Nation-building is a global challenge-both now and for the future. As the international community becomes ever more aware of problems in states with deteriorating conditions, the propensity toward nation-building increases as a preventative to terrorism and decay. What are the challenges of nation-building? What role should the United States play on the international platform?

A revealing exploration of nation-building around the world and its related problems and challenges—from conflict to the role of democracy.

Nation-Building: A Reference Handbook offers an in-depth examination of the nation-building process with special focus on the late 20th century to the present. U.S. national security expert Cynthia Watson explores economic, political, and social aspects of nation-building and provides unique insight into hot issues and fundamental concerns.

Presenting nation-building from many perspectives, Watson discusses states such as Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkan countries, and East Timor, among others. She illustrates the challenges of rebuilding a country's infrastructure as well as unanticipated problems. The work provides a thorough treatment of the role that democracy plays in the nation-building process and illuminates the position of the United States juxtaposed with UN peacekeeping efforts. This one-of-a-kind reference work is complete with primary source documents, biographical sketches, and resource suggestions.

• Chronology of the dramatic history of nation-building, covering key developments such as the aftermath of military operations in Afghanistan and the rebuilding of Iraq
• Biographical profiles of significant individuals who have had a positive or negative impact on nation-building, including Hamid Karzai and Osama bin Laden