Contemporary National Security: A New Dimension is Terrorism
by Capt. Ned K. Kulp, USCGR (Ret.) ’51

Terrorism and the threat of terrorist attacks to free societies require a resolute defense capacity. The lesson learned from the events of 11 September 2001 is that the United States and its allies must develop the expertise and means to combat terrorism that are immediately dependable and powerful.

Should a hostile power provoke a challenge requiring military action, the United States must possess a readiness expertise that is immediately dependable and powerful. The geopolitical analysis indicates current perceived threats to free societies require this resolute military capacity now and into the foreseeable future.

The first lines of defense are the active duty military forces. The Ready Reserves and the National Guard organizations form the secondary rapid-response capability. The sustainability of actions then depends on the ability of the supportive military and industrial capacities to further respond to the requirements. Taken for granted that the U.S. possesses the power to neutralize the initial arbitrary military action, there are additional dimensions of national security that must be considered. An examination of these will offer an expanded perspective. These elements piece together to form a national security philosophy. This philosophy must further be refined to form the policies and procedures to protect the life of our nation.

Terrorism
The use of terrorism worldwide has been severe and dynamic for many years. The United States has been spared this form of control for most of its history, As of 11 September 2001 a whole new appreciation has been forced upon the nation. Terrorism has been utilized by nation states and organizations operating small cells throughout the world for many years. It is the instrument of choice for rogue nations and criminal groups. Too often the innocent suffer. Terrorist organizations can utilize sophisticated communications, modern weaponry, air, land, and sea transportation, biochemistry, addictive drugs, human threats, kidnapping, bribery, and sundry other methods. It is a global threat that all nations must realize and understand. The United Nations organization must fully participate in its leadership and control. The U.S. Congress has an increasing responsibility to provide legislation for comprehensive support of key law enforcement agencies. The terrorist threat and actions can be devastating to populations and governments.

Appreciation of Time
A crucial element in the equation is the appreciation of time. The possibility of unprovoked and instantaneous war is very real. Time plays an unprecedented and critical role in the decisions and preparations needed for the security of the United States. The planner needs to develop the scenarios that are feasible when one considers the magnitude of the threat and the vulnerabilities of the atomic and the computer ages have had on an open democratic society, especially in the age of information technology. No longer will the oceans and mountains provide a distance and time shield. No longer will the nation have the advantage of months to mobilize an industrial base and training activities for military personnel.

Nation’s Economy
The strength of the nation’s economy is directly related to its ability to sustain a strong security posture. The gross national product, the tax base, foreign trade deficit, strength of the dollar, the national debt, and faith in the American economy by the international community are key concerns. The viability of this military and the supportive concerns are an extremely costly endeavor. A fiscally sound and growing economy is essential. Obviously, the military has equal responsibility to utilize every dollar wisely.

Homeland Security Agency
Within the constraints of the federal budget, the wisdom of the political leadership and the electorate cannot escape accountability for the nation’s national security capability.

A new and most welcome dimension for national security was the formation of the federally funded Homeland Security Agency. New opportunities are now created to synergize the efforts of numerous key organizations such as the Civil Defense, FBI, FEMA, NOAA, the Coast Guard, the National Guard, U.S. Customs & Immigration, and U.S. Public Health, to mention several crucial organizations. The states, cities, counties, and local hometown organizations including fire companies, hospitals, emergency medical corps, and private security groups are all important participants. Future considerations by the U.S. Congress for a realistic budgetary support for this agency is a high-priority issue. This cabinet-level leadership will provide the home front extension for U.S. security throughout all fifty states and territories.

Strategic Natural Resources
Strategic natural resources must be part of the total national security analysis. For aluminum, chromium, cobalt, columbium, manganese, nickel, tantalum and titanium, the United States is from 77 per cent to 100 per cent dependent on imports.

Many needed strategic items originate from within lesser-developed nations and ones in which there are serious political dilemmas such as Africa and Indonesia. Transportation of these materials must often pass through important maritime transits, often referred to as “choke points.” These selective oceanographic areas have never been more important for the security planner. Highly important examples are the Suez Canal, Panama Canal, and the Cape of Good Hope. None of these transits is a strictly military responsibility. Many have historical and political precedence and may best be handled by relationships within the respective governmental organizations such as the Department of State.

A strategic example is the fundamental supply of fossil fuels for the nations of Western Europe. More than 50 per cent of Europe’s supply must pass through the Strait of Hormuz at the entrance of the Persian Gulf. Consider the narrow Straits of Malacca in the South Pacific, which offer passage for more than 75 % of Japan’s crude oil requirement. A key maritime transit is the St. Vincent’s Passage in the eastern Caribbean Sea through which would pass more than 45% of the wartime replenishment of personnel and material for any supportive efforts for western Europe. The Straits of Gibraltar are a historical example of a maritime transit through which U.S. and allied warships must pass for duties in the Mediterranean Sea and the Middle East. It is predicted that the Asian countries, especially China, will be consuming increased amounts of crude oil from Middle East sources. This will extend tanker transits and put more crude oil at risk in global sea routes. A prolonged war confrontation would seriously jeopardize the stockpile of strategic materials without replenishment from import sources. Much of these critical materials must be transported on vessels of foreign registry. This, too, may be a serious problem, especially in times of confrontation.
Of increasing concerns are the deepening problems of adequate transportation capabilities for cross-country shipments using railroad facilities and equipment.

