Peacekeeping

Peacekeeping, as defined by the United Nations, is a way to help countries torn by conflict create conditions for sustainable peace. UN peacekeepers—soldiers and military officers, civilian police officers and civilian personnel from many countries—monitor and observe peace processes that emerge in post-conflict situations and assist ex-combatants in implementing the peace agreements they have signed. Such assistance comes in many forms, including confidence-building measures, power-sharing arrangements, electoral support, strengthening the rule of law, and economic and social development. All operations must include the resolution of conflicts through the use of force to be considered valid under the charter of the United Nations.

Related Topics:
United Nations - UN

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The Charter of the United Nations gives the UN Security Council the power and responsibility to take collective action to maintain international peace and security. For this reason, the international community usually looks to the Security Council to authorize peacekeeping operations. Most of these operations are established and implemented by the United Nations itself with troops serving under UN operational command. In other cases, where direct UN involvement is not considered appropriate or feasible, the Council authorizes regional organizations such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, the Economic Community of West African States or coalitions of willing countries to implement certain peacekeeping or peace enforcement functions.

Related Topics:
Charter of the United Nations - Security Council - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation - Economic Community of West African States

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In modern times, peacekeeping operations have evolved into many different functions, including diplomatic relations with other countries, international bodies of justice (such as the International Criminal Court), and eliminating problems such as landmines that can lead to new incidents of fighting.

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The UN peacekeepers have a distinctive bright blue colored helmets or berets, and are often colloquially referred to as the blue helmets.

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Other organizations or groups have also created peacekeeping operations for various reasons. Examples would include Nato Kosovo mission, Multinational Force and Observers and the failed IPKF.

Related Topics:
Kosovo mission - Multinational Force and Observers - IPKF

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