In addition, most government agencies do not place much faith in the ability of early warning systems to detect future conflict. Even among groups who believe that early warning systems can predict conflict, many do not think such conflicts can be prevented. It essential that while keeping in mind the constraints, skeptics are not allowed to deter action, especially in cases where the conflict is likely to lead to deadly violence. The focus and methods of each are very different, and no one agency can be expected to fully meet the requirements of both. Implementing this vision and establishing the necessary division of labor will require significant changes in both agencies, specifically the corporate cultures of each.
Attention needs to be paid to developing better early warning systems.
Mission Performance Plans can act as vehicles linking early warning with action. To be effective, these early warning systems need to be based on comprehensive analyses of the root causes of conflict. It is important to remember that institution building is not just constructing buildings. A challenge for the foreign affairs community will be to revamp the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961. Though the world has changed greatly since the 1950s, the Foreign Assistance Act has only been amended through plank or earmark.