ABSTRACT
This chapter explores briefly United States (US) involvements in past conflicts of the type and earlier bureaucratic coordinating efforts in describing US government organization and capability to deal with Low-Intensity Conflict (LIC). It outlines executive studies and congressional actions that affect capabilities and analyzes attitudinal and policy constraints, as well as the impact of recent midlevel intensity conflicts. The chapter describes the bureaucratic structure in Washington and at the country team level and present recommendations for improving US organization and capabilities. The bureaucratic machinery created during the Ronald Reagan administration was a marked improvement but still deficient in forcing adequate political and bureaucratic priority for countries where the US was engaged in LIC. Two national defense policies or doctrines have had and continue to have an important influence on the US approach and capabilities to cope with LIC.
