A Steep Hill

The difficulties experienced during U.S.-led interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq have once again placed fragile states at the forefront of the U.S. national security agenda. Although the issues involved are generally recognized for their importance, U.S. capabilities require significant reforms if they are to meet the challenges of the future. There is a lack of coordination and strategic engagement within the U.S. government, a set of real and perceived obstacles, and no clear legislative authority for an overall strategic plan.This study-the first to examine the role of Congress in strengthening fragile states before, during, and after interventions-identifies key legislative and executive branch obstacles to effective stabilization and reconstruction operations. It explores opportunities to help Congress and the executive branch promote stabilization and reconstruction through a new grand bargain that embodies goals both branches support. Improving the capacity of Congress to fulfill its constitutional duties-including oversight, authorization, and appropriations-will improve the effectiveness of stabilization and reconstruction operations. Congress and the executive branch need to emerge as co-builders of U.S. capabilities for strengthening fragile states.

Frederick Barton and Karin von Hippel are codirectors of the CSIS Post-Conflict Reconstruction Project. Derek Chollet, formerly a fellow in the CSIS International Security Program, is a senior fellow at the Center for a New American Security. Mark Irvine is a research assistant and Bradley Larson a former research consultant in the CSIS Post-Conflict Reconstruction Project.