text: Considerations for Stability
  HOST-NATION SECURITY FORCES
  5-12. HN security forces represent a significant potential for personnel recovery support in stability. The
  Army’s relationship with a host nation can be long or short term, depending on the situation. In long-term
  relationships, the United States has a long-standing bilateral diplomatic, economic, and military partnership
  with the host nation. In long-term relationships, the United States may have formed a more recent security
  cooperation pact with the goal of stabilizing the overseas nation while advancing the national security
  interests of the United States. In still other situations, an ad hoc relationship exists to address a temporary
  state of affairs. An example of an ad hoc relationship is one resulting from a response to a natural or man-
  made disaster. In each relationship, the Army as part of a joint force conducts synchronization and
  coordination, and establishes liaison with the armed forces, national police, and other internal security
  forces of the host nation as part of unified action.
  5-13. A relationship with HN security forces is important for several reasons. They normally have several
  capabilities important to the location, support, and assistance with recovery of isolated persons. National
  security forces—police and armed forces—are the first responders. They have elements throughout most of
  the country, including remote locations where U.S. forces may perform stability tasks. HN security forces
  are generally politically well connected. They facilitate coordination in personnel recovery. Wide
  distribution and political connectivity are important in timely intelligence collection and analysis. The most
  important relationship is often the American Embassy’s relationship with the national police and
  intelligence services. Such HN security forces understand the level of risk of isolation to U.S. forces. HN
  security forces provide advice to mitigate that risk for Army forces working in remote areas, or in areas
  with a high chance of encountering those with hostile intent.
  LOCAL POPULATIONS
  5-14. There is no empty battlefield. Soldiers interact with the local population in an AO. The relationship
  between Army forces and the local population includes various intangible factors such as understanding the
  culture, perceptions, beliefs, and values of adversary, neutral, or friendly political and social systems.
  While the local population may have reasons to interact with Army forces, HN authorities may have
  reasons to discourage contact between Army forces and the local population. Reasons to limit association
  include culture, religion, and economy. Commanders determine if they should limit troop interaction with
  the HN population. For example, restrictions can allow business or operational contact only, with social
  interactions prohibited.
  INTERACTION WITH INDEPENDENT ACTORS
  5-15. A number of independent actors influence stability. Joint and Army forces in stability operations
  interface with entities that possess various experience, resources, mandates, and capabilities. Some global
  organizations have broad mandates, while local organizations have specific, limited missions. These
  organizations sometimes provide valuable assistance in personnel recovery.
  5-16. Army forces at all levels aim to build strong relationships with independent actors through ongoing
  cooperation and coordination. Examples of potential partners include the United Nations and the
  International Committee of the Red Cross. The United Nations operates in most joint and Army operational
  areas. The International Committee of the Red Cross serves as an impartial, neutral, and independent
  organization to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence.
  Such organizations develop experience in local environments and can share knowledge of the locale, its
  people and their customs, and the government organization. Additionally, independent actors have
  knowledge networks that can prove a valuable resource during isolation incidents.
  5-17. Many organizations wish to maintain independent and separate from Army forces. However,
  objectives of stability frequently align with those objectives of the independent actors. At the least,
  reasonable deconfliction of purpose is possible. Frequently, the United Nations, DOS, or the United States
  Agency for International Development facilitates the interface between Army forces and other
  intergovernmental or nongovernmental organizations. The interface includes Army efforts to recover or
  prevent isolation of civilian members of these organizations, when required.