Importance of Military development
The American military is currently the strongest in the world. This counts both in relativity to other nations and in absolute terms. Even though the dominance of American forces is still challengeable when they fight the enemy on his home ground, they are undisputed powers of the air, sea, and space. This allows them to project their power anywhere across the world on short notice. American Military dominance can be attributed to the advancement of Information technology. The United States of America spends more than the next 14 countries on the military. America’s Military budget consumes a significant amount of the national budget (“How much stronger is the US military compared with the next strongest power?” 2013). this expenditure focuses on research and development of new technology. It is important to note that, America already has the most advanced military compared to other nations. This begs the question, does the research and new technology developments make The United States any safer than it already is? This paper examines the issues surrounding the need for more advanced technology by the United States, and whether they are justifiable.
The most important aspect of this military budget allocations is approval by bodies and institutions mandated by the constitution. The United States for instance should ensure that all the relevant bodies approve the budgets constitutionally. However, the country should not relent on spending on research and development of new military technology. It is important to always be vigilant and ahead of the curve. The United States is presented with growing threats across the world on the military front. Since the Second World War, the cold war and the new age of terrorism, the United States has legitimate reasons to advance its military technology to counter these threats. The current balance in global power also explains the need for the United States to make technological research and developments for their military a priority.
In the East, the totalitarian Communist regime in China is consumed with a nationalist fervor and thirst of expansionism. There have already been disagreements with neighboring nations in the East China Sea including Vietnam, Korea and Japan over maritime territories. These waters are threateningly close to American territories. China also aims to increase its spending in the naval division of its military to a rate, three times the rate of its GDP growth. Considering that its GDP growth is already significantly high compared to the United States and its allies, this is a threat not to ignore. While there are legitimate needs to cut government spending, this does not mean it has to be strictly in the defense budget. Other equally important areas also need to be targeted. Education, health, and welfare also have to cede some expenditure. The very survival of the United States itself depends on its Military. As the world becomes more dangerous, research and development of military technology has to go on.
It is almost certain at any time that war could erupt, anywhere in the world. Many times throughout history, populations have been enslaved or slain in their entirety mostly because they did not spend enough on the research, development and improvement of their defense capabilities. The world is changing at a fast rate and its becoming more dangerous. National installations and interests come under threat every day from enemy interests. Prior to the Second World War, the British leader, Neville Chamberlain was so keen on reducing expenditure on defense research and development in Britain. He looked to Appeasement as the best foreign policy with which to handle Hitler. He was sure about a reign of peace in Europe for a long while. That, was in 1938. The world war would break a year later, Hitler being the main aggressor with Britain as one of his aiming ranges. Naivety is not an option. Research and development has to be in constant motion to assure America of Safety.
A brief look at the state of the world today shows the ever increasing need for research and technology. North Korea for instance has made it clear that the United States is its permanent enemy. It is almost certain that their motivation for military technology research development is geared towards preparing for a confrontation with the United States. For the past several years, the North Koreans have been threatening the United States of Imminent attacks. Considering the fact that China, another potential enemy of the United States funds the Koreans, this presents the United States with a challenge to never relent on improving its technology, to ensure that they are always ahead of the pack. It is important to ensure that if and when North Korea achieves their goals of developing more dangerous weapons, the United States will be a step ahead in knowing how to counter them (Kwon, 2013).
Many countries are researching and building better and newer technologies. This legitimizes the need for the United States to enhance its military technology. Since the world war, more countries have had access to nuclear weapons technology. More countries have a nuclear bomb, even countries that are commonly known as adversaries to the Americans. The Second World War ended due to the American’s possession of the Atomic Bomb. When more nations have access to the best technology available, there is need to design and develop a unique technology that would deter adversaries from assuming that having nuclear weapons puts them at par with the United States. This will provide a degree of safety to the United States by warding off possible aggression from enemy nations. The best technology the United States could develop for instance, is anti-nuclear defense mechanisms. Vulnerability to any form of attacks, including nuclear, would be averted.
Most Potential Threats
The occupation and annexation Crimea by Russia’s military destroyed the two decades of Peace after the end of the Cold War era in Europe. Russia is re-building its military strength, twenty-two years after the fall of the Soviet Union. Russia is once again rising in its regional influence. Russia is evidently preparing to project its influence and power across Eastern Europe. This, it intends to achieve in economic, political and military spheres. The regions it targets include the neighboring Caucasus, the North Pacific and Central Asia. A most notable move is the bolstering of its military might and geopolitical presence through expansion of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). The resurgence in Russia’s assertiveness brings challenges for the United States and its Western allies(Cohen, 2014). It is important that the United States Administration increases the gathering of intelligence on the modernization of the Russian military, plans, programs, tactical goals and strategic goals. It is also important that the United States’ modernization of its military continues.
Russia
The United States needs to examine and understand the reasons why Russia is pushing its geopolitical agenda. Russia’s leadership’s view of geostrategic issues drives the military policy they nation takes. Their perception of global and regional threats and appropriate strategies they need to counter them is a major driving force of their course of actions. Many factors that drive Russia’s geostrategic policies are directly or indirectly linked to the United States History, Interests and future ambitions. In an attempt to stroke emotions of the people to prepare for a revenge for their Cold War defeat, Russia injects its populace and allies with views that are anti-Western. States that hold anti-western sentiments like Syria, Iran, North Korea and Others also receive significant support from Russia (“S-300 delivery to Iran will not threaten Israel”, 2014). Russia also seeks to pursue the policy of multi-polarity, a global strategy of international relations that are multilateral.
Russia’s regime and elite reject the emulation of Western political, religious and cultural formats. Isolation from the West promotes and facilitates authoritarianism. Russia is also known to selectively choose partners on important issues to strictly shape its geo-strategy. Diplomatic, Political, informational, Military and economic measures are aimed at reducing, deterring, and / or preventing outsider states’ aggression and threats. This state of affairs in the Way the Russian relate with the West is a pointer to the need for the United States and its allies to always monitor trends, research and develop technology (Boot, 2015). They have to ensure that they are never caught off-guard by the Russians.
Threats to Allies: Iran to Israel
The state of Iran has been known to harbor nuclear ambitions for a long time now. While Iran has always stated that these ambitions are for peaceful reasons, the country’s leadership has always spoken in threatening directions (“How real is Israel’s Threat against Iran”, 2015). Their aggressive intentions against Strategic American allies have never gone unnoticed. Former president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad never missed the opportunity to Voice his dislike of the Jewish state and his wish for it to be wiped off the map. While Israel currently secretly possesses nuclear weapons, Iran is actively involved in nuclear research (Rene, 2014). If and when the Iranians attain superior military technology, they could implement their threats. It is noteworthy to point out that the Russians have always sided with the Iranians on global issues and matters trade. A case in point is the Open support of the Syrian regime and Lebanese Hezbollah, which directly clash with American foreign policy. Most of these enemy nations are threatening close to Israel. This is sufficient evidence of the America’s need for further research of military technology. It should be able to support its allies counter such threats by possessing the latest and best military technology.
North Korea to South Korea
North Korea is another adversary of the United States, its allies and installations in the Far East.North Korea is known to have communicated to South Korea, threatening to merciless attacks without notice.This was after South Koreans protested against North Korea’s policies in downtown Seoul, South Korea. North Korea is a major threat to South Korea, Japan and the United States at large. Their Nuclear weapons ambitions exasperate the situation. TheUnited States seriously needs to find ways to put its hands on technology that it can use to protect itself and its allies from the growing threats. Indeed, new technology is a major way that the Americans can enhance their safety.
Terrorism
Terrorist groups are becoming more destructive especially by being able to use modern technology to meet their own ends. The September 11 attacks in 2001 are a clear example of how terrorists use modern technology to create dangerous weapons. A hijacked commercial aircraft was turned into cruise missile and used to execute the worst terrorist attack against the United States. Through the Internet, versatile and effective communication techniques have been developed and used by terrorists. For instance, today, the world’s major terrorist organization, ISIS (The Islamic State), Al-Qaeda and Al-Shabaab among others, continue to recruit members online, communicate and spread propaganda over the internet. They have effectively used the internet technology to their advantage. Explosive devices have also been developed and fabricated out of almost anything: mobile phones, doorbells, fertilizer and other unsuspecting materials. Moreover, they have the ability to fashion highly sophisticated chemical explosives into every-day items.
These groups have further shown interest in biological and chemical and biological weapons. They have also shown interest in nuclear devices. The more the destructive a weapon they lay their hands on, the more effective it is for their agenda. Terrorist organization leaders have been vocal in their wish to acquire and use weapons with the capacity to execute mass destruction. Considering what some terrorist groups have been able to achieve with the weapons they possess, this sounds very dangerous. ISIS, for instance, has massacred entire villages and towns for the mere reason that the residents were not adherents to their values. If they had Weapons of mass destruction in their possession, they would have accomplished more worse than they already did with the little knowledge and technology they possess. This is a threat to everyone who values peace to the safety of all nations.
Terrorists are known to make heavy use of IEDs (Improvised explosive devices), or homemade bombs. Most casualties of terrorists’ activities among civilian populations and Allied forces are from these types of weapons. A wide range of methods and techniques are used to develop and deploy these weapons. Such methods include the use of truck and car-bombs, suicide bomber belts, jackets and roadside bombs. In addressing this threat, nations need to developing detailed knowledge and understanding of how these devices are constructed by terrorists. They also need to understand the blast effects of each weapon type. Once the variety of ways used by terrorists to manufacture such weapons, a variety of technologies have to be devised. This is to cause malfunctions to the bombs and also to find the places where such bombs are built and hidden. The United states are actively involved in such research. There is need for development of new and improved technologies to tackle the increasingly sophisticated and technologically advanced threat.
Other areas of technology development that are needed to reduce the impact of terrorist attacks include: Protecting helicopters from rocket propelled grenades commonly preferred by terrorists, the protection of ports and harbors from terror attacks and sabotage, early detection, protection and aversion of biological, nuclear and chemical weapons. Delivery of Special Forces by precision airdrop technology and the Collection of intelligence, through surveillance, reconnaissance, and target acquisition of terrorists and finally Countering mortar attacks from terrorists. If technology is developed for each of these threats, then safety would be in the range of being achieved.
Other Uses of New Military Technology
Safety that is attained not only through aversion of aggressive military opponents.
Military technology is being developed to help firefighters reduce the risks in their work. This is to ensure that while firefighters work to save lives, their lives are not endangered in the process.
New pieces of technology for communication that have been previously used previously used in the military are adapted for firefighters. This technology enables firefighters locate one another reducing the risk of exposure to dangerous circumstances. Adaptations to communication equipment used by the military are used to implement this communication technology, which is instrumental in increasing the safety of the firefighters and the citizenry in general. This points at a potentially diverse area that research and development of military technology can help improve.It is therefore important to note that the development of new military technology not only improves safety from the perspective of combative war and aggression. It can also increase safety domestically (Sowards, 2014).
From history, it is undisputable that mankind has a penchant for war. Wars have been fought for centuries and they seem to recur every now and then. Even the most peaceful Nations are always researching on new military technology when there is in war in sight. No one wants to be caught flat footed when one erupts. Recent history, for instance the Second World War, the cold war and the Era of Terrorism indicate that there is need by any nation to avoid being caught flat-footed by the enemy. Eternal vigilance attained through research and development has to be pursued by any security ad freedom minded nation. There is need to eliminate complacency at all costs. Without comprehensive military spending, countries that are presented with almost permanent threats to their safety, like Israel, would cease to exist. This is why, sufficient yet reasonable spending on military research and development is by all accounts legitimate.
Investment in defense science and technology enables a nation to counter military threats from enemies and to overcome advantages of any form that adversary nations and interests may seek. This action also widens the scope of military options that are available to policymakers. Such options include options different from warfare when pursuing the goals of preventing conflict and promoting stability (“Maintaining Military Advantage Through Science & Technology Investment”). Science and technology help nations to deal with special threats like terrorism. Such threats cannot be handled by conventional warfare techniques. They form the benchmark of the intelligence capabilities that are necessary to examine the dangers that a nation faces. The United States military relies heavily on science and technology in making their advanced military technology and systems more affordable through their whole life cycle of usage. U.S. military technology protects is a source of security and protection for the United States from direct threats(Billingslea, 2014). They help keep stability and peace and in places critical to American interests. They also underwrite the United States’ commitments to defensearound the world. Having strong capabilities in defense means that the United States’ military, and the Department of Defense, should always be prepared to protect the Country and its interests from Threats. This underscores the importance of new military technology to the safety of citizens and Interests of the nation.
References
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Boot, M. (n.d.). The Paradox of Military Technology. Retrieved May 7, 2015, from http://www.cfr.org/information-warfare/paradox-military-technology/p11666
Cohen, A. (2014, May 29). A U.S. Response to Russia’s Military Modernization. Retrieved May 7, 2015, from http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2014/05/a-us-response-to-russias-military-modernization
How much stronger is the US military compared with the next strongest power? (2013, January 30). Retrieved May 7, 2015, from http://www.military1.com/army/article/402211-how-much-stronger-is-the-us-military-compared-with-the-next-strongest-power
How real is Israel’s Threat against Iran? (n.d.). Retrieved May 7, 2015, from http://www.mepc.org/articles-commentary/commentary/how-real-israels-threat-against-iran?print
Kwon, K. (2013, December 20). N. Korea threatens to ‘strike South Korea mercilessly’ – CNN.com. Retrieved May 7, 2015, from http://edition.cnn.com/2013/12/20/world/asia/north-korea-threats/
Maintaining Military Advantage Through Science & Technology Investment. (n.d.). Retrieved May 7, 2015, from http://clinton4.nara.gov/WH/EOP/OSTP/nssts/html/chapt2.html
Putin: S-300 delivery to Iran will not threaten Israel. (2015, April 16). Retrieved May 7, 2015, from http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4647920,00.html
Rene, L. (2014, June 8). Iran’s strategic threat to Israel. Retrieved May 7, 2015, from http://www.jpost.com/Opinion/Op-Ed-Contributors/Irans-strategic-threat-to-Israel-355702
Sowards, W. (2015, April 10). Military technology could save firefighters’ lives. Retrieved May 7, 2015, from http://www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/tech/2015/04/11/military-technology-save-firefighters-lives/25615565/