Non-governmental organizations and militaries are notorious for their difficult relationship. The military is mostly understood through the prism of its lethality, and NGOs are perceived as idealistic do-gooders, ready to save the world. Stanislava P. Mladenova traces the changing character of interaction between both of these entities. She argues that the boundaries which once separated their functions are fading. Fragile, ungoverned, and insecure spaces need both of what these actors can provide. As a result, they have drawn closer together, and have everything at their disposal for a collaborative, efficient, and productive civil-military partnership, which is contrary to what many observers and leaders in the conflict and development space have long believed. Mladenova makes a convincing case that it is high time both sets of actors put aside their differences, bringing to light a fast-changing landscape of vicious poverty, insecurity, and climate change, where the conventional way of doing business will become the exception, not the rule.
Dr. Stanislava P. Mladenova is a Global Fellow at Brown University's Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies, and Fellow at the Irregular Warfare Initiative at the US Military Academy at West Point. Her work has brought her to Africa, Central and South Asia, South America, and the Balkans. She has held positions at various institutions, including the United States Institute of Peace, working in West Africa to establish dialogue between security actors and local communities. As a Political Advisor for NATO in Afghanistan, she helped shape policy on economic issues, governance, corruption, disaster management, humanitarian assistance, and the recruitment of child soldiers. Her research at the Department of War Studies at King's College London focused on the functional relationship between military and civilian entities in settings affected by low-intensity conflict and state fragility.
A compelling argument, supported convincingly with data and Dr. Mladenova's extensive personal experience, for a better approach to better leveraging the combination of civilian and military efforts in the complex wars that characterize our times. An essential primer for policymakers, donors, and on-the-ground operators from both the military and non-governmental organizations. --General McChrystal, US Army (Retired) As the current wars in both Ukraine and Gaza demonstrate - close collaboration between military forces and the humanitarian community is vital to accomplishing political objectives. Nowhere is this more pronounced than with Special Operations Forces, who often operate in and among the population. This excellent book is essential to the intellectual discussion that must accompany the decision to employ force in future conflicts. A foundational resource for practitioners and policymakers. --GEN (Ret) Joseph L. Votel, former US Special Operations Command and Central Command commander Stanislava P. Mladenova has written an exceptionally insightful and important book on the critical need to integrate the civil-military efforts to stabilize fragile societies. Her valuable experience, thorough research, and creative thinking are clearly evident throughout the book. This is a must-read for military and non-military leaders who will increasingly find themselves faced with these issues in the future. --General Anthony C. Zinni, USMC (Retired)
