National Security Concepts

• National interests are values of internal or external nature that become values of social coexistence and are divided into vital, major, and peripheral, being essential for the security and stability of the State.
• National Power represents the integrated expression of resources available to a Nation to achieve and maintain National Objectives internally and externally, despite existing Adverse Factors.
• Intersectoral Coordination and Unified Action integrates efforts between State sectors to confront threats and optimize resources, ensuring efficiency in decision-making.
• Joint operations include synchronized and coordinated activities conducted by the Armed Forces involving governmental, non-governmental, national, or international entities.
• The objective in joint operations is a defined, decisive, and attainable goal towards which all military operations are oriented.
• The principle of unity of effort in joint military operations ensures all involved elements direct their efforts towards achieving the proposed objective, always considering unity of command.

Principles of War in Joint Operations (FOSUCEMUU)

• Flexibility
• Objective
• Sustainability
• Unity of Effort
• Concentration of Forces
• Economy of Effort
• Maintenance of Morale
• Unity of Doctrine
• Unity of Command

Levels of War

• Strategic
• Operational
• Tactical

Instruments of National Power

• Diplomatic
• Economic
• Military
• Information

Concepts of Thinkers on National Power

• Hans Morgenthau: Accumulating power as a means to achieve objectives.
• Robert Dahl: Ability to compel someone else to do what they would not otherwise do.
• Thomas Friedman: Based on the number of allies, the country's prestige, and digital penetration.
• Joseph Nye: Smart power, combines hard and soft power, with the latter being the main component of National Power, to influence others without using military force or economic sanctions.

"Smart Power" and its Relations

• Preparing the Armed Forces for joint employment.
• Efficiency in the face of present challenges and developing capabilities for future scenarios.
• Perseverance in respecting international law.
• The defense policy of a State defines the aspirations and capabilities of the State in matters of security and guides the use of military resources.
• Military planning includes documents on policies and strategies at the national level: Development Plan, Defense Policy, Military Defense Directive, Sectorial Defense Plan, Military Strategic Direction, which establish the framework for national security.
• National Interests and Strategic Objectives of the State are expressed as a National Strategy or Grand Strategy, oriented to guarantee security and stability and define national priorities.
• The use of military force occurs in national defense, international missions, and is an instrument of state power, not just in natural disasters.
• In joint military operations, the objective must be clear and achievable to ensure the operation's effectiveness.
• Coordination in joint operations is essential rather than optional for the unity of effort.
• The principles of war, derived from lessons learned in past conflicts, allow for improving tactics and strategies.
• War cannot be defined solely at the strategic level, as each level has different approaches and objectives.
• The operational level manages resources and campaigns to support strategy and is not focused on the tactical level.
• Military strategy is derived from political objectives established by the national strategy; politics define the course, and strategy operationalizes it.
• At the strategic level, the risks of using military means are evaluated, and national objectives are established with the national strategy guiding all military actions.
• The operational commander is responsible for developing and executing campaigns and major operations, rather than tactical plans for the battlefield.
• Operational sequencing or linking orchestrates the activities between campaign plan phases, ensuring coherence in the operations' development.
• The three levels of war are not necessarily related to the command levels established in the hierarchical structure of forces, as the command structure can vary without affecting the levels.
• Resources are managed at the operational level based on strategic objectives, while the tactical level carries out combat operations.
• At the strategic level, war plans with cost and risk assessments are developed, analyzing resources, national objectives, and potential threats.
• Operational-level plans are not independent and are directly linked, as they implement the national strategy.
• Command organization is one of the most critical operational functions, ensuring the efficient conduct of operations.
• Operational functions are relevant in times of peace and war, and their sequencing and synchronization are the responsibility of the operational commander.
• According to DOBARE considers operational functions that activities and capacities complement each other to gain advantages that help fulfill the mission rather than reinforce each other.
• The definition of operational functions can change according to the needs of each organization or force, adapting to strategic requirements.
• Operational information is fundamental for providing timely intelligence and supporting decision-making.
• Command can be organized for centralized control and decentralized execution, allowing decisions to be made coherently while granting freedom of action to subordinate levels.
• Integrating different functions is essential to ensure the effectiveness of forces.
• Operational functions can change as the needs of the operation/mission changes.

Functions

• The EM's (Estado Mayor/General Staff) basic functions describe actions for organizing, training, and supplying the force, ensuring its preparation and capacity to fulfill assigned missions.
• Robert Dahl describes national power as the ability to compel another actor to act in a way they would not otherwise do, defining power as the ability to influence others' actions.
• The defense policy of a state defines the aspirations and capabilities of the State to guarantee its security and stability.
• The function of the diplomatic instrument of power facilitates the negotiation and peaceful resolution of conflicts through international agreements and alliances.
• National defense, deterrence, peace operations, internal security, and disaster assistance are actions that represent the uses of military power, especially when national interests are in danger.
• A joint force concept allows synergistic action of capabilities across different military branches and is seen as part of smart power.
• "Objective" defines the operation's goal clearly and attainably.
• "Unity of Effort" emphasizes the importance of all components of the force working towards the same end.
• Concentration of forces involves applying maximum combat power at the decisive time and place to gain an advantage over the enemy.
• Economy of effort means efficiently using available resources and forces to achieve the objective.
• Maintaining morale seeks to keep high effective.
• Flexibility is crucial for adapting to unforeseen changes in the operational environment.
• Unity of doctrine ensures that different elements of a joint force use common language.
• Sustainability ensures the continuous supply of resources and logistical support during the operation, with adequate means available constantly.
• Lessons learned from previous conflicts improve planning and prevent mistakes in future military operations.
• The strategic level establishes national objectives, defining general security and defense goals.
• The operational commander determines the objectives at the operational level.
• They best describe combat for operational objectives.
• Tactical levels not strategic elements.
• It ensures that military operations support national goals during times of conflict.
• Operational link, synchronizes military actives.
• Elements for analysation, security national resources, and a threat to the security of others.
• Planning State operations essential.
• Organizing command can happen with cohesiveness.
• Information enables decisions.
• Activities to allow for action towards efficiency.
• Military operations are essential, Commander support is essential as well.
• A range of coordination promotes benefits.
• According the the Book of Doctrine Naval, activities allow for operations to happen.
• "Identifying targets" allows select military objectives.
• Organizational command involves adaptabilty.
• Information to influence behavior.