Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations

Overview

Established in 2011, U.S. Department of State: Bureau of Conflict & Stabilization Operations (CSO) represents an evolution in the development of U.S. capabilities to prevent and manage conflict, to stabilize transitions from conflict, and to maintain the foundations for lasting peace in post-conflict situations. It followed the Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization (S/CRS, started in 2004), which was envisioned as a “whole-of-government czar” for reconstruction and stabilization. S/CRS then – and CSO now – embraced the notion that stabilization requires extensive planning and methods of conflict analysis designed to promote a collaborative approach to mitigating conflicts.

CSO’s mission is to anticipate, prevent, and respond to conflict that undermines U.S. national interests. their three lines of effort (LOEs) support this mission by focusing on different aspects of the conflict cycle: 1) strategic prevention; 2) conflict resolution; and 3) security sector stabilization. They implement the LOEs through three key functions; 1) deploying Stabilization Advisors; 2) harnessing data analytics; and 3) leading, informing, and implementing policy and programs on conflict prevention and stabilization.