Bøger af Daniel L. Byman

Religion, nationalism, ethnicity, economics, and geopolitics all are important in explaining Iran's goals and tactics in its relation-ship with the outside world, as are the agendas of key security institutions and the ambitions of their leaders. This report assesses Iran's security policy in light of these factors. It examines broad drivers of Iran's security policy, describes important security institutions, explores decisionmaking, and reviews Iran's relations with key countries. The authors conclude that Iraq is widely recognized as the leading threat to Iran's Islamic regime and Afghanistan is seen as an emerging threat. In contrast, Iran has solid, if not necessarily warm, relations with Syria and established working ties to Pakistan and Russia. Iran's policies toward its neighbors are increasingly prudent: It is trying to calm regional tension and end its isolation, although its policies toward Israel and the United States are often an exception to this policy.

Many humanitarian interventions led and supported by the United States go beyond simple disaster relief and include such difficult tasks as protecting refugees, securing humanitarian aid, and restoring civil order. The U.S. Air Force often plays an important role in such complex contingency operations. MR-1185-AF explores how the military might improve coordination with relief agencies and with European allies in such operations. It examines the dynamics of complex contingency operations, provides an overview of the relief community, delineates barriers to better cooperation, discusses the European contribution, and recommends steps the military might take to improve coordination in future crises. Steps include improving military familiarization with key relief organizations humanitarian advisor, establishing more centers of excellence, and bringing relief organizations into the planning process.

Examines how civil wars - including those in Lebanon, Chechnya and Kosovo - have affected other nations. This book draws from these lessons to produce recommendations for US policy, should a full-scale civil war break out in Iraq.