Security Sector Reform's Utility in Conflict Prevention

Abstract

Abstract : Regionally aligned forces conducting security force assistance and foreign internal defense promise to assist the Combatant Commands in shaping the operational environment to prevent conflict. However, operational planners must understand that security force assistance and foreign internal defense are only two components of security sector reform; thus, the promise that they will prevent conflict is dubious at best. This study examines the various approaches to security sector reform and then applies the U.S. government's methodology to security sector reform in Mali from 2004-2012. The purpose of the study is to analyze the Department of Defense's contribution to security sector reform theory in the context of Mali to determine whether security force assistance and foreign internal defense can shape the operational environment to prevent conflict. The hypothesis of this study is if the Department of Defense conducts security force assistance and foreign internal defense with a state's military then conflict decreases in that state. The significance of this study is that it provides a valuable, broad understanding of how the Department of Defense plans to contribute to security sector reform theory in the near future. The evidence suggests that security sector reform realistically falls short in preventing conflict; however, there are three significant constructive outcomes in U.S. efforts at security sector reform. The U.S. may increase its influence with the targeted state by partnering with various levels of government and local leadership. The U.S. also gains a better understanding of the nature of the conflict in the state and the human terrain of the actors in it. The U.S. may also increase its access with the state for future operations by developing that nation's infrastructure. The U.S. should revise its objectives for security sector reform to something more feasible; however, it should not remove it from the possibilities of future policies.