Commentary
Fifty-Four Durand Lines: The Importance of Persistent Security Assistance in Africa
Authors:
- Whitney GrespinEmail Whitney Grespin
Abstract
The US has long faced criticism about being a ‘fair weather friend’ to foreign states only as it suits current policy interests. Such inconsistent engagement results in opportunity costs that are both fiscally draining and damaging to US social and political capital. US defense, development, and diplomatic establishments can more easily realize progress and encourage positive forward movement with African states by initiating and maintaining more consistent collaboration with foreign nation representatives. An increased commitment to persistent engagement will be especially important for the Department of Defense, which has been sharply criticized for its heavy-handedness when partnering with foreign security forces over the past decade.As the international community has observed through recent events across the African continent, it is important that the US government conduct policy planning and operations with a mind to building long-term relationships rather than dabbling in flings and ill-suited one night stands. This is particularly important with programs that involve potentially sensitive knowledge and skills transfers, such as the military reform and security force capacity building that the US has favored more heavily as of late. As the US continues to shift from heavy presence, high-visibility interventions to more subtle and nuanced capacity enhancement initiatives, government representatives will need to rely less on muscle and more on craft. The type of work that is required to truly effect change and build durable institutional relationships is hard, slow, and methodical work that does not lend itself to a quick fix.
- Year: 2013
- Volume: 2 Issue: 2
- Page/Article: Art. 35
- DOI: 10.5334/sta.bv
- Published on 23 Jul 2013