ABSTRACT

The lack of focus on civil-military interaction like Civil-military Cooperation (CIMIC) does not result in a reduced need or use of civil-military knowledge and skills, but instead results in ad hoc solutions relying on individual skills and capacities. Norway, along with its North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies, needs to critically examine contradictions within regarding the nature and use of civil-military interaction. CIMIC, like many different military and civilian functions, is prone to poor decision-making and practices. De-prioritizing CIMIC capabilities has not solved challenges of civil-military interaction in complex emergencies. At best, militaries have learned to stay away from or avoid civilian actors, many even avoiding their own government civilians housed in the same Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), as was admitted in the Norwegian case. There is no doubt that Norwegians, military and civilian alike, are in fact doing a reasonably good job in international operations because people deployed are generally well educated and are generally empathetic and socially competent.