Orchestrating Instruments of Power for Nationbuilding
Abstract
Following the transfer of authority from the Coalition Provisional Authority to the Iraqi Interim Government on June 28, 2004, the orchestration of these four components became the responsibility of two new organizations: the U.S. Embassy Baghdad, which replaced the CPA, and the Multi-National Force Iraq (MNF-I), which replaced Combined Joint Task Force-7. MNF-I was established as a combined, multinational, and joint four-star headquarters to exercise the command, control, and integration of political and military efforts at the strategic level. Coordinating and synchronizing efforts between the U.S. Embassy and the multinational force--given "philosophical and operational differences of civil-military institutions" (the clash of cultures)--was one of the greatest challenges facing the leaders of these organizations, Ambassador John Negropontedand GEN George Casey, USA, respectively, on their arrival in June 2004. Both Ambassador Negroponte and General Casey recognized the need to nurture the fledgling government, reestablish an infrastructure capable of providing essential services to the people, and prepare the Iraqi Security Forces to take on increasing responsibility for domestic security while dealing with a persistent and ruthless insurgency. Meeting these needs and building the four pillars necessary to support a secure, stable, and democratic nation would require an extraordinary level of teamwork and cooperation between the U.S. Embassy and MNF-I to ensure that efforts were coordinated and complementary, not in competition. This article describes the situation in June 2004 and the means by which General Casey organized his staff to overcome these challenges and ensure integration and cooperation between the U.S. Embassy and the multinational force.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA521722
Entities
People
- Henry W. Stratman
Organizations
- National Defense University