PUNCHING ABOVE THEIR WEIGHT: THE HOMELAND SECURITY CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE U.S. PACIFIC TERRITORIES
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Authors
Stanton, Colby E.
Subjects
Pacific
homeland security
Guam
CNMI
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
American Samoa
homeland security
Guam
CNMI
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
American Samoa
Advisors
Simeral, Robert L.
Wollman, Lauren
Date of Issue
2019-03
Date
Publisher
Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School
Language
Abstract
While the United States' Pacific territories were brought into the U.S. fold in recognition of their importance to national security, today many Americans—including many policy makers—seem to be unfamiliar with the U.S. Pacific territories and their strategic value. This thesis addresses the question, "What is the value of the United States' Pacific territories—Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), and American Samoa—to the nation's homeland security, and what are the strategic implications of that value?" Secondary sources such as congressional testimony, military doctrine and unclassified plans, and governmental reports were analyzed to answer that question, using the framework of the DIME (diplomatic, informational, military, and economic) instruments of national power to assess the overlap of homeland security missions with national security interests. While the territories contribute to the nation's security, the lack of coordinated and informed management by the federal government to these territories, including homeland security missions that have at times been at odds with U.S. military interests, prevents a full realization of their potential. Recommendations are made for reexamination of legal, process, and funding approaches to the U.S. Pacific territories by the federal government, including homeland security agencies.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
National Security Affairs (NSA)
Organization
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NPS Report Number
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Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
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Copyright is reserved by the copyright owner.