The United States, the United Nations, and the Invention of Multinational Peace Operations, 1946 to 1998.

Abstract : The United Nations was established in 1945 with its primary tasks to promote international and A foundational premise of the new organization was that the world's most powerful nations would cooperate to carry out these goals. Instead, the post-war international system split into three parts: the West, the East, and peripheral states. Subsequently, neither eastern nor western blocs entrusted the United Nations with the responsibility or the means to effect a system of international collective security. As a result, one half of the UN's political mission statement was thwarted. On the other hand, the organization's efforts to promote peaceful relations within and between states were more successful, especially in the periphery-in areas beyond direct East or West control, but of great interest to both. By defusing or containing peripheral disputes, through ad hoc instrumentalities peace operations -the United Nations made its greatest contributions. In developing this capacity and conducting these missions, the United States was the organization's most staunch supporter-for both ideological and cost-benefit reasons.