The purpose of this memorandum is to propose that you launch a major initiative to create a highly skilled, well-funded, and permanent agency to handle the aftermath of U.S. military intervention in other countries. Such an endeavor would recognize the reality that our nation will be forced to intervene militarily in many other countries in the coming decades and that the success of those operations depends on our ability to establish minimum conditions for stability and lay the foundation for subsequent political and economic progress. In short, as an empire in all but name, the United States must create an institution akin in its professionalism, its focus, and its skills to the former British Colonial Service.

The technical requirements for this initiative will be wide ranging. But even more demanding will be winning political support at home and abroad to marshal the financial and human resources to do the job right. To accomplish this goal, you must persuade Americans that sending their sons and daughters to help other countries recover from war is an indispensable prerequisite of our national security, as well as the morally right thing to do.

This plan entails significant political risks, especially in a presidential election year. But in both the short and long run, failure to create the civilian capability to address the immediate aftermath of serious conflicts will undermine our ability to convert military victory into lasting success.

This memorandum lays out the scope of the problem, a framework for a solution, some operational implications and political considerations, and a recommendation for next steps.

The Problem
For decades to come, the United States will be forced to continue to intervene militarily in many...