Issue Papers

Partnering for Environmental Security Cooperation in Central Asia and the Caspian Basin Dr Kent H Butts, COL Jeffrey C Reynolds Issue Paper by the US Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership "The Central Asian region encompasses Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. These newly independent republics, as well as the Transcaucasus states of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia, have become increasingly important to the United States’ national security interests. Decades of mineral exploitation, inefficient water use, and environmental neglect have left the region scarred—this environmental damage continues to threaten the stability of these new nations. Environmental Security has the potential to become a catalyst for multilateral cooperation and a powerful enabler for U.S. regional policy and security interests."

Economics and National Security: The Case of China Dr Kent H Butts, LTC Edward L Hughes Issue Paper by the US Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership "The United States Army War College’s Center for Strategic Leadership, the National Intelligence Council, the U.S. Pacific Command, and The Brookings Institution’s Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies cosponsored a conference for selected invitees entitled “Economics and National Security: The Case of China.” The conference was conducted at the Collins Center, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania on November 27th and 28th, 2001."

Streamlining National Security Workshop: The Homeland Group COL Peter D Menk, Prof Bert B Tussing Issue Paper by the US Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership "This paper presents the discussions, issues, and recommendations developed by a working group on Homeland Security during a workshop on Streamlining National Security, which was conducted at the U.S. Army War College from 5 to 7 September 2001."

Streamlining National Security Workshop: The Overseas Group Patrick M Carney, COL Richard W Dillon, Prof James O Kievit, Prof Michael J Pasquarett Issue Paper by the US Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership "This paper presents the discussions, issues, and recommendations developed by a working group on Overseas Security during a workshop on Streamlining National Security, which was conducted at the U.S. Army War College from 5 to 7 September 2001. "

Consequence Management Symposium COL Jeffrey C Reynolds, Prof Bert B Tussing Issue Paper by the US Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership "During a 21-23 August 2001 symposium conducted at the Collins Center of the United States Army War College, a group of 80 subject matter experts examined the evolving policy and infrastructure surrounding Consequence Management. Viewing the issue within the larger construct of Territorial Security, participants concentrated on both inter-agency and intergovernmental issues associated with this national challenge. In six panels, over two days’ time, state, local and federal officials addressed on-going initiatives and remaining shortfalls in this arena. Discussions encompassed inter agency coordination; state, local and federal cooperation; and the proper utilization of both active and reserve components of the military. Parallel issues faced by the Regional CINC’s, the State Department and their host nation counter parts were also a key part of the symposium."

Promoting Stability in Central Asia Prof Bernard F Griffard Issue Paper by the US Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership "Central Asia and the Caspian Basin are the legatees of the Russian Empire’s and the former Soviet Union’s shortsighted extraction economy policies. As a result, these nations face environmental challenges unlike any other region in the world. A major natural or man-made disaster in any single country can threaten the fresh water supply and/or public health across the whole region. Such a major environmental disaster is a credible threat to national and regional stability. "

Russian National Security Policy: Perceptions Policies and Prospects Michael H Crutcher Issue Paper by the US Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership "In early December 2000, the Collins Center brought together over 25 specialists to examine Russian national security policy. The workshop examined that policy in terms of factors influencing Russian national security policy formulation, Russia’s perceptions of the world and itself, current Russian security and foreign policies in key regions of the world, and prospects for Russian interests and actions in the world and especially with regard to the United States."

Contagion and Stability Dr Kent H Butts, COL Jeffrey C Reynolds Issue Paper by the US Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership "History teaches us that disease has killed far more people than warfare: in the US Civil War more casualties resulted from disease than combat. Empires such as the Aztecs, and powerful, warlike cultures as in Hawaii, have been devastated by infectious disease. Disease was used as an element of warfare long before the term biological warfare became a common term; the French introduction of smallpox among Native American populations and the contamination of water supplies are cases in point."

Responding to Environmental Challenges in Central Asia and the Caspian Basin (Summary) Dr Kent H Butts, Prof Bernard F Griffard Issue Paper by the US Army War College, Center for Strategic Leadership "Conference planners faced the challenge that the number of issues dividing the Central Asia Republics is greater than those uniting them. It was necessary to identify a vehicle from which key issues could be addressed without being confrontational. Using the environmental security issue of disaster response planning as the primary topic, the conference clarified the environmental issues central to the security of the region and emphasized the importance of both military environmental stewardship and cooperative contingency planning in responding to these threats."