The first factor to consider in discussing “Security,” or as it’s more commonly known, “National Security,” is some basic definitions applicable to any country.  These “basics” are not all inclusive, but, they represent the most common National Security factors that are intrinsic to any country’s sovereignty.

1. Citizen protection, health & well being;
2. Protecting a country’s strategic infrastructure;
3. Physical protection of a country’s sovereign territory;
4. Ensure the security of a country’s natural resources;
5. Ensuring the political stability of the country’s governmental institutions (i.e.; executive branch, legislature, and judiciary);
6. Maintain a country’s free access to adjacent international waters and airspace.

Every country has the right to at least the preceding National Security measures without encroachment by any other state actor, non-state actor, or by externally encouraged insurrection.

Most third world countries are incapable of looking beyond these six basic National Security factors.  The truth be told, many third world nations are challenged to the hilt just trying to keep their basic factors from encroachment.  In a general sense, third world countries are so self-absorbed just trying to get the six basics right, that there’s little means, opportunity or time to concern themselves with a crisis brewing in a far off land, and whether that other country’s strife could somehow effect their own country.  An example of this might be a country like Laos, and the ISIS conflict raging in Syria and Iraq.  It is unlikely the ISIS conflict has any direct or even indirect affect on Laotian National Security.  And if the ISIS conflict did have an impact on Laos, what could Laos do about it? Nothing.

But, could the same be said for ISIS’ impact on Great Britain?  No, it could not.  The larger the economy, the greater the infrastructure, the increased sophistication of a country’s society or industry, a higher degree of advanced education systems (i.e.; colleges, trade schools, etc), the higher per capita worker earnings, and Gross Domestic Product means a country like Great Britain has more tactical and strategic interest of problems brewing in other countries.  Great Britain may have a great need for Middle-eastern oil, or they have significant business interests in foreign countries, etc.  In a nutshell, a world economic and military power like Great Britain would not be able to maintain the security and prosperity it has attained by only concerning itself with the “basic six.”

The U.S. Congress enacted legislation over six years ago, requiring the President to publish every five years, a National Security Strategy.  I have pasted a hyperlink below, so you can review the 2015 NSS yourself.  Two definitions pasted below are the U.S. Government’s official position:

Security: 1. Measures taken by a military unit, activity, or installation to protect itself against all acts designed to, or which may, impair its effectiveness.  2. A condition that results from the establishment and maintenance of protective measures that ensure a state of inviolability from hostile acts or influences. 3. With respect to classified matter, the condition that prevents unauthorized persons from having access to official information that is safeguarded in the interests of national security.

National Security: A collective term encompassing both national defense and foreign relations of the United States with the purpose of gaining: a. A military or defense advantage over any foreign nation or group of nations; b. A favorable foreign relations position; or c. A defense posture capable of successfully resisting hostile or destructive action from within or without, overt or covert.

The 2015 NSS did not change the 2010 U.S. National Enduring Interests that form the backbone of the current NSS:

1. The security of the United States, its citizens, and U.S. allies and partners;
2. A strong, innovative, and growing U.S. economy in an open international economic system that promotes opportunity and prosperity;
3. Respect for universal values at home and around the world, and;
4. A rules-based international order advanced by U.S. leadership that promotes peace, security, and opportunity through stronger cooperation to meet global challenges.

The 2015 NSS listed the following top strategic risks to U.S. interests:

1. Catastrophic attack on the U.S. homeland or critical infrastructure;
2. Threats or attacks against U.S. citizens abroad and our allies;
3. Global economic crisis or widespread economic slowdown;
4. Proliferation and/or use of weapons of mass destruction;
5. Severe global infectious disease outbreaks;
6. Climate change;
7. Major energy market disruptions, and;
8. Significant security consequences associated with weak or failing states (including mass atrocities, regional spillover, and transnational organized crime).

The United States learned 115 years ago under the leadership of President Theodore Roosevelt, that America no longer had the ability to remain isolated; the relationship to other countries, was now of strategic interest to American prosperity.  This is why the U.S. Armed Forces are deployed globally to ensure a number of issues do not affect the United States.  The 9/11 terrorist attacks demonstrated what can and will happen on U.S. soil, if the U.S. fails to project their security interests worldwide.  The U.S. can no longer remain insulated and expect the problems overseas to remain there.  Problems & crises elsewhere will come to our shores if our National Security interests do not go beyond the basic six.

http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/doc…

     Steve Miller, Copyright (c) 2016