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The new administration takes office in a time of great complexity.
The President faces a national security environment shaped
by strong currents: globalization; the proliferation of new, poor, and
weak states, as well as nonstate actors; an enduring landscape of violent
extremist organizations; slow economic growth; the rise of China and
a revanchist Russia; a collapsing Middle East; and a domestic politics
wracked by division and mistrust. While in absolute terms the Nation
and the world are safer than in the last century, today the United States
finds itself almost on a permanent war footing, engaged in military operations
around the world.
This book, written by experts at the Defense Department’s National
Defense University, offers valuable policy advice and grand strategy
recommendations to those senior leaders who will staff and lead the
next administration in national security affairs. The President and
his staff, Members of Congress, and the many leaders throughout
government concerned with the Nation’s security interests should
find this book valuable. Their task is not an easy one, and this
volume’s insights and reflections are offered with an ample dose
of humility. There are no silver bullets, no elegant solutions to the
complex problems confronting America and its leaders.
This volume provides context and understanding about the current
national security environment to those in the new administration as
they prepare to lead the Nation during challenging times. To those
senior leaders who bear the heaviest responsibilities, these policy
insights may chart a course forward.
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