to violence increases support for violence and violent extremism. Research increasingly finds exposure to violence as a predictor of future participation in violence, including violent extremism. (7) Since 2002, a body of research has emerged on failed or fragile states. The World Bank defines a fragile state as a low-income country characterized by weak state capacity or weak state legitimacy, leaving citizens vulnerable to a range of shocks. (8) United States foreign policy and assistance efforts in highly violent and fragile states remain governed by an outdated patchwork of authorities that prioritize responding to immediate needs rather than solving the underlying problems that cause them. United States ambassadors, United States Agency for International Development mission directors, and Department of Defense combatant commanders do not have the policy framework or tools they need to direct United States policy or assistance towards a long-term, overarching strategy with the end goal of reduced fragility and violence in fragile and violence-affected states. (9) Lessons learned over the past 20 years, documented by the 2013 Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction Lessons Learned Study, the 2016 Fragility Study Group Report, and the 2018 Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Lessons Learned Study on Stabilization show that effective, sustained United States efforts to reduce violence and stabilize fragile and violence-affected states require clearly defined goals and strategies, adequate long-term funding, rigorous and iterative conflict analysis, coordination across the United States Government, including strong civil-military coordination, and integration with national and subnational partners, including local civil society organizations, local justice systems, and local governance structures. (10) The Stabilization Assistance Review: A Framework for Maximizing the Effectiveness of U.S. Government Efforts to Stabilize Conflict-Affected Areas states, The United States has strong national