National Interest Matrix

National Interest Matrix

Nature of Interest Intensity of Interest

Core/survival Vital Major Peripheral

In this matrix, a natural equilibrium axis runs from the upper left to the lower right: defense of the homeland is invariably a core or survival interest, while promotion of values in and of themselves (where more immediate concerns are not also involved) is normally likely to be only a peripheral interest.

For any crisis situation, such a matrix can be drawn up for each participant  though the matrix will inevitably be subjective, dependent upon the level of intensity with which each nation's leadership perceives its national interests to be involved. Both the concept of this grid and its limitations can be illustrated by a brief consideration of the American experience in Vietnam. For the United States, in the "struggle against

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st regime bent, potentially, on domination of the entire Middle East, but the threat would in this hypothetical case lack the immediacy of the threat actually faced in early August, 1990, when Iraqi forces were positioned mere days or even hours from vital oil reserves. When response time is limited, policy makers are driven to consider "worst case scenarios," even when the actual probability of such scenarios may be relatively low. It is improbable, given U.S. deterrent power, that Soviet missiles based in Cuba would actually have been used in a nuclear surprise attack on the American homeland, but the short time frame available to U.S. planners before such missiles could be operational forced this possibility to be regarded with the utmost seriousness and urgency. Likewise, the possiblity of an immediate Iraqi strike into Saudi Arabia forced the Bush Administration to act at once, with little or no time for indepth consideration of alternative possibilities, or for extended diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis without introduction of U.S. forces into the region. The Chinese ideogram for crisis is said to combine the ideograms for "danger" and "opportunity." Likewise, national interests have a positive
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Approximate Word count = 5908
Approximate Pages = 24 (250 words per page)

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