Although these figures are changing, the statistics point out the negative trends: since 1944 the railroad system in the U.S. has decreased from 215,493 miles of lines to approximately 151,998 miles. The flatcar numbers that would be available to haul the military equipment would be seriously limited; some of the railroad tunnels could be a problem in not being able to permit passage.

Motor truck transit offers a more optimistic reality. However, they consume 30% of all U.S. refined fuel.

Examine the sealift problem. If hostilities erupted in Europe tomorrow, approximately 95 per cent of logistical supplies needed to sustain friendly forces would have to use sea transportation. And, in some cases, they would be passing through ports for which insufficient wartime planning has been done to support contingencies.

Note that during the period 1939 into the late 70’s, the U.S. merchant fleet decreased from 1,379 vessels to 577; only 495 were suitable for military cargo. The Soviet merchant fleet, in comparison, has grown from 354 to 2,439 hulls.

Consideration also must be given to the airlift problem. This further exacerbates the concern over strategic mobility. Studies show that even with all of our military transports and all the aircraft in the civil reserve air fleet, we have questionable cargo capabilities to meet a prolonged confrontation in Europe.

Port Security
Port security is a fundamental concern that is receiving new and aggressive efforts as spearheaded by the coordinated planning of the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Navy. In many cases, it further requires the cooperative planning of the federal, state, municipal, and county agencies. The problems are complex. They involve the maritime aspects of strategic mobility, harbor safety and security, industrial facilities, the threat implications of terrorism, military actions, communications, fishing fleet control, naval control of shipping, inland waterways, locks, dams, and bridges, and sub surface penetrations. The record and statistics of the U.S. Coast Card are exemplary in terms of elicit drug interdiction, safety at sea and port security, interdiction of undocumented migrants, hazardous material release, and aides to safe navigation.

Consider, as an example, the coordination needed for a port the size of New York City, in which there are more than 50 organizations that should conceivably be involved in contingency concerns.

The ultimate concern must be the ability through planning to be able to shift our maritime activities along our coasts and rivers from a peacetime modus operandi to a wartime operation with minimum interruption and time.

Addictive Drugs—Harmful Biological Substances
A menacing influence, now also worldwide in nature, is the increasing distribution and use of addictive drugs. Any influence these may have on military personnel could cripple a national security effort. Drugs have influenced the activities of military personnel throughout the ages, as exemplified by the Islamic warriors in the Middle Ages, the Opium Wars in the 1800’s , the involvement in Viet Nam, and the current drug influence in Central Asia, such as that in Afghanistan. Of particular concern is the control of drug distribution through U.S. ports of entry for the general population whether by land, sea, or air. The overt distribution of harmful biological substances is also extremely critical. Substances such as smallpox and anthrax can bring serious health problems to unprepared populations when maliciously spread. The water supply of cities can be impaired with small amounts of harmful substances.

Intelligence Agency
Intelligence, as an organized profession, is of paramount importance. A concise definition realistically outlines its key role in the security equation—the collection, organization, and analysis of critical information for the use of national security decision makers. Serious consideration must be given to all organizations that operate in this global arena—the CIA, DIA, and the FBI are just a few of the key agencies. Cooperation with international organizations such as Interpol and private research organizations as well as individual involvements can provide valuable intelligence. A wake-up call has been sounded. Pearl Harbor and the New York Twin Trade Towers disasters cannot be repeated. Intelligence plays an essential part in the security planning process.

World Health
An essential and especially contemporary concern is the consideration of world health in relation to national security. Human suffering from malnutrition, disease, poor education, and the many other harsh influences contribute to frustration, anguish, and apprehension. Eliminating HIV, TB, small pox, and other devastating conditions is a step toward helping eliminate the need for human expression of political extremism. It is necessary to help create an environment of peaceful coexistence, which will greatly contribute to a sound national security.

The National Will
There is the final matter of “national will” and psyche of the U.S. citizenry in relation to national security. The country had been exposed to a relatively short, however unique, military heritage. Its history is primarily rooted in Europe. Philosophically, the influence covers a spectrum, from the teachings of scholars such as the Greek thinker Plato to the Prussian militarist von Clauswitz to the American philosopher William James.

The immigrants who spread across America expressed their cultural, ethnic, and geopolitical influences. Many of them came to seek economic opportunity, others for freedom from political, religious, and military oppression. One of the results is a national attitude of ambivalence towards the military, one that encompasses both respect and apprehension.
The framers of the U.S. Constitution provided for these concerns when they ensured the country and its leadership of civilian control of the military through this document.

The United States has not been a militarily aggressive nation, nor has it supported a program of continuing strong military mobilization readiness until recent years. Since the world now exists in this environment of shorter time frames for mobilization for periods of confrontation, the need for a continuing military readiness has never been more paramount.

If these sobering facts predict future realities, it would be grossly irresponsible to be unprepared to defend American principles and promote democratic expression worldwide.

National security involves not only the ability to defend the country but also to maintain peace, abrogate war, and provide time for education and understanding to assure future harmony worldwide. 

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