UN peacekeeping operations

Résumé du document

Peacekeeping operations (PKOs) illustrate both the successes and the difficulties of the United Nations in the fulfillment of their primary goal: "the maintenance of international peace and security." They symbolize the ambitions of the organization but also its adaptation: it is thus interesting to analyze their evolution and how they might face the new challenges. Peacekeeping operations are currently defined by the United Nations as "operations involving military personnel, but without enforcement powers, undertaken by the United Nations to help maintain or restore international peace and security in areas of conflict." There is however no clear definition (and even any use of the notion) of peacekeeping in the UN Charter. Peacekeeping emerged during the Cold War as a "tool of conflict management." Whereas "enforcement was not generally acceptable to the superpowers, [...] less intrusive options were developed": peacekeeping had to be a non-aggressive UN military presence.

Extraits

[...] Moreover, it is important to notice that “permanent members often operate outside the peacekeeping umbrella.”[15] The most powerful states have sometimes been reluctant to participate in PKOs as it “entails risks either because they have a history of past involvement (the US in Haiti, France in Rwanda) or because the national interests of the major powers and internationals interests may not coincide.”[16] The practice of “subcontracting” PKOs to other countries has thus developed but still requires the financial and technical support of developed nations. The problem there is however that some countries (like the US) have refused to contribute to the UN-PKO budget for political reasons (reform of the UN, pressure on a PKO, etc.) Potential responses to the new challenges Various experts have presented their recommendations for the improvement of UN PKOs. [...]

[...] The Brahimi Report called for institutional changes within the UN to better associate peacekeeping and post-conflict peace- building. It recommended a new “gradual” strategy and doctrine: better preventive actions, “clear, credible and achievable mandates” and recognition of the use of force in complex operations peacekeepers must be capable of accomplishing the mission's mandate and of defending themselves and, where mandated, other mission components”[17]). The UN needs to improve its internal structure and the way the organization of PKOs, the competences of various institutions in the peace-building process, etc.[18] Concerning the deployment of troops, the report recognizes the benefits in terms of efficiency and commanding structure of the creation of brigade-sized forces that could be deployed within a few days. [...]

[...] very recent article analyzing the change in NATO, the need for structural changes in order to adapt to its new missions and the need of cooperation with other important actors in peacekeeping and peace- building.] *Urquhart, Brian, United Nations rediscovered?,” World Policy Journal, (New York), Summer 2004. critical assessment of the UN's strengths and weaknesses and how the UN is still relevant for peacekeeping today. It analyzes the role of the UN in Iraq and how the US needs it for the reconstruction.] *Urquhart, Brian, Next Secretary-General: How to Fill a Job With No Description,” Foreign Affairs, (New York: Council on Foreign Relations, Sept/Oct. 2006). [...]

[...] general overview of the reform of the UN and the evolution of the role of the Secretary-General, just before the end of K. Annan's mandate, with a special focus on the evolution of PKOs and the new challenges.] United Nations, The Blue Helmets: A review of UN Peacekeeping, 3rd edition, (New York: UNDPI, 1996), p.4. Stephen M. Hill and Shahin P. Malik, Peacekeeping and the United Nations, (Brookfield: Dartmouth, 1996), p.14. Ibid N.D. White, Keeping the peace The United Nations and the maintenance of international peace and security, 2nd edition, (Manchester, UK: Manchester University Press, 1997), p Karen A. [...]

[...] Weiss and Jarat Chopra, United Nations Peacekeeping: An ACUNS Teaching Text, (Hanover: Academic Council on the United Nations System, 1992), p.31. Mingst and Karns, The United Nations in the post-Cold War era, p.107. Mingst and Karns, The United Nations in the post-Cold War era, p.106. Brian Urquhart, United Nations rediscovered?,” World Policy Journal, (New York), Summer 2004, p.3. Idem. N.D. White, Keeping the peace, p.238-239. [...]