Doctrinal Deficit - Prevent and Respond to Widespread Against Civilians

For over five years, the Stimson Center’s Future of Peace Operations program has contributed independent research and analysis to efforts to improve international responses to widespread and systematic violence against civilians. In particular, the Center has looked at the role of the military, to understand its prospects and limitations as a tool to protect civilians under threat.

Stimson’s initial research identified various deficits in the authority, political will, capacity, knowledge and strategy of military operations tasked with protection, flaws that undermined the operations’ effectiveness. Along this spectrum of gaps, Stimson’s research demonstrated that former leaders of these operations identified the lack of adequate guidance and training in protection issues as a major obstacle to success.

This new report builds upon previous Stimson research by proposing initial steps to bridge the guidance gap. This publication synthesizes the findings of an experts workshop held by Stimson at the UK Defence Academy in Shrivenham in September 2009. It captures lessons and best practices from former military and civilian leaders of operations that dealt with the challenge of protecting civilians. This report seeks to catalyze the development of doctrine and training related to the protection of civilians within key governments and institutions around the world.

I hope that you will find this new Stimson publication a useful contribution to address the enduring challenge of vulnerable populations in conflict and post-conflict environments.