How Can the United States Army and the Interagency Community Better Define and Develop Rule of Law Doctrine and Initiatives to Include Projects Which

Rule of law is in force when an individual is secure in their own person and property, the state is bound to law, and human rights and fundamental freedoms are protected by the state. Rule of law doctrine for the United States Army is in its infancy and as it develops it needs a strong framework. Professor John Kotter's model for change is a method that can assist in developing a rule of law framework. Simultaneously as rule of law doctrine is expounded upon in further editions of Stability Operations doctrine, women's rights also need to be addressed. There is an urgent need for women's rights to be accepted as fundamental human rights. Rule of law programs can be developed with an emphasis on women. These programs are not controversial and should not be treated as such. Instead these programs should be viewed as fully supporting the constitutions and treaty obligations of nations such as Afghanistan and Iraq. As rule of law programs are created that address the needs of women, and specifically in Afghanistan and Iraq, all women need to be included in program development. Islamic feminists, conservative fundamentalists, urbanites, women who live in rural areas as well as the educated, and uneducated need to be a part of the discussion. It is imperative that the Army create a guiding coalition to take the lead on rule of law programs in general and on programs that impact the human rights of women in particular.