Guns or Growth: Lessons from Security-First and Civil-Society-First Approaches to Peacebuilding in East Timor

International Tropical Timber Agreement, 2006. Geneva, 27 January 2006 Signature H. E. Ms. Kirsti Lintonen, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative of Finland

This case study examines conditions and situations faced by several United Nations peacekeeping and peacebuilding missions in East Timor with the goal of applying the lessons learned from their responses to similar dilemmas in future peacekeeping operations (PKOs). East Timor provides a unique setting for the application of theory to practice, as the successive UN missions (UNAMET, INTERFET, and UNTAET) each took different approaches in their attempts to overcome obstacles on the ground. By studying and critically examining specific operational decisions and the subsequent repercussions, readers will gain a better understanding of the debates surrounding the integration of local personnel into PKOs, security vs. civil society in the first stages of peacekeeping missions, and the use of Whole of Government vs. Whole of Society approaches to peacebuilding.

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Operationalizing R2P: An integrated Approach for the Responsibility to Protect

This paper discusses the two prominent frameworks for the Responsibility to Protect (R2P), which refers to the obligation of states toward their populations and toward all populations at risk of genocide and other mass atrocity crimes. The 2001 R2P report by the International Commission on Intervention and State Sovereignty presented three phases for R2P (prevent, react, rebuild). Subsequently, the United Nations articulated R2P in three pillars (state responsibility to protect, international responsibility to assist a state, and international responsibility to act when a state is unwilling or unable to do so).

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“Bury the Dead, Feed the Living;”

Bury the Dead, Feed the Living is more than a history on Civil Affairs; rather, it is a detailed account of how the United States conducted Stability Operations from the shores of Morocco to the mountains of Germany. Dr. Raymond Millen’s book serves as a primer on preparing, organizing and implementing Stability in the course of a conflict. 

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A Drone’s Strike Away: Peace and Security in the Age of Automated Warfare

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Cameron Saylor, 7th Reconnaissance Squadron security forces patrolman, stands guard Oct. 25, 2018, at Naval Air Station Sigonella, Italy. The 7th RS is an inter-mixed unit, which is composed of not only the operation side of the RQ-4 Global Hawk but includes maintenance, communications, security forces, logistics and support staff. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Ramon A. Adelan)

Drones for military use are typically classified in three broad categories: UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), UGVs (Unmanned Ground Vehicles) and USVs (Unmanned Surface Vehicles).   UAVs are either remote controlled aircraft (e.g. flown by a pilot at a ground control station) or can fly autonomously following pre-programmed flight plans or more complex dynamic automation systems. The US military uses UAVs for missions ranging from reconnaissance to combat. Most generally, UAVs are capable of “controlled, sustained level flight and powered by a jet or reciprocating engine.”  While a cruise missile can also be considered to be a UAV, it is treated separately on the basis that it is considered a weapon. To reflect on the complex nature of modern autonomous systems that include ground stations and other elements besides the actual air vehicles, the US military now uses the term “Unmanned Aircraft Systems” (UAS). To read more click on the link below.

PKSOI provides instruction at the Ethiopian Peacekeeping Training Center (EIPKTC)

Post Conflict Recovery Course Class Photo taught 5-16 November 2018 at the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Peace Support Training Center (FDRE-PSTC) that included representation from 8 African Nations in addition to educational training support from Japan and the United States.

In conjunction with the countries of Ethiopia, Japan, United States, and United Nations Development Program, LT COLONEL Norihisa Urakami of the National Defense Academy of Japan and U.S. Navy CAPTAIN Danny King from the U.S. Army War College Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute, both collaborated together in administering the Post Conflict Recovery Course recently (5-16 NOV 2018) taught at the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia Peace Support Training Center located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with a special emphasis on Security Sector Reform (SSR). The class included students representing the Diplomatic Community, Military, Police Force, and Judicial Branch from 8 various countries within the content of Africa. “Helping make the world a safer place through collaboration, training, and working together to protect and serve…”  “In a location of the world where we are witnessing both China and Russia’s increased interest/influence, the United States Africa Command’s (USAFRICOM) number one line of effort is strengthening partner capacity within various African nations, by focusing on strengthening mutually beneficial networks between the U.S. and key partners.” – CAPT Danny King. To read more of CAPT King’s Ethiopia Post-Conflict Recovery click on link below.

