Stability Operations and Government: An Inherently Military Function; Research paper

摘要

Since the end of major combat operations in Iraq over 5 years ago, the United States has been playing catch-up trying to stabilize Iraq and transition authority to a new democratically elected government. As a result of this experience, there is a growing renaissance in thinking about stability operations, and yet, disagreement continues concerning who should be in charge of them. Many argue that stability operations are predominantly a civil issue and it is the dysfunctional nature of the interagency process that makes progress so challenging. Still others see a lead role for the military in conducting stability operations. This paper examines historical examples of postwar stability operations in the Philippines, Germany, and Japan to determine if they are the business of Federal agencies and other organizations or are inherently military in character.