US Military Strategy for Regional War in the Period 1970-1980

Abstract : Military strategy must implement national security policy based on national objectives. An important part of this strategy will have to be directed toward regional war. The goal of this strategy must be to further US foreign policy and to deter and curb Communist aggression while avoiding general war. Regional strategy will have to guarantee US freedom of action and must be based on the primacy of vital interests. Among the types of strategy available are containment, roll-back, withdrawal, and aggression. A flexible combination of the first two appears desirable, resulting in strategy based on the theory of alternate means within a framework of dynamic stability. Finally, military strategy for regional war in the 1970'S will be based on the alternate means of selective containment and collateral exploitation to support or create dynamic stability, consistent with overall national objectives and national security policy.