Future Trends and US National Security

摘要: Abstract : The study of the future is difficult and dynamic but extraordinarily valuable. Multiple forces have significant influences over how unfolds. Political, social, economic, technological, environmental, military trends create enormous pressures that drive patterns currents shape future. Even as our world has become more complex, sophisticated, new methodologies evolved to help examine, innovate, evaluate both potential futures decisions will impact these futures.1 Unsurprisingly, some research methods are highly quantitative while others wholly qualitative. Yet all share same goal expanding what we know about present us understand may bring. Air Command Staff College (ACSC) student master s theses in this book thoughtful, credible, and, several cases, award-winning attempts develop visions. These creative visions offer insights into long-range strategies, policies, plans augment prepare US national security policy for a spectrum uncertain futures. Optimally, papers essentially enhance anticipatory consciousness, their true value be measured not by accurate they usefulness planning opening minds consider possibilities changing agenda. 2 Clearly, purpose make better today enabling anticipate opportunities threats address them. And strategically it anticipate, rather than just respond change. 3