Description
The Research Paper should be logically and factually based. It could be cross-sectional at one point in time or longitudinal at different points in time. The Paper should not be merely descriptive. The paper should be written from a comparative perspective. Its organization should include title page, abstract, introduction, literature review, research design, analysis and assessment, conclusion, and reference list. The paper must be at least 4000 words and use 10 references to articles from peer reviewed academic journals using the APA or APSA style.
Explanation & Answer
Attached.
A Comparative Analysis of National Security Policies of the United States, Russia, and the
Middle East
Abstract
➢ Brief summary of the research objectives, methodology, key findings, and conclusions.
➢ The scope of the study, the main aspects of national security analyzed, and the
comparative approach.
Introduction
Literature Review
➢ U.S. National Security Policy
➢ Russian National Security Policy
➢ Middle Eastern National Security Policies (Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Israel)
Research Design
➢ Methodology
➢ Data Collection
o Quantitative Data Sources
o Qualitative Data Sources
➢ Data Reliability and Validity
➢ Data Analysis
o Quantitative Analysis
o Qualitative Analysis
➢ Ethical Considerations
Analysis and Assessment
➢ Comparison of Military Expenditures and Capabilities
➢ Cybersecurity Measures
➢ Counterterrorism Strategies
➢ Geopolitical Strategies and Alliances
Conclusion
Reference List
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A Comparative Analysis of National Security Policies: The United States, Russia, and the
Middle East
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Abstract
This research paper gives an elaborate comparison of the national security policies of the
United States of America, Russia, and three Middle Eastern countries: Saudi Arabia, Iran, and
Israel. It uses cross-sectional research techniques to compare military spending, cyber security,
counter-terrorism policies, foreign policies, and internal security policies. Using the data from
peer-reviewed academic articles, legal acts, and international security databases, this paper
explores how the peculiarities of the geopolitical environment and strategic outlook define the
character of security policies of every country. Thus, Salem's work reflects the understanding
that different countries in different regions and with different histories have different approaches
to the idea of national security. It helps in the interpretation of these policies' impacts on world
security and in the relationship between nations.
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Introduction
National security policies provide nations with an effective guideline and strategies that
help to protect the country's sovereignty, and territorial borders as well as against threats from
outside and within. Such policies are inherently conditioned by the geopolitical environment,
historical settings, objectives at given phases of interstate relations, and the roles and positions of
countries as members of the regions and global village. This paper seeks to compare the current
national security policies of the United States, Russia, and the selected Middle Eastern countries
which are Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Israel.
The three regions contain three different powers with different strategic interests namely;
the United States of America, Russia, and Middle Eastern Countries. The U. S. employs a
worldview, keeps a major military presence across the globe, and emphasizes great power
confrontation, especially with China and Russia. Lack of financing, inefficient governance, and
bureaucratic structures are some of the external constraints that are limiting Russia's physical
expansion into Central Asia. However, its national security strategy focuses on making Russia a
dominant power in its near abroad region and challenging the Western countries' expansion as
well as proclaiming its status globally. Middle Eastern countries including Saudi Arabia, Iran,
and Israel among others are facing several challenges in regional security due to sectarianism,
power struggles, and terrorism.
This paper compares these national security policies across five critical dimensions: the
defense budgets and forces, security against cyber threats, combat against terrorism, international
relations, and vulnerabilities within the country. In this case, the overall goal is to compare and
contrast these policies as well as the connotations they have on the nature of security in the
global platform. This poses the research question of how these countries manage the
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contemporary international security environment and hence enhances knowledge about the
countries’ strategic directions and postures.
Literature Review
National security policies have been the most researched topics in international relations,
political science, and security science. First, this section analyses US, Russian, and Middle
Eastern nations' national security policy in the context of academic literature to accentuate their
distinctive features and concerns.
U.S. National Security Policy
Historical Context and Strategic Objectives
The United States' national security strategies have changed considerably since the early
1990's. This was a turning point to counterterrorism or counterinsurgency as identified by Posen
(2006) after the 9/11 attack. The former US National Security Strategy (NSS) was initiated in
2002 under the presidency of George W. Bush signifying the use of pre-emptive action as the
tool that came to be known as "pre-emption" in the prevention of hostile acts. This approach was
therefore a straight reaction to what was considered to have gone wrong with intelligence and the
quest to deal with global terrorism and terrorist networks (Trump, 2017).
The National Security Strategy of the USA in the fiscal year of 2017 presented by the
President of that time Donald Trump tilted toward great power competition primarily against
China and Russia (Trump, 2017). This strategy also emphasizes the shift towards the more
'realist' anarchy-based geopolitical issues, as opposed to counter-terrorism-related issues. Using
Brands and Edel’s (2019) insight into this shift, it deploys realignments strategically to address
the emergent state-based threats.
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Military and Technological Advancements
The United States spends the largest amount on its military becoming a primary indicator
of its emphasis on attaining and sustaining technological and operational edge. From the
Department of Defense (2018), the 2018 National Defense Strategy focuses on modernizing the
military, progressing and developing the cyber warfare specialization, and improving
cooperation with allies. This covers massive spending on so-called emerging technologies like
artificial intelligence and other forms of automation (Sloan, 2020).
The U.S. also advocates for collective security through international organizations and
regional alliances such as NATO and bilateral relationships with strategic powers such as Japan
and South Korea. The importance of these alliances cannot be overemphasized especially in the
formulation of the U.S. security policy as they foster cooperation and cohesiveness as well as the
enactment of collective security systems (Hoffman, 2018).
Cybersecurity and Counterterrorism
Such measures as cybersecurity are modern components of the national security policy of
the United States of America. The Cyber Strategy signed in September 2018 shows a planned
approach to respond to cyber threats and improve organizations’ cyber security (White House,
2018). The focus particularly on cybersecurity is explained by the heightened significance of
technological support and the rising risks of cyber threats from state and non-state actors.
Terrorism prevention...