Stability Operations: The 'Whole of Government' Approach Using a Fraction of the Team Can No Longer Succeed

摘要

Diversification is not typically the first word to come to mind when thinking about U.S. military strategy of the past. This was a term often reserved for the business world when discussing the natural progression of a company's growth once the core business becomes stable and profitable. Excellence in both offensive and defensive combat operations has been the cornerstone of the Army's business. The events of September 11, 2001, introduced diversity into military lexicon. The U.S. and its allies no longer face an easily identifiable enemy. State actors in military uniforms have been supplanted by armed groups of terrorists, often aided by outlaw states, willing to take their fight to any location to pursue their radical ideology. In response to this new threat, the Army was forced to diversify. The fragile global security environment dictates the Army adopt an additional and equally important core function; stability operations. Successful stability operations contemplate a force that understands the culture and population in conflict areas with the ability to work in concert with other government and nongovernment agencies. Seven plus years of persistent conflict has placed an unprecedented strain on our military forces. The time for meaningful collaboration is now.