Reconstructing internal security in post-conflict societies: The challenge and successfulness of developing democratic police and justice institutions

'Nation-building' is an increasingly frequent activity of Western governments and the United Nations. This study examines the reconstruction of internal security institutions during nine recent nation-building missions: Panama, El Salvador, Somalia, Haiti, Bosnia, East Timor, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. It analyzes the activities of the United States and other countries in building viable and democratic police and justice institutions. The study draws conclusions from the comparative analysis and derives recommendations to help improve the performance in the delivery of post-conflict security. The results should be of interest to a broad audience of policymakers and academics concerned with the successes and shortcomings of past security efforts and improving future efforts. Security Journal (201 1) 24, 52-68. doi:10.1057/sj.2009.9; published online 22 June 2009