The Impact of Operation Iraqi Freedom on Building Future Coalitions
Author: Henri C. Lambert
Publisher:
Published: 2008
Total Pages: 38
ISBN-13:
DOWNLOAD EBOOKFollowing years of conflict in Iraq, the initial "Coalition of the Willing" is dwindling. The U.S. methods in conducting Operation Iraqi Freedom, including the preemptive war for WMD, third country renditions, and torture have inflicted possibly irreparable damage which may affect the U.S.'s ability to generate coalition support in the future. Fighting effectively in the future will require effective coalition building strategies that must begin well before the conflict ever starts. In order to build coalition support in the future, the U.S. should enhance its pre-conflict engagement strategy so that coalition support may be easily built during contingencies. When kinetic response is required, U.S. strategy should ensure legitimate action within the confines of international law and work to change international law with respect to pre-emption of WMD and terrorism. The U.S. should take into account the second and third order effects of any proposed action and court the support of regional powers, where possible, to ensure long term stability and increase legitimacy. In the very least, the U.S. should work to be seen as a benevolent world power. Finally, the U.S. should focus strategic communications on pre-conflict engagement strategies in order to encourage future international support.