Obama’s defense guidance continued the War on Terror via drones and special forces

Evidence

In 2012, Obama’s Defense Strategic Guidance document, titled “Sustaining U.S. Global Leadership: Priorities for 21st Century Defense,” refocused US foreign policy and its military structure. It made clear that the United States will continue to fight against “violent extremists,” even though the assassination of bin Laden has diminished al-Qaeda. As the report states, “its affiliates remain active in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia, and elsewhere”; the US military will “monitor” these groups and strike “the most dangerous groups and individuals when necessary.” In short, Obama would continue the War on Terror on nonstate actors through surveillance, but also through drone attacks and the use of Special Operations Forces. — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire, 433

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: The Afghanistan war instantly validated drones as central to future US military strategy.; Obama’s presidency mutated and advanced rather than ended the war on terror — Khaled A. Beydoun, American Islamophobia_ Understanding…, 329; Obama’s rhetoric masked drone strikes and mosque surveillance. (+11 more)

Broader Connections

• Obama’s defense strategy pivoted to containing China and Iran through regional allies #contradicts (0.50) — Deepa Kumar, Islamophobia and the Politics of Empire, 434