Beyond Security: Current US Army Capabilities for Post-Conflict Stability and Reconstruction Missions
Abstract
The attacks of 11 September 2001 demonstrated that weak states could pose great danger to the US. Current operations in both Afghanistan and Iraq have intensified calls for America to develop a standing nation-building capacity. This monograph examines what principal activities and roles inherent in SRO the US Army is currently capable of conducting or coordinating. A secondary question is whether the US Army is suited to govern an occupied territory. Foreign policy research groups agree that the US should improve its standing SRO capability, but differ as to which aspects of SRO are the most critical. Profiles of the Army's planning and conduct of SRO in post-World War II Japan and in early Operation Iraqi Freedom, conclude that conditions for the peaceful occupation and democratization of Japan were more favorable than in Iraq. Also, unity of effort in planning and execution of SRO in Japan was superior to that of SRO in Iraq. In conjunction with the Center for Strategic Studies? (CSIS) Post-Conflict Reconstruction Task Framework, the SRO profiles show that the Army has significant shortfalls in all aspects of SRO. The Army must improve its ability to govern occupied territories, given that it is likely to be called upon to do so again.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 25, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA450912
Entities
People
- George R. Shatzer
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College