An Integrated US Approach to Preventing and Responding to State Failure: Recent Progress and Remaining Challenges

Research fellow Stewart Patrick spoke to the Eisenhower National Security Series conference on Stability Operations. He stressed the need to move toward a "Whole of Government" approach to preventing and responding to state failure. A more balanced approach uniting the "3Ds" of development, diplomacy and defense will require far greater investments in critical civilian agency capabilities for conflict prevention and post-conflict response, as well as a long-term, developmental perspective that avoids short term political expediency. The only effective "exit strategy" in post-conflict operations is the creation of effective states, through the nurturing of local institutions of governance.

Download the speech (pdf, 89KB)