Mission Creep: The Militarization of US Foreign Policy

by Gordon Adams (Editor), Shoon Murray (Editor), James Dobbins (Contribution by), Derek S. Reveron (Contribution by), Charles Cushman (Contribution by)

Overview

Mission Creep: The Militarization of US Foreign Policy? examines the question of whether the US Department of Defense (DOD) has assumed too large a role in influencing and implementing US foreign policy. After the Cold War, and accelerating after September 11, the United States has drawn upon the enormous resources of DOD in adjusting to the new global environment and challenges arising from terrorism, Islamic radicalism, insurgencies, ethnic conflicts, and failed states.

Contributors investigate and provide different perspectives on the extent to which military leaders and DOD have increased their influence and involvement in areas such as foreign aid, development, diplomacy, policy debates, and covert operations. These developments are set in historical and institutional context, as contributors explore the various causes for this institutional imbalance. The book concludes that there has been a militarization of US foreign policy while it explores the institutional and political causes and their implications.

“Militarization” as it is used in this book does not mean that generals directly challenge civilian control over policy; rather it entails a subtle phenomenon wherein the military increasingly becomes the primary actor and face of US policy abroad. Mission Creep’s assessment and policy recommendations about how to rebalance the role of civilian agencies in foreign policy decision making and implementation will interest scholars and students of US foreign policy, defense policy, and security studies, as well as policy practitioners interested in the limits and extents of militarization.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781626160934
Publisher:	Georgetown University Press
Publication date:	12/02/2014
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	256
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Gordon Adams is a professor at American University's School of International Service. From 1993 to 1997, he was associate director for national security and international affairs at the Office of Management and Budget. His publications include the coauthored Buying National Security.

Shoon Murray is an associate professor at American University's School of International Service and director of their US Foreign Policy and National Security master's degree program. She is the author of Anchors against Change.

Table of Contents

I. The Institutional and Political Context 1. An Introduction to Mission CreepGordon Adams and Shoon Murray2. The Institutional Imbalance of American StatecraftGordon Adams3. Civil-Military Roles in Post-Conflict Stabilization and ReconstructionJames Dobbins4. From Confrontation to Cooperation: Weak States, Demanding Allies, and the US Military Derek S. Reveron 5. Congress and the Politics of Defense and Foreign Policymaking: Big Barriers to BalanceCharles B. Cushman, Jr.

II. Observing the Militarization Trend 6. Soldiers in SandalsG. William Anderson and Connie Veillette 7. Foreign Assistance in Camouflage: Measuring the Military Security Cooperation RoleNina Serafino 8. Who Tells America's Story Abroad? State's Public Diplomacy or DoD's Strategic Communication? Brian E. Carlson9. Combatant Commanders, Ambassadorial Authority, and the Conduct of Diplomacy Shoon Murray and Anthony Quainton 10. Military Advice for Political Purpose Sharon K. Weiner 11. The Military, the CIA, and America's Shadow Wars Jennifer Kibbe

III. Implications of Militarization 12. The State Department: No Longer the Gatekeeper Edward Marks 13. Conclusion: Does Mission Creep Matter? Gordon Adams

References

Contributors

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"This book addresses one of the most important topics in US foreign policy analysis, and impressively so. It would be hard to find a collection that gathers a broader range of perspectives, or depth of knowledge and experience. Both specialists and newcomers, in either the academy or policy community, will find much to admire."—Christopher Fettweis, associate professor, Department of Political Science, Tulane University

Christopher Fettweis

This book addresses one of the most important topics in US foreign policy analysis, and impressively so. It would be hard to find a collection that gathers a broader range of perspectives, or depth of knowledge and experience. Both specialists and newcomers, in either the academy or policy community, will find much to admire.

Editorial Reviews

An excellent starting point for the national debate that is long overdue.

Will interest scholars and students of US foreign policy, defense policy, and security studies, as well as policy practitioners interested in the limits and extents of militarization.

From the Publisher

This book addresses one of the most important topics in US foreign policy analysis, and impressively so. It would be hard to find a collection that gathers a broader range of perspectives, or depth of knowledge and experience. Both specialists and newcomers, in either the academy or policy community, will find much to admire.

Christopher Fettweis

An excellent starting point for the national debate that is long overdue.

The Foreign Service Journal

Will interest scholars and students of US foreign policy, defense policy, and security studies, as well as policy practitioners interested in the limits and extents of militarization.

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