Where is the Lone Ranger? examines the evolution of United States policy toward peace and stability operations through the prism of experiences with police and constabulary forces in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Perito draws on lessons from two decades of conflict to illustrate how the United States was ill-prepared to prevent looting, control unrest, and fight insurgency. Without its own police and constabulary forces, the United States was forced to rely upon allied forces in the Balkans and indigenous forces in Iraq and Afghanistan at a high cost in casualties and resources. To meet the needs of future operations. Perito makes a strong case for creating a U.S. Stability Force of police, constabulary, and judicial teams to establish sustainable security and the rule of law.

Foreword by Lieutenant General James M. Dubik -- Introduction -- Brcko: SFOR vs. the Rent-a-Mob -- Constabulary -- Test case : creating postconflict security in Bosnia -- Blue Box : the Multinational Specialized Unit in Bosnia -- Odd jobs : constabulary forces in Kosovo -- Biting the bullet in Iraq -- Police building under fire : The Afghan National Civil Order Police -- Where is the Lone Ranger when we need him?