3D Security Initiative

Over the last few weeks several people have talked with me about the need for a 3D Security Initiative in Israel. Here is an excellent article detailing an effort to expanding the concept of security and increasing the number of security strategies in Israel.

-Lisa Schirch

Desperately seeking security
by: Gila Svirsky date: 2007-05-22

JERUSALEM - In Israel, the concept of "security" is a powerful one. It is used to justify all military activity, including the occupation of Palestinian territories and the vast budgets applied to it. Indeed, a mystique has developed around security --"national security" is a phrase invoked not just to increase military budgets, but also to silence criticism and prevent transparency. Recent efforts to prevent the publication of testimony about the Second Lebanon War were pursued on the grounds of "security". "Security risks" can be used as a rationale to prevent defendants from seeing the evidence against them in court. Only the highest officials are privy to full information about security related matters, and they prevent this information from seeing the light of public scrutiny and debate. And because of the role of men in the security establishment -- making all the major military and political decisions -- men and their views are valued and privileged over women and their views, deepening inequality. Much more could (and should) be said about all this.

On March 19, we co-hosted with the Institute of World Affairs and the Alliance for Peacebuilding a roundtable of 20 Iranians and conflict prevention scholars to analyze the current situation and propose diplomatic frameworks and channels for U.S. engagement with Iran.

The 3D Security Initiative developed the policy brief and then circulated the draft for review by the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict and other organizations.

We welcome your feedback and ideas related to this policy brief emailed to Lisa Schirch at schirchl@emu.edu or posted here.

Click here to read Conflict Prevention Options with Iran

The current imbalance between military and civilian instruments of U.S. foreign policy and security spending is harmful to U.S. national interests. Investments in diplomacy and development assistance have decreased over the last few decades. The Defense Department is replacing the State Department as the primary shaper of foreign policy and U.S. security strategy. In this summary article of Gordon Adam’s “The Politics of National Security Budgets,” published by the Stanley Foundation, Adams gives 7 reasons why the Defense Department (DOD) budget continues to rise while the civilian foreign policy tools of diplomacy and development assistance in the State Department and USAID face tough budget battles to retain current funding levels.

The Journal of International Peace Operations recently published an article by 3D Security Initiative's Policy Director Michael Shank on the need for a more robust security strategy in Iraq. In this article, Michael examines how diplomacy and development can play a role in securitizing Iraq, Somalia and other conflict regions. Analyzing the administration's recent budget proposals for defense spending in FY08 as well as past and present budget allocations for Iraq reconstruction efforts, Michael recommends an alternative approach, one that prioritizes diplomacy and development. Click