Managing conflict and stabilising fragile states has been one of the dominant issues in Britain's security policy since the end of the Cold War. From 1997, British governments have intervened militarily six times on three continents, and in many other countries have sought to help build an effective state, able to ensure stability and promote development. However, gaps still remain in the British institutional architecture, impeding its ability to work in fragile states and its awareness of conflict issues.

Based on some fifty interviews with civil servants from across the UK government, senior military officers, politicians, academics and NGO experts, this Whitehall Paper examines the impact of reforms and initiatives over the past thirteen years, and the challenges that remain. Identifying a mismatch between ambitions and resources, the paper considers how the government can best organise itself to mitigate conflict in fragile states, with specific recommendations to ensure a robust framework for the future.