Reconstruction –
The advent of Pax Americana, the concept of relative global peace overseen by the United States, began in the 19th century and was further solidified after the United States’ decisive participation in both World Wars. Since then, American preeminence around the world has been felt in one way or another by other countries and their people. The United States government has accomplished this by implementing enduring American exceptionalism, as described in its National Security Strategy 2015. Diplomatic, Information, Military and Economic (DIME) instruments of power are used as domestic and international mechanisms to exert security, prosperity, values, and international order throughout the world. Additionally, DIME instruments of power have both soft and hard elements that help advance this national security strategy. When these elements are combined, with a whole of government approach, they can be more effective towards achieving the United States government’s desired results. Two such whole of government approaches include post-conflict relief, as in the case of Colombia; and post-disaster assistance, as in the case of Haiti.
Post-conflict Colombia. After fighting insurgent groups for over 50 years, primarily the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC), the government of Colombia signed a peace agreement with the rebel group in 2016, effectively ending the protracted struggle. Many Colombian citizens do not fully support the agreement, which lacks key implementation details and will be expensive to execute. However, the accord is moving forward as organized and planned.
Post-disaster Haiti. As the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti has experienced political instability for most of its 200-year history. The country has also been overwhelmed by natural disasters such as the 7.0 earthquake which struck its capital in 2010, and Hurricane Matthew which struck its southwestern region in 2016. These two devastating events occurring in such a short timeframe have completely exacerbated Haiti’s dire situation and untenable future.
For global post-conflict and post-disaster responses, the United States’ DIME whole of government approach is referred to as reconstruction. To ensure alignment with its National Security Strategy, the United States must implement four recommendations which include 1) Establishing the Department of International Development, Assistance, and Stability; 2) Increasing public-private partnerships; 3) Establishing anti-corruption criteria; and 4) The U.S. government should develop a more effective domestic communications strategy on foreign policy and aid.
By implementing new policies in these areas, the United States government can align reconstruction activities with its desired national security outcomes and ensure development is sustainable for the long term. While the reconstruction industry is healthy and continues to grow, its effectiveness and sustainability, specifically in Colombia and Haiti, remain questionable. Considering President Trump’s administration and its new foreign policy agenda, perhaps Ian Bremmer was correct when he stated, “Pax Americana is over, and that could mean a much more turbulent world.”
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