Rep. Keith Self on Coordinated National Policy for State Dept & DoD Collaboration

The Need for Coordinated National Policy

• 🎯 Rep. Keith Self emphasizes the critical need for a coordinated national policy that integrates the efforts of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of State.
• 💡 He invokes Clausewitz's idea that "war is a mere continuation of policy by other means" to frame the current global landscape as a hybrid war, not just great power competition.
• ⚠️ A recent cyberattack on SCADA equipment in Spain, Portugal, and France is cited as an example of the new threats faced.

Aligning DoD Combatant Commands with State Department Bureaus

• 🤝 The discussion highlights the importance of aligning DoD combatant commands with State Department bureaus to effectively serve U.S. national interests globally.
• 🚀 This alignment is seen as essential for backing up soft power with hard power, especially in the face of assertive actions by nations like China.
• 🗺️ Allies are urged to coordinate infrastructure projects, such as pipelines, with NATO war plans to strengthen the alliance's warfighting capabilities.

Integrating Cyberspace and Digital Policy

• 💻 Cyberspace and digital policy are identified as crucial components of modern hybrid warfare.
• 🧠 The need for diplomats to possess technical competence in these areas is stressed, as current training may not be sufficient.
• 🌐 There is a debate on where to best house cyberspace and digital policy within the State Department, with a preference for placing it within the 'T' family (likely referring to a technical or global affairs bureau) due to its global nature and the need for specialized expertise.

Field vs. Washington Coordination

• ✈️ In the field, the coordination between foreign service officers and combatant commanders is described as superb and outstanding, working far better than relationships between DoD and State in Washington.
• 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 This effective field coordination is attributed to diplomats and military personnel being on the front lines together, fostering immediate understanding and cooperation.
• 🛠️ Clear channels are needed for emerging technologies, new threats, and digital policy to ensure effective collaboration between diplomatic and military efforts.