While functional combatant commands operate all over the world across geographic boundaries, geographic combatant commands have a regional military focus and work in clearly delineated responsibility areas. When operating, geographic combatant commanders regularly face various challenges that make it harder for them to perform their responsibilities. At the same time, there are also numerous opportunities that make their work more comfortable and practical.
Probably the most significant challenge faced by geographic combatant commanders is terrorism, which threatens the lives and welfare of U.S. citizens and people all over the world. According to researchers, terrorism danger will increase because more and more individuals and small groups start using new relationships, ideas, and technologies to their advantage (“The future summarized,” n.d.). Though the rapid development of new digital and other technologies is a beneficial part of this era, it is a major disadvantage that terrorists can also use to hurt people and governments. Therefore, it is a challenging task for geographic combatant commanders to prevent them from inflicting cruelty on ordinary citizens. However, it becomes more difficult precisely because of the advanced possibilities terrorists gain due to technologies.
The opportunity of geographic combatant commanders may be considered controversial. Though climate change is a severe problem that requires being addressed as soon as possible, it also helps commanders in their missions. Thanks to the existence of this issue, they have to constantly evaluate any potential risks and keep their theater campaign plans up-to-date (“The future summarized,” n.d.). This will allow the geographic combatant commanders to receive an advantage in achieving their desired outcomes and end-states. Moreover, climate change risk may be turned into a specific chance to enhance relationships with foreign partners (“The future summarized,” n.d.). This issue is common to the whole world also leads to increased international cooperation.
Reference
The future summarized. (n.d.). Global Trends. Web.