21st Century Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute (PKSOI) Papers - A Continuation of Politics by Other Means: The "Politics" of a Peacekeeping Mission in Cambodia (1992-93)

Nonfiction, History, Military, United States
Cover of the book 21st Century Peacekeeping and Stability Operations Institute (PKSOI) Papers - A Continuation of Politics by Other Means: The "Politics" of a Peacekeeping Mission in Cambodia (1992-93) by Progressive Management, Progressive Management
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Progressive Management ISBN: 9781310205774
Publisher: Progressive Management Publication: November 25, 2013
Imprint: Smashwords Edition Language: English
Author: Progressive Management
ISBN: 9781310205774
Publisher: Progressive Management
Publication: November 25, 2013
Imprint: Smashwords Edition
Language: English

Since the establishment of the United Nations (UN) in 1945, 63 peacekeeping missions have been authorized by UN mandate. Some fell directly under the UN, and others were conducted under UN authorization by lead nations. The mandates have been justified under UN Charter VI, "Pacific Settlement of Disputes," and Chapter VII, "Action with Respect to Threats to the Peace, Breaches of the Peace, and Acts of Aggression."1 Regardless of intent, the UN record in peacekeeping is one of mixed success. Numerous reasons for the failed or less than successful peacekeeping missions are offered: vague or weak mandates, conflicting objectives, ambiguous rules of engagement (ROE), and unanticipated spoilers rank high among these. This paper uses the UN Cambodian peacekeeping mission of 1992-93, considered a great success by many, to examine the complexities involved in UN peacekeeping missions and to illustrate the primacy of the political context in determining success.

Peacekeeping is a civil-military operation on the UN's Spectrum of Peace and Security Activities. Whereas conflict prevention uses structural or diplomatic measures to preclude conflict within or among states, peacemaking applies measures, usually diplomatic, to bring hostile parties to fruitful negotiations. Peacekeeping missions aim to prevent the resumption of fighting by guaranteeing security for the parties of the conflict until a foundation for resolving the conflict and a sustainable peace is laid. It generally involves the separation of forces, the laying down of arms by the belligerents, the reintegration of the belligerents into society, and the facilitation of the resumption of a degree of normalcy within society. Recent conflicts with their almost wanton disregard of human rights and mistreatment of civilians have made the protection of civilians a key component of the peace process. Peace enforcement is an operation where coercive measures, including the use of threat of military force, are used to restore international peace and security. Peace-building, the last component of the operational spectrum, uses a range of measures to reduce the risk of a relapse into conflict and is a long-term process focused on a sustainable peace. While these operations are distinct in doctrine, the measures and actions used in application and issues confronted often appear similar. Nonetheless, the purpose of each operation is distinct, even as all seek to create peace and stability.

While peacekeeping has evolved, it remains distinct and useful as an operational concept along the spectrum of peace and security activities. However, it is not without its conceptual liabilities. Historically and today, peacekeeping operations adhere to three basic principles: (1) consent of the parties, (2) impartiality, and (3) nonuse of force except in self-defense— and more recently the defense of the mandate. The first predicates the mission and its success on the consent of the main parties to the conflict and their commitment to a political process and support of the UN force. The second argues that retaining consent is based on implementing the mandate without favor or prejudice to any party. The last principle has evolved from an absolute policy of no use of force except in self-defense to a more realistic reflection of the authorization of the use of force to deter attempts to undermine the peace process with force and to protect civilians. The Cambodian experience reveals how these liabilities affect the progress of peace.

The UN peacekeeping mission in Cambodia between 1992 and 1993 (the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia [UNTAC]) is an excellent precursor of the growing complexity of 21st century peacekeeping. While it has been studied before, there are two main problems with the literature and practice in peacekeeping operations that it highlights.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Since the establishment of the United Nations (UN) in 1945, 63 peacekeeping missions have been authorized by UN mandate. Some fell directly under the UN, and others were conducted under UN authorization by lead nations. The mandates have been justified under UN Charter VI, "Pacific Settlement of Disputes," and Chapter VII, "Action with Respect to Threats to the Peace, Breaches of the Peace, and Acts of Aggression."1 Regardless of intent, the UN record in peacekeeping is one of mixed success. Numerous reasons for the failed or less than successful peacekeeping missions are offered: vague or weak mandates, conflicting objectives, ambiguous rules of engagement (ROE), and unanticipated spoilers rank high among these. This paper uses the UN Cambodian peacekeeping mission of 1992-93, considered a great success by many, to examine the complexities involved in UN peacekeeping missions and to illustrate the primacy of the political context in determining success.

