To protect US national interests and achieve the objectives of the 2010 National Security Strategy in this environment, the joint force will need to recalibrate its capabilities and make selective additional investments to succeed in the following missions:
Counter-terrorism and irregular warfare
Acting in concert with other means of national power, US military forces must continue to hold al-Qaeda and its affiliates under constant pressure, wherever they may be. Achieving our core goal of disrupting, dismantling and defeating al-Qaeda and preventing Afghanistan from ever being a safe haven again will be central to this effort. As US forces draw down in Afghanistan, our global counter-terrorism efforts will become more widely distributed and will be characterised by a mix of direct action and security force assistance. Reflecting lessons learned of the past decade, we will continue to build and sustain tailored capabilities appropriate for counter-terrorism and irregular warfare. We will also remain vigilant to threats posed by other designated terrorist organisations, such as Hezbollah.
Deter and defeat aggression
US forces will be capable of deterring and defeating aggression by any potential adversary. As a nation with important interests in multiple regions, our forces must be capable of deterring and defeating aggression by an opportunistic adversary in one region, even when our forces are committed to a large-scale operation elsewhere. Our planning envisages forces that are able to fully deny a capable state’s aggressive objectives in one region by conducting a combined arms campaign across all domains — land, air, maritime, space and cyberspace. This includes being able to secure territory and populations and facilitate a transition to stable governance on a small scale for a limited period using standing forces. US forces will plan to operate whenever possible with allied and coalition forces.
Project power despite anti-access/area denial challenges
In order to credibly deter potential adversaries and to prevent them from achieving their objectives, the US must maintain its ability to project power in areas in which our access and freedom to operate are challenged. In these areas, sophisticated adversaries will use asymmetric capabilities, to include electronic and cyber warfare, ballistic and cruise missiles, advanced air defenses, mining, and other methods, to complicate our operational calculus. States such as China and Iran will continue to pursue asymmetric means to counter our power projection capabilities, while the proliferation of sophisticated weapons and technology will extend to non-state actors as well. Accordingly, the US military will invest as required to ensure its ability to operate effectively in anti-access and area denial environments.
Counter weapons of mass destruction (WMD)
US forces conduct a range of activities aimed at preventing the proliferation and use of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons. These activities include implementing the cooperative threat reduction (Nunn-Lugar) program, and planning and operations to locate, monitor, track, interdict and secure WMD and WMD-related components and the means and facilities to make them. They also include an active whole-of-government effort to frustrate the ambitions of nations bent on developing WMD, to include preventing Iran’s pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability.
Operate effectively in cyberspace
Modern armed forces cannot conduct high-tempo, effective operations without reliable information and communication networks and assured access to cyberspace. The Department of Defense will continue to work with domestic and international allies and partners and invest in advanced capabilities to defend its networks, operational capability, and resiliency in cyberspace and space.
Maintain a safe, secure and effective nuclear deterrent
As long as nuclear weapons remain in existence, the US will maintain a safe, secure and effective arsenal. We will field nuclear forces that can under any circumstance confront an adversary with the prospect of unacceptable damage, both to deter potential adversaries and to assure US allies and other security partners that they can count on America’s security commitments.
Defend the homeland, provide support to civil authorities
US forces will continue to defend US territory from direct attack by state and non-state actors. Homeland defense and support to civil authorities require strong, steady — state force readiness, to include a robust missile defense capability. Threats to the homeland may be highest when US forces are engaged in conflict with an adversary abroad.
Provide a stabilising presence
US forces will conduct a sustainable pace of presence operations abroad, including rotational deployments and bilateral and multilateral training exercises. These activities reinforce deterrence, help to build the capacity and competence of US, allied, and partner forces for internal and external defense, strengthen alliance cohesion, and increase US influence.
Conduct stability and counterinsurgency operations
In the aftermath of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the US will emphasise non-military means and military-to-military cooperation to address instability and reduce the demand for significant US force commitments to stability operations. US forces will, nevertheless, be ready to conduct limited counterinsurgency and other stability operations, if required. Accordingly, US forces will retain and continue to refine the lessons learned, expertise and specialised capabilities developed over the past ten years.
Edited extract from the US Department of Defense’s report, Sustaining US Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Defense, on January 5
