A Framework To Assess Programs For Building Partnerships

It is often challenging to determine whether security cooperation activities conducted by the Defense Department have contributed to U.S. objectives. This monograph, based on themes that emerged from a May 2008 assessment workshop held at RAND, lays out a framework for security program assessment and stresses the need for injecting a greater level of objectivity into the assessment process.

Working with allies to build their defense capacity, acquire access to their territories for potential operations, and strengthen relationships with their air forces, is an important U.S. Air Force activity. To determine the value of this activity, the authors outline an assessment framework that planners, strategists, and policymakers can use to see whether Air Force security cooperation activities are achieving the desired effects.

The U.S. Air Force has a long history of working with allies and partners in a security cooperation context to build the defense capacities of these nations, acquire and maintain access to foreign territories for operational purposes, and strengthen relationships with partner air forces for mutual benefit. However, it is often difficult to determine whether or how these activities have contributed to the goals and objectives of U.S. national security, DoD, COCOMs, and the services. As is the case throughout DoD, the Air Force currently does not have a comprehensive framework in place by which it can assess the effectiveness of its security cooperation efforts with partner air forces in a deliberate and consistent way. This monograph outlines an assessment framework that can enhance the Air Force's security cooperation efforts in a way that reflects U.S. national security interests, DoD guidance, COCOM requirements, and Air Force global priorities. The document identifies relevant Air Force security cooperation authorities, programs, and key stakeholders for those programs. The proposed assessment framework will allow Air Force planners, strategists, and key policy-makers to see specifically whether Air Force security cooperation programs and activities are achieving the desired effects as defined in the guidance documents.

Section 1206 of the FY 2009 Nat. Defense Author. Act, provides DoD with new authority to expend DoD Oper. and Maint. funds to train and equip a foreign country's military forces. It specifies that DoD and State may help build the capacity of partner nations to: Conduct counter-terrorist operations, or Participate in or support military and stability operations in which the U.S. Armed Forces are a participant. This report is a review of the program to identify opportunities for improvements. It evaluated: Effectiveness in building capacity for counter-terrorist and stability or military operations; Efficiency with regard to project selection, execution, implementation, results, and sustainment; and Compliance with statutory requirements. Illus. This is a print on demand report.

When Secretary of State Hillary Clinton published "America's Pacific Century" in Foreign Policy magazine in November 2011, the administration was clearly indicating to domestic and international audiences that the United States is beginning a pivot toward the Asia-Pacific. Clinton's article served as a spark for renewed interest in the nation's Asi

"For both diplomatic and national security reasons, security cooperation continues to be important for the United States. The Department of Defense conducts an assortment of programs aimed at building the capacity of partner nations, and training is an important element of these efforts. The needs and existing capabilities of various nations differ, however, as will results. Planning for each building partner capacity (BPC) effort carefully, assessing progress while the effort is in progress, and assessing results are all important to ensure that it meets U.S. goals and partner expectations. This report presents a framework intended to aid all these steps. Before execution, the framework can help determine and plan for what might go wrong with the intended BPC effort. During BPC execution, the framework can help monitor progress to discover whether everything is going according to plan and, if not, what is wrong and what can be done about it. Finally, the framework can help determine whether the BPC has achieved its objectives and, if not, why and what can be done about it in the future"--Publisher's description.

The Air Force faces a challenging environment as it devises an approach to managing security cooperation with partner countries. The important mission of countering terrorist and insurgent groups abroad requires working closely with allies and partner countries to strengthen security. Accordingly, current U.S. defense strategy emphasizes that the U.S. armed forces should do more to work "by, with, and through partners" to accomplish missions.