ABSTRACT
This chapter offers suggestions for improving the strategy formulation process in order to facilitate better conflict termination thought. In theory, the classical strategy formulation process is extremely rational, and, as a result, one logically would think that a major output of the system would be well defined conflict termination goals. A fundamental premise which underlies the development of US strategy is that the use of military force must be directed toward a given political end. In the nuclear era, control has become the essence of policy and strategy. The fundamental building blocks of strategy are the concepts of national interests and specific objectives to support the attainment of national interests. From national interests should flow a national strategy: a plan for how to employ a nation’s military, political, economic, psychological, and technological tools to achieve interests and objectives. Another critical area where the current US strategy formulation process is less than adequate is the identification of the intensity of interests.
