Enhancing Civilian Agency Participation in Stability Operations
Abstract
Stability operations (encompassing stabilization, security, transition, and reconstruction) are intended to prevent or halt the deterioration of security, economic, and/or political systems; establish a safe environment for the local populace; shift responsibility for security, services, economic development, and governance from the intervening military and civilian agencies to the host nation; and rebuild degraded, damaged, or destroyed infrastructure. U.S. plans for stability operations emphasize a "whole of government" approach in which civilian and military agency efforts reflect a common U.S. strategy, though such an approach has been difficult to implement in practice. The Army asked RAND Arroyo Center to assess the problems of civilian capacity for stability operations and to identify options for making key civilian agencies more capable partners to the Army in such operations. Key Points: (1) Only a limited number of government civilian agencies need to be involved in planning stability operations; (2) Civilian agencies have relevant skills but lack capacity; (3) Collaboration is impeded by structural problems that center on incentive issues; and (4) Real solutions must take place at the national level, but DoD and the Army can take some steps to improve collaboration.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA584958
Entities
People
- Susan K. Woodward
Organizations
- RAND Corporation