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National Security: Should The United States Use The Information Instrument Of Power To Be Successful?

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Applied National Security Essay Exam
By
Karen Heim
Applied National Security
27 Apr 2017

Air Command and Staff College
Distance Learning
Maxwell AFB, AL

The world today is a vast breeding ground for terrorism. The United States and many other countries are facing the daunting challenge of combating international terrorist. Counterterrorism continues to be an uphill battle in spite of the huge strides the Unites States has made. Counterterrorism cannot be successful without cooperation of other countries in the same area. The United States cannot do it alone. The United States must employ the use of Instruments of Power to be successful. The main focus of this essay will be the Southeast Asia area of concern. I will demonstrate …show more content…

My recommendation for utilizing the Information Instrument of Power would be to limit the information flow in and out of the media. Some say you can never have too much information however, I disagree when it comes to fighting terrorism. Terrorist networks access all news coming from US press and at times twist it in an attempt to sabotage our National Security Strategy. They also could use it to their advantage by picking up key pieces of information about US troop movements, air strikes, and counterinsurgency plans. One recommendation I provide for limiting the information in and out of the media is to stop embedding reporters in the areas of conflict. A good example of this was during the initial invasion of Iraq. The National Security Strategy in regarding the use of Information Instrument of Power is currently being debated and revisited because of the dismal track record of the United States in this avenue approach. 8 The readily available information has begun to level the terrorist playing field. Limiting available information would go a long way to making the playing field un-level to the United States …show more content…

10 International terrorists most certainly act out of their own self-interest and struggle against world powers. Their religious perspective drives them to be maniacal in their behavior and their quest to destroy the United States. Critics of the realism theory would negate what I believe because they do not think terrorist can be stopped using this theory. The realism theory coupled with the use of hard power can go a long way in defeating international terrorist organizations. A government has no higher obligation than to protect the lives and livelihood of its citizens. The hard core of the terrorist cannot be deterred or reformed: they must be tracked down, killed, or captured. 11 All of the recommendations I have stated in this essay clearly defend my stand on the realism theory and hard

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