Unbalanced Stability

Over the past decade, the United States has focused its military energy on the conduct of Stability Operations. The U.S. Department of Defense raised Stability Operations to the same level of importance as Offensive and Defensive Operations in 2005. The U.S. government has worked to integrate other national government agencies, as well as partner host nation agencies, into Stability Operations. Many cities in the United States suffer from threats that are similar to those faced in fragile states. These cities have been successful in deterring violence and achieving stability within violent neighborhoods. They used variations of the Broken Windows model of order maintenance. The Broken Windows model of order maintenance requires police foot patrols to pay attention to minor offenses and physical appearances of public property. The Broken Windows model attacks the perception of disorder. Utilizing an approach similar to the Broken Windows model in stability operations will decrease insurgent terrorist activity and increase a sense of connection to the government in transition. The outcomes of the Broken Windows model are the perception of security, a raised community maintenance standard, and a new definition of civility through self-policing. Applying a model of response in Stability Operations that draws on aspects of the Broken Windows model leads to sustainable development. The author will use vignettes from both in the United States and abroad to delineate the parallels between crime deterrence and Stability Operations. By using successful models of establishing order in urban regions in the United States, the U.S. government can better rationalize and institute Stability Operations abroad.

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