is comprised of 17 representatives from six Federal agencies, two state and local government groups, and nine private industry trade and travel organizations. It is required to report to Congress on its findings, conclusions, and recommendations in accordance with statutory mandates of the DMIA 2000. This year's report to Congress focuses primarily on recommendations for an entry/exit system. The Task Force will further address the other areas mandated in the statute (improving the flow of traffic; enhancing systems for data collection/data sharing; better use of technology, resource and personnel issues; facilities and infrastructure issues; and increasing cooperation between public and private sectors, among federal and state and local agencies, and with affected foreign governments).
United States. Department of Justice
2002-12
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Terrorism: The United States is Not Ready to respond to the Threat Against the Homeland
The principle threat to the United States' national security has undergone a significant change. The dissolution of the Soviet Union has shattered the global balance of power and left the United States as the world's lone superpower. The threat facing our nation has shifted from a single, definable foe to one that is much less clear. The threat facing our nation today is characterized by terms such as homeland defense, rogue state, non-state actor, and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). This modern threat is terrorism within our nation's borders. Currently, the United States is not prepared to counteract this threat. While significant attention has been paid to the terrorist threat over the past five years, our nation's strategy for dealing with this danger is still unfocused and inefficient. Today, America's strategy to defeat terrorism is contingent on the participation of several different state, local and federal agencies. Due to civil liberty concerns, the nation's most qualified agency, the Department of Defense (DoD), plays only a minor role. More importantly, the U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM), which is assigned the responsibility of providing military assistance during homeland terrorist attacks, has an equally limited role in countering the terrorist threat. To improve our ability to counter this emerging threat, the United States must re- evaluate the way in which we deal with this threat and assign assets based on capability. In particular, our nation must amend the laws, which restrict Department of Defense's participation in homeland defense so that the U.S. Joint Forces Command is allowed to play a larger role in the Crisis and Consequence Management missions.
Naval War College (U.S.)
Coffey, John S.
2001-02-05
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National Security Forces Panel: A Global Forum on Fighting Corruption: Safeguarding Integrity Among Justice and Security Officials
"On February 24-26, 1999, Vice President Albert Gore hosted in Washington D.C., the world's first conference to target corruption, specifically among police, prosecutors, judges, military personnel, customs officials, border guards, financial regulators, and budget and procurement officials. On February 25, 1999, specialty sessions were held a various locations in the Washington area, dealing with integrity and corruption issues specific to certain institutions. The National Security Forces Panel was hosted by DoD and convened at the National Defense University, Ft. McNair, Washington, D.C. Approximately 120 participants attended from at least 40 nations, including defense attaches, and senior military and civilian officials. The transcripts of the conference proceedings are contained within this report."
United States. Department of Defense
Lytle, Michael
1999-02-25
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Ethiopia's Foreign Relations With Israel: 1955-1998
This thesis "Ethiopia's Foreign Relations With Israel: 1955-1998," examines the nature and the impact of the diplomatic relationship between Ethiopia and Israel. From the rupture in relations during the Yom Kippur War in 1973 to the drama of Operation SOLOMON in 1991, the nature of the relationship has changed. What remains constant is the pragmatic adherence to national interests as the driving forces behind foreign policy. Early relations between Ethiopia and Israel were amicable and based on a sense of shared heritage and common interests. A mixture of idealism, economic cooperation, and technical assistance characterized the relations in the 1950s and 1960s. However, pragmatic acknowledgement of the geopolitical realities held greatest sway in the foreign policy arena. Thus, when Ethiopian interests shifted to border security and Israel became more concerned with freedom of the Red Sea, Israeli military assistance was added to the economic programs. The military relationship grew stronger into the early 1970s until Ethiopia severed relations with Israel in 1973. However, a year after the Ethiopian monarchy was toppled by an armed revolt, the new rulers turned to Israel for military assistance against Eritrean insurgents. This tacit military relationship was the hallmark of the relationship between Ethiopia and Israel in the 1970s and 1980s.
Air Force Institute of Technology (U.S.)
Joyce, Jennifer A.
