‘Not business as usual’: changing realities and the transformations in peace operations

Abstract

The paper highlights the major transformations in global peace support operations led by the United Nations at present. In light of these trends, this paper asks how these trends affect today’s peace operations and what affect they may have on future operations. In attempting to answer these questions, the paper conducts a comparative historical analysis of peacekeeping and peace enforcement operations – their scopes and legal mandates. This paper explores the local security and legitimacy implications of the expanded will of the United Nations to use peace enforcement. Furthermore, it examines the major challenges – both doctrinal and operational – of peace operations in the contemporary period. Finally, the paper sheds light on three crucial features of contemporary trends of UN peace support operations – (a) technological development and its impact on UN peacekeeping, (b) the growing trend of regionalism in peacekeeping operations, and (c) the UN’s role in countering violent extremism (CVE). The paper argues that technological changes, regional powers in peacekeeping and threats of violent extremism are critical factors to understanding the complex nature of peace support operations. The changing patterns of peace operations highlight that robust peace enforcement as opposed to conventional peacekeeping is the emerging trend. Enforced peace requires cautious, but also a positive approach by the stakeholders to accommodate changing patterns of peace operations.