Article - Promise and Pitfalls of Partners

A recent paper provides us with an optimistic (yet realistic) look at the use of partners in our goal of deterring adversaries and maintaining stability. He references the recently distributed Army Operating Concept provided by the Army Capabilities Integration Center (ACIC). The AOC lists security cooperation as one of the eleven key missions for the U.S. Army. The author praises the AOC's "measured approach towards security assistance". Three reasons are provided for "partnering" 1) US troops in harm's way is fraught with political difficulties, 2) decision-makers are seduced by low cost and risk, and 3) for every security assistance failure there is a quiet success. Read more in "Army #Operating Concept: The Promise and Pitfalls of Partners", by Crispin J. Burke, on The Bridge, published October 22, 2014.