Please choose your delivery country and your customer group
United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) is unique among the geographic combatant commands in that it is primarily focused on theater security cooperation activities intended to foster stability by building partner nation security capacity. However, the operational factors of force, time, and space present significant challenges as the command works towards achieving its theater strategic objectives. One useful idea AFRICOM can leverage is 3D security, the alignment of defense, diplomatic, and development efforts. Using the Millennium Challenge Corporation's proven framework, this paper proposes a 3D prioritization method to help the command balance the operational factors and more effectively focus its limited resources towards achieving its theater strategic objectives. It then analyzes AFRICOM's current approach to security capacity building by examining the Department of State's International Affairs Function 150 to see what security capacity building activities the command currently funds. The paper finishes by recommending where AFRICOM should apply the proposed 3D security method to improve its chances of achieving its theater strategic objectives.