RAND suggests adding diplomats

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- To prepare for possible military interventions in the future, the United States needs to boost resources in the State Department, a report says.

The RAND Corp. said in a reported Thursday that the U.S. government needs to also boost the U.S. Agency for International Development. The report also recommends requiring that civilians and military officers gain cross-agency experience in one another's disciplines.

A statement from RAND said American success in interventions abroad requires more direct coordination of military and diplomatic activities.

The report called for adding at least 6,600 Foreign Service officers, 2000 USAID development workers and recreating a separate "United States Information Agency-like" agency.

"These recommendations offer practical guidelines for the nation's next administration to deal effectively with the kinds of U.S. military interventions -- and their aftermath -- that have become prevalent," said Robert Hunter, former U.S. ambassador to NATO, the report's lead author.

The report, "Integrating Instruments of Power and Influence: Lessons Learned and Best Practices," was prepared by a panel of 67 U.S. and European senior practitioners from both civilian and military posts.