When Rambo Meets the Red Cross: Civil-Military Engagement in Fragile States

Non-governmental organizations and militaries have a difficult relationship, but Stanislava P. Mladenova argues that their boundaries are fading and they have drawn closer together. This has led to a collaborative, efficient, and productive civil-military partnership, which is contrary to what many observers and leaders in the conflict and development space have long believed.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 230 pages
Publication date: 25 April 2024
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and militaries have a complex and often strained relationship. The military is often seen as a force of lethality, while NGOs are perceived as idealistic do-gooders who aim to save the world. However, Stanislava P. Mladenova challenges this perception and argues that the boundaries between their functions are fading. In fragile, ungoverned, and insecure spaces, both actors are needed to provide essential services and address complex challenges. As a result, NGOs and militaries have drawn closer together, forming collaborative partnerships that can address complex issues effectively. Mladenova contends that it is time for both sets of actors to put aside their differences and work together to address the fast-changing landscape of poverty, insecurity, and climate change. The conventional way of doing business will become the exception, not the rule, in this context.

Weight: 352g
Dimension: 228 x 151 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538187722