 | | NSFR Volume 16 / Issue 4 Fall 2007 | |
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| | The National Strategy Forum Review (NSFR)
The thematic US national security journal of the National Strategy Forum
"People, Populations, and Problems: Demographics and US National Security"
Letter from the Publisher
Richard E. Friedman
Demographics and Destiny: Trends We Need to Understand in the 21st Century
Endy Zemenides
There are at least ten major demographic trends that can shape international relations and an analysis of these trends can provide an estimated sort of timeline for the US. We know that the developed world has to enact some type of pension reform within the next decade to avoid a major economic crisis. We know that by 2010, most key states in the Muslim world will be experiencing youth bulges. We know that hundreds of millions of people will rely on and compete for the waters of the Jordan, Tigris-Euphrates, and Indus rivers. The US must recognize the enormity of the looming demographic issue and develop a comprehensive demographic strategic plan.
The Demographic Challenges of the US Army
Lawrence Korb and Sean E. Duggan
The toll of the war in Iraq has created ripple effects throughout the entire US Army. As recruiting standards loosen and waivers and bonuses increase, the potential for misrepresentation and abuse will undoubtedly increase. Still, reinstituting conscription does not seem to be a politically viable option at the present time. But, as ground forces attempt to expand by nearly 100,000 troops in the coming years, our civilian and military leaders must ensure that higher quality standards are not sacrificed for an increased quantity of force.
Ethics, Immigration, and US National Security
Arthur I. Cyr
Evaluating demographic dimensions of US society, past and present, leads to positive conclusions regarding our national security. Enduring American values and current demographic trends are both encouraging. But, crucial to our overall national security is not American demography, but the quality of US foreign policy.
Demography and Security in East Asia
Brian Nichiporuk
How will demographic factors affect the nature of East Asian conflict? How will they influence the sources of national power in the region? And, how will demography affect the sources of regional conflict? Unlike the Middle East, demography's effects on East Asia will be modest. However, the implications for US policy and US intelligence are significant.
The Demographics of Terrorists
Lauren Bean
The history of terrorism and recent terrorist incidents evidence that there is no single, immutable "terrorist profile." Despite the prevailing perception of a terrorist as a young, poor, uneducated Arab Muslim male motivated by a radical ideology, hatred of the West, and ignorance, some terrorists - from middle or upper classes, educated, from Western democracies - just feel lonely or isolated. Is the national security community thinking about how to make people feel less lonely? Using demographics as a key component, the US must develop a national security strategy that effectively addresses the complex terrorist threat.
Book Review: America Alone: The End of the World As We Know It
By Mark Steyn
Reviewed by John Allen Williams
Workshop Executive Summary: Civic Leaders Speak Out About Emergency Preparedness
Convened by McCormick Tribune Foundation and the National Strategy Forum
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