India-Pakistan -- Adjusting the Unified Command Plan for the 21st Century.

Abstract : Since 1947, Pakistan and India have been in conflict along their common boundary and the United States has been trying to pursue a policy that would provide stability and prosperity throughout South Asia. The National Security Act of 1947 established joint commands to direct, plan and coordinate worldwide U.S. military operations. Under the current Unified Corninand Plan dated January 1998, United States Central Coitmand's (USCENTCOM) area of responsibility (AOR) includes Pakistan and the United States Pacific Command's (USPACOM) AOR includes India. This line in the sand is wrong. Two different Coinrnanders-in- Chief (CINCs) looking out for each country is ineffective and counterproductive for this region. The Joint Staff has a perfect opportunity to correct this 50-year inistake by revising the UCP. The two countries should be assigned to one regional CINC in order to focus the collective efforts and programs that will promote stability and prosperity in the region into the 21st Century. The best CINC to be responsible for both countries is USCINCPAC.