In countries affected by war, the cessation of hostilities inevitably produces a large number of demobilized combatants, most of them lacking any basic means of support or livelihood. The failure to respond to the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) of such former combatants can cause high levels of insecurity, at worst a resumption of armed conflict. Accordingly, DDR is now a regular component of post-conflict reconstruction efforts around the world. Postwar Recovery provides a unique study of DDR in action. Drawing upon the experience of four major war-torn societies--Afghanistan, Kosovo, El Salvador and Sierra Leone--the author provides the first comparative analysis of DDR, exploring the planning, implementation and effectiveness of DDR in each country. In a final chapter the author draws out the lessons to be learned.