Harry R. Yarger

The word "strategy" pervades American conversation and our news media. We tend to use strategy as a general term for a plan, a concept, a course of action, or a "vision" of the direction in which to proceed at the personal, organizational, and governmental-local, state, or federal-levels. Such casual use of the term to describe nothing more than "what we would like to do next" is inappropriate and belies the complexity of true strategy and strategic thinking. It reduces strategy to just a good idea without the necessary underlying thought or development. It also leads to confusion between strategy and planning, confining strategic possibilities to near-time planning assumptions and details, while limiting the flexibility of strategic thought and setting inappropriately specific expectations of outcomes. This "little book"-actually a monograph-talks about big strategy, strategy at the highest levels of the nation-state. It is applicable to grand strategy, national security strategy, national military...

The twenty-first century security environment is both promising for and threatening to the national security interests of the nation state. Policymakers and professionals within governmental departments and agencies, both civilian and military, who are responsible for protecting and advancing the interests of the United States, are confronted with a strategic environment that is much more volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous than that faced by their twentieth-century predecessors. Strategy and the National Security Professional: Strategic Thinking and Strategy Formulation in the 21st Century is meant to be a single-source reference for national security professionals, political appointees in the security realm, and others who participate in the formulation, evaluation, and execution of strategy, in addition to those who study and follow national security debates. The book does not propose a new strategy or critique current strategy; rather, it offers a perspective and process for disciplined strategic thought in regard to all strategy. It is thorough in its explanation of the nature of the strategic environment, offering a clear and comprehensive theory of strategy and a practical framework for thinking about this environment and formulating effective strategy. Written from a U. S. perspective, it helps the reader understand both the internal and external aspects of the strategic environment that make strategy formulation and execution so difficult for the nation state, particularly in a democracy. With the proper environmental assessment and appraisal, it argues, the key strategic factors can be identified and appropriate strategy can be formulated in a rational expression of ends, ways, and means. The book then moves to demonstrate to the reader how to develop and clearly articulate the objectives, concepts, and resources in strategy, as well as how to avoid common errors and pitfalls in strategy formulation. Fiannly, it offers practical tests for determining the validity of a particular strategy and ways in which to consider and articulate risk. While the book is focused on the national security practitioner, it has application to the student in international relations or national security studies who seeks a career in national service.