Stabilization (warfare)

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Stabilization is a dynamic to stabilize a region deemed unstable, as part of counter-insurgency in a war. Stabilization is generally used to refer to the immediate post-conflict phase in a militarized conflict. This is typically thought to occur after military intervention in a period when there may still be a considerable amount of violence, and before actual normalization. Stabilization is "the phase in which basic order has to be/is being restored and preparations are made for long-term reconstruction".^[1]

Stabilization programs can include development activities, like building roads and bridges, water wells, schools, and clinics. However, there needs to be an understanding of the situation at the beginning of the intervention (a "baseline") in order to measure stability and any improvements.

The term stabilization has different meanings and refers to all sorts of different activities and definitions. Some states use it to denote a grand strategy for the establishment of sustainable peace, whereas others only focus on the military contribution to so-called stability operations. States have different views on the short-term and long-term objectives, the actors, the level of violence or the duration and the timing of stabilization efforts.^[1] For example: