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Center for Civil-Military Relations (CCMR)

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Are the Maras Overwhelming Governments in Central America?
(Monterey, CA; Naval Postgraduate School, 2006) Boraz, Steven C.; Bruneau, Thomas C.; Center for Civil-Military Relations (CCMR); Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.); National Security Affairs (NSA)
Violence in Central America has grown so much in the last half decade that Colombia is no longer the homicide capital of the region. In fact, it now ranks fourth in that ignominious distinction behind El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala.1 The violence is mostly due to the phenomenon of street gangs, also called pandillas or gangas, but most often maras. They have grown in number, sophistication, and stature and have largely overwhelmed the security forces of Central America’s fledgling democracies. Altogether, these maras represent a significant threat to the security of the countries in the region. Numerous national, binational, multinational, regional, and hemispheric conferences have sought to address the problem.
Democratizing Civil-Military Relations: What do Countries Legislate? Occasional Paper #7
(2001) Giraldo, Jeanne Kinney; Center for Civil-Military Relations (CCMR); National Security Affairs; National Security Affairs (NSA)
After a transition away from authoritarianism, one of the central challenges facing new democratic elites is redefining civil-military relations. Among other things, this means writing or revising constitutions and laws that regulate the roles, rights, and obligations of the military so that they conform to the basic democratic principles of accountability to democratically elected leaders and respect for civil liberties.1 Under the preceding non-democratic regimes, militaries were often accustomed to acting in ways that violated these principles, by operating autonomously within the defense arena, playing an important role in non-defense areas, and participating in regime violations of human rights.2 Although writing new laws designed to modify this behavior will not automatically lead to a change, it is a necessary first step.
Center for Civil-Military Relations Counter-Terrorism Fellowship Program
(2007-12) Shemella, Paul; Center for Civil-Military Relations (CCMR)
The advent of more deadly forms of terrorism has challenged all governments to craft responses that stop terrorism while strengthening democracy – and without breeding more terrorism. The era of new terrorism is fraught with paradoxes and dilemmas that require decision-makers to develop a thorough understanding of the threats they face, as well as a comprehensive appreciation for the tools available to them for developing effective responses. No single government can respond effectively to the new terrorism, laced as it is with global net worked support. Neither can any single agency within government execute the strategy necessary to prevail over terrorist networks. These conditions place international and interagency coordination at the very center of all successful strategies for combating terrorism.
CCMR Paul Shemella Factsheet
(2002-12-02) Shmella, Paul; Center for Civil-Military Relations (CCMR); National Security Affairs (NSA)
The Center for Civil-Military Relations (CCMR), in partnership with The Center of Excellence in Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance (COE), has developed a two-week seminar for mid- to seniorlevel military officers and civilian officials in combating terrorism. The course is offered as either a regional or a global program. Regional courses will be sponsored by Regional Combatant Commanders and held within the AOR. Programs for global audiences will be conducted in Monterey, CA. Instructional methods will include case-studies in combating terrorism, lectures, discussion periods, and classroom exercises. Each seminar will cover the broad spectrum of combating terrorism issues, with particular emphases on interagency decision-making and international cooperation. The objective of the program is to help government and military decision-makers understand the environment of international terrorism and craft both short- and long-term responses that benefit other nations as well as their own.
Latin America Regional Seminar 'Civil-Military Responses to Terrorism' Group Recommendations
(2004-02-27) Shemella, Paul; Center for Civil-Military Relations (CCMR); National Security Affairs (NSA)
Given the high degree of cultural continuity in the region, we recommend proposing a common definition of terrorism to guide national policy formulation for responding to terrorist activities. We further recommend...
Defense Budgets and Civilian Oversight, Occasional Paper #9
(2001-06) Giraldo, Jeanne Kinney; Center for Civil-Military Relations (CCMR); National Security Affairs; National Security Affairs (NSA)
As countries democratize, newly-elected governments find that they must quickly assert control over the budget, especially the defense budget, if they are to meet their policy goals for all sectors and assert civilian control over the military. Fiscally, the process by which budget decisions are made should be structured so that defense spending does not “break the bank” by exceeding the government’s capacity to pay. Sectorally, defense should compete with other government ministries so that the final overall budget is a monetary expression of the priorities of the nation, its choice between “guns and butter.” Within the defense sector, the allocation of resources for training, personnel, and equipment should reflect the roles and missions for the armed forces established during a process of national security planning. Finally, the power of the purse provides civilians with a key lever of control over the military: government preferences are more likely to be taken into account when they are backed by the provision or withholding of resources.
Seminario Regional de América Latina ‘Respuestas Cívico-Militares al Terrorismo’ Recomendaciones del Grupo
(2004) Shemella, Paul; Center for Civil-Military Relations (CCMR); National Security Affairs (NSA)
Dado el alto grado de homogeneidad cultural en la región, recomendamos proponer una definición común del terrorismo para orientar la formulación de políticas nacionales de respuestas a las actividades terroristas. Además, recomendamos lo siguiente...
Civil-Military Responses to Terrorism' Monterey, CA (14-25 April 03) Course Overview
(2003-04) Shemella, Paul; Center for Civil-Military Relations (CCMR); National Security Affairs (NSA)
CCMR Course Overview
Legislatures and Defense: The Comparative Experience, Occasional Paper #8
(2001-06) Giraldo, Jeanne Kinney; Center for Civil-Military Relations (CCMR); National Security Affairs; National Security Affairs (NSA)
Democratically elected representatives in a country’s legislature have an important role to play in formulating defense and military policy and monitoring its implementation (i.e., oversight). Legislative participation in these areas is desirable for a number of reasons. Democracy as “rule by the people” is enhanced by input from all elected officials, not just those who comprise the executive branch. The needs of society and the military are more likely to be balanced to the extent that representatives from all segments of society are consulted in the policy process. Although consulting multiple actors in the Congress on defense issues may be time-consuming, the end result is usually better and longer lasting policy. The policy produced tends to be better as both the executive and military actors involved are forced to defend their positions publicly.
Center for Civil-Military Relations (CCMR)
(Monterey, California: Naval Postgraduate School, 2004) Hoffman, Richard; Center for Civil-Military Relations (CCMR)