September 20,2002

President Bush has crafted a new national security strategy that essentially abandons concepts of deterrence -- which dominated defense policies during the Cold War years -- for a forward-reaching, pre-emptive strategy against hostile states and terrorist groups, while also expanding development assistance and free trade, promoting democracy, fighting disease, and transforming the U.S. military.

Defending the United States from its enemies is the first and most fundamental commitment to the American people, Bush said in his introduction to the "National Security Strategy," which was released September 20 in Washington.

"Today, that task has changed dramatically. Enemies in the past needed great armies and great industrial capabilities to endanger America," he said. "Now, shadowy networks of individuals can bring great chaos and suffering to our shores for less than it costs to purchase a single tank."

Defeating such a threat requires the United States to use every tool in its arsenal -- "military power, better homeland defenses, law enforcement, intelligence, and vigorous efforts to cut off terrorist financing," he said.

The greatest threat facing the United States, the president said, "lies at the crossroads of radicalism and technology." He said terrorists and enemies of the United States are aggressively determined and openly seeking to develop and use weapons of mass destruction.

The security strategy spells out U.S. policy to identify and destroy any terrorist threat before it reaches the United States.

"While the United States will constantly strive to enlist the support of the international community, we will not hesitate to act alone, if necessary, to exercise our right of self-defense by acting preemptively against such terrorists, to prevent them from doing harm against our people and our country," the strategy document said.

The strategy document also outlines a policy to work with other nations and international organizations to defuse regional conflicts; to prevent enemies from using weapons of mass destruction against the United States, it allies and friends; to support and promote a new era of global economic growth through free markets and free trade; to expand the development of open societies and build the infrastructure of democracy; to reduce the toll of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases; and to transform the U.S. military to meet 21st century challenges.

"The United States will use this moment of opportunity to extend the benefits of freedom across the globe," Bush said. "We will actively work to bring the hope of democracy, development, free markets, and free trade to every corner of the world. The United States will stand beside any nation determined to build a better future by seeking the rewards of liberty for its people."

Bush said the United States also is committed to lasting institutions like the United Nations, NATO, the World Trade Organization and the Organization of American States.