Current trends in UN peacekeeping: a perspective from Asia

UN Peacekeeping Operations have passed through four distinct phases since their inception. Traditional peacekeeping operations began in 1947 and lasted until the end of the Cold War. There was a peace to keep, and opposing sides were willing to accept the UN's role. Second-generation peacekeeping operations may be said to have begun at the end of the Cold War, were more complex and often required robust responses, for which the international community was not entirely prepared. The setbacks of this era led to an attempt at regionalizing peacekeeping operations which was the third generation. The resurgence of peacekeeping after 1999 may represent another generation, where humanitarian aspects often dominate. Three reports in recent years have influenced peacekeeping operations. The Secretary-General's Report on the Prevention of Armed Conflicts, the Brahimi Committee Report on UN Peacekeeping Operations and the Report of an Independent Commission on Interventions and State Sovereignty. Their recommendations, particularly those of the Brahimi Report, have helped to shape and redefine peace operations. This has been further challenged by developments in Afghanistan and particularly Iraq, to which the international community has yet to respond effectively.