Mass Atrocity: Prevention and Response
Abstract
What the MARO Project proposes, and indeed explores in considerable detail, is nothing short of a fundamental shift in thinking from the "whether" to the "how" of intervention. Mass atrocities are operationally unique; this important recognition has paved the path for MARO's adoption into relevant military doctrine and its subsequent--and no less consequential-- consideration at the top levels of policy-making. The Workshop convened in December 2010 was an essential step in addressing, among others, what Sarah Sewall called the "Inchoate Middle Ground" between mass atrocity prevention and response, a challenge being tackled presently at different levels and bureaus of the U.S. Government. While much progress has been made in addressing how to shore up this disconnect, much work remains. Experience has taught me that whether at the policy, operational or tactical levels, actors' roles and responsibilities must be clearly, expressly defined. Although MARO's institutionalization and development within the U.S. makes mass atrocity planning, prevention and response sound exclusively like an American problem, this is quite obviously not the case. Nonetheless, without American engagement and leadership other actors will be ill-positioned to assess their own potential for influence and assistance. Though efforts have been made to identify and define key USG interagency roles, those of non-USG actors--including international and regional organizations, foreign governments, civil society and many others--must be more clearly spelled out. This area, the focus of the "Comprehensive Engagement" conference working group, is the fundamental next step. Burden sharing not only makes intervention scenarios more palatable and appear to be more legitimate, it also allows a multitude of actors to operationalize their comparative advantage in order to achieve a unity of purpose.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA544683
Entities
People
- Dwight Raymond
Organizations
- United States Army War College