Stability Operations

The Department of Defense (DOD) has learned through the difficult experiences of both Iraq and Afghanistan that success is not only defined in military terms; it also involves rebuilding infrastructure, supporting economic development, establishing the rule of law, building accountable governance, establishing essential services, and building a capable host nation (HN) military responsible to civilian authority. The Department of State (DOS) is charged with responsibility for leading a whole-of-government approach to stabilization that includes the array of US Government (USG) departments and agencies, including DOD and component Services and agencies. Within this broad approach, the primary military contribution to stabilization is to protect and defend the population, facilitating the personal security of the people and, thus, creating a platform for political, economic, and human security. Initial response activities aim to provide a safe, secure environment and attend to the immediate humanitarian needs of a population. Transformational activities are generally a broad range of security, reconstruction, and capacity building efforts. Activities that foster sustainability encompass long-term efforts that capitalize on capacity building and reconstruction activities to establish conditions that enable sustainable development. During major operations and campaigns, stability operations are particularly emphasized following the achievement of major combat objectives. During crisis response and limited contingency operations, the balance of stability and combat operations varies widely with the circumstances. At the heart of the political problem lies a contest between the way political power is organized and who wields that power. Leaders of peacemaking efforts will need to convince decisive elites that their interests are best served through an accommodation with the approved political settlement, rather than renewed conflict. This publication provides doctrine for the conduct of stability operations during joint operations within the broader context of USG efforts. It provides guidance for operating across the range of military operations to support USG agencies, foreign governments, and IGOs, or to lead such missions, tasks, and activities until it is feasible to transfer lead responsibility.