National Security Strategies

In terms of the national security strategies (NSS), one needs to comprehend the foreign policies of the United States. In understanding these foreign policies, one can learn how the U.S. asserts power. In essence, the foreign policies of each administration are integrated throughout the national security strategies. One should start with the presidential NSS of President Bush; then move down to the NSS of President Obama; and finally look at a comparison of the two. The best way for someone to approach this, would be to explain this under the Grand Strategic Objectives (GSO).

First of all, the GSO exists under four distinct national interests, at the core of the United States. These four core interests are established and defined as “physical security, which is generally defined as, the protection against attack on the territory and people of the United States, in order to ensure survival with fundamental values and institutions intact; promotion of values; stable international order and economic prosperity” (Bartholomees). An individual might ask, what is the GSO? In essence, they are translations of the four core interests. These core interests translate into “a promotion of American values, a preservation of American security, and bolstering American economic prosperity” (Bartholomees). While all administrations focus on these objectives, certain factors such as, evaluations of threats, individual beliefs, and predominantly distinctive circumstances cause presidents to institute different strategic ideas of America’s function in the world, resonating a shift from one goal to another. There is a possibility for insurgences to gain access to dangerous weapons. In order to achieve a high level of security, an endorsement of demo...

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Bartholomees, J. B. (2004). U.S. Army War College guide to national security policy and strategy. Carlisle, PA: Strategic Studies Institute, U.S. Army War College.

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