Reconstruction and Stabilization: U.S. Foreign Policy Interests

Over the past 15 years, the U.S. has been involved in seven major post-conflict reconstruction and stabilization operations, and contributed significant resources to more than 10 more.* Failed and failing states provide breeding grounds for terrorism, crime, trafficking, humanitarian catastrophes, and other threats to U.S. interests. Post-Cold War experience teaches that ad hoc responses are not enough. We must have ready response mechanisms to speedily identify financial and personnel resources for reconstruction and stabilization.

The U.S. Government must work with the world community to anticipate state failure, avert it when possible, and help post-conflict states lay a foundation for lasting peace, good governance, and sustainable development. Successful stabilization and reconstruction are essential to an achievable and sustainable exit strategy for military and peacekeeping forces.

In April 2004, principal national security officials from across the U.S. Government asked the Secretary of State to establish the Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization (S/CRS), with the Coordinator reporting directly to the Secretary of State.  The Coordinator's primary role is to lead and coordinate U.S. Government planning, and institutionalize U.S. capacity, to help stabilize and reconstruct societies in transition from conflict or civil strife so they can reach a sustainable path toward peace, democracy, and a market economy. 

For more information on S/CRS, visit us on the web: http://www.state.gov/s/crs/.
_______
     *The seven are Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, Kosovo, Liberia, Afghanistan, and Iraq. During this period the U.S. Government also devoted significant capabilities and resources to a variety of other post-conflict stabilization and reconstruction efforts, including in Cambodia, Mozambique, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Colombia, and East Timor, among other places. (Source: RAND; Center on International Cooperation)