Harnessing a Revolution: the Development and Strategic Implications of United States Military Transformation

Date of Graduation

Spring 2005

Degree

Master of Science in Defense and Strategic Studies

Department

Defense and Strategic Studies

Committee Chair

Bradley A. Thayer

Abstract

Military and defense transformation have important and broad implications for the national security of the United States and the future of American primacy. If Transformation does not proceed in a cautious and prudent manner the United States could lose its position as the world’s sole super power. The central question that this thesis will try to assess is what are the strategic implications of the transformed United States military and defense establishment? The central argument of this thesis will be that Transformation has near-term, mid-term, and long-term implications for the national security of the United States. Transformation must take into account security threats of the day such as terrorism, but also must be able to thwart the rise of a potential peer competitor such as China. Transformation, if managed correctly, will give the United States the ability to handle a broad spectrum of threats now and in the future. If policy makers transform America’s military in an incautious manner the United States could critically damage its role as the sheriff of the world order. The implications of a transformed United States military are vast and therefore the importance of this topic cannot be understated. A transformation of the United States military and defense establishment is underway and the implications of this transformation must be looked into.

Keywords

military transformation, primacy, U.S. defense policy, revolution in military affairs, United States military

Subject Categories

Defense and Security Studies

Copyright

© Daniel B. Weinstein

Citation-only

Dissertation/Thesis

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