The conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq have resulted in an unparalleled level of cooperation between government agencies in spite of the fact that no codified congressional legislation has directed cooperation. Due to historical precedent and competing demands of governmental agencies, the U.S. government must organize itself to conduct campaigns effectively. The Department of Defense has taken the lead in a majority of recent conflicts, owed primarily to its disproportionate size and funding. However, the core competencies of other federal agencies have not been fully realized and not brought to bear. Operations in Afghanistan and Iraq have proven not only the lethality of our armed forces, but also demonstrated its ability to fight as a seamless, joint force. This has not always been the case. Pacification operations in Vietnam, the failed American hostage rescue attempt in Iran and the difficult civil-military integration of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Operation Iraqi Freedom highlight the challenges and inherent need for the U.S. government to implement legislation focused on a transparent interagency process. Every federal agency has its own unique organizational structure and no one agency is tasked to integrate the activities of the other. Each of these agencies defines their roles and responsibilities differently from the other, and while cooperation exists, there are seams and gaps owing to the lack of strategic direction and guidance from the administration and Congress. Legislation in three strategic focus areas must be addressed in order to challenge agency supremacy and instill the joint cooperation necessary to solve complex challenges in the future. First, the interagency lacks a doctrine or concept of operations that has proven its utility in joint military operations and is absent a higher authority responsible for the development and training of personnel. Second, agencies use regional structures to organize their policies and operation
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