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Masaryk University
Fall 2009
Dave McCuan
U.S. National Security Policy
& the Elements of Nat'l
Security Policy
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What is "National Security?"
What are its components?
How wide-ranging is the term?
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... Predicting Nat'l
Security Policy
Understanding the 90% on the bottom
from the 10% on the top
"I hold that man is in the right who is
most closely in league with the
future." ­Norwegian Playwright,
Henrik Ibsen
"There is no use trying," said Alice,
"one cannot believe impossible
things." - Lewis Carroll
"But, how do you tell?" Richardson
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Concepts for Nat'l Security Policy
Analysis
National Security Policy Precedents
National Security Policy-Making
National Interests
Vital Interests
Domestic Politics
Policy legitimacy
National Power
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National Security Policy ­ Our
Working Definition
"The pattern of government decisions
& actions intended to counter
perceived threats to America's
national interests, and especially
America's vital interests."
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Key Questions for the Course
What are America's "national
interests?"
What are America's "vital interests?"
Who determines American "national
interests?" "Vital interests?"
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Key Questions for the Course:
Who and what
threatens those
interests?
How do we determine
threats?
What actions should we
take to protect those
interests?
Who determines
priorities?
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Further Definition of US National
Security Policy (USNSP)
Pattern of government decisions & actions
intended to counter perceived threats to
America's national interests
Policy =  time  players decision, laws, rules, actions
History matters
Prior decisions matter
Prior actions/inactions
Prior events, precedents