The use of Western military forces for the stabilisation of (post) conflict states has become common practice. At times at cautious approach is taken, yet often its use is seen to be the answer to... Show moreThe use of Western military forces for the stabilisation of (post) conflict states has become common practice. At times at cautious approach is taken, yet often its use is seen to be the answer to the provision of international security. This study seeks to answer prominent and pressings questions as to why and how it is decided to use military means in Western states. It specifically draws attention to the actions of senior civil and military decision-makers in both the Netherlands and the United Kingdom whilst deciding to engage their forces contributing to NATO__s expansion into South Afghanistan. The careful reconstruction of their actions and decisions, based on about one-hundred interviews and archive material, provides an insight into the black-box of decision-making and challenges theoretical prescriptions on civil military relations and strategy. Show less
