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Nation-Building

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After conflicts end, allied nations must undertake military, political, humanitarian, and economic activities to enable states to prosper, but these activities do not always succeed. RAND has examined U.S., United Nations, and European Union nation-building efforts since World War II to determine key principles for their success and draw implications for current and future nation-building investment.

Report
Building an Enduring Peace in Yemen
Peace in Yemen will require a coordinated approach to security and an international body with the influence, mission, and resources to support what will be a decades-long process of reconciliation, reconstruction, and redevelopment. To succeed, this body must be led by Yemenis, giving them a clear voice and stake in shaping their future.
Feb 25, 2021
Commentary
Rebuilding Ukraine
By leveraging better investment conditions and reforms and broad international support, Ukraine could carry out a well-executed reconstruction program once the fighting ends. It might repair much of the war damage and help Ukraine move into the ranks of faster-growing European economies.
Apr 18, 2022

Explore Nation Building

News Release
Smooth Presidential Transition Is Crucial To Early Foreign Policy and National Security Success
The foreign policy success of incoming presidents, particularly in the early years of a presidency, is largely determined by how well the new administration learns from the successes and failures of the outgoing president.
Sep 8, 2008
News Release
Book by RAND's James Dobbins Gives an Insider's Account of What Happened in Afghanistan 'After the Taliban'
Former Ambassador James F. Dobbins has written the first “insider's account” of the Bush administration's post-9/11 diplomatic efforts in Afghanistan after the Taliban had been toppled.
Aug 21, 2008
Commercial Book
After the Taliban: Nation-Building in Afghanistan
As the Bush administration's first special envoy to Afghanistan, Ambassador Dobbins helped the Afghans assemble a successor government to the Taliban. His memoir explains why the United States has failed to stabilize either Afghanistan or Iraq.
Aug 3, 2008
Report
DoD Should Consider Nonmilitary Means to Advance U.S. National Security Interests
The nature of recent challenges and the types of missions the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has undertaken highlight the need for training DoD personnel in the simultaneous use of different types of tools, military and otherwise.
Aug 1, 2008
Report
A President's Early Foreign Policy, National Security Success Depends on Transition
The foreign policy success of incoming presidents, particularly in the early years of a presidency, is largely determined by how well the new administration learns from the successes and failures of the outgoing president.
Jul 29, 2008
Testimony
Testimony on America's Need of a New Grand Strategy, Shift in National Security Policy
The unanticipated costs and unpredictable outcomes of the War on Terror necessitate a reevaluation of national security strategy, including a shift away from policies of preemption and democratization and towards nation-building with its consequent need for a rebalancing of political and military power.
Jul 15, 2008
News Release
European Union Has Developed a Nascent, but Growing Capacity to Deploy and Employ Armed Force
Over the past few years, the European Union has demonstrated the capacity to deploy and employ armed force outside its borders in support of broader common policy objectives, creating a new player in nation-building operations.
Jul 8, 2008
Report
Dangerous Thresholds: Managing Escalation in the 21st Century
Historical examples and the analysis of two modified Delphi exercises augment an examination of approaches to escalation management within the demands of today’s security environment and its attendant threats involving not only long-standing nuclear powers, but also insurgent groups and terrorists.
Jul 8, 2008
News Release
Shortcomings in Planning for Post-Combat Period in Iraq Outlined
Efforts to adequately plan for the post-combat period in Iraq were thwarted by overly optimistic views held by top civilian leaders and a belief among military leaders that civilian authorities would be responsible for postwar operations.
Jun 30, 2008
Report
Flexibility and Sensitivity to Local Concerns Are Crucial to Long-Term U.S. Security Relationships with Iraq and Afghanistan
The United States is heavily invested – diplomatically, economically, and militarily – in Iraq and Afghanistan. Based on this, the United States must clarify its long-term intentions to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the surrounding regions.
Jun 17, 2008
Report
U.S. Has Long-Term Economic, Political Options to Help Make Iran More Democratic
The United States should pursue a mixed strategy toward Iran, using a variety of means to promote favorable social developments within the country and at the same time exploiting vulnerabilities in the nation's political, economic and demographic conditions.
Jun 16, 2008
Report
European Forces Play Growing Role in Nation-Building, Peacekeeping Operations Worldwide
Over the past few years, the European Union has demonstrated the capacity to deploy and employ armed force outside its borders in support of broader common policy objectives, creating a new player in nation-building operations.
Jun 5, 2008
Report
Afghanistan: From Chaos and Corruption to Sustainable Success
Since the 2002 U.S.-led attacks in Afghanistan, the country has struggled to stabilize their government and society. RAND co-hosted a conference attended by experts in academia, government and NGOs from over 20 nations to discuss the need for a strategic approach to Afghanistan's attempts at nation-building.
Apr 30, 2008
Report
Caution Nation-Builders: Gender Assumptions Ahead
Drawing the female population into the nation-building process will be good for a country's post-conflict progress and stability.
Apr 13, 2008
Report
Breaking the Failed-State Cycle
The predominant threat to U.S. security in the 21st century comes not from the actions of opposing countries but from the fallout of collapsing ones. The world’s leading states can and should help the citizens of failed states by integrating efforts to reduce violence, advance the economy, and reform government.
Apr 6, 2008
Commentary
America Is Making a Difference in Eastern Afghanistan
[The United States] has made some progress against the Taliban and other insurgent groups in eastern Afghanistan, and created a window of opportunity to spread this elsewhere, writes Seth G. Jones.
Apr 1, 2008
Report
Developing U.S. Civilian Personnel Capabilities in State-Building Operations
Recent U.S. experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq have shown that engaging in stability and reconstruction operations is a difficult and lengthy process that requires appropriate resources. A framework for improving U.S. civilian personnel and staffing programs for state-building efforts could help.
Mar 8, 2008
Report
Modernizing the North Korean System
An unprecedented joint report by researchers from the U.S., China, Russia, Japan and South Korea recommends a new approach to promoting the modernization of North Korea, as well as a
Mar 3, 2008
News Release
Women's Greater Role in Nation-Building Can Lead to Economic and Political Stability in Post-Conflict Countries
Women's participation in post-conflict nation-building is an important ingredient in achieving an equitable, peaceful and more prosperous society.
Feb 27, 2008
Report
Shortcomings in Planning for Post-Combat Period in Iraq
Efforts to adequately plan for the post-combat period in Iraq were thwarted by overly optimistic views held by top civilian leaders and a belief among military leaders that civilian authorities would be responsible for postwar operations.
Feb 25, 2008

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RAND Topic:
Nation Building

Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Rick Brennan, Jr.

Senior Political Scientist

Rick Brennan is an adjunct political scientist at the RAND Corporation and a career Army officer with high-level Department of Defense experience on issues relating to the war in Iraq, conflict resolution, homeland defense, and strategic planning. Brennan joined RAND in 1999 and since 2006 he…
Jason H. Campbell

Policy Researcher

Jason H. Campbell is a policy researcher at the RAND Corporation, where he focuses on issues of international security, counterinsurgency, intelligence, and measuring progress in post-conflict reconstruction. From June 2016 through September 2018, he served as country director for Afghanistan in…

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