Measuring Progress in Stabilization and Reconstruction

The U.S. government is currently facing enormous challenges in stabilizing nations emerging from conflict. After more than a decade of experience in Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, and Kosovo, reconstruction and stabilization operations are still plagued by persistent failures. While adequate national and international mechanisms have been developed to address some aspects of these interventions--such as conducting elections, coordinating the return of refugees, and privatizing state enterprises--reconstruction and stabilization operations have produced mixed results in other essential areas.