Paul Brinkley, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, and Philip Reeker, US Embassy, Baghdad, join BG Kevin Bergner, Multi-National Force-Iraq spokesman, in an expansion of the normal weekly Iraq update. Bergner starts off with a security update then turns over to Reeker and Brinkley who discuss reconstruction, economic and political efforts underway to assist the government of Iraq. Of note - Brinkley provides a detailed update on Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs). Q&A follows the formal brief.
SWJ PRT Briefing Notes:
- Unique experience in that the civilian and military sides are working so close together and a perfect example is the PRTs
- PRTs are an important focus of the overall mission in Iraq
- PRTs: Small civilian-military units designed to assist local and provincial governments to govern effectively and deliver essential services
- PRTs designed to bolster moderates, promote reconciliation, support counterinsurgency operations, foster development and build the capacity of local government officials to perform their duties
- Emphasis on shaping the political environment rather than building infrastructure
- Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) and PRTs work together as one team receiving guidance from Amb. Crocker and Gen. Petraeus
- BCT commander has lead for security and movement
- PRT leader has responsibility for political, reconstruction and economic issues
- PRTs are joint coalition efforts. Includes civilian and military members from U.K., Italy and Korea
- PRTs help extend reach of Iraqi government in key provinces and help build the stability necessary for full-turnover to Iraqi control
- Empowers the provincial governments
- Iraqis lead process on project funding and implementation
- PRTs act as a "kick-start" for developmental processes
- PRTs support decentralization of government services
- Five PRT thematic areas of focus: rule of law, infrastructure, economic development, governance, and public diplomacy
- "Short-term solutions to long-term development challenges"
- 25 PRTs to-date: 10 original full-sized teams (30-60 personnel), 5 smaller teams (4-14 personnel) and 10 new embedded teams (up to 8 and adding specialists)
- Numbers do not include military movement and support personnel
- Looking at adding additional teams as necessary / requested
Selected PRT Background Links:
Provincial Reconstruction Teams - Department of State Fact Sheet
Expanded Provincial Reconstruction Teams Speed the Transition to Self-Reliance - White House Fact Sheet
Provincial Reconstruction Teams - Wikipedia
Initial Benchmark Assessment Report - White House
Reconstruction in Iraq: The Uncertain Way Ahead - Center for Strategic and International Studies
Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Iraq - United States Institute of Peace
Military Must Fill Iraq Civilian Jobs - Washington Post
Pentagon to Fill Iraq Reconstruction Jobs Temporarily - New York Times
Negroponte Advises New Diplomats to Seek Challenging Posts - New York Times
Iraq Rebuilding Short on Qualified Civilians - Washington Post
Iraq- PRTs Help Iraqis with Rule of Law and Connecting With Central Government - Civil-Military Relations Blog
Stabilization and Reconstruction in Afghanistan: Are PRTs a Model or a Muddle? - Parameters
The U.S. Experience with Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Afghanistan: Lessons Identified - United States Institute of Peace
Provincial Reconstruction Teams: Military Relations with International and Nongovernmental Organizations in Afghanistan - United States Institute of Peace
Post-Conflict Reconstruction Project - PCR Project Blog
Interagency Transformation, Education & AAR - National Defense University
Agency for International Development - Department of State
Office of Reconstruction and Stabilization - Department of State
Humanitarian Information Unit - Department of State
SWJ Reference Library Interagency Page
Current PRT Job Opportunities - Department of State
Current PRT Job Opportunities - Department of Defense