For most Americans, the National Security Strategy (NSS) document is, let’s say, undiscovered. And when it is found, its importance is not appreciated, its purpose nebulous. It is viewed as just another government-produced document that will have little effect. Its wording and long-term view typically are well beyond the interest of most and certainly beyond the scope of our daily lives. But that’s selling the document short. In its proper place, the NSS serves as the President’s guidance to the executive branch (cabinet secretaries and agency directors), setting the Administration’s vision for America. It provides departments and agencies the foundation for constructing their implementation plans, programs, and actions that, at least theoretically, support the President’s vision and long-range goals. Government employees at all levels should be able to justify all their activities by referencing the NSS.
Looking at NSS documents in the past, most are short with lofty ambitions. Some are specific, detailing for government entities and Americans in general what the Administration deems vital to our survival as a country and a culture. It separates and innumerates those national interests considered important to the well-being of our citizenry and national prosperity. The NSS also identifies secondary interests that fulfill positive outcomes benefiting the US but are below as important or vital. Another way to put it is, under what circumstances will the Administration ask Americans to shed blood, lives, and treasure? And to what extent will the Administration ask Americans to endure various levels of hardship to protect important interests? Because NSS documents are strategic, they usually are short, consistent in style, and concise. The reason is simple. It allows greater latitude for subordinate elements to formulate policies and procedures suiting their organization’s capabilities. Finally, they are distinctly American in focus hence the name US NATIONAL Security Strategy.
Unfortunately, the Administration shows a severe lack of understanding of strategy and the concept of national security. Below are some glaring examples:
“My Administration will seize this decisive decade to advance America’s vital interests…”
Vital interests need to be identified and protected. Failure to do that is not an option if the United States is to survive. Vital interests are not “advanced”. The US can advance actions to thwart a threat to those vital interests, but the interest itself cannot be advanced.
Throughout the document, the Biden-Harris Administration’s NSS references global interests and actions and implies they are subordinate to national ones.
“…increased global cooperation and nations stepping up to their responsibilities at a moment when this has become more difficult.”
“We have an affirmative agenda for the global economy to seize the full range of economic benefits of the 21st century while advancing the interests of American workers.”
“So, the United States will continue to defend democracy around the world, even as we continue to do the work at home to better live up to the idea of America enshrined in our founding documents. We will continue to invest in boosting American competitiveness globally, drawing dreamers and strivers from around the world.”
“…to protect the security of the American people; to expand economic prosperity and opportunity, and to realize and defend the democratic values at the heart of the American way of life. We can do none of this alone…”
The document consistently identifies what is vitally important to this Administration, and none line up with what has historically been considered vital or even important. This Administration emphasizes globalism, equity, and climate change.
“We face two strategic challenges. 1- Competition for global influence. 2-effects of shared challenges that cross borders—whether it is climate change, food insecurity, communicable diseases, terrorism, energy shortages, or inflation.”
“United States will lead with our values, and we will work in lockstep with our
allies and partners and with all those who share our interests.”
“Of all of the shared problems we face, climate change is the greatest and potentially existential for all nations.”
“The necessity to protect forests globally, electrify the transportation sector, redirect financial flows, and create an energy revolution to head off the climate crisis is reinforced by the geopolitical imperative to reduce our collective dependence on states like Russia that seek to weaponize energy for coercion.”
“If parents cannot feed their children, nothing else matters. When countries are repeatedly ravaged by climate disasters, entire futures are wiped out. And as we have all experienced, when pandemic diseases proliferate and spread, they can worsen inequities and bring the entire world to a standstill.”
“We share in common a desire for relations among nations to be governed by the UN Charter…”There should be no doubt, nor should we have been surprised about how the Executive Branch under the Biden-Harris Administration would steer our national policy. Indeed, once their NSS was published, the Administration’s path was clear. Their focus on soft power at the expense of hard power and realpolitik certainly puts our national survival at risk. Reading the Biden-Harris Administration’s NSS, it is clear that American sovereignty is gone. Or it has become subordinate to globalism, climate change, equity, and even UN mandates. Those who would do us harm are listening.