The Domestic Economy and Post 9/11 National Security

The American domestic economy is the backbone of US national strength. It funds the national instruments of power that enable the United States to project influence all over the globe. However, the post 9/11 National Security Strategy (NSS) does not emphasize a domestic economic strategy or address elements of the domestic economy that relate to national security. While the current NSS provides guidance to promote global economic freedom and expansion, it seems to omit domestic economic issues and undervalue the importance of a strong domestic US economy. Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, and William Clinton all included guidance for domestic economic issues in their security strategies. In fact, all three emphasized the importance of US leadership in technology along with the importance of a well educated American labor force. This domestic guidance is absent for the current NSS. President Bush's post 9/11 strategy to promote freedom and democracy all around the globe will be funded by a strong American economy. Therefore, the NSS needs guidance with regard to domestic economic issues that relate to national security. In addition, the National Economic Council (NEC) and the President's economic advisors need to assume an equal role with the National Security Council (NSC) with regards to economic issues as they apply to national security.