Role of the U.S. Military in the Professionalization of the Armed Forces of Liberia.

摘要

The national security interests of the United States include a growing concern for stability on the African continent and specifically the region of West Africa. One potential U.S. partner in this region is the country of Liberia. The newly formed Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) presents a developing opportunity to contribute to the broader U.S. interests. However, in order to ensure stability within Liberia, the AFL requires growth and development through its continued professionalization. This research ascertained the key challenges faced by Liberia in the professionalization of the AFL and assessed how the United States should focus resources in support of this effort through Building Partner Capacity (BPC) strategies. The researcher used comparative case study analysis of similar U.S. led BPC professionalization efforts with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Mali Armed Forces, and the Botswana Defence Force in order to draw cross conclusions and themes. These conclusions were connected to current National Strategic documents and U.S. military doctrine to provide future recommendations for the role of the U.S. military in professionalizing the AFL.