About This Series 

Working with a wide array of partners from non-governmental organizations, governments, militaries, international organizations, and the private sector, the United States Institute of Peace is helping develop common doctrine, frameworks, and methodologies in support of peacebuilding. This is the first of several Strategic Frameworks that the Institute is helping to craft, including frameworks for conflict prevention and peacemaking. About USIP The United States Institute of Peace is an independent, nonpartisan, national institution established and funded by Congress. Its goals are to help prevent and resolve violent conflicts, promote post-conflict stability and development, and increase conflict management capacity and tools. The Institute does this by empowering others with knowledge, skills, and resources, as well as by directly engaging in peacebuilding efforts around the globe. 

Since the end of have repeatedlinterventions in the Democratic of lives and hununqualified succexperiences havwarfare. Military clearly establisheor strategic framTo help mitigate states and societfeatures. First, iinvolved in postsector, and host 

ultimate goals leadership respoto allow for easy unique. This framework has great value programs, monihas value as an effective practice

The framework Framework for Osler Hampson, United States InStrategic and Intand RAND. In interventions colU.S. State DepStabilization and 

STRATEGIC F

Fragile Sfrom Co

United States Institute of Peace 

1200 17th Street NW 

Washington, DC 20036 

WWW.USIP.ORG 
UNITED STATES INSTITUTE OF PEACE 

Framework for Success: Fragile States and Societies Emerging from 

(All rights reserved. Please do not reproduce without appropriately citing the United States Institute of Peace) 

 The end-states, leadership responsibilities, and objectives included above are not presented in any particular order—neither in terms of priority nor se

as circumstances warrant. 

 Source: Daniel Serwer and Patricia Thomson, “A Framework for Success: International Intervention in Societies Emerging from Conflict,” in Leashing 

D.C.: United States Institute of Peace Press, 2007), 369–387. 

 Prevent renewal of fighting (e.g., 

enforce ceasefire; secure weapons/stockpiles; disarm, demobilize, and reintegrate former fighters) 

 Protect civilians (e.g., counter 

organized crime, de-mine) 

 Ensure freedom of movement (e.g., 

for civilians, relief workers, peace monitors) 

 Protect key historical, cultural, and 

religious sites, as well as important buildings, property, and infrastructure 

 Protect witnesses and evidence of 

atrocities 

 Protect international borders/ 

airspace/ports of entry 

 Build effective security forces, under 

civilian control 

 Establish coherent, legitimate, and 

just legal frameworks (e.g., constitution, criminal, and civil frameworks) 

 Build effective and independent 

courts 

 Build effective police, customs, 

immigration, and border control forces 

 Build effective corrections system  Build effective legal profession/bar  Protect human rights  Ensure equal access to justice and 

equal application of the law 

 Promote public awareness and 

legal empowerment 

 Build effective and legitimate 

executive institutions—national, regional, and local levels (e.g., ministries, civil service) 

 Develop legitimate systems of 

political representation—national, regional, and local levels (e.g., legislatures) 

 Promote free and responsible 

media 

 Promote the creation of political 

parties 

 Promote robust civil society and 

civic participation (including minorities and marginalized groups) 

 Build unity of purpose among military, NGOs, IOs, government authorities, and private sector 

 Develop and execute integrated plans that are based on the peace agreement or mission mandate  Ensure involved players have the authority they need to succeed and adequate financial and staff resources  Build and maintain legitimacy  Engage the international community; establish peaceful relations with neighboring countries  Build constituencies for peace; deploy effective strategic communications and public awareness campaigns  Identify and address original and emerging drivers of conflict; manage spoilers  Collect and use intelligence / manage information effectively  Manage transitions from military to civilian and from international to local control 

DESIRED 

END-STATES

CRITICAL L EADERSHIP 

RESPONSIBILITIES

KEY OBJ ECTIVES

SAFE A

N

D SEC

U

RE EN

VIR

O

N

MEN

T R

ULE OF LAW S

TA

BLE DEM

O

C

RAC

Y