Explaining peacekeeping performance: The UN in internal conflicts

Abstract

Operations in internal conflicts represent the largest growth area in United Nations peacekeeping. Unfortunately, the level of success that these operations have achieved has ranged from cautious success to disastrous failure. This article offers an explanation of this varied performance by identifying, and weighing the importance of, six key variables: the role of the parties to the conflict; the existence of a Comprehensive Settlement Agreement; the role of the five permanent members of the Security Council; the role of the United States; the role of regional powers; and the maintenance of the three traditional principles of peacekeeping: consent, impartiality and limited use of force. It concludes by presenting a set of conditions for the ideal type of internal conflict peacekeeping operation.