Current Status: The current national leadership seems unconcerned about deploying the US military into missions or theaters where our soldiers are placed under the command, or serious influence of foreign powers. Many such joint military endeavors would not be possible without US support. These sorts of missions place our soldiers in harms way with an untested and untrusted chain of command, often for reasons that do not serve our national interests to the degree in which we contribute our support.

Correction toward the Ideal: Whether it be a United Nations mission, NATO, or joint venture with some other country, US military forces should never be placed under direct or operational control of any foreign military or political entity. In the event of a joint venture, if it provides the key resources, the United States military should have primary theater command. If not, the US should likely pass or accept only an advisory role. Coalition command structure should not be interleaved. Soldiers should be directed through their own chain of command and coalition members should coordinate at the highest possible level. Any other arrangement should cause US leaders to review the advisability of the military venture in question.

Supporting Information: See the Learn More section to the right for more information on this topic—especially our white paper on Military Under Foreign Command.