To Stay or Not to Stay: Non-combatant Evacuation Operations and Their Impact on Host Nation / Regional Stability

The United States Ambassadors and Geographic Combatant Commanders are responsible for protection of United States citizens in their respective areas of responsibility. Accordingly, planning and practicing of procedures for Non-combatant Evacuation Operations (NEOs) are prudent and necessary especially as stability, in a Host Nation or region, waivers: however, the decision to make necessary preparations for an evacuation may in fact precipitate the requirement to execute one, thus framing an undesirable decision to evacuate. The current fiscal constraints coupled with a future security environment characterized by complexity, uncertainty and rapid change require evaluation of past evacuations up to and including military assisted evacuations or NEOs. These lessons can inform future leaders as they consider how to best utilize the unique characteristics of the Departments of State and Defense to safeguard American Citizens abroad.