Security Force Assistance to Fragile States: A Framework of Analysis

Security Force Assistance (SFA) – the training and equipping of a foreign security force – represent a common form of intervention into fragile states. This introduction assesses the state of the field of SFA research and focuses on dynamics specific to recipient states with fragmented security sectors. Based on insights from the contributions to the special issue we propose a framework for research which covers conceptualisation, implementation and impact of SFA programmes. The cases studied here emphasise that the logic of governance in many of these states relies upon manipulating security sector fragmentation, often producing outcomes directly opposed to SFA providers' intent.