Middle East Peacekeeping Operations after Peace Accords on the Syria and Lebanon Tracks

Abstract

From a practitioner perspective, the study explores what the three regional peacekeeping missions – UNDOF, UNIFIL and UNTSO - may do ‘the day after’ peace accords were in place, relative to potential security arrangements on the Syria and Lebanon tracks. The inquiry looks at the ‘mechanics’ of the security implementation system after peace accords are in place; the role of the UN in assisting peace implementation and potential improvements; the future validity of prior negotiation positions and the possible effect of seminal transitions in the Middle East, prior to an outcome of the Syria conflict. As an example, the study considers the experience of Egypt after the peace treaty with Israel, and the security arrangements in the Sinai. The study finds that the traditional peacekeeping or military monitoring operations are well-suited to post-accord security arrangement facilitation, and highlights the primary value of traditional peacekeeping missions as confidence-building mechanisms, supporting the development of state relationships.