Stand-To!- 2008 Army Posture Statement - Feb. 26, 2008

Tue Feb 26 11:44:26 EST 2008

 Stand-To!<http://www4.army.mil/news/standto/printheader.gif> 
Edition: Tue, February 26, 2008
Rich-text Version <http://www4.army.mil/news/standto.php?dte=2008-02-26> 

TODAY'S FOCUS

This is the first of an eight part series highlighting critical elements of
the 2008 Army Posture Statement

Strategic context: An era of persistent conflict

Persistent conflict and change characterize the strategic environment. We
will confront highly adaptive and intelligent adversaries who will exploit
technology, information and cultural differences to threaten U.S. interests.
This era of persistent conflict will result in high demand for Army forces
and capabilities. A number of global trends are creating the conditions for
persistent conflict. 

Globalization and technology. Increased global connectivity and
technological advances will continue to drive global prosperity-yet they
also will underscore disparities. While advances in technology are
benefiting people all over the world, extremists are exploiting that same
technology to manipulate perceptions, export terror, and recruit the people
who feel disenfranchised or threatened by its effects.

Radicalism. Extremist ideologies and separatist movements will continue to
have an anti-Western and anti-U.S. orientation. Radical and religious
extremist groups, separatists and organizations that support them are
attractive to those who feel victimized or threatened by the cultural and
economic impacts of globalization. 

Population growth. The likelihood of instability will increase as
populations of several less-developed countries will almost double in size
by 2020. The "youth bulge" created by this growth will be vulnerable to
anti-government and radical ideologies and will threaten government
stability. 

Resource competition. Competition for water, energy, goods, services and
food to meet the needs of growing populations will increase the potential
for conflict. By 2025, global energy demands are expected to increase by 40
percent, threatening supplies to poor and developing nations. 

Climate change and natural disasters. Climate change and other projected
trends will compound already difficult conditions in many developing
countries. These trends will increase the likelihood of humanitarian crises,
the potential for epidemic diseases, and regionally destabilizing population
migrations. 

Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The diffusion and increasing
availability of technology increases the potential of catastrophic nuclear,
biological and chemical attacks. Many of the more than 1,100 terrorist
groups and organizations are actively seeking weapons of mass destruction.

Safe havens. States that are unable or unwilling to exercise control within
their borders create the potential for global and regional groups to
organize and export terror. Territories under the control of renegade
elements or separatist factions will challenge central government authority,
potentially creating a base from which to launch broader security threats. 

The trends that fuel persistent conflict characterize the strategic
environment now and into the future and will require integration of all
elements of our national power (diplomatic, informational, economic and
military) to achieve our national objectives. The implication for the Army
is the need to be modernized, expeditionary and campaign capable, and
prepared to operate across the full spectrum of conflict.

2008 Army Posture Statement <http://www.army.mil/aps/08/index.html> 

INFORMATION YOU CAN USE

* 2007 Strategic Communication Guide
<https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/409993?c=ZGF2aWQudmVyZ3VuMg==> - Read
the 2007 Army Strategic Communication Guide for key messages and updates

* Strategic Communication Coordination Group (SCCG) Workspace
<https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/303879> 

* Army Public Affairs Portal <https://www.us.army.mil/suite/page/216363> 

* Stories of Valor <http://www.army.mil/valor> 

CALENDAR

Operations in and among the population. FM 3-0. Coming Feb. 28.

NEWS ABOUT THE ARMY

*	Stability operations now part of Army's core mission (ARNews
<http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/02/25/7580-stability-operations-now-part-of-
armys-core-mission/> ) 
*	U.S., Philippine troops jump in Balikatan (ARNews
<http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/02/25/7586-us-philippine-troops-jump-in-bali
katan/> ) 
*	Guardsman to compete in Alaska's Iditarod (ARNews
<http://www.army.mil/-news/2008/02/25/7588-guardsman-to-compete-in-alaskas-i
ditarod/> ) 
*	Unit strives for cohesive security in Afghan province(AFIS
<http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=49062> )

WAR ON TERROR NEWS

*	NATO confronts surprisingly fierce Taliban (WP
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/25/AR200802250
3089.html> ) 
*	Wheelchair bomb kills officer in Iraq (LAT
<http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/middleeast/la-fg-iraq26feb26,
0,2474617.story> ) 
*	'I feel that we will die': Civilians fearful as Turks move into Iraq
(SDUT
<http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/iraq/20080225-1410-iraq-fearingtur
key.html> ) 
*	Attacks in Pakistan kill at least 11 people (BG
<http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2008/02/26/attacks_in_pakist
an_kill_at_least_11_people/> )

OF INTEREST

*	Military fears 'unknown quantity' (WT
<http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080226/NATION/4
76716884/1001> ) 
*	Congress: Why should each military branch get same budget? (CSM
<http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0226/p03s03-usmi.html> ) 
*	China to cooperate on access to records (BG
<http://www.boston.com/news/world/asia/articles/2008/02/26/china_to_cooperat
e_on_access_to_records/> ) 
*	Chiarelli likely to command Iraq forces (WP
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/02/25/AR200802250
2473.html> )

WORLD VIEW

*	Opinion: Don't credit Al-Qaeda by assuming it offers Muslims hope
(AA <http://www.alarabiya.net/english.html>  | Story
<http://www.alarabiya.net/views/2008/02/25/46105.html> ) 
*	Toll rises in Turkey-PKK conflict (AJ
<http://english.aljazeera.net/English>  | Story
<http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/3E14DD15-F2D1-4C65-8148-5200DFB3E975
.htm> ) 
*	British Museum and army team up in move to rescue Iraq's heritage
(GRD <http://arts.guardian.co.uk/>  | Story
<http://arts.guardian.co.uk/art/news/story/0,,2259948,00.html> ) 
*	Opinion: Potemkin innovative Army (RT <http://www.moscowtimes.ru/>
| Story <http://www.moscowtimes.ru/stories/2008/02/26/006.html> ) 
*	Can the Mideast avoid war? (AA
<http://www.alarabiya.net/english.html>  | Story
<http://www.alarabiya.net/views/2008/02/26/46149.html> )

WHAT'S BEING SAID IN BLOGS

*	Measuring up (N2G
<http://blog.notes2grow.com/2008/02/25/measuring-up.aspx> ) 
*	Combat Camera: Forward observers paint targets for artillery strike
in Mosul (TT <http://thetension.blogspot.com/> ) 
*	A defiled star (KB
<http://kaboomwarjournal.blogspot.com/2008/02/defiled-star.html> ) 
*	Massive explosion in Tabriz, Iran - possible missile facility? (GP
<http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2008/02/explosion-at-nuclear-facility-in-
iran.html> ) 
*	U.S. Army turns to Disney for help (FP
<http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/node/8244> ) 
*	Building an Army that can build nations (HJ
<http://www.headlinejunky.com/permalink/2008_02_25_building_an_army_that_can
_build_nations.php> )

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