Introduction -- Understanding failed states -- Policy failures -- Developing an integrated approach -- Reframing the failed-state challenge -- Identifying and meeting critical challenges -- Dismantling the instruments of violence -- Critical challenge 1: Reintegrating excombatants -- Critical challenge 2: Building effective, legitimate state security structures -- Removing incentives for violence -- Critical challenge 3: Fairly and appropriately distributing assistance -- Critical challenge 4: Building an inclusive and representative political system -- Establishing security for economic recovery -- Critical challenge 5: Securing the nation's productive assets -- Critical challenge 6: Providing security for foreign direct investment -- Creating conditions for empowering the population -- Government provision of essential public services -- Safe drinking water and basic sanitation -- Accessible public health and health care services -- Accessible primary education -- Sustained human development -- Secondary and postsecondary schools and training centers -- Accessible, safe marketplaces -- Trade facilitation and control -- Other economic development efforts -- Conclusion : Institutions and Leadership -- Appendix: Countries in alert zone.