Federated Defense in the Middle East
Federated Defense in the Middle East – CSIS report by Jon B. Alterman, Kathleen H. Hicks, Melissa Dalton, Thomas Karako with contributors Colin McElhinny and Richard Say
The Center for Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) Federated Defense Project has released a new report that examines the potential for a “federated defense” approach to U.S. action in the Middle East, the constraints to closer military cooperation in the region, and specific capability areas that would benefit from federated defense.
“The United States has enduring security interests in the Middle East,” said Dr. Kathleen Hicks, CSIS senior vice president, Henry A. Kissinger Chair, and director of the International Security Program. “To advance these interests, especially in light of pressing resource constraints, we need a strategic approach to develop the right capabilities, and share key responsibilities, among like-minded allies and partners.”
Stabilizing the Middle East requires continued attention and investment from the United States and its global allies and partners. Federated defense involves building partner capabilities in a way that shares the burden of providing security in a more effective and efficient manner. Federated defense would, over time, create partner capabilities that augment and complement U.S. capabilities. Doing so requires identifying discrete areas of cooperation between the United States and its allies and partners that would leverage partner capabilities in pursuing common security objectives. A more clearly defined strategic approach would improve communication, more effectively distribute the financial burden, better leverage complementary capabilities, and institutionalize senior-level dialogue on strategic goals and priorities.
