Peacekeeping: Issues of U.S. Military Involvement
Abstract
For almost a decade, Congress has expressed reservations about many complex and intertwined peacekeeping issues. The Bush Administration's desire to reduce the commitment of U.S. troops to international peacekeeping stems largely from Congressional concern that peacekeeping duties are detrimental to military readiness. Others are concerned that withdrawals of U.S. troops from peacekeeping commitments will undermine U.S. leadership. Thousands of U.S. military personnel currently serve in or support peacekeeping operations, performing tasks ranging from providing humanitarian relief to monitoring and enforcing cease-fires or other agreements designed to separate parties in conflict. Of these, 42 were serving in seven operations under United Nations control (as of July 30, 2001). Others are serving full-time in operations run unilaterally by the Department of Defense (DoD) or together with U.S. allies in support of these operations, particularly the NATO Stabilization Force (SFOR) in Bosnia and the NATO Kosovo Force (KFOR). About 37,000 more serve in or support peacekeeping operations in South Korea. For Congress, two initial issues were whether U.S. troops should be placed under United Nations control and when the President should consult with and seek congressional approval to deploy U.S. troops on peacekeeping missions. As the number of troops under United Nations control declined steeply, the first concern became less pressing. Regarding the second, in Presidential Decision Directive (PDD) 25, President Clinton set forth the procedures for informing Congress and consulting with congressional leaders about ongoing and potential peacekeeping operations, but did not say that congressional approval would be sought. Another important concern has been the high cost of and the appropriate method for funding DoD peacekeeping activities. Currently, the most salient Congressional peacekeeping concern is the military readiness issue.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 13, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA477218
Entities
People
- Nina M. Serafino
Organizations
- Library of Congress