Draft QDR: 'Enduring Interests'

Talk about inside information: a Dec. 3, 2009, draft version of the Quadrennial Defense Review, which we posted earlier today, had the foresight to cite a draft version of President Obama's soon-to-be-released 2010 National Security Strategy.

In a section titled "America's Interests and the Role of Military Power," the draft QDR report notes four American "enduring interests" apparently mentioned in the then-draft NSS that underpin the whole, grand strategy review:

-- The security and resiliency of the United States, its citizens and their way of life, and of U.S. allies and partners;

-- A strong and competitive U.S. economy with a leading role in a vibrant and open international economic system that promotes opportunity and prosperity;

-- Respect for values such as civil liberties, democracy, equality, dignity, justice, and the rule of law at home and around the world; and

-- An international order underpinned by U.S. leadership and engagement that promotes peace, security, responsibility, and stronger cooperation to meet global challenges, including transnational threats.

In a similar context, this draft QDR report paragraph on the threshold for the application of force is also of note:

-- The United States will always reserve the right to protect and defend our citizens and allies. We do not seek conflict with other nations, but will not wait to be attacked by adversaries preparing to harm U.S. citizens and allies. The need to employ force is likeliest against actors and threats that do not respond to traditional approaches to international influence and engagement.