Customer Reviews

International Peacekeeping (Perspectives on Security)

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This book explains the difference between peacekeepers and multinational intervention. It highlights the shortcomings and advantages of peacekeeping (PK). While the book's material is particularly relevant to Cold War-era studies of the UN, the analysis is still applicable. Diehl provides an excellent overview of 6 UN PK missions. He explains why these missions failed and suceeded for different reasons. He also provides several viable alternatives, both institutional and functional options. He brings up several ideas and explains why they won't work, while explaining clearly why some ideas would be a good policy alternative. Furthermore, this edition of Int PK includes an epilogue concerning Somalia, Cambodia, and the former Yugoslovia. Overall, this book should be read by anyone who is interested in: peace in the post-cold war world, peace in a new inter-dependent world, forming a safe world order that can effectively deal with violator states, and the history of UN PK missions. As a third-year international politics student, I would recommend this material to someone who has a fundamental understanding of the UN. This book can be read with meticulous detail or it can be read lightly for overall impressions. The book is well-balanced between honest criticism (compared to cynical insults) and thought-out alternatives (as opposed to flowerly save-the-world recommendations).

Professor Paul Diehl has written a very informative work on the complex task confronting International Peacekeeping. Previously the sole responsibility of the United Nations, peacekeeping operations are now also being undertaken by the African Union.

Peacekeeping operations have become the United Nations' biggest commitment in an ever-changing and complex world; especially after the end of the Cold War era.

Although now some fourteen years old, the book provides in-depth information into the development of peacekeeping operations since UNEF 1 (1956)and the challenges confronting the UN in attempting to resolve conflicts and maintain world peace.

Prof. Diehl gives an insight into the predecessor of the UN, the failed League of Nations and the reasons for its eventual demise. I found it interesting to note the League did achieve some measure of success prior to the Second World War.

Six detailed case studies allow the reader to follow the complexity of peacekeeping operations and analyse the various challenges confronting the Missions during the terms of their mandates. These detailed studies are very well documented and permit good comparative analysis. Professor Diehl writes with the authority of one well-versed in this difficult subject.

In summary, I found the book exteremly helpful as a reference; my one lament is that fourteen years have elapsed since its publication and I would very much welcome an updated edition to bring this very interesting subject up to date. Well done, Professor Diehl.