Reconstruction and Stability Operations: Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way

摘要

The 7 December 2005 National Security Presidential Directive designated the Department of State (DOS) to be the lead agency for coordinating, synchronizing and conducting Reconstruction and Stabilization (R&S) operations clearly identifies the United States Government interest in transitioning operations to assist the Afghanistan central government in securing its country in order to develop long-term stability and order. For the interim, however, the sole cabinet level organization that possesses the ability to conduct reconstruction and stability operations is the Department of Defense (DOD). The DOD is the only organization manned, staffed, equipped and funded to execute the nation's R&S requirement today. Realizing this reality the DOD has taken steps to broaden its scope through the publication and implementation of DOD Directive 3000.05 direct that stability, security, transition and reconstruction (SSTR) operations be treated as a core military mission and to broaden its planning guidance and training to more fully address post-conflict operations. The DOD serving as the ad hoc lead agency for the interim period is more out of necessity than preference until the DOS and other executive branch organizations expand their manning, equipment and resource capacity to take the lead role. Having the DOD serve in the lead for the interim is not a negative reflection on the contributions being made by other executive branch organizations; their roles are vital to current operations, however, their capacity is limited and must be expanded to effectively take the lead role. DOD is capable of effectively leading R&S operations now while other executive branch organizations build their capacity and capabilities and procedures to take the lead in the future.