Means of Effective Security Sector Reform: A Comparison of US Military and Contractor Programs

摘要

With continuing emphasis on building partner capacity to deal with internal and external security threats, the U.S. Department of State and Department of Defense continue to increase partner nation security force capacity using Security Sector Reform (SSR). This monograph assesses whether U.S. SSR programs, in concert with other contributor nations, fulfill U.S. foreign policy better when implemented by U.S. government agencies rather than contractors. Analysis of six selected case studies shows how the intervening variables of transparency, effective oversight, and contractor misconduct affect the outcome of the SSR effort. These case studies provide a qualitative means to test the theory by reviewing SSR performed by predominantly contracted, mixed, and predominantly military sources. The case studies include six countries with various types of support as well as policy intents. Ukraine in 2009, Georgia in 2008, and Senegal in 2009 are examples of SSR programs that utilized a mix of contracted and U.S. government support. Croatia in 1995, the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 2009, and South Sudan in 2009 are examples of predominantly contracted support. Examination of the case studies using the three variables described resulted in an unclear connection between a specific policy and the overall outcome. In conclusion, U.S. policy aims for SSR programs may result in unintended consequences, regardless of the type of support and overall unity of effort of the SSR program.