The Foreign Service Journal, March 2006

directly to Berlin. Some other European countries at times expressed concern that military activities would somehow “taint” softer, gentler civilian activities, as if the two groups were not pursuing the same overall mission. In order to ensure that PRT activities were integrated with Afghanistan’s broader political, military and economic goals, the Coalition supported the establishment of the PRT Executive Steering Committee, chaired by the Afghan interior minister and co-chaired by the Coalition forces’ commander and the ISAF commander. Assessing the PRTs The most common measure of success cited to the author by PRT representatives was (no kidding) “the number of smiling Afghan children.” Anecdotal evidence abounds of the positive impact the teams have had on changing the attitudes of local Afghans, as villagers went from throwing rocks at PRT convoys to smiling and wav- ing as they saw the benefits of a PRT presence in their region. In areas of Taliban influence in southern and east- ern Afghanistan, Coalition forces under Lieutenant General Barno highlighted the cooperation from locals in identifying weapon caches as another measure of success. Obviously, however, the PRTs needed a more system- atic approach to measuring their success. The amount of OHDACA funds spent and the number of assistance pro- jects completed (e.g., schools, clinics) were easily quanti- fied, but they were a poor metric. These projects were effective only to the extent that they improved the ability of the PRTs to influence local events. Three good mea- sures for PRT performance should be how well they improve tactical-level coordination, build relationships and build capacity. Even absent clear metrics, it is still possible to begin to assess success along these parameters on the basis of the information that is available. Civil-military coordination was a challenge for the PRTs. Military commanders and civilian officials were not always sure about the role civilians should play on the teams. Regarding the U.S.-led PRTs, military units F O C U S M A R C H 2 0 0 6 / F O R E I G N S E R V I C E J O U R N A L 67 * per night, single or double occupancy subject to availability Y our search is over, choose a hotel where the federal per diem rate is available year-round. * t Luxurious Suites t All rooms with full size kitchen & stove tops t Fitness center t Complimentary in-room coffee t Full service restaurant t Parking available t Across fromMain State t White House, The Mall, and Metro Foggy Bottom station (blue & orange lines) within walking distance Accommodations State Plaza Hotel 2117 E. St. NW Washington, DC 20037 Telephone: (800) 424-2859 (202) 861-8200 Parking Available Rated HHH 1 / 2 by AAA www.stateplaza.com E-mail: reservations@stateplaza.com