2000-06-15
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Command, Communications, Control and Intelligence: The Role of the Joint Task Force in the War on Drugs
The issue of fighting drug abuse has come to the forefront of our list of national security priorities. A major part of this war is an attempt to stop the flow of drugs into the United States from the source countries. As the Federal government focused more attention to and national assets on this effort the need for better coordination among the numerous agencies involved became immediately apparent. A unified Command, Communications, Control and Intelligence (C3I) network was paramount to effectively employing the myriad personnel and equipment dedicated to Drug Surveillance and Interdiction, and hopefully conducting a successful campaign. The goal is to interdict and confiscate inbound shipments of drugs, or prevent their successful transhipment through deterrence. In response to this need for unified C3I, the FY 1989 National Defense Authorization Act designated the Department of Defense as the lead agency for the detection and monitoring program targeted against the aerial and maritime traffic attempting to bring drugs into the United States. Commander Joint Task Force FOUR (CJTF-4) in Key West, FL, Commander, Joint Task Force FIVE in Alameda, CA and Commander, Joint Task Force SIX in El Paso, TX were established to direct the anti-drug surveillance efforts in the Atlantic/ Caribbean, Pacific, and Mexico border areas respectively. The Joint Task Forces have been operating with assigned and supporting assets since October, 1989. After almost nine months of operations, two questions need to be answered: How well are they working? And, how effective have the Joint Task Forces been?
Naval War College (U.S.)
Miskill, Donald K., Jr
1990-05-14
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International Game '99: Crisis in South Asia, 28-30 January 1999
"The primary purpose of this game was to explore international approaches for dealing with crises involving the threat and use of nuclear weapons. To do so, the game engaged mid- to high-level participants from fifteen countries in a United Nations Security Council setting. The scenario examined tensions between India and Pakistan. Participants agreed that accident and miscalculation are the most likely triggers that could result in a nuclear exchange on the sub-continent. Resort to tactical nuclear weapons is especially likely if a country perceives that its sovereignty is seriously threatened. Participants also asserted that if the international community fails to resolve serious cross-border tensions, and only attempts, on the brink of conflict, to search for solutions, it must bear some responsibility for the suffering that results. Some players expressed a preference for handling such matters bilaterally, others indicated a preference for a regional resolution; but, for the most part, participants understood that a crisis involving the potential use of nuclear weapons is an international problem. Moralist, pragmatist, and fatalist positions were all represented in the game. Few players believed, however, that the world would be denuclearized in the near term, if ever. Nuclear weapons are like smoke in a bottle; once released, it is impossible to put it back in."
Naval War College (U.S.)
Hayes, Bradd C.
1999-01
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Performance and Annual Report - Fiscal Year 2003
"This report highlights Customs and Border Protections major initiatives, performance goals, and mission accomplishments, and presents related financial management information that represents an on-going effort to provide useful information to internal and external customers. The figures shown for FY 2003 program operations and performance measures in the Management Discussion and Analysis Section of the report are those that were available as of October 31, 2003. This was a transition year for the agency, with five months under the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) and seven months under the new Department of Homeland Security (DHS).The financial statements presented here provide the financial position and results of legacy Customs operations through both periods, and are prepared pursuant to the requirements of 31 U.S.C. The budget resource obligations also refer to legacy Customs operations during the 12-month period. Many of the performance measures discussed were originally used by legacy Customs."
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
2004
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U.S. Customs Service: Strategic Plan: Fiscal Years 2000-2005
"For nearly 125 years, Customs funded virtually the entire government, and paid for the nation's early growth and infrastructure. Today, Customs is still a sizeable source of revenue for the Federal government, but along with the growth of our nation, its responsibilities and mission have significantly expanded and become more complex. Over the next five years, Customs seeks to enhance its efforts to build a Customs Service that takes action, holds people accountable, and achieves business results building on the tradition on which the agency was founded: to serve and protect the American public. As Customs enters the 21st century, the following significant challenges face the organization and its workforce: Focusing on integrity, accountability, discipline, training, automation, trade growth, border security, integrated air and marine interdiction, and high impact investigations; Continuing to facilitate the flow of legitimate commerce and travelers while at the same time identifying, disrupting and dismantling entities that threaten the legitimate flow of commerce; Continuing Customs efforts to identify, disrupt and dismantle narcotics and related money laundering organizations; Maintaining a forward-thinking and creative approach to the deployment of technology and automation; Hiring, training and retaining qualified employees in a highly competitive marketplace; and Meeting the demands of the external stakeholders while achieving our mission and performance goals."
