The international security environment has changed. We have downsized, but our global commitments have increased since the Cold War ended. Cold War icons have been replaced by new challenges and opportunities, new opportunities to shape the strategic environment to advance freedom and democratic interests. 21st century threats will be more unpredictable and require all of us to be more proactive rather than reactive, thus enabling us to stifle emerging threats before they become uncontrollable crises. Asymmetric warfare is a strategy that seeks to attack directly the enemy's strengths, and will be used by our enemies of the 21st century.
Asymmetric warfare is nothing new.
It was used yesterday in our quest for independence, it is being used today, and we will face asymmetric challenges tomorrow. While we've downsized, we've worked hard to maintain the strength of our Air Force through modernization programs. Programs such as the F-22, joint strike fighter and airborne laser are crucial to staying ahead of potential future threats. The revolution in military affairs will help us maintain the edge by harnessing advanced technology through the development of new operational concepts to produce fundamentally different forces for the future. The geopolitical changes have been dramatic and the ground has shifted abruptly beneath our feet as we have moved into an information age and a global economy.