Organizing for Operations Other Than War (OOTW) in the Post—Cold War Era

This chapter addresses the third pillar of success for U.S. foreign policy in the post—Cold War era—the government's management, agency coordination, and policy implementation structure. The authors sketch the current international setting and challenges along with a brief description of the U.S. experience with low-intensity conflict (LIC), special operations, and operations other than war (OOTW). They examine the influence of attitudinal, legislative, and executive policy restraints, and the impact of recent conflicts on the U.S. capability to cope with low-intensity conflict and operations other than war. Finally, they assess the Clinton administration's policies and management of LIC and OOTW and make recommendations to improve management and performance in this area.