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
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USDA Homeland Security Efforts
This document provides highlights of measures taken by the USDA in response to the attacks of 9/11, focusing on the creation of the Homeland Security Council within the USDA. Efforts have focused on three key areas: food supply and agricultural production, USDA facilities, and USDA staff and emergency preparedness. The document examines the steps that the USDA is taking to protect U.S. borders from invasive pests and diseases as well as to ensure successful rapid responses to animal and crop disease outbreaks and pest infestations.
United States. Department of Agriculture
2003-06
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Handbook on the Cuban Armed Forces
Cuba's Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) is composed of the regular components-the Army, the Navy and the Air and Air Defense Force-plus the paramilitary Youth Labor Army, and Civil Defense. The Ministry of Interior (MININT) has two military units-the Special Troops and the Border Guard Troops-as well as the paramilitary Department of State Security. Fidel Castro and his brother, Raul, who hold the top two positions in the military, the government, and the Cuban Communist Party, clearly control the country. The two have built an unusually united, disciplined, ideologically indoctrinated, and combat-experienced military force which is one of the strongest in Latin America. The Cuban military has made major improvements . Its organization, strategy and tactics are modeled on those of the Soviet military; however, there are significant differences based on Cuba's less sophisticated equipment and lower manpower levels. The repetitive training and strict compartmentalization produces a well-trained but specialized soldier, who follows orders unquestioningly. Cuban tactics are designed to exploit the capabilities of the infantry, although the military is improving its armored capabilities. The military is equipped primarily with conventional Soviet arms, most of which are secondline. However, the Cubans have recently acquired some firstline Soviet equipment, such as a few ZSU-23A self propelled 23-mm Antiaircraft craft guns and the BM-21 (40-round) Rocket Launchers.
United States. Defense Intelligence Agency
1979-04
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Globalization and State Sovereignty
The nation-state, the basis of international relations and main framework for the existence and exercise of sovereignty and democracy of modern- day human communities, has been challenged by the phenomenon of globalization. Unprecedented changes in communications, transportation, and computer technology have given new impetus to economy. Globalized capital is reorganizing business firms and undermining national politics. Globalization creates vast new markets and gigantic new wealth, as well as widespread suffering, disorder and unrest. Under the condition of globalization, local', national and continental, political, social, and economic space is reformed in a way so that it is no longer necessarily coterminous with established legal and territorial boundaries. Although the nation-state continues to remain as the principal unit of analysis in the changing context of globalization, it now needs to be examined. The proposition that globalization make states unnecessary, is even less credible than the idea that it makes states impotent. The state normally defines identity. A sense of belonging is part of people's sense of security, and one that most people would not want to give up, even in the age of globalization. Finally, as the world economy continues to integrate and cross- border flows become more important, global governance must be improved. Global governance will come not at the expense of the state but rather as an expression of the interests that the state embodies. As the source of order and basis of governance, the state in future will remain as effective, and will be as essential, as it has ever been.
Army War College (U.S.)
Islam, Mainul
2003-04-07
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Area Handbook Series: Belarus and Moldova - Country Studies
At the end of 1991, the formal liquidation of the Soviet Union was the surprisingly swift result of partially hidden decrepitude and centrifugal forces within that empire. Of the fifteen 'new' states that emerged from the process, many had been independent political entities at some time in the past. Aside from their coverage in the 1991 Soviet Union: A Country Study, none had received individual treatment in this series, however. Belarus and Moldova: Country Studies is the second in a new subseries describing the fifteen post- Soviet republics, both as they existed before and during the Soviet era and as they have developed since 1991. This volume covers Belarus and Moldova, two nations on the western border of what was once the Soviet Union. The marked relaxation of information restrictions, which began in the late 1980s and accelerated after 1991, allows the reporting of extensive data on every aspect of life in the two countries. Scholarly articles and periodical reports have been especially helpful in accounting for the years of independence in the 1990s. The authors have described the historical, political, and social backgrounds of the countries as the background for their current portraits. However, in general, both Belarus and Moldova (especially the former) have been written about to a lesser extent than other former Soviet republics. In each case, the authors' goal in this book was to provide a compact, accessible, and objective treatment of five main topics: historical setting, the society and its environment, the economy, government and politics, and national security.
