The authors examine the utility of the U.S. Government's
whole-of-government (WoG) approach for responding to the challenging
security demands of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. They
specifically discuss the strategic objectives of interagency cooperation
particularly in the areas of peacebuilding and conflict management.
Discussions range from the conceptual to the practical, with a focus on
the challenges and desirability of interagency cooperation in
international interventions. Shared were experiences and expertise on
the need for and future of an American grand strategy in an era
characterized by increasingly complex security challenges and shrinking
budgets. All agreed that taking the status quo for granted was a major
obstacle to developing a successful grand strategy and that government,
the military, international and nongovernmental organizations, and the
private sector are all called on to contribute their best talents and
efforts to joint global peace and security efforts.