Thesis submitted to the Nanyang Technological University in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy 2017 complemented by her grace. From you, Mommy, I believe that I can go after any dream I might have. Thank you to my stepfather Jim, who taught me to appreciate the English language and actually use a dictionary. I choose my words carefully, though my hand gestures fill in the gaps with great exuberance. Uncle Robby, whether you realized it or not, you were my mental taskmaster and intellectual motivator. I thought of you often as I wrote and can answer affirmatively to your question: "oh, you're actually going to finish?"My faithful French bulldog Cash has spent more hours than anyone else alongside me on this journey. He provided companionship in the dark and doubting moments, often trying to nudge the laptop away. Thank you, my sweet boy, for being an unconditional helper.Lastly, to my darling husband Pierce, thank you for loving me as I am. You were steadfast as I pondered how to find the light at the end of this tunnel. You read chapter upon chapter and never once complained as I prioritized writing over housekeeping. I knew we would be on this wild journey through life the first time I held your hand. You understand that sometimes I need to go, but I am yours until the end of time. Per our informal marriage vows, I do intend to stop moving to foreign countries without you.

When a crisis manifests, the problem or situation is often at a terrible point where sage and timely decisions are of critical importance. Ideally, the particular emergency has been known previously and various challenges, roadblocks, and solutions workshopped in a tabletop or other exercise. Whether in advance or at a sudden precipice, a whole-of-government approach can navigate, mitigate, and alleviate the disaster in a holistic and comprehensive manner that is tailored to the task at hand. Whole-of-government crisis management—at the local, state, national, or international level—involves several elements. First, those in command need to know the myriad of players who may have roles and responsibilities to play at pivotal moments. Every organization will not be required in every crisis, and a strategic mix and match is often valuable. Second, each agency needs to understand how it fits into the larger puzzle and adjust their internal culture accordingly to support interagency operations, regardless of who is providing a lead function and who is supporting. Then, the agencies must have the staff available to fulfill their tasks and surge capacity, making provisions for alternative personnel or a “backbench” to execute everyday operations while the frontlines are busy. Elements of whole-of-government approaches appear throughout all aspects of crisis management. A relatively recent term, whole of government is an expansive framework for coordinating interagency responses that is often invoked in policy documents, as well as examined in academic studies. As it is adopted by various administrations and organizations during times of calm and emergency, the whole-of-government approach has aspects that are enduring, countervailing, and aspirational. The instruments of national power—diplomatic, information, military, and economic (DIME)—provide one lens through which to examine whole-of-government crisis management. Past interagency responses demonstrate best practices and difficult lessons learned for future whole-of-government operations. A broad analysis of whole-of-government crisis management enables government leaders, practitioners, scholars, researchers, and others to create comprehensive and flexible strategies with delineated roles for dedicated interagency partners in advance of the next hurricane or terrorist attack.