Modern U.S. Civil - Military Relations: Wielding the Terrible Swift Sword

摘要

On November 30, 1995, Secretary of Defense William J. Perry testified before the House International Relations and National Security committees on the commitment of U.S. ground forces to the Former Yugoslavia. The commitment, crafted in Dayton, Ohio, had been avoided for some 4 years. Perry carefully discussed the mission, rules of engagement, and exit strategy for U.S. forces. Perry explained the rationale for the deployment an opportunity to end the bloody conflict, further American interests in the region, and prevent the spread of the war to neighboring nations. He clearly defined the mission of the Implementation Force (IFOR) as 'to oversee and enforce implementation of the military aspects of the peace agreement'.