Peacekeeping Forces and Emerging Challenges in the 21st Century

1. war

2. End of History? • no wars fought between democratic countries (in 20th century) • nor (since WWII) between wealthy countries--a few exceptions

3. So who is still fighting? • Most wars of the past 50 years are: • fought in poor countries • civil wars • possibly with foreign involvement • ill-defined forces • para-militaries, children, abductees • high civilian casualties

4. Recent factors behind decline in conflicts • End of most colonial wars of independence • End of Cold War • Rising incomes, especially Asia • Greater peace-keeping and peace-making by international forces

5. But down the road . . . • Increasing tensions with religious fundamentalism • Intractable poverty • Conflicts over shortages of oil, water, and other resources • The unpredictable

6. UN forces • UN chapter 7 authorized forces--Korea, First Iraq War, etc • “Blue Helmets”--UN peacekeepers • more than 60 missions, growing

8. International Forces--NATO • formed 1949--US dominant • mutual defense clause • reinvented after 1991, eventually expanded • first use: 1994 ending war in Bosnia • 1999 more extensive use against Serbia, protecting Kosovo • 2003 takes over security role from Germany in Afghanistan

10. Arms trade

11. The Arms market • Small arms—total of 1 gun for every 10 people on earth