ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the development of US military doctrine in peace operations in the context of the political dynamics of successive US administrations, the inherent institutional needs of the military services, and the demands of a complex environment. It also examines the political context of the evolution of the doctrine of US military peace operations. The chapter explains the origin and evolution of that doctrine, and culminates in an examination of the full-spectrum approach adopted in the mid-2000s. It discusses the opportunities and tensions inherent in US thinking about civil-military operations (CMOs) and broader civil-military coordination, followed by an analysis of emerging issues important for the US peace operations doctrine. Finally, the chapter discusses the doctrinal and educational implications of the recent Obama initiatives, while identifying major gaps in US doctrinal approach.