Library of Congress. Federal Research Division
1995-05
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Military Observer Mission Ecuador-Peru (MOMEP) Doing a Lot with a Little
This paper analyzes the Military Observer Mission Ecuador-Peru, (MOMEP) and recommends that it serve as a model for future peacekeeping operations. This multinational peacekeeping mission formed in response to the January 1995 border conflict. This small group of 100 peacekeepers from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and the US, separated the belligerents, supervised demobilization, created a demilitarized zone, integrated former belligerents into the peacekeeping force, and maintained a secure environment so diplomats could discuss the long-term resolution of the problem. MOMEP, financed by the former belligerents, was small and cost effective, making it particularly attractive in times of fiscal and manpower constraints. The author argues that regional peacekeeping forces have advantages over traditional UN collective peacekeeping missions. He also argues that a small, multinational peacekeeping force can be effective when certain conditions are met: when the observer support base is built on a standing unit headquarters, and when the observer force is provided superior communications and mobility. Finally he argues that observer actions; observing strict impartiality, integrating former belligerents into the peacekeeping force, and avoiding mission creep, are all key ingredients of success. The author stresses that the MOMEP model is most appropriate for those peacekeeping missions resembling the MOMEP environment--missions with a high level of consent designed to monitor an agreement.
Army War College (U.S.)
Higgins, Kevin M.
1997-06-01
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U.S. Economic Strategy in Shaping Mexico - Living Happily Ever NAFTA
The U.S. shaping of the Mexican economy appears to be a viable strategy to reduce the likelihood of border conflicts and future crises. Nevertheless, even with overwhelming U.S. economic power, the opportunities for both Mexico and U.S. economic growth are constrained. Because the U.S. government does not completely control all instruments of its economic power, the roles of the private sector, the free enterprise system, and cooperation with other competing nation states threaten to make U.S. economic policy both unwieldy and even counterproductive. Given these potential threats, how can the U.S. government effectively shape Mexico's economy in pursuit of its own interests? This paper discusses how the U.S. addresses this question in Mexico where several current and pending crises are subject to influences inimical to, or at least in competition with, United States security interests. Based on the economic underpinnings of U.S. national strategy, the focus of hemispheric relations is now on a "free trade" doctrine. This paper analyzes both U.S. and Mexico's interests and discusses how free trade theory both supports and inhibits pursuit of those competing interests. The dynamic of "shaping" Mexico's economy proves to be much more a political process than an economic one.
Army War College (U.S.)
Kelly, Thomas P.
1998-03-09
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Civil War Railroads: A Revolution in Mobility
The Civil War pitted two armies against each other on a grand battlefield in the East that focused on Virginia and its Border States and an equally demanding battlefield in the West for control of the Mississippi River. Both sides faced the extremely difficult challenges associated with defending key terrain and the need to seize the initiative through offensive maneuvering and engagement. Limited manpower and the operational ambiguities caused by movement (or deployment) to several locations on an ever-changing battlefield caused railroad usage to become a matter of military readiness and national security for both sides. This paper provides a brief review of railroad capabilities of the United States before the Civil War, elaborates on the railroad capabilities and usage of both sides during the war, and discusses instances where the effective use of railroad mobility was the decisive factor in the outcome of the battle. Lastly, provides an examination of the impact of railroad mobility on the Civil War and warfare.
Army War College (U.S.)
Bryan, Irby W., Jr.
2001-04-10
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Chile and Argentina: Asymmetrical Air Force Modernization and the Building of Confidence
In the current environment, neither the United States, nor any other government, can effectively set a ceiling on aviation technology flowing to South America and its Southern Cone. Limits will come on the demand side because current supply is simply too great. Instead of trying to artificially limit supply of military aircraft, interested governments should put their political and diplomatic energies into initiatives to build political and economic stability in the region. In the military sphere, they can do so by promoting multilaterial service to service contracts and concrete political initiatives, such as a resolution of the last border dispute between Chile and Argentina, that will lessen the importance of military power in assisting regional security.
Naval War College (U.S.)
1997-07-30
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Key Vulnerability: Seaports of Embarkation
"Recent asymmetrical attacks on U.S. soil have driven home the fact that a significant threat exists inside the borders of this country. This, coupled with the current limitations on seaport embarkation infrastructure and logistical capability, gives rise to a new vulnerability to the United States military: The threat of an asymmetrical attack on deploying forces at a seaport of embarkation. Such an attack would reduce the number of forces available to the Operational Commander awaiting these forces and could also lead to a significant delay in the arrival of assets due to the loss transportation equipment of access to contaminate ports of embarkation. The current system to defend against such an attack is unsatisfactory. A proper joint doctrine focused on defining specific responsibilities and based upon deterrence must be established to ensure the security of deploying forces and to best support the Operational Commander."
Naval War College (U.S.)
Calandra, Anthony T.
2003-02-03
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Surprise Attack: The Case of the Yom-Kippur War
"The issue of strategic surprise and specially the subject of surprise attack are some of the most complex problems that policymakers, militaries and intelligence analysts have to face. This is particularly true for states such as Israel, as it was demonstrated during the Yom Kippur War in 1973. Israel was taken by surprise which effected the beginning of the war, as well as the final results. From the Israeli perspective the basic problem was rooted in the imbalance between the size of the Arab and the Israeli military and the asymmetry seen from a geographical perspective. The IDF (Israeli defense forces) is primarily based on reserve forces, whereas the Arab militaries are mainly active. Therefore the deployment of the Israeli reserves depends on early warning, a decision of mobilization and its execution. Moreover, Israel has no strategic depth and its vital objectives are very close to the borders. These factors indicate the significance of the surprise attack and the need for intelligence warning, as a fundamental issue in the national security doctrine."
Industrial College of the Armed Forces (U.S.)
Chorev, Moni
1996
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Friends at the Gate: Why Turkey Matters in the U.S. & European Security
"A lingering post-Cold War ignorance of the geo-strategic importance of Turkey as a U.S., European, and NATO ally may risk long-term Turkish ambivalence or even animosity toward both the U.S. and Europe. Given the changed nature of our relations with Turkey, the U.S. can no longer take Turkish partnership, confined to the prism of NATO, or our ability to confront Iraq or other adjacent areas as a given, nor should we assume we can 'buy' Turkish support when it is convenient. Turks increasingly see their relations with the west in a triangular way with competing pressures between Turkish, EU, and U.S. interests. They feel the pressure, are aware of the souring in the Turkish-American relations, and may find it increasingly difficult to harmonize their interests with the U.S. and EU if they can't balance the divergent pressures from each. The DoD and EUCOM would be wise to study the Turks more closely, understand their intense nationalism, growing domestic democratic influence, fear of an independent Kurdish state on their border, and their strong national security interest in EU membership."
Naval War College (U.S.)
Davies, David A.
2004-05-18
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Caspian Sea Region: A Look at Future U.S. and Allied Military Missions
"The Caspian Sea is rapidly becoming a region of increased attention to both U.S. civilian and military policymakers and planners. The region's large amounts of oil and gas reserves will allow the U.S. and its allies to diversify their sources of oil imports, and therefore, reduce the dependence on Middle Eastern oil. However, the Caspian is an inland sea and the export of the resources to markets is of critical concern. The pipelines, required to transport the oil and gas, will need to traverse a region complete with internal and external ethnic animosities, border disputes, and regional powers competing with each other for influence and control over the Caspian and its resources. Given this background, the U.S. and its allies may have to conduct military operations to secure their investments of capital and influence in the region as well as to resolve or prevent disputes among the Caspian nations and the other regional powers as the Caspian oil reaches full production in the next 10 to 15 years. The missions of peace operations, humanitarian assistance, counterterrorism, foreign internal defense, and others possibly await U.S. and NATO forces in the twenty-first century."
Naval War College (U.S.)
Chicky, Jon E.
1998-02-13
