Bounding the Global War on Terrorism

Dr. Jeffrey Record, December 2003, The Strategic Studies Institute

SUMMARY:

The author examines three features of the war on terrorism as currently defined and conducted: (1) the administration's postulation of the terrorist threat, (2) the scope and feasibility of U.S. war aims, and (3) the war's political, fiscal, and military sustainability. He believes that the war on terrorism--as opposed to the campaign against al-Qaeda--lacks strategic clarity, embraces unrealistic objectives, and may not be sustainable over the long haul. He calls for downsizing the scope of the war on terrorism to reflect concrete U.S. security interests and the limits of American military power.

The Strategic Studies Institute (SSI): is the U.S. Army's think tank for the analysis of national security policy and military strategy. SSI's primary function is to provide direct analysis for Army and Department of Defense leadership, and serve as a bridge to the wider strategic community.