This book focuses on the period after the Cold War, when U.S. operations proliferated, but also outlines the development of U.S. strategic decisions on nation-building and stability operations in a chronological fashion, providing documentation of these actions throughout American history. Original documents are provided and referenced to clarify concepts. With the increased attention on recent events in Iraq, Afghanistan, Egypt, and Libya, the United States's actions and policies of nation-building are now a key public policy discussion topic, and an understanding of these topics is critical for students, scholars, and general readers alike. --Book Jacket.

Definitions of stability, security, reconstruction and transition operations: past and present -- Operations of the past: nineteenthe and twentieth century interpretations of security, stability, reconstruction and transition operations -- The new world order -- The Clinton administration and stability operations, 1993-2001 -- Pre and post 9/11: the Bush administration -- Now what? the Obama administration.