Introduction: the battle for hearts and minds / Alexander T.J. Lennon -- Prologue: the role of military power. The limits of military power / Rob de Wijk ; The future of international coalitions: how useful? How manageable? / Paul Dibb ; Forging an indirect strategy in Southeast Asia / Barry Desker and Kumar Ramakrishna ; The imbalance of terror / Théreáse Delpech -- pt. I. State failure and nation building. The new nature of nation-state failure / Robert I. Rotberg ; Do terrorist networks need a home? / Ray Takeyh and Nikolas Gvosdev ; Democracy by force: a renewed commitment to nation building / Karin von Hippel ; Strategic democracy building: how U.S. states can help / Bill Owens and Troy A. Eid ; Sierra Leone: the state that came back from the dead / Michael Chege -- pt. II. Postconflict reconstruction. Toward postconflict reconstruction / John J. Hamre and Gordon R. Sullivan ; Building better foundations: security in postconflict reconstruction / Scott Feil ; Dealing with demons: justice and reconciliation / Michèle Flournoy and Michael Pan ; Achieving socioeconomic well-being in postconflict settings / Johanna Mendelson Forman ; Governing when chaos rules: enhancing governance and participation / Robert Orr -- pt. III. Public diplomacy. Public diplomacy comes of age / Christopher Ross ; Deeds speak louder than words / Lamis Andoni ; Winning the war of ideas / Antony J. Blinken ; A broadcasting strategy to win media wars / Edward Kaufman -- pt. IV. Transforming foreign assistance. Compassionate conservatism confronts global poverty / Lael Brainard ; Will the millennium challenge account be different? / Steve Radelet ; Promoting democratization can combat terrorism / Jennifer L. Windsor ; Lessons and new directions for foreign assistance / Jim Kolbe.