Afghanistan Experience Project: About Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs)

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In Spring 2003, the Pentagon responded to the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan by authorizing greater involvement of Operation Enduring Freedom in civil affairs and reconstruction. The Defense Department initiated a program to deploy "Provincial Reconstruction Teams" (PRTs) near major cities throughout Afghanistan to enhance local security, rebuild local infrastructure and extend the authority of Afghan central government. The PRTs were staffed with U.S. Army Civil Affairs soldiers and U.S. government civilian personnel from State, USAID, Commerce, and Agriculture, plus Afghan officials. Over time, a pattern has developed whereby some of the PRTs established by the U.S. military were handed off to other countries or NATO. Of the 16 PRTs now operational, two are staffed by the United Kingdom and New Zealand and two by Germany under the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

PRTs are the centerpiece of the U.S. strategy for stabilizing areas outside of Kabul, promoting development and enabling the central government to extend its reach. They are unique entities, combining both military and civilian functions. Recently, U.S. police training centers have been co-located near seven PRTs enhancing the U.S. presence. Nothing comparable has been attempted in previous peace and stability operations and innovation has produced controversy. PRTs have been welcomed by the Afghan government, which has relied upon their support to remove provincial warlords and corrupt officials. At the same time, international non-governmental organizations have viewed PRTs as competitors whose military presence places their personnel in jeopardy. Given their limited number, military capacity, and isolation other observers question their ability to make a real impact on peace and stability.

Provincial Reconstruction Teams are the cutting edge of U.S. stability and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan and will be the locus for increasing numbers of U.S. official personnel and contractors. After presidential elections this fall, the Afghan government is likely to increase pressure on the international community to assist in extending its authority into the countryside, particularly to begin establishing rule of law centers to deal with narcotics and other types of organized criminal activity. PRTs are the only available means to accomplish this mission. Despite their increasing importance, however, little has been written about the PRTs and there has been little effort to document their activities or analyze their impact.