Peace Operations in Failed States: What is the Appropriate Model to Employ?

In the Post-Cold War era, the US military has frequently conducted peace operations. Such operations have practically become the norm, particularly in failed states. Most failed states are typically unable to provide basic social, economic, legal, and political services and safeguards to their citizens. Consequently, when the US military enters a failed state as a peace operations force, the conditions supporting peace more often than not are fragile or even non-existent. This study examines an appropriate peace operations model for a failed state where the likelihood for continued conflict and violence persist. This paper describes failed states, peacekeeping, peace enforcement, peace maintenance and peace building. The examples of two historical states (Somalia and East Timor) indicate the utility and feasibility of this model. This study examines the reasons for military intervention and also why it's essential for the US military to have the right force employed. This study examines why the appropriate model to employ in a failed state should be peace enforcement, peace maintenance and peace building.