Economic Crisis Underlines Need for U.S. National Security Reform

As the IMF and the Joint World Bank-IMF Development Committee meet in Washington this weekend, they will undoubtedly be discussing what most Americans are only dimly aware of: The recession is a global national security problem. The American people must understand that the economic crisis will be manifested not only in lost jobs and incomes -- it will be felt in enhanced dangers to U.S. national security and homeland security.In February, Director of National Intelligence Adm. Dennis C. Blair told the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence the top national security threat facing the U.S. is the economic crisis. "Besides increased economic nationalism, the most likely political fallout for U.S. interests will involve allies and friends not being able to fully meet their defense andhumanitarian obligations," Blair said.Iraq is one such unstable ally. The global economic crisis is beginning to severely affect Iraq's reconstruction. The primary sources of the country's money -- oil revenues and American financial support -- have both plummeted. As a result, Iraq is less able to rebuild and meet its basic defense needs.The Iraqi prime minister's chief of staff said at a press conference in late February that the nation's defense budget was literally only half of what was needed. A member of parliament on the security committee told reporters there wasn't nearly enough money to fund the army to stand on its own by the end of 2011, citing a laundry list of underfunded military needs from artillery to air power.In addition, the unemployment rate for men between the ages of 15 and 29 -- prime militia recruits -- is nearly 30 percent, yet the Iraqi government will be forced to institute a hiring freeze to keep costs under control. Lack of services and jobs has been a prime feeder for the anti-American insurgency in places like northwestern Iraq.Iraq's economic-related defense woes pose great risks to U.S. security. The U.S. has staked its credibility in Iraq, and leaving it behind as an unstable country could have serious consequences. Possible scenarios include Iraq becoming a training ground for terrorists; emboldening a strengthened Iran to dominate its weaker neighbor, hitherto its chief opponent; and signaling to America's friends and foes that the U.S. is weak, unreliable and vulnerable.And, of course, Iraq is only one vulnerable country. Russia, Eastern European nations, Venezuela, China, Mexico, Afghanistan -- the stability of all these vital nations is at risk because of the global economy. And yet, for reasons of inertia and groupthink, their economic woes are too often seen by our national security system as unrelated to their political and social problems. But history has shown repeatedly the dangers nations' economic ills pose to their stability. Recall that it was largely an economic crisis that brought down the Soviet Union less than two decades ago.Moreover, our weakened economy will make it difficult to sustain the effort needed to protect our interests abroad and to defend the homeland against terrorists. Will the American people be willing to fund the reconstruction of a foreign country when the infrastructure at home is crumbling? What about maintaining a sizable military capable of deterring and winning future wars? The larger problem here is that our national security system frequently sees threats too narrowly. We have to broaden the scope of national security beyond its traditional definition of external aggression. Any large-scale societal disruption needs to be considered for its security threats, whether resulting from natural disasters, climate change, financial crises, the failure of major infrastructure, or other non-traditional dangers. They require the sustained stewardship of all aspects of national power, just as security from aggression does. Prioritizing aggression at the expense of non-traditional threats makes little sense in the 21st century, when borders are porous and threats global. This assessment has been backed by many informed voices in addition to Blair, from Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, to the congressionally mandated think tank, the Project on National Security Reform. Of course, none of this matters unless the American people get on board. That is why it is imperative for the public to grasp the severity of the national security aspects of the economic crisis. Not every day do the fluctuations of the financial world pose grave dangers to U.S. security. But if the recession poses a threat, it also offers an opportunity to reform the national security system. Winston Churchill was quoted as saying you could always count on the Americans to do the right thing -- after they tried everything else. If there was ever a time we needed to get it right, this is it.Norman R. Augustine is a former Under Secretary of the Army, and former Chairman and CEO of the Lockheed Martin Corporation. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Phillips Petroleum, Proctor & Gamble, Black and Decker, and Lockheed Martin.Photo: President Barack Obama's first cabinet meeting, April 20, 2009 (White House photo by Pete Souza).