Abstract

Abstract : Since the end of the Cold War there has been a quantifiable upsurge in regional instability throughout the world. Recent times have been punctuated by natural disasters, drought, starvation, civil wars and unmitigated suffering by multitudes of innocent victims. Nations and private relief organizations have helped ease the suffering as a matter of human kindness and demonstration of political good will. The United States' involvement in humanitarian assistance, whether as a gesture of good will, or as an instrument of its foreign policy, places a potential burden on the military, particularly the Army. The resulting scenario brings competing issues into conflict - ability to fight and win the nation's wars and the concept of charity and assistance from a wealthy country. Both aims serve the nation's interests, the degree of which will vary, dependent upon the situation and threat to the livelihood of the U.S. This paper will analyze the policy of humanitarian assistance as stated in the 1995 National Military Strategy and review the conceptual application of Army forces in humanitarian assistance operations overseas. The recommendations suggest methods to prevent the degradation of warfighting skills and set conditions for success in supporting humanitarian assistance operations.

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