The PRT Concept -- US Experiences and Their Relevance for Norway

The United States experience with the Provincial Reconstruction Team PRT concept has influenced the International Security Assistance Force ISAF in Afghanistan, and Norways concept of operations of PRTs in that country. One of the goals of this study is to examine the challenges connected with the establishment of such a concept, which is interagency and civilian-military in nature. PRTs should also be considered a test of Western nations ability to conduct nation building and stabilization operations after the end of conventional phases of armed conflicts within failed states. Norway gained lead nation responsibility for PRT Meymaneh in August 2005. The PRT concept was very new to the Norwegian Armed Forces. After having gained this responsibility, Norway faced the challenges of operating with other agencies, NGOs, and coalition partners in a logistically demanding situation. Military units involvement in local politics and the humanitarian sphere have lead to a requirement for people who are competent and able to cooperate with organizations outside the military. This kind of operation, where the delineation between military and civilian tasks is blurred or nonexisting, is still controversial in some countries. Further, interdepartmental rivalry and interests that differ from those of nongovernmental organizations continue to be obstacles to optimal PRT operations. Considering the differences in size and global reach between Norway and the United States, Norway should be cautious not to automatically copy U.S. approaches to PRT operations.