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STRATFOR.com
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THE INTERNET SOURCE FOR GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE
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Emerging Bush Doctrine Reshaping U.S. Strategy
February 25, 2002
Summary
Although the Bush administration has seemed to be without a clear strategy for fighting groups like al Qaeda, a doctrine is slowly emerging that will reshape the global U.S. strategy. The defense of the United States is Washington's top priority, with all other foreign policy interests taking a back seat. Any nation that does not act against terror groups within its borders will be in a virtual state of war with Washington.
Image Credit: Stratfor.com.
Analysis
Since the fall of the Taliban last year, the United States appears to have become rudderless in its war against terrorism. Washington's strategy has consisted of chasing down rumors about the location of al Qaeda and making vague threats about Iraq and insinuations about Iran and North Korea. It looks like the United States doesn't really know what to do next. But looks can be deceiving. If you examine carefully, you can see both a doctrine and a strategy emerging.
This is all framed by the Bush administration's view of the situation. From where it sits, there is every reason to believe that the United States will be attacked by al Qaeda again. Even more important, the possibility that al Qaeda or some other anti-U.S. organization has obtained weapons of mass destruction cannot be excluded. If that turns out to be true, then millions of Americans may possibly be killed in the coming months or years.
The most important goal for Washington must be to make absolutely certain that no further attacks, especially nuclear, chemical or biological, can be launched on the United States. There is no other comparable interest. The Bush Doctrine is based on the notion that the defense of the homeland from attacks represents an interest so fundamental that all other foreign policy interests must be completely subordinated.
We might summarize the Bush Doctrine this way: The United States faces an extraordinary danger. Washington is therefore prepared to take any action anywhere in the world to defend itself from this threat.
(The Rest of the Story)
(c) 2001 Stratfor, Inc.
Dan
Emerging Bush Doctrine Reshaping U.S. Strategy . . .