The Evolution of United Nations Peace-Keeping Operations: Keeping the Essential Characteristics

Since the first operation in 1948, UN peacekeeping has evolved significantly. With more than 60 years experience, the UN has engaged in peacekeeping operations throughout the world, albeit not always successfully. However, successes and failures have contributed to the evolution of peacekeeping. This evolution has led to interesting modifications of peacekeeping’s basic and essential principles of limited use of force, neutrality, and consent of the host state. Peacekeepers have found it necessary to adapt the old structure to new realities without completely twisting these essential principles. The article analyses the effects of this evolution on modern UN peacekeeping operations.