Information sharing at united states central command

Abstract

Underlying the United States Central Command’s (CENTCOM) manage–prevent–shape strategy is its “need to share” approach to information sharing. Information is sent and received to and from its partners, which include other branches of the U.S. military, civilian government agencies and departments, coalition and partner countries, and non-governmental organizations. This includes information about defense, intelligence, vendors, contractors, the demographic details of populations for health and education program planning, and urban planning information for reconstruction programs. This chapter discusses the origins, inner workings, and thought processes behind CENTCOM’s information-sharing strategy.