National Security and Intelligence

¶ … 2015, President Obama outlined a set of core national security objectives that included references to ISIL, climate change, and even social justice, all covered in the National Security Strategy. The direction the new administration takes is likely to shift some of the main national security objectives and strategies, while still addressing some of the aforementioned crucial issues. It is a futile attempt to narrow down the range of national security threats to one particular issue, as all present clear and present dangers. Some threats like terrorism and cybercrime are bound to remain ongoing and almost impossible to eliminate entirely; others like climate change, nuclear proliferation, and ISIL have the potential to be contained with the cooperation of global allies. However, one issue continues to boil beneath the surface of all other threats and only recently came to light with renewed media attention: the potential for nuclear war.

A year prior to the recent staging of war drills and paramilitary exercises to honor the 105th anniversary of the nation's founder, President Obama's Director of National Intelligence James R. Clapper stated on the record that North Korea "will continue to pose a serious threat to US interests," not only because of its ability to use its own weapons in the East Asian corridor but also because the rogue state traffics weapons of mass destruction to Iran, Syria, and other countries (p. 6-7). This week, North Korea launched six Pukkuksong submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBM) as part display, part warning to the United States (McCurry). In response to North Korea's brazen show, President Trump used inflammatory rhetoric that was derided by the international community and especially by China and other countries that would be in the direct line of fire should North Korea act on its threat that "thermonuclear war could break out at any moment," (McCurry 1). Trump's recent military engagements include a "mother of all bombs" attack on presumed ISIL forces in Afghanistan and a showy attack of a Syrian air force base -- proof that Trump is willing to use force even in the absence of discourse or diplomacy.

Trump's erratic foreign policy and behavior as Commander in Chief could in fact be framed as the next great threat to American national security given the lack of cohesive national security strategy that resembles that of his predecessor. As a counterpart to North Korea's Kim Jong-un, Trump has shown himself to be prone to shocking displays of power and aggrandizement. However, Vice President Pence has stated in apology, "President Trump is determined to work closely with Japan, with South Korea, with all our allies in the region, and with China" in preventing and ameliorating the threat of nuclear war (McCurry 1). Given the horrific implications of an impulsive nuclear strike, however small, no other national security threat seems as pressing and immediate as this one. Whereas cybercrime, climate change, and even terrorism will remain on the national security agenda for years to come, each of these issues seems relatively more manageable compared with the threat of a nuclear war because of the number of nations around the world with nuclear capabilities and the ineffective leadership demonstrated by those very same national leaders.