U.S. Support for UN Peacekeeping: Areas for Additional DOD Assistance
Abstract
Over the last decade, and particularly following the attacks of September 11, 2001, the Pentagon has increasingly viewed failed states, also referred to as "under- or ungoverned spaces," as a threat to U.S. national security and recognized the importance of peacekeeping to U.S. interests. As one senior defense official put it, "the U.S. government is committed to making peacekeeping work." The 2006 Quadrennial Defense Review (QDR) states "The Department [of Defense] stands ready to increase its assistance to the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations in areas of the Department's expertise such as doctrine, training, strategic planning and management." Yet, as the Department of Defense (DOD) recognizes the importance of under- and ungoverned spaces and the need for stability operations, it is overstretched by the war on terror and combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. Thus, any role to support peacekeeping will have to be limited and perhaps even deferred. That said, the more that can be done now, the less U.S. forces will have to do in the future. U.S. Government (USG) entities beyond DOD, particularly the Department of State (DOS) and National Security Council (NSC), must also be involved in the effort to support peacekeeping. This report addresses primarily those areas in which limited DOD involvement will provide multiplier benefits to U.S. security.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA473191
Entities
People
- Nancy Soderberg
Organizations
- National Defense University