The United States faces the looming threat of stagnation. Despite formulating strategies and setting goals in various sectors, we often fall short due to a critical oversight – neglecting the element of time. Tasks that used to be accomplished quickly now drag on for years, and problems that were once efficiently resolved now seem never-ending. Without factoring in time in our strategic calculations, we will always be lagging behind.
During my tenure at the White House as the deputy national security adviser for strategy, I witnessed this firsthand. In 2017, I contributed to the writing of the U.S. National Security Strategy. However, I was aware that implementing the initiatives outlined in the strategy would be much more challenging than drafting the document itself. Merely linking presidential executive orders and White House strategies to budgets and assigning tasks to implementing organizations is insufficient. The National Security Strategy lays out priorities but lacks specific timeframes for achievement or mechanisms to track progress. Consequently, initiatives from both democratic and republican administrations are not executed swiftly enough to accomplish their intended goals. Numerous examples illustrate this issue:
– The consistent emphasis on reducing dependence on China for crucial minerals has not yielded significant results, despite the abundance of domestic resources. It takes well over a decade for a new mine to open in the United States on average.
– Military leaders continually express concerns about the loss of agility and the urgent need to expedite necessary changes. China’s acquisition of advanced weapons systems and equipment significantly outpaces that of the United States. While efforts to provide Ukraine with military support continue, replenishing our stockpiles of arms and munitions remains a challenge. Restoring inadequate stocks for certain weapons systems alone will take at least five years, leaving the United States vulnerable in the event of a conflict with China over Taiwan.
– The maintenance delays for naval vessels adversely impact our fleet, leading to significant losses. Additionally, software upgrades are crucial for many of our weapons systems, and any delays can render them obsolete.
– Climate change, recognized as an existential threat, has seen minimal progress in terms of mitigation. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services struggle to process immigrants efficiently despite staffing increases and technological advancements. Similarly, the lack of qualified STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) workers remains unresolved, despite years of complaints from U.S. officials.
The United States finds itself unable to keep up with the “speed of relevance” as stated by military leaders. Rapid technological advancements disrupt existing political, economic, and regulatory structures, exposing a widening gap between leaders’ promises and their ability to deliver. This discrepancy breeds skepticism and cynicism among U.S. citizens and skepticism among international friends and allies. Meanwhile, our rivals perceive our inability to deliver as a weakness, which undermines deterrence.
However, time was not always a hindrance, as demonstrated by successful past endeavors. The construction of the Pentagon, the largest office building globally, was completed in just 16 months under the supervision of Leslie Groves, a decisive leader who demanded quick decisions. The Manhattan Project, initiated at President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s behest to build an atomic bomb, was accomplished within three years. President John F. Kennedy’s Apollo program put humans on the moon within a decade, inspiring countless technological innovations. The Air Force swiftly introduced multiple fighters and generations of ICBMs during the early years of the Cold War.
Diplomatically, the Marshall Plan provided significant resources to rebuild Western Europe within three years of its announcement. Similarly, President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s vision for the U.S. interstate highway system became a reality within ten years.
These achievements shared common factors. Bureaucratic inefficiencies and burdensome regulations were not yet entrenched. The Defense Department could quickly procure necessary microchips for the Minuteman missile. Decisive individuals were empowered to make prompt decisions and assemble competent teams. The administration of the Marshall Plan recruited experts from various sectors at an impressive speed. Such hiring practices would face legal challenges in today’s environment.
We mustn’t rely solely on the past accomplishments of previous generations. To remain competitive and protect American interests, we must consider the factor of time. While calls for bureaucratic reform persist, incorporating time as a fundamental element of strategy could be a viable approach. Time-sensitive strategies would entail considering timeframes alongside other factors like funding and personnel. With the abundance of data and advanced analytical tools available today, this integration is more feasible than ever.
Time-sensitive strategies offer several advantages. They compel policymakers to set realistic objectives by accounting for time constraints. Such strategies introduce discipline, akin to the Gantt charts of the early 1900s that facilitated tracking the duration of each stage in complex processes. Moreover, time-sensitive strategies foster transparency, enabling citizens to assess whether promises can be fulfilled promptly or if substantial time will be required. This transparency can reduce cynicism and restore confidence in government.
In conclusion, the United States must overcome the challenge of incorporating time into its strategic calculations. By embracing time-sensitive strategies, we can aim for more realistic objectives, introduce discipline, and enhance transparency. To succeed in our rapidly evolving world and effectively address pressing issues, we must adapt and prioritize the element of time.
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