A superb examination of the critically important relationship between civil and military organizations in irregular warfare by an impressive practitioner of and scholar on this subject. Stanislava Mladenova provides a masterful description of how those in uniform, especially civil affairs elements and other special operations forces, interact with their counterparts in civilian organizations, those in governmental and non-governmental organizations focused on various aspects of nation building at local levels. Importantly, she also lays out how these elements can work together more effectively and achieve synergistic effects in the conduct of their important missions. A very important book on a very important subject.

General David Petraeus, US Army (Ret.), former Commander of the Surge in Iraq, US Central Command, and Coalition Forces in Afghanistan; and former Director of the CIA

Stanislava P. Mladenova has written an exceptionally insightful and important book on the critical need to integrate the civil-military efforts to stabilize fragile societies. Her valuable experience, thorough research, and creative thinking are clearly evident throughout the book. This is a must-read for military and non-military leaders who will increasingly find themselves faced with these issues in the future.

General Anthony C. Zinni, USMC (Retired)

A compelling argument, supported convincingly with data and Dr. Mladenova’s extensive personal experience, for a better approach to better leveraging the combination of civilian and military efforts in the complex wars that characterize our times. An essential primer for policymakers, donors, and on-the-ground operators from both the military and non-governmental organizations.

General Stanley McChrystal, US Army (Retired)

It's so refreshing to see a book that is focused on the interaction of people, not just of policies, when exploring civil-military interactions in complex environments. What sets this book apart is Mladenova's commitment to exploring the deeper questions. The dichotomy between preserving human dignity and combating terrorism is artfully examined, inviting readers to ponder the true differences between organizations that both believe they are forging a better future for affected populations. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the intricate dance between military and humanitarian efforts in conflict zones. Thought-provoking in its exploration of fundamental questions, it makes it a valuable contribution to the discourse on civil-military relations.

Beth Eggleston, Co-Founder and Director, Humanitarian Advisory Group

As the current wars in both Ukraine and Gaza demonstrate - close collaboration between military forces and the humanitarian community is vital to accomplishing political objectives. Nowhere is this more pronounced than with Special Operations Forces, who often operate in and among the population. This excellent book is essential to the intellectual discussion that must accompany the decision to employ force in future conflicts. A foundational resource for practitioners and policymakers.

GEN (Ret) Joseph L. Votel, former US Special Operations Command and Central Command commander

One of the tragic but real trends of our time is the growing number and severity of conflicts. These conflicts are the epicenter of humanitarian need and a primary cause of ongoing extreme poverty. They are also a place where the international humanitarian community comes into direct contact with international military forces, often coming from the same country. This important book elucidates the nexus in which humanitarian and military forces find themselves and helps practitioners from both sides of the divide consider how they might better cooperate to achieve shared objectives.

Raj Kumar, President of Devex, former humanitarian council chair for the World Economic Forum and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations