An Operational Primer for Multilateral Peace Operations

Abstract : The end of the cold war has seen an increase in the number of peace operations undertaken by the United Nations, by regional organizations, and by multilateral coalitions. Post-cold war peace operations have differed from the traditional UN Chapter VI military observation and peacekeeping force models. Humanitarian interventions and the rise in failed have seen peacekeeping forces introduced into missions without the consent of one or more of the belligerents involved. The United Nations in particular has found these operations difficult, as the United Nations is hampered by structural command and control deficiencies as well as a reliance on member states to fund the missions and provide the contingents needed to carry them out. Despite some mission failures, peace operations are here to stay, as they fill a void between the public's demand for action and those situations which, while difficult, do not directly affect a major power's vital interests. Operational commanders must be prepared to carry out peace operations, and must be knowledgeable of how operational factors are affected by peace operations, as well as the difficulties and limitations inherent in them.