text: Direct Methods for Countering Insurgencies
  host-nation security forces, and host-nation governance institutions. U.S. counterinsurgents conduct
  information operations during build operations to facilitate host-nation leaders’ messaging and to
  emphasize success in generating the conditions that further the connection between the population and the
  host-nation institutions. U.S. ground force information operations reinforce the host nation’s ability to
  counter an insurgency without the direct involvement of U.S. ground forces. Host-nation information
  operations should focus on increasing the perception of security, increasing the legitimacy of the
  host-nation government and security forces, and promoting the host nation’s ability to address root causes.
  TRANSITION
  9-34. Transition allows the counterinsurgent to delineate tasks associated with development of host-nation
  institutions (governance, rule of law, security, and economic) with those tasks associated with transitioning
  to host-nation lead of operations. To make transition effective, U.S. commanders incorporate planning and
  execution of transition as part of the shape-clear-hold-build-transition framework.
  9-35. This transition is not a onetime event. Counterinsurgents transition responsibility to host-nation
  agencies when they are capable of taking over a function. This may mean multiple transitions to multiple
  host-nation agencies at different times during a counterinsurgency. Transition is a continued process in
  which the host nation assumes any responsibility that an external counterinsurgency may temporarily have.
  9-36. Security tasks associated with transition represent the U.S. forces’ transition to security cooperation
  tasks. During this phase, the U.S. ground force, under the combatant command and in conjunction with the
  American embassy, helps generate and then implement theater engagement plans and programs.
  9-37. The end goal of shape-clear-hold-build-transition framework is to create the conditions necessary for
  the host nation to counter an insurgency independently. However, creating these conditions may not
  eliminate the presence of external counterinsurgents. U.S. counterinsurgents may remain in an area during
  and beyond transition to help train host-nation security forces or institutions, provide enablers, or begin
  security cooperation tasks at the request of the host-nation government. (See FM 3-22 for more information
  on security cooperation tasks.)
  9-38. To better facilitate the integration of all components of the unified action environment into the
  shape-clear-hold-build-transition framework, counterinsurgents may establish an area coordination center.
  An area coordination center controls, manages, and coordinates shape-clear-hold-build-transition
  framework operations. Commanders and staffs can establish area coordination centers and subordinate area
  coordination center civil-military task forces from the tactical to the strategic level. An area coordination
  center’s membership includes representatives of all multinational forces and host-nation agencies (military,
  police, intelligence, political, and civil administration) operating at the regional and local level. To be truly
  effective, Department of State representatives (including United States Agency for International
  Development personnel) should lead an area coordination center. As an area coordination center
  coordinates all efforts that affect the ability to transition to host-nation control, the area coordination center
  is responsible for generating host-nation capability beyond just the security realm. For that reason,
  diplomatic and governmental leaders should run an area coordination center with the goal of turning over
  decisionmaking and coordination authority to the host nation at the earliest opportunity. In the absence of
  Department of State personnel, the military force assigned an area of operations should initiate and manage
  an area coordination center until a government representative can take control. An area coordination center
  coordinates the allocation of material and personnel resources, methods of policy implementation, and
  evaluation of intelligence in the area within which it is organized.
  9-39. The area coordination center consists of civilian and military elements necessary to plan the political,
  economic, social, psychological, security, intelligence, and tactical operations within that area.
  Commanders and staffs base operation plans on an integrated civil-military approach, and unity of effort is
  essential. The leadership must have authority to control the allotted resources of all agencies and activities
  operating within its respective area of responsibility. In those instances where U.S. or multinational forces
  are operating in support of host-nation forces, an exceptionally high degree of cooperation must exist and
  advisory efforts are critically important for success. All armed civilian defense forces and civilian
  organizations normally remain under operational command of their respective area coordination center task
  force chiefs: however, in cases where civilian administration is ineffective, military forces may provide