Pursuing Strategic Goals: Resources, Technology, Political Will, and the Global War on Terrorism

摘要

Strategic goals are developed and approved by the President of the United States with input from his closest advisors, staff, and administration officials. These strategic goals form the foundation that subordinate agencies, departments, and military planners use to develop strategic objectives that will support the overarching desired national goals. A clear understanding of desired goals and endstate is imperative at the strategic level to ensure that all elements of national power are applied effectively. For the military, clear delineation of strategic goals is essential to ensure that military force can be effectively and efficiently applied when necessary to support strategic success. Current United States Armed Forces military doctrine recognizes three levels of war: tactical, operational, and strategic. These three levels overlap. Planning and execution at each level is reliant on planning and execution at other levels. Clearly delineated strategic goals form the nucleus from which military plans at all levels evolve. Proper or improper identification of strategic goals affects how military leaders plan and utilize military power to support the attainment of strategic objectives. An incorrect interpretation of a strategic goal can lead to failure to accomplish the desired strategic goal. Some have argued that the Global War On Terrorism (GWOT) lacks a sound strategy that is in part reflected in the lack of strategic objectives for the military. Specifically, issues have been raised regarding Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and what appears to be a lack of clearly defined national strategic goals. This paper examines the importance of national strategic goals and their significance to military campaign planners, critical factors required for the development of strategic goals, and the need for continuous assessment and revision of strategic goals over time.