Weak and Failing States: Evolving Security Threats and U.S. Policy
Abstract
Although long a component of U.S. foreign policy, strengthening weak and failing states has increasingly emerged as a high-priority U.S. national security goal since the end of the Cold War. The past three U.S. National Security Strategy documents point to several threats emanating from states that are variously described as weak, fragile, vulnerable, failing, precarious, failed, crisis, and collapsed. These threats include (1) providing safe havens for terrorists and other illicit groups; (2) causing conflict, regional instability, and humanitarian emergencies; and (3) undermining efforts to promote democracy and good governance. The President, in his 2005 National Security Presidential Directive (NSPD) 44, asserts that the United States should work ... to anticipate state failure, avoid it whenever possible, and respond quickly and effectively when necessary and appropriate.... The U.S. government remains in the early stages of developing capabilities and resources for addressing a complex mix of security, development, and governance challenges confronting weak states. New U.S. programs and initiatives fall under four main categories: (1) conflict and threat early warning, (2) international cooperation and diplomacy, (3) foreign development assistance, and (4) post-conflict stability operations. However, as U.S. policies toward weak and failing states have grown in priority and cost, particularly since 9/11, some policy makers and analysts have begun to question the Administration's commitment to effectively addressing the problems posed by these states.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 15, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA474602
Entities
People
- Liana S. Wyler
Organizations
- Library of Congress