by Colonel Gregory Grimes, Small Wars Journal
Civil Affairs: Gathering the Reins (Full PDF Article)
As the extremists are squeezed out of the Middle East the emerging sanctuary for their cadres is Africa, especially the Trans-Sahel across northern Africa. As a result the U.S. government has an increasing interest in preventing their exploitation of the region's poor socio-economic climate to recruit to their cause. For the U.S. to succeed an increase in diplomatic, economic and military resources will have to occur. For the military this means yet more demand for Civil Affairs units. Added to the looming demand certain to result from renewed efforts in Afghanistan, the value of Civil Affairs to the conflict response is undeniable. Yet even as their value is demonstrated by high demand for their low-density skills, Civil Affairs units remain constrained by inefficient mission taskings, competitive encroachment and a few self-inflicted problems. The Civil Affairs community needs to reassert its mission or risk losing its relevance as a prime DoD battlespace multiplier.
Specializing in civil-military operations, Civil Affairs (CA) represent one endpoint on the range of military options, marking the non-kinetic end of the military spectrum. In recent testimony to Congress the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen, stated "We can't kill our way to victory... It requires teamwork and cooperation." Mullen further stated that the U.S. urgently needs to improve its nation-building initiatives. Derided in the past by senior military officers as 'work for the Peace Corps,' nation building and associated activities are receiving renewed attention as preferred solutions in the war against terrorism. Note the recognition of stability operations as a core mission in the 2005 Department of Defense Directive 3000.05. President Obama and Secretary of State Hilary Clinton have both stated a preference for renewed efforts at humanitarian assistance, nation building, stabilization and reconstruction, reviving efforts that were previously a priority in American foreign engagement. The question becomes one of how, exactly, to implement such a policy of pre-emptive engagement.
