Stabilization and Reconstruction Operations: A New Paradigm, Analysis Tool, and US Air Force Role

摘要

Today, the Department of Defense and Department of State have difficulty evaluating the degree of nation/state failure in its consideration for stabilization and reconstruction efforts. Could our nation be making a most basic error of trying to apply western-styled, 'tried- and-tested-in-the-US' templates to every failed nation and state situation. Can a new paradigm be used to evaluate a nation/state's social evolution. Can our nation apply new tools and resources to the task of failed nation/state reconstruction. This paper proposes that discernable levels of societal progress or failure can be defined using a new model for evaluating levels of nation/state evolution. Combining this model with a newly presented concept called 'centers of lift' may help determine the best approach in shaping stabilization and reconstruction missions. Carefully tailoring a stabilization and reconstruction mission to match the precise needs of the targeted failed nation/state will help ensure sustained success. Finally, this paper asserts that the US Air Force is a national resource capable of organizing, training, and equipping its forces for the conduct of stabilization and reconstruction operations in the post-conflict environment. The US Air Force has all the fundamental trade and profession skills sets imbedded in current mission support roles.