US National Security Strategy

Abstract

US National Security Strategy (US NSS) published in September 2002
introduced key points of the security policy of President G.W.Bush. He had
to respond to major change in the US security paradigm brought by the
9/11 terrorist attacks. Analysis of this policy framework document and its
application in practice on the background of its broader institutional
context exposes the main points of continuity and fundamental change in
the US security policy. The most important innovations concern the use of
force in pre-emptive military strikes, new conception of the dominant
position of USA in international system and the will to defend it at all costs
against any future peer-competitor as well as changing perception of US
allies and permanent politico-military alliances such as NATO. For better
understanding of Bush’s policy we have to go deeper and look into the
roots of his security policy thinking and broader political context, including
his new personal motivation and historical parallels. More frequent use of
pre-emptive strikes weakens also still dominant strategy of deterrence, still
preferred by most US allies who are therefore critical towards some radical
steps of Bush administration in this area. Last but not least, we should not
forget that as important is also how the new US radical rhetoric and
innovative tools are turned into practice (especially during the US military
campaign in Iraq). After re-election of President Bush in November 2004,
the US NSS 2002 remains the principle foundation of future US security
policy for at least four more years.