Air Mobility - Pivotal Non-Lethal Capability. Where Are We Going with Peacekeeping?
Abstract
United Nations (UN)-sponsored peacekeeping is on the rise since the end of the Cold War. The character of peacekeeping has changed, expanding to include intruding into internal state elections, policing, human rights review, and other traditionally sovereign institutions. Since the end of the Cold War, America is the sole remaining superpower, and the world looks to the US to continue its leadership role. Our new national strategy of engagement and enlargement recognizes the benefit of global stability and clearly identifies peacekeeping as not the centerpiece, but nonetheless, an important tool in implementing our national security strategy. Various constraints limit direct American involvement in UN-sponsored peacekeeping. One area where the US has contributed significantly is in transporting peacekeeping forces to and from the conflict area. These transport missions provide both a national strategic bargaining chip and some of the best peacetime operational training opportunities available. A significant, but largely unrecognized by-product, is the international credibility derived for the 'Global Reach' leg of US Air Force military strategy. The paper concludes the US should continue to provide air mobility assets in moderation to UN-sponsored peacekeeping operations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA328284
Entities
People
- Ronald L. Bean
Organizations
- Air War College