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Pros And Cons Of Military Preparedness

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Reagan’s “Peace through Strength,” Roosevelt’s “Big Stick,” Truman’s NSC-68: the United States has long possessed an attitude of “armed diplomacy,” (Nau) the concept that a strong defense system protects US interests by both military intervention and intimidation. But beyond this brinkmanship psychology, there is a more nuanced argument that transcends national security: economics. Both the United States’ international and internal financial interests have long since been tied to the state of the military. Whether it's the trickle down effects of the military-industrial complex or the new scientific advances that result of the Department of Defense, military preparedness is a multifaceted goal that protects more than just US security. Defense …show more content…

Since the writing of Vannevar Bush’ landmark 1945 proposal, Science: the Endless Frontier, the US government has invested trillions of dollars into research and development, much of it with the aim of defense preparedness. NASA and DARPA were both famously the result of a wartime search for innovation, as well as the advent of nuclear power & bombs (WWII), advanced interstellar technology (the Cold War Space Race), and the internet (the cold war communication system ARPANet is often cited as the precursor to the modern day web) (Featherly). On a more recent note, one could even cite Reagan’s famous “Strategic Defense Initiative”, otherwise known as “Star Wars”, which poured about $30 billion dollars into the development of a functional ballistic strategic nuclear missile defense system. While advanced missile capabilities were ultimately unachieved, the program unintentionally funded important advancements in silicon-on-sapphire radiation hard electronics, diamond film technology, and new indium antimonide (InSb) sensors (Abrahamson, Cooper), all of which are utilized in modern day electronics. In this way, the United States’ quest for defense preparedness has unintentionally advanced the state of modern science. And furthermore, these new inventions have not only revolutionized the American lifestyle, but also have created entirely new industries and companies that in turn improve the US economy. The impacts of defense preparedness are far reaching and diverse, encompassing not only immediate microeconomics, but the human history and

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621 Words | 3 Pages

This book is an analysis of contemporary American military policy. Professor, and veteran, Andrew Bacevich shows how the United States uses their military to emphasize its empire in certain parts of the world. His overall thesis gives his readers a picture of the conflicts that exist, such as some particular wars and its participants and the lack of response to the results and consequences. The author argues that the United States has interests in foreign affairs and that it is more likely to get involved in areas where it has a priority interest, especially to gain economic benefits. He also proposes that the U.S. interests have expanded since the Cold War, and the responsibilities of the U.S. to help other countries and keeping order have expanded to become more inconclusive; leading to an increase of military sending and use.

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Book Review 2: Soldiers, Statesmen, and Cold War Crises by Richard Betts Summary: Betts starts off his book by recognizing the ambiguity around the advocacy of the use of force in a crisis by military leaders even though there is a prevalent assumption that military professionals are more aggressive than diplomats and politicians. He states he writes the book in order to provide a comprehensive survey of the postwar role of American military men in decisions on their most essential function, their use of force in combat. Betts acknowledges the vast availability of literature on military participation in decisions on defense budgets and weapons procurement, but feels there is a void when looking at decision-making from the perspective of military leadership versus civilian leadership.

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The term of the “military industrial complex” was made by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1961. Military Industrial Complex is a network of individuals and institution involved in the production of weapons and military technologies. Eisenhower talked with his successors to strike a balance between a strong national defense and diplomacy in dealing with the Soviet Union. He warned that the United States must “guard agains the acquisition of unwarranted influence by the military industrial complex”, which include member of the Congress from different districts of military industries. Eisenhower had been concerned about the growing size and cost of the American defense that was establish since he became president in 1953.

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The acquisition and continued use of key sites, such as Hanford, Oak Ridge, and Los Alamos after World War II symbolizes the expansion of the military-industrial complex. Plus, as previously noted, the Project's growth spiraled out of control, transforming towns into industrial hubs, solely focused on weapons development and production. The emergence of contracting in the post-war era, characterized by interlocking corporations and projects, underscores the far-reaching consequences of this expansion. The Manhattan Project’s long-term economic consequences are seen in this growth. The proliferation of nuclear weapons ignited a costly arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union in the 1950s through the Conventional Forces in Europe treaty of November 1990.

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1. This paper supports why the United States of America (US) must agree to Israel’s recent request to increase its defense aid to $5 billion per year. Main points of this paper include pros, cons, and further supporting pros of increasing the US defense aid to Israel. 2. Israel is one of the strongest US allies in the Middle East, and our continued relationship with them is vital to maintaining our military significance and power in the region. Israeli military knowledge and experience are instrumental in helping the US develop tactics in homeland security and counterterrorism.1 The Israel-US Defense Cooperation is a joint collaboration that develops missile defense systems that prevent and counter attacks on Israeli and US assets.2

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103 Words | 1 Pages

We contend then, as now, that the Australian Defence Industry, supported by Defence research, must be nurtured and encouraged as an essential part of the nation 's defence capability, to support the Australian economy and to provide jobs for Australians. We also contend that research into key aspects of defence with the potential to advance technology and hence provide the Australian Defence Force (ADF) with a war fighting advantage when sent in harm 's way is vital. Such research has the additional advantage of providing Australian defence planners with up to date advice about world 's best practice in the realm of defence and security

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As we look at this issue of having a militia force, or standing together as one army to protect our frontier? You have to look at the idea of a militia force that is raised from the civil population to help supplement a regular army in an emergency situation. Now everyone wants to get more land, then have discussion about the political, economic, juridical and social powers of the government, and now you are showing everyone a perception of the army force. Now North America has become divided, due to three imperial power struggles for dominance. Or is this going to be more effective having a military force that would be based on a regular army With the militia system being successful in the opinion of those who claim it had led to victory in

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Instilling a cost-conscious culture into the U.S. military Given its worldwide interests, responsibilities, and commitments in the more volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world, the U.S. needs to dispose a sufficient budget on defense to ensure promoting national interests and fulfilling international obligations. However, slow growth of the nation’s economy and high percentage of deficit require the Department of Defense (henceforth DoD) to fulfill its missions in more economic manner, in other words, do more or same with less. Instituting a cost-conscience culture is essential for national security professionals due to its impact on strategic level ramification. At the strategic level, leaders and professionals have responsibilities of formulating ways and means to achieve national objectives (ends).

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Robert Kagan’s article “The Importance of U.S. Military Might Shouldn’t be Underestimated” examines whether or not implementing defense cuts is beneficial to the United States’ (U.S.) national interests. He argues that decreasing defense spending is not in the U.S.’s national interests. The United States uses military force to spread democracy around the world, to uphold the international system, and to maintain U.S.’s power and influence. The author fears that the defense budget reductions will lead to a decreased U.S.’s capacity to maintain a stable international order and a reduction of U.S. power relative to other countries power. Within the author’s central argument, one can find elements of international relations theory:

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456 Words | 2 Pages

There are policies in other countries that state young persons must have 2 years military service. I don’t think the U.S should adapt this policy. There are some pros and also some cons that can occur with this policy. There are many reasons why this policy would not be good for the United States. However, take make my argument stand out more clearer, the most solid reasons will be explained.

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990 Words | 4 Pages

Americans are no strangers to war, as they started with a revolution, fought a civil war, helped win two world wars, and while technically not at war currently, American soldiers are around the world fighting. Some say that the government needs to spend more on military spending, because of these fights, but the opposite is true. Just because “America needs to be kept safe” does not mean that the government should be hiding true reasons of military spending. The United States would benefit from decreasing military spending, as money could be put elsewhere, there is the matter of national debt, China and other countries will pass the United States’, and for the sake of future veterans. There are several reasons why so much is spent on the

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1022 Words | 5 Pages

The first strategic option: the escalation of the operation by increasing the number of soldiers. This includes troops from U.S, alliances, and partners in the theater. Budgetary increment on modernizing military equipment would give strategic advantages to forces to have more credible intelligence on the ISIS big picture. Artificial intelligence (AI) system and military threat assessment units (MTAU) will increase forces efficiency and capability to act speedily and quickly to accurate ISIS identified targets without causing collateral damage. American, alliances and partners will have a footprint and projections of military capabilities.

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565 Words | 3 Pages

In some countries every young person has to go to the military for 2 years, America does not have to but if you think about it, the idea could help us out a lot. Maybe not everyone would like the idea but it has more pros than cons and it would help America become better. People always make fun of others for their weight but, if we actually did this more people would be in shape. I think we should do the military thing, it is a good idea for a lot of reasons.

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Strengthening the economy will strengthen the military and money to pay for the cost to fight off terrorism. In John Kasich’s National Security Plan, he states “ Military strength requires strong economic strength”. Having such powerful and determine resources will help end

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The U.S. has spent more on defense then the ten countries with the highest budget spending. Some people think that the U.S. spends way too much money on the military. But others think that there is no limit when someone is risking their life for someones elses life/freedom. “Our military’s unselfish sacrifice for our country can never be adequately compensated.”

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