World's firefighter, policeman or something else?

Dick Morris' column in today's NY Post likens the US military to the "The World's Firefighter":

Our military, with its weapons and offensive psychology, is uniquely suited to put out fires, crippling totalitarian and terror-sponsoring regimes like the Serbs in Kosovo and Saddam Hussein in Iraq. Only our firepower and technology can bring these miscreants to heel.

But our ability to occupy and govern the territory we have conquered is by no means unique: Other nations could do as well, perhaps better. We must not tax the patience of our people or the optimism of our troops by forcing them into a quasi-colonial war occupying a nation like Iraq. The consequences are too dangerous.

Morris is correct that our military, as currently organized, is not well-suited to occupying and rebuilding "broken" societies.   But his proposed solution -- to leave this task to unnamed "other nations" -- is unrealistic.   Who does Morris think would be willing to assume these burdens?   The British? The French? Russia? The UN (which after all, does not have any troops or resources of its own but rather relies upon contributions by member states)?   Morris' vision is an attractive fantasy, not a practical policy prescription.

As these pages have argued before (see here, here, here or here), the US needs a new type of military capability; specifically recruited, trained and equipped to perform the mission of "nation building".   Think of something like Médecins Sans Frontières (the French-led international emergency aid group) but with the ability to defend themselves from armed attack and having their own organic transportation and logistical capabilities.

Tom Barnett, a professor at the Naval War College and consultant to the DoD, calls his version of this new force "The System Administrators".   (Personally, I'd prefer a less tech sounding name like the "Reconstruction Corps", but that's just marketing.)   Barnett has a great article in this month's Esquire outlining his views in greater detail.   (Unfortunately, its only available to subscribers but there is a free trial available.   If you are unable to get hold of it, let me know and I'll email you a copy.)   Barnett's piece should be essential reading for anyone concerned about the situation in Iraq and the future security of our country.