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Oral Histories: Afghanistan Provincial Reconstruction Teams (2004-2005)

The Oral Histories Project on Stability Operations

Friday, November 18, 2005

Publication Type: Oral History

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The experiences of Americans who served in Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in Afghanistan provide important lessons for current and future peace and stability operations. Provincial Reconstruction Teams are small, joint, civil-military organizations whose mission is to promote good governance, improved security and reconstruction. In November 2005, there were 22 PRTs in Afghanistan: nine were directed by the U.S. and countries belonging to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force directed the other 13.

The Oral Histories Project on Stability Operations collects the full text of interviews with individuals involved in stability operations, to draw lessons learned and address the challenges of post-conflict intervention.

The experiences of Americans who served in Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in Afghanistan provide important lessons for current and future peace and stability operations. Provincial Reconstruction Teams are small, joint, civil-military organizations whose mission is to promote good governance, improved security and reconstruction. In November 2005, there were 22 PRTs in Afghanistan: nine were directed by the U.S. and countries belonging to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force directed the other 13.

American PRTs are commanded by a U.S. Army Lt. Colonel and are composed of representatives of the Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Department of Agriculture. They also include an U.S. Army infantry platoon, an Army Civil Affairs Team, a Military Police Team, and military medical, de-mining, and intelligence units. Their primary objective is to extend the authority of the Afghan government by supporting provincial officials, providing development assistance, and establishing a security presence.

The Afghanistan Experience Project collected lessons learned by Provincial Reconstruction Teams by interviewing 52 government officials, military officers, and representatives of international and non-governmental organizations who had served in Afghanistan. Interviews were conducted by the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training under a contract with the Institute of Peace.

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