I think he was Secretary of Defense. He was interviewed recently in regard to his new book publication; and brought up the issue of nation rebuilding. He contended that efforts by the US to impose its structural improvements upon a government have netted poor results and have alienated the natives!
But I think there's a way to get involved in rebuilding a nation that doesn't entail forcing people to accept by the threat of the gun a rebuilding design.
If a government, just getting started, or finding some dire need to make significant changes in its structure, is willing to accept advice and counsel of the US military, in particular, in making changes to the way it is organized, then the specific rebuilding attempt, carried out by the native government but with US help, could be successfully accomplished. The point is to have the native government lead the way to design and implement any structural modifications--the particular government thus being responsible for the new changes.
The native land must have a lasting government; therefore it should lead the way to its own salvation, as it were.
Specifically, while the US advice is not welcome in all parts of Afghanistan, the Kabul government is willing to work with US personnel in order to take advantage of the knowledge and technical expertise the US offers. US technical assistance indeed has been of significant value in protecting the people and their lands governed from Kabul; and importantly, such aide it provides in assistance costs little compared to US occupation of an area it would want to have influence over.
In short, the US assistance in nation building could be an invaluable path where a struggling nation could benefit from the experience and wisdom of a seasoned veteran in achieving what that nation wants to do to improve its governance strategies.
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