U.S. Preparation for Future Low-Level Conflict

Brian Michael Jenkins, George K. Tanham, Eleanor Sullivan Wainstein, Gerald Sullivan

Expert InsightsPublished 1977

Reports a discussion of implications for U.S. security planning of small-scale crises and conflicts, held in October 1976 at RAND. The general recommendation that emerged from the discussion was that the United States should develop a capability to respond to such situations. Specifically: (1) The President should designate an organization to plan for crises by preparing contingency plans and identifying ranges of options. (2) The services should more fully develop capabilities for carrying out a variety of operations in crises short of war. (3) Friendly governments should be consulted to learn from their capabilities and to coordinate action. (4) The intelligence community should place greater emphasis on intelligence for low-level conflict. (5) The United States should continue working toward safeguards for nuclear materials as well as preventing proliferation of other sophisticated weapons. (6) The United States should promote international laws appropriate to low-level conflicts.

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Jenkins, Brian Michael, George K. Tanham, Eleanor Sullivan Wainstein, and Gerald Sullivan, U.S. Preparation for Future Low-Level Conflict. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 1977. https://www.rand.org/pubs/papers/P5830.html.
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