U.S. Navy CAPTAIN Danny King provides an overview of the U.S. Army War College Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute to include a special introductory class on the SOLLIMS data base.  Ms. Fasika Tesfaye is captured perusing the SOLLIMS data base, which lead to very positive feedback of its content and use from Ms. Tesfaye and fellow students.

U.S. Navy CAPT Danny King from the Army War College Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute provides training lectures to the students covering components of Security Sector Reform that included Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR), Rule of Law, Police/Security Reform, and Defense (Military) Sector Reform.

During the final case study and table top exercise, Ambassador Daisuke Matsunaga (Japanese Ambassador to Ethiopia), COL Elias Seyoum (Acting Head of FDRE-PSTC), LTC Norihisa Urakami (International Consultant), and CAPT Danny King (Senior Naval Advisor PKSOI) are captured observing the class collaborating and demonstrating the special negotiation skill sets acquired throughout the Post Conflict Recovery Course

Lesson Report: “Stage-setting” and “Right-sizing” for Stability – Learn the “Right Lessons”

“Stage-setting” and “right-sizing” are critical to the success of any major Stability operation. The
U.S. Government needs to learn the right lessons, and the right lessons do not come from Iraq or
Afghanistan. Operation Iraq Freedom (OIF) was a total failure. Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and
Resolute Support (RS) were likewise total failures. The U.S. Government would be wise to learn the
right lessons – which come from Operation Joint Endeavor and the Implementation Force (IFOR) in
Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1995-1996. “Stage-setting” and “right-sizing” were done smartly; resultantly, the
Stability operation was a resounding success. The U.S. Government needs to learn these lessons. To read this Lesson Report click on the link below to download the Lesson Report click on the Download button.

United Nations Infantry Battalion Manual (UNIBAM)

PKSOI’s COL Ryan Wolfgram represented the United States as a member of the United Nations Infantry Battalion Manual (UNIBAM) Review Committee to edit and update the 2012 UNIBAM.  This was the fourth session of the UNIBAM Review Committee which was held at the Air Force Military Lodging and Conventions Center (CEMCOHA) at Salvador, Brazil, from 4 to 10 November 2018. Over the past year, representatives from ten countries traveled to Nigeria, Bangladesh, and most recently Brazil to assist in this revision. As pictured, Lt. Gen. Jose Eduardo, Joint operations Deputy of Armed Forces Joint Staff along with Lt. Gen. Silva Al vim, 6th Military Region Commander of the Brazilian Army hosted this final working group session in Salvador, Brazil. COL Wolfgram is in the second row standing second from the right. The updated manual is expected to be released in January-February 2019 time frame.

PKSOI/AUSA Annual Strategic Stability Seminar

From left to right: AUSA President and former AFRICOM Commander GEN (R) Carter Ham, USAWC Commandant MG John Kem, former Deputy Commanding General to AFRICOM VADM (R) Michael Franken, and Commander, Allied Joint Forces Command Brunssum, GEN Riccardo Marchiò

On September 17, 2018, the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) and the U.S. Army War College’s Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute hosted a one-day strategic seminar to discuss the major aspects and ongoing NATO efforts to define and integrate its “Projecting Stability” concept. The seminar was held at the AUSA conference center in Arlington,Virginia. What follows in the link below is a short description of key points and themes arising from the conference.

The Lesser of Many Evils: The Kurdish Question and the Syrian Civil War

November 21, 2017

This case is centered on the battle for the city of Kobani.  It focuses on the “Rojava Kurds” and their struggle to establish a self-governed autonomous region in Northern Syria.  Kobani offers a micro-illustration of the profound complexities that define Middle East politics.  The context for this case is the greater backdrop of the Syrian Civil war, the rise and expansion of ISIS, regional actors aligning along sectarian lines and political alliances and superpowers supporting coalitions and proxies that align with national interests.

After the Fall of North Korea A Post-Conflict Stability Operations Exercise

June 19, 2017

The purpose of this hypothetical case study/table top exercise (TTX) on North Korea is to teach the participants/students how difficult stability operations are in the immediate aftermath of a major conflict.  The learning objectives are many: to figure out what U.S. foreign policy should be in the wake of a major conflict on the Korean Peninsula; proceeding from that, how to prioritize meeting the immediate and long-term needs of the populace; and how to manage Allies and rivals (China and Russia) competing in the same space, under South Korea’s lead.