The Emerging American Strategy

Outlines the security strategy that appears to be emerging in the Reagan Administration, drawing on articles and speeches of people currently influential in forming that strategy. The report suggests ten main elements of the strategy. It is noted that practical problems and bureaucratic forces will continue to impede adoption of the strategy in its ideal form. It is pointed out that changes in policies and postures affecting U.S. and Western positions in Southwest Asia may derive from the emerging strategy and speculates that these changes will strengthen the position of the United States relative to that of the Soviet Union. Also discussed are risks, including the shift in emphasis away from intercontinental nuclear forces and specialized forces for Central Europe toward flexible response in many places — a shift whose merit may not be apparent to U.S. allies. The author observes that, nonetheless, these risks can be hedged and the new strategy has a potential for redressing important elements of the military balance.