Description
This paper presents key findings from my forthcoming monograph Examining the Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Afghanistan: Navigating the Security–Development Nexus between Ottawa and Prague (Routledge, forthcoming). The research offers new insights into the security–development nexus through a comprehensive analysis of Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) across Afghanistan between 2002 and 2015. It constitutes the first holistic study of all leading nations that operated PRTs, examining how the nexus was applied across provinces with differing levels of threat and instability.
The findings reveal that a “pure” security–development model—whether security-first, development-first, or mutually reinforcing—rarely emerged in practice. Instead, multiple models often coexisted within and across missions, reflecting the fluid and context-dependent nature of stabilization efforts. Moreover, the study demonstrates that understandings of the security–development nexus varied significantly among international actors, shaped by their distinct strategic cultures and institutional traditions, which had tangible effects on how PRTs functioned in the field.
The paper argues that future stabilization missions must adaptively calibrate the balance between security and development: as security improves, civilian-led initiatives should expand, while in deteriorating environments, protection must take priority. Grounded in extensive empirical evidence, this research advances debates on how integrated approaches can more effectively support peacebuilding in fragile and conflict-affected states.
