Document Actions
Ensuring Security in an Unpredictable World: The Urgent Need for National Security Reform
Title: Ensuring Security in an Unpredictable World: The Urgent Need for National Security Reform
Date: July, 2008
Author:
Institution: Project on National Security Reform
Bibliographic Entry: “Ensuring Security in an Unpredictable World: The Urgent Need for National Security Reform.” July, 2008. Project on National Security Reform. http://www.pnsr.org/data/images/pnsr%20preliminary%20findings%20july%202008.pdf (Accessed October 30, 2008).
Electronic Link: http://www.pnsr.org/data/images/pnsr%20preliminary%20findings%20july%202008.pdf
Key Words: national security, national security council, information sharing, interagency cooperation, security environment
Summary of Key Points, Issues, Conclusions:
Recognizing that the global security environment has changed in recent years, this report seeks to identify needed changes in the national security system and recommends new presidential directives, a new national security act, and amendments to Senate and House rules to ensure successful reform. The report’s push for reform is predicated on the premise that the new security environment has changed to such a degree that the current national security system is no longer appropriate. The new world is characterized by: a shift away from a bipolar world, 24/7 information services, non-state actors, failing states, asymmetrical conflicts, unconventional weapons technology, offensive space capabilities, and heightened energy competition.
According to the report, shortcomings of the current national security system include:
- an inability to combine multiple capabilities across departments
- a lack of effective mechanisms for delegating presidential national security authority
- an overburdened White House incapable of performing well during a presidential transition
- inadequate Congressional oversight
- restrictions in funding
The report recommends that:
- strong leadership generate vision, build a collaborative national security team, empowers partnership across agencies, and emphasize proactive management
- effective long range strategy and strategic planning be formulated
- a comprehensive and flexible investment strategy be implemented
- a national security workforce bound by a national security culture be created with effective and a robust education and training system
- a flexible and agile organization and management structure be adopted
- oversight and accountability be maintained
- intelligence and knowledge be utilized effectively
Name of Researcher: Nathan Brown
Institution: Integrative Center for Homeland Security, Texas A&M University
Date Posted: November 6, 2008