Skin in the Game: Partnership in Establishing and Maintaining Global Security and Stability

摘要

We must recognize building partner capability and capacity as a critical, distinct line of effort that contributes greatly to U.S., partner, regional, and global security. Global stability and security are core foundational requirements for all U.S. vital interests. However, the Nation cannot maintain global security and stability by itself. Given the size of the globe, the multiplicity of cultures and interests, and the sheer cost of maintaining stability and security, the United States must work with other countries that have the common goals of security and stability and will share the costs and burdens of maintaining them. Moreover, the process of burden sharing actually helps to promote greater stability and security, as more countries are invested in the outcome, or have 'skin in the game.' While the United States recognizes the need to develop partnership capability, we still have not developed the systems, policies, and processes required to manage the program effectively. There are too many authorities, funding mechanisms often are too inflexible, and planning and execution are fragmented. Our business practices must be standardized across all agencies and headquarters involved with partnership building to effectively establish priorities, allocate resources, and manage program execution. DOD and DOS need to develop common business practices and work together far more effectively to ensure synchronization of effort. To do this, the paper makes the following recommendations: (1) Reorganize the Defense Security Cooperation Agency into a joint interagency security cooperation agency; (2) Implement interagency security cooperation program and portfolio management; (3) Standardize capability- and capacity-building systems; and (4) Combine phase zero and stability, security, transition, and reconstruction (SSTR) into a seamless approach to SSTR.