Why can’t UN peacekeepers/soldiers fight if things start to escalate?
The UN only commands peacekeeping missions if both sides in the conflict consent. To get that consent the UN often accepted rules of engagement prohibiting peacekeepers from shooting except in self-defense. They can provide humanitarian aid, monitor and report wrong-doing, but all they can do is …
The Short Answer
The UN only commands peacekeeping missions if both sides in the conflict consent. To get that consent the UN often accepted rules of engagement prohibiting peacekeepers from shooting except in self-defense. They can provide humanitarian aid, monitor and report wrong-doing, but all they can do is talk sternly to bad guys unless the bad guys are actually shooting at peacekeepers. The end result was UN missions generally unable to keep the peace or protect the innocent. British peacekeepers in Bosnia, before NATO took over, deliberately drove their armoured vehicles into fire so they could claim they were acting in self-defense. Canadian generals in Bosnia called Ottawa for permission to intervene when atrocities were being committed because the UN wouldn't even answer the phone. Its why many former peacekeepers have PTSD, a large part of why the USA doesn't participate in blue-beret peacekeeping missions, why NATO took over in Bosnia, and why the UN sent NATO into Afghanistan.
Analysis
Key Concepts: Peacekeepers, missions, bosnia
This explanation focuses on peacekeepers, missions, bosnia and spans 157 words across 7 sentences. At 131% above the average Space & Astronomy explanation (68 words), this is one of the more thorough answers in this category, reflecting the complexity of the underlying question.
What This Answer Covers
The explanation opens with: “The UN only commands peacekeeping missions if both sides in the conflict consent.” It then elaborates by presenting a contrasting perspective, ultimately building toward a complete picture across 7 connected points.
How This Compares in Space & Astronomy
Ranked #23 of 500 Space & Astronomy questions by answer depth (top 5%). This places it in the comprehensive tier — the top quarter of most thoroughly answered questions. Questions at this depth typically involve multi-faceted topics requiring nuanced explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a simple explanation for why un peacekeepers/soldiers fight if things start to escalate?
The UN only commands peacekeeping missions if both sides in the conflict consent. To get that consent the UN often accepted rules of engagement prohibiting peacekeepers from shooting except in self-defense. They can provide humanitarian aid, monitor…
How detailed is this explanation compared to similar Space & Astronomy questions?
This is one of the most thorough answer at 157 words, ranked #23 of 500 Space & Astronomy questions by depth. The key concepts covered are peacekeepers, missions, bosnia.
What approach does this answer take to explain un peacekeepers/soldiers fight if things start to escalate?
The explanation uses root cause analysis and contrasting perspectives across 157 words. It is categorized under Space & Astronomy and addresses the question through 2 analytical lenses.