Turning the Tide: Refocusing Stability Operations in Afghanistan
Abstract
Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in Afghanistan are not set up to succeed in stability and peace operations with currently published Joint Doctrine or the culture and language understanding they currently possess. In the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review, the Department of Defense delineated a number of missions that need a re-focused effort. One of these missions is stability operations. To ensure the Joint Force Commander's success in stability and peace operations in Afghanistan, new doctrine for PRTs must be written, and stronger requirements must be made for cultural awareness and language skills among PRT members. This paper examines the current doctrine and illustrates its shortcomings as it relates to ongoing PRT efforts in stability and peace operations. The paper also illustrates the paramount importance of cultural and language awareness of Afghan society in PRTs, and how this understanding directly relates to their efforts to achieve stability, peace, and reconstruction. Changes in Joint Doctrine and in the skill requirements of PRT members must be made if operations in Afghanistan are to progress from Phase 4 to Phase 5. The paper also highlights some reasons why PRTs are not considered credible by the Afghan people, and why this credibility is vital to the success of the stability mission. The paper concludes with recommendations for changing Joint Doctrine and for instituting programs that will improve the cultural and linguistic skills of PRT members so that the Joint Force Commander can reach the desired end-state and ultimately hand over operations to Afghan authorities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 03, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA525134
Entities
People
- Todd J. Perlman
Organizations
- Naval War College