(Thumbnail image: The Washington Post)

In the wake of Haiti’s devastating earthquake, the focus has begun shifting from the immediate response to the country’s future.  Media sources examine what challenges lie ahead, and the best way to move forward in the rebuilding process.  

We look at perspectives from MSNBC, The Washington Post, CBS News, CNN, and The Christian Science Monitor

A panel on MSNBC takes a lesson from history and looks at how the U.S. role in aiding Haiti may quickly evolve.

Chris Matthews: “I always worry as we all do having been through Somalia, that when you go in for even a totally compassionate effort to feed starving people, very quickly you discover the local political situation and crime situation.”

David Gregory: “We’re going to have nine or 10 thousand troops there. Apparently by Monday they’re going to be needed. Again, this question of are we temporarily going to be taking over Haiti?”

The Washington Post argues that any kind of U.S. takeover of governmental duties from the Haitians would not be in the country’s best interest.  

“Development officials agree, the recovery effort must build up, not supplant, the Haitian government and civil society, starting with putting Haitian authorities at the center of a single, clearly defined plan to rebuild.”

Part of building a sturdier Haiti, and a large reason for the overwhelming losses it incurred, is the need for quality infrastructure.  A crisis management expert on CBS News proposes an idea for addressing the issue in the future.  

“As funds come in to rebuild criteria can be put forth to develop some level of building standard for future building.  The whole idea here is to build back safer and stronger, so that the community becomes resilient to future disasters.”

The United States’ pledge to send troops, money, and a long-term commitment to help rebuild Haiti was outlined in a CNN interview with Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, bringing up a controversial term.

“It sounds like, and nobody likes this word in politics, it sounds like nation building. ... She did not use the term nation building, but it started at such a low point. Basic health care, so hard to get even without an earthquake.  Anything would be better than it was.”

Whether or not you call it nation building, The Christian Science Monitor examines the advantages of such an effort, saying:  

“The Caribbean country has emerged as a growing link in the hemisphere's drug trade as law enforcement has collapsed and fallen to corruption. Threats of a mass exodus of Haitians to US shores have also been cited. The functioning democratic institutions a successful nation-building program would help create are remedies to both problems.”

So what is the best way to help Haiti recover, and what role should the US play?

Writer: David Goldstein

Producer: Nathan Giannini