Peacekeeping is a civil-military operation on the UN's Spectrum of Peace and Security Activities. Whereas conflict prevention uses structural or diplomatic measures to preclude conflict within or among states, peacemaking applies measures, usually diplomatic, to bring hostile parties to fruitful negotiations. Peacekeeping missions aim to prevent the resumption of fighting by guaranteeing security for the parties of the conflict until a foundation for resolving the conflict and a sustainable peace is laid. It generally involves the separation of forces, the laying down of arms by the belligerents, the reintegration of the belligerents into society, and the facilitation of the resumption of a degree of normalcy within society. Recent conflicts with their almost wanton disregard of human rights and mistreatment of civilians have made the protection of civilians a key component of the peace process. Peace enforcement is an operation where coercive measures, including the use of threat of military force, are used to restore international peace and security. Peace-building, the last component of the operational spectrum, uses a range of measures to reduce the risk of a relapse into conflict and is a long-term process focused on a sustainable peace. While these operations are distinct in doctrine, the measures and actions used in application and issues confronted often appear similar. Nonetheless, the purpose of each operation is distinct, even as all seek to create peace and stability.

While peacekeeping has evolved, it remains distinct and useful as an operational concept along the spectrum of peace and security activities. However, it is not without its conceptual liabilities. Historically and today, peacekeeping operations adhere to three basic principles: (1) consent of the parties, (2) impartiality, and (3) nonuse of force except in self-defense— and more recently the defense of the mandate. The first predicates the mission and its success on the consent of the main parties to the conflict and their commitment to a political process and support of the UN force. The second argues that retaining consent is based on implementing the mandate without favor or prejudice to any party. The last principle has evolved from an absolute policy of no use of force except in self-defense to a more realistic reflection of the authorization of the use of force to deter attempts to undermine the peace process with force and to protect civilians. The Cambodian experience reveals how these liabilities affect the progress of peace.

The UN peacekeeping mission in Cambodia between 1992 and 1993 (the UN Transitional Authority in Cambodia [UNTAC]) is an excellent precursor of the growing complexity of 21st century peacekeeping. While it has been studied before, there are two main problems with the literature and practice in peacekeeping operations that it highlights.

More books from Progressive Management

Cover of the book The Rationale of Political Assassinations: Context, Logic, Landscape and General Trends, Causes, Facilitators, Consequences, Policy Implications, Coups D'etat, Typologies, Targets, Heads of State by Progressive Management
Cover of the book U.S. Marines In Iraq, 2003: Combat Service Support During Operation Iraqi Freedom - U.S. Marines in the Global War on Terrorism - Taking Baghdad and Tikrit, Special Purpose MAGTF by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Russia's Counterinsurgency in North Caucasus: Performance and Consequences - Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia, al-Qaeda, Islamic Unrest, Grozny, Beslan Incident, Tsarnaev Brothers by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Manuals: U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) Rifle Marksmanship Marine Corps Reference Publication (MCRP) 3-01A by Progressive Management
Cover of the book With Marines in Operation Provide Comfort: Humanitarian Operations in Northern Iraq, 1991 - Kurds, Saddam Hussein, Incirlik Air Base, Camp Sommers, Zakho, Gallant Provider, Kurdish Relief Efforts by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 2011 NASA Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) Annual Report, Issued January 2012 - Space Shuttle, International Space Station, Commercial Crew and Cargo, SpaceX, Human Rating, Exploration Program by Progressive Management
Cover of the book The United States Air Force in Southeast Asia: Civic Action - Vietnam War, Nation Building Amid Instability, Pacification, Tet Offensive, President Kennedy, Johnson by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Documents: Contingency and Disaster Planning (Air Force Pamphlet 10-219, Volume 1) - Air Force Civil Engineer History, Terrorism, Natural Disasters by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Terror Operations: Case Studies in Terrorism (TRADOC Handbook) Tokyo Subway Sarin Attack, Murrah Building Oklahoma Bombing, Khobar Towers, USS Cole Bombing, London Bombs 2005, Beslan Hostage Crisis by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Mitigation Federal Interagency Operational Plan: Core Capabilities, Federal Roles and Responsibilities, National Preparedness Goal and Executive Orders, Agency Directives, Congressional Acts by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Apollo and America's Moon Landing Program - Oral Histories of Managers, Engineers, and Workers (Set 4) - including Kohrs, Eugene Kranz, Seymour Liebergot, Robert McCall, Dale Myers, John O'Neill by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Challenges in the Asia: Pacific Theater for U.S. and Partner Nation Special Operations Forces - China's Access Denial Doctrine and Capabilities, U.S. and Chinese Military Strengths and Weaknesses by Progressive Management
Cover of the book Improving Cybersecurity in the Health Care Industry: Report of the Health Care Industry Cybersecurity Task Force - Risks to Medical Devices and IT Systems, Working in the Open Culture of Health Care by Progressive Management
Cover of the book 21st Century U.S. Military Manuals: Meteorology for Army Aviators (FM 1-230) - Weather Principles and Theory, Hazards (Professional Format Series) by Progressive Management
Cover of the book A Fit, Fighting Force: The Air Force Nursing Services Chronology - Highlights and Turning Points, From World War II and Its Aftermath to the New Century by Progressive Management
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy