Liberia: National Security Interests in Transformational Development

摘要

Liberia is of national security interest to the United States of America. Liberia's 14-year civil war ended in 2003, leaving the country with a collapsed government and failing economic, physical, and social infrastructures. To continue strengthening Liberia's democratic government and economy, Liberian youth must be integrated as full citizens before they become disenfranchised and form insurgent groups that can threaten the national security. This paper explores why Liberia is of national security interest to the United States, describes elements of adolescent personal development that were neglected while the nation was in conflict, and explores what youth need to become contributing members of a democratic nation. The author advocates skills training as a way for youth to complete their personal development. Skills training will help them gain the skills they need for functioning within a democracy and for economic empowerment. As development reinforces defense and diplomacy as elements of national security, the needs of youth ex-combatants must be addressed in U.S. international development assistance programs.