Search

This paper illustrates a methodology to evaluate how dissimilar military systems support the accomplishment of the United States' counterproliferation objectives. The key questions in evaluating counterproliferation systems are identified. By using decision analysis, an influence diagram model is developed that represents military activities in the counterproliferation process. A value model is developed that enables systems to be evaluated against common criteria. An analysis of intelligence, defensive, and offensive counterproliferation systems suggests that intelligence system improvements may provide the greatest potential to meet the United States' counterproliferation objectives. Sensitivity analysis is conducted to determine which factors in the model are most important. To demonstrate the model, nine systems from the Air Force Vulcan's Forge 1995 wargame are evaluated. This paper illustrates the value of decision analysis, and influence diagrams in particular, by involving decision makers and subject matter experts in structuring complex problems for analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Is the military policy public in the United States--those attentive to and interested in military issues of foreign policy--similar to or different from the foreign policy public generally? This paper identifies this military policy public, specifies some of its demographic characteristics, and compares it with the American foreign policy public and the attentive public policy public. It adds a significant refinement to the understanding of public opinion and public policy relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper entertains the possibility that a military-industrial complex does in fact exist; that it is not constrained by Congress; that arms policy continues to serve this complex; and that in fact, Congress legitimates MIC activity through ritualistic conflict. Laurance's hypothesis that Congress has recently taken a more active role in the policy process is challenged. Using Yannolinsky's broader conception of arms policy, it is argued that arms policy has not significantly changed even though Congressional action has become more conflictual. Finally, it is argued that the changed Congressional role is best understood in terms of Edelman `s reversal of systems theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the end of the Vietnam War Congress has reclaimed a role for itself in the making of U.S. foreign and defense policy. Although the surge in congressional activism has attracted considerable normative commentary, political scientists have devoted relatively little effort to exploring the causes and consequences of Congress's renewed interest in foreign policy. To stimulate more empirical study in this area, this paper summarizes the existing work on foreign and defense policy in Congress and identifies opportunities for new research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents information on the transition due to the emergence of a new generation that has the urge to assume power in the Soviet Union. The transition is related to the factors on economic, military and social policy. Several developments have taken place in the Soviet Union including the installation of intercontinental ballistic missiles thereby acquiring massive retaliatory capability, and the holding of new bases for the deep-water navy. In relation to the U.S.-Soviet relationships that began in the mid-1980s on subjective realms, significant developments have been initiated in both the countries. The potential changes in the Soviet Union are more radical due to the fundamental priorities started by the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in 1929.

The article discusses the objectives and policy of the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (ACDA) under the administration of U.S. president Ronald Reagan. Certain developments in the Reagan era caused the agency to be embroiled in controversy. This led to upsetting within the agency which included Eugene Rostow, a law school professor succeeding Michael Pillsbury as the acting deputy director of ACDA. He tried to rewrite most of the policies with an experience of largely academic nature rather than strategic. The foreign policy of the U.S. under Reagan administration is also described as ineffective and disorganized as a whole. There was a strong opinion in the favor of dissolving the agency because of its policies coming in direct conflict with the administration.

The article focuses on issues related to the military use of nuclear power in the United States. With the emergence of atomic power for military use in 1954, the U.S. Congress witnessed an increasing public awareness of the dangers of radiation. Congress admitted that development of the new power source could only be possible if there was public acceptance. The debate over civilian nuclear power has dates back to the 1940s when American public became aware of the biological impact of nuclear radiation.

The article discusses the reauthorization of America's war on terror as of March 2012, focusing on the U.S. Congress' failure to refine the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), U.S. President Barack Obama's drone aircraft policy, and global anti-terrorism efforts. The jus ad bellum international law doctrine is mentioned, along with a right to self-defense and the legal aspects of America's military counterterrorism operations. Obama's power to use military force is examined, along with several U.S. Supreme Court cases such as Hamdi v. Rumsfeld and Boumediene v. Bush.

Analyzes the policy of the United States towards the use of nuclear weapons in retaliation for an adversary's use of chemical or biological weapons. Deliberate ambiguity of policy; Consideration of ambiguity as essential to the security of the country.

Provides information on the early 1950s Defense Department policy which focused on the issue of whether human experiments involving atomic, biological and chemical welfare should be continued based on documents released by the Advisory Committee on Human Radiation Experiments. Motivations for policy creation after the second world war; Robert S. Stone controversy of 1950; Adoption of the Nuremberg code.

Determines the factors which influenced the balance of power in Asia. Political and military influences in Asia; Identification of important points in the United States Arms policies during the post-cold war period; Decline of defense industrialism in Asia.

Analyzes the potential effects of the Military Retirement Reform Act on military personnel retention in the United States. Terms and conditions of the reform policy; Purpose of the military retirement policy; Policy options that can be taken by the U.S. government to dilute the negative effects of the reform act.

The article focuses on the U.S. nuclear strategy regarding the deployment of Pershing II missiles. The Pershing II missiles are long range, short flight time and high accuracy missile system. The nuclear war guidance plans of the U.S. provides much wider scope to the Pershing II and other medium range weapons. Niles J. Fulwyler, director of the Nuclear and Chemical Directorate within the U.S. Army, extols the capability of Pershing II to strike a number of critical targets in the Western Military District of the Soviet Union.

The article presents a letter from the editor of "Interfaces" concerning the November-December, 2006 issue. The issue focuses on the United States Department of Homeland Security's Operations Research division, which aims to give the department a scientific framework for considering problems and decisions. In addition, articles within the issue also discuss other aspects of homeland security, ranging from attack detection, identification, and prevention to response preparedness in the case of successful attacks.