Counterinsurgency in a Test Tube Analyzing the Success of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI)
Russell W. Glenn
Prepared for the United States Joint Forces Command Approved for public release; distribution unlimited
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The research described in this report was prepared for the United States Joint Forces Command. The research was conducted in the RAND National Defense Research Institute, a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Staff, the Unified Combatant Commands, the Department of the Navy, the Marine Corps, the defense agencies, and the defense Intelligence Community under Contract DASW01-01-C-0004.
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Preface
On July 24, 2003, a joint, multinational, interagency force landed in the Solomon Islands at the request of that nation’s prime minister. Its intent was to “reinforce and uphold the legitimate institutions and authorities in the Solomon Islands, and to ensure respect for the country’s constitution and implementation of its laws.”1 The call for help came after years of turmoil during which the legitimacy and effectiveness of the Solomon Islands government had been undermined by social strife, corruption, intimidation, and armed groups acting with no regard for the law. Within weeks, the worst of the problems had been suppressed and national rebuilding began. This analysis considers why the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) succeeded in its first weeks, months, and years, and what lessons of value its operations might offer to counterinsurgency (COIN) and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere. The document will be of interest to individuals in or supporting the government sector whose responsibilities include planning, policy, doctrine, training, or execution of insurgency, counterinsurgency, or other stability operations. It will similarly be of value to students, analysts, or others with a general interest in such undertakings and in the Solomon Islands mission in particular. This research was sponsored by the Joint Urban Operations Office, J9, Joint Forces Command, and conducted within the International Security and Defense Policy Center of the RAND National
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Bryant (2005a, p. 9).
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Counterinsurgency in a Test Tube
Defense Research Institute, a federally funded research and developm