Peacekeeping Is Tricky Business

July 26, 2006

Calls have begun for an international peacekeeping force to be deployed along the southern Lebanese border, but there is a tendency among politicians and diplomats — not to mention the media and the public — to mischaracterize peacekeeping as a quick fix to conflict. Countries are always reluctant to volunteer their troops and equipment, and no reasonable government would do so without a realistic mission in place and practical rules of engagement in hand. Peacekeeping is tricky business, not a magic bullet to stop the fighting.