Small Wars Journal

Decision Day in the U.S.: Daunting Security Challenges Ahead

Tue, 11/08/2016 - 8:34am

Decision Day in the U.S.: Daunting Security Challenges Ahead - The Cipher Brief

When the new president walks into the Oval Office on January 20th, the American leader will most likely find a note from Barack Obama, a time honored tradition by departing presidents. Although the notes are not often made public, the ones we know about contain words of encouragement and reflections on the pride of serving the nation at the highest level. 

But what the new president might need more is guidance on how best to proceed on the global stage, as the national security challenges facing the next U.S. president are simply daunting. 

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper summed it up best when he told the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this year, “In my 50-plus years in the intelligence business, I cannot recall a more diverse array of challenges and crises than we confront today.” 

On day one, the new commander-in-chief will have to begin determining a course of action on a number of these staggering security challenges.

Russia…

ISIS…

Syria…

Iraq…

Afghanistan…

China…

Cybersecurity…